Terms like “classic” and “iconic” get bandied about quite frequently in discussions of cars and all reviewers do have a tendency for hyperbole. I’m reminded of a January movie release that the reviewer gushed was the “best movie of the year”. Ultimately those things that stand the test of time will get their chance to become true classics and the rest will fade into quiet obscurity. The 1963 Corvette is not a car that will “go gently into that good night”. It is by every measure a landmark automobile and an American automotive icon.
In the early 60’s the Corvette was on life support at GM. Started in 1953 the car had limped along making steady mechanical improvement but not really getting much more than a cult following in the United States. It is said that it survived only because the body was made out of fiberglass and GM had no other use for the facility. As long as they could sell all the cars they produced, at a profit, they were allowed to limp along. That changed in 1963 with the second generation Corvette, the C2, or as it came to be known to everyone, “The Sting Ray”. The Corvette has now been in continuous production longer than any other sports car and is currently in its C6 configuration but the lineage of style, power, suspension and even the little quirks of all the cars that followed can be first found in the 1963 car.
Autoart, as part of their “Millennium” series, has issued a classic red 1963 Corvette Convertible. While the 1963 models iconic image is that of the split window coupe it was the roadsters that kept up the classic “sports car” tradition and red was the signature color. The model looks to be “spot on” in size, shape and stance and is a real treat from any angle. There has been some question as to the quality of the finish on this piece and quite frankly I think it looks fantastic, even better, it looks like a painted and polished fiberglass car. The red is a bit on the matte side and that is what the real car looked like. Likewise the gaps in the body panels are perhaps just a bit wider than on other models and this too is in keeping with the 1963 era fiberglass work from Chevrolet.
The “flip up” headlights have been included and the work without much fuss – not that many people will display the car with the lights open. The hood doors and rear hatch over the convertible top all open and work without flaw and give the eye a good view of all there is to see beyond the bodywork. While the “top” is really just an unmovable piece of plastic it is fairly well molded and give at least the impression of a top. The interior is nicely done with nice little details on the doors and dash, good looking carpeting and well formed seats that don’t look too plastic. The fuel injected 327 engine is nicely done although not up to the level of some previous “millennium” offerings and I like the look and function of the hood hinge. The wheels and tires are also nicely done and the logo in the center of the wheel spinner is a very nice touch.
The badges, photo etched grill pieces on the hood and the rest of the “bright work” is also excellently done and really enhances the overall look of the car. From the front grill to the dual exhaust pipes this car is loaded with jewel like details. By the way, if you are wondering, the hood grills on the real car were not functional either – they had originally planned them to be so but found that the open grillwork allowed hot engine gasses into the cockpit. The hood indents remained on the following years car but the grills disappeared. You will be particularly drawn to what a great job that Autoart did on the vent windows and the windshield surround. Just a beautiful flawless finish that is topped off by some nicely formed wipers and mirrors.
Any gripes? Well the seats should fold down and there could have been a bit more engine detail but most people will be happy to trade that for the excellent job they did on the badges. Autoart has made an excellent model of a car that is truly an icon. Every collection should have one.
-Frank Lemire
