63 - 67 Sting Ray Registry
The photos above show the engine after it was restored. Many hours of hard work went into the restoration and am very proud of the outcome (compared to what I purchased). For example, the car had the rare 1962 aluminum manifold with one exhaust manifold from a '61 and the other from a '62. The master brake cylinder was the clip-top replacement and the brake booster was from a '65. In addition I had the ugly flawed valve covers, the waterpump was from a '65 and there was no wiper motor so that was replaced with a complete windshield wash system. The thermostat cover was off a '67, and all the hoses and clamps were wrong and the oil pan was wrong so it was replaced with the proper five quart pan. Even the heater coil cover was held together by fiberglass and cardboard; a new one was purchased. Radiator leaked and housing was fiberglass replacement, all replaced. The carburetor was the Carter replacement model and this was replaced with the proper dated and model Carter AFB along with the proper dated manifold. Heads were rebuilt and decked. Even the overflow was date 1988 and replaced with the proper 1963. I could go on and on but you get the picture, well you can see the picture above.
Picture one shows the car in September, same as picture two after it was going through restoration. Although it looks good on the outside, it went through a lot of work. Complete exhaust system from the exhaust manifold to the tail pipes was replaced with the correct parts. Antenna was from a 1980 Impala and was replaced. Everything else was as I bought it. Paint is poor, many paint blisters that are hidden from a distance but up close you can see them clearly. Car has six coats of paint on it and at one time in its life was painted black; that is why its going into the paint shop. Last photo shows it in its home the garage at my house. After all, I had to build it to house a special car like this. As far as the frame, no rust but one minor crack that was repaired up near the front shock right side. A lot of work was done on the suspension system and the car now drives much, much better. One other item: the complete transmission T10D was rebuilt and flywheel replaced twice because the first was a bad part. The bell housing was in poor shape and was replaced.
This is the interior; again, almost everything was replaced and nothing worked. New carpet, sunshades, door panels, etc., etc., etc. Corvette Specialties did the entire dash area including the wireharness being replaced. Before the battery would drain; now, no battery drain. However I did replace the plastic lenses with glass and did upgrade the clock to quartz. A lot of work was done on the emergency brake and I have all the original brake parts for the '63. Directions canceller was fixed, radio panels and all the trim molding was stripped and repainted. Car had no jack, no wrench etc. All of this was replaced with the proper jack equipment. For safety in the rear well I installed a fire extinguisher. New brake, clutch and gas pedals. The shifter was replaced with the correct one, new window cranks and the radio was fixed to work (it actually holds a station). The side air vents were removed and year of dirt and crap were removed, cleaned and new vents put on. The steering wheel, glove box, dash pad, and seats were all in great shape but for some reason all the drain plugs were missing; these were replaced. Console was replaced and dimmer switch was replaced with one that worked. Every interior screw was replaced with the proper type and in most cases the trim molding screw holes had to be filled and redrilled for the proper screws. The interior is brand new. Next five months, paint shop and refinish all outside trim and a new windshield and weatherstripping.
Last picture is the most special: my understanding and supportive wife. She has stuck with me spending thousands more then was intended and to me she is very special. So if you see her, let her know how special she is -- she truly is a Corvette Girl…. Well that’s it for now. I hope to see all of you at Carlisle after the exterior is finished. I loved the '63 since I first saw it in the showroom when I was twelve. Ironically, the first '63 Corvette I sat in at the showroom was Silver with Black Interior with a four spead. Life is a circle.
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Collin & Meg MacDonald's '63 Coupe
, Round Hill, VA