Split Window ZR1

[Nate_ERC]

As per request here is a build thread on the 63 Vette that we are building. I haven't really been involved in this build, but if you have questions I can ask the guys who have.

The project is a 63 Corvette Coupe that we started building about a year ago. It's been put on the back burner so we could finish cars with deadlines, but we are slowly making progress on it.

The suspension is all C4 Corvette, with the original chassis extensively modified to incorporate it. The engine and trans are an LT5 and 6 speed out of a donor ZR1 Corvette. This will be very similar to the 65 ZR1 that we built several years ago.

Here is the beast when we pulled it out of storage.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw1.JPG

We got on the body work right away.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw2.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw3.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw4.JPG

[Nate_ERC]

We chopped out the fenders and widened them, 7 inches total in the back, and 5 up front.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw5.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw6.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw7.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw8.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw9.JPG

[Nate_ERC]

I think fender flares really give these cars a better stance.

From this...
http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw4.JPG

To this...
http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw10.JPG

[DDY RCKT]

That is really amazing! Can't wait to see it finished!

[Nate_ERC]

We got a totaled out ZR1 from a local boneyard. My pops still thinks the LT5 is the best motor ever made. :P

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw11.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw12.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw28.JPG

[Nate_ERC]

Next we pulled the body off and started to really see how nasty the frame was.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw13.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw15.JPG


We dropped the frame on the rack, and began the modifications.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw16.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw14.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw18.JPG

[Nate_ERC]

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw19.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw20.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw21.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw22.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw23.JPG

[Nate_ERC]

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw24.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw25.JPG

[Nate_ERC]

With the chassis mostly complete, we can drop the drivetrain in.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw26.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw27.JPG

[Nate_ERC]

The car gets reassembled for mock-up, and we lay glass for the new tunnel.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw29.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw30.JPG

[DDY RCKT]

:wow:

[Nate_ERC]

Then we roll in the 65 so we can copy the front spolier.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw31.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw32.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw38.JPG

[Nate_ERC]

The engine is a tight sqeeze. Rather than use a big block hood, they decide to open it up a little.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw33.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw34.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw35.JPG

[Nate_ERC]

Here she sits right now. We are finishing up all of the body and glass work.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw36.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw37.JPG

[monza]

Thanks for posting, my first follow along Vette build, looks great.

[Bowtieracing]

Nate big thank you for opening this secret :wow: :cheers:

You are doing fantastic work, that is going to be excellent ride whent its done. The front frame part was really intresting. Can you show us how did you do the rear ?

[Rybar]

That is a sweet project! Nice work :thumbsup:

[abadsvt]

Thats tight! I have been wanting to see a 63 vette build up. Love all the glass work. Great job. So did you use foam to get the desired look then use some sort of wax paper or equal to make the mold? I need to start taking notes. My dad has a 63 conv. vette and i keep telling him that after i get done with my project and he hasn't even started his that i am just going to take it without permission then send him a bill when it is all done.:lol: Please keep us posted on this build.

[awr68]

Nate, is the '65 the car your dad did at Steve's? Or was that another one? Progress looks good!!

[Vince@Meanstreets]

awesome work guys, im always amazed by fiberglass masters. Just seeing the pictures makes my arms itch.

[GHOSTDANCER]

Looking great :thumbsup:

[Nate_ERC]

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Anthony- Yes that is the '65 that my dad built at SAR. It lives in the storage side of our shop. We have a really bad Corvette infestation back there.

I can't find any pictures of the rear end, so I'll have to crawl under there and snap a picture tomorrow morning. The rear didn't take much chassis work though.

Will, the guy working on this car is totally a fiberglass guru. Most of the custom bits are made out of foam, and then glassed over. It's not that hard to get really creative with fiberglass, you just have to be careful to lay the glass right. Also you have to be prepared to get the itches in orifices you didn't even know you had. ;)

[formula98]

What a great post! This is the first time I've been through it and you guys are doing great work along with great details. Very nice to see this project as you have presented it here.

[PonchoJohn]

That's sweet! I'm such a sucker for the 63 1/2 - 67 Vettes. I always wanted to have split window w/ the L-88 hood.
Keep up the good work!

[Diognes56]

Looks great :) .

David

[G-Body]

Shwing cant wait to follow this build loving it!:willy:

[PT Goat]

Looks awesome. I must say, the midyear coupes (and especially the '63) are the most beautiful American cars ever designed, IMO.

[rocketman]

NIce Vette

[waynieZ]

Awsome build I can't wait to see more!!

Wayne

[XcYZ]

More, much more, please. :cheers:

[Efi69Cam]

:wow:


What he said. :hail:

[Beach Cruiser]

Sweet! I love those years. I restored a 65 convertable to put myself through college. More Pictures please!

[scholtmj]

Look'n good :thumbsup:
If you don't mind me asking, how much does a salvage ZR-1 go for these days? In the last picture posted, are those pieces of right angle steel bolted to the hubs that are supported by jack stands? That setup looks interesting to me. Thanks!

[Dodgenut64]

Cool project. I love early vettes. I often wonder how any of these get in as bad as shape as some of them get. You kinda assume vettes are gonna be taken care of and never run into the ground.

[Nate_ERC]

scholtmj - We got the ZR1 for 10k locally. Not a great deal, but not too bad either considering it's got a "warranty" against mechanical failure.

You're correct, it's sitting on angle iron drilled out to the bolt pattern. It's simple, mobile, and we can set the ride hight to wherever we want.



Here is a couple pictures of the rear suspension/frame. It will be made beautiful when we take it back apart.


http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/v1.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/v2.JPG

[Nate_ERC]

They decided to redesign the hood and nose, because NOBODY liked the huge bulge going down the middle!


http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/v3.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/v4.JPG

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/v6.JPG

[Nate_ERC]

New vents are also in the works. I'll get more pictures up when the hood is completed.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/v8.JPG

[RDuke]

Nate,

Great pictures. You guys do some amazing fab work. I have a quick question about your chassis jig if you don't mind. It looks like it's on wheels and you can roll it out from under the chassis. How does that work? I've always wondered what the best way to build a chassis jig would be and how to get a car on and off of it.

Thanks,
Ryan

[Nate_ERC]

Ryan - We just pull the chassis on and off of the jig with a forklift, or with some man power. It's actually sitting on trailer axles and has a ball hitch so we can stick it out back with the car haulers when it's not in use.

[RDuke]

oh, well I don't think my wife will let me get a forklift. I've got approval for a 6 car shop with lift/paint booth but the forklift will be pushing, lol.

[R67Chevelle]

Thats some of the finest craftsmanship I have seen in a long time. That vette will be awesome when its done... Looks like the project is coming alone very quickly... Thanks for the posts and picks.....:thumbsup:

Blessings,

[Vince@Meanstreets]

oh, well I don't think my wife will let me get a forklift. I've got approval for a 6 car shop with lift/paint booth but the forklift will be pushing, lol.
Hurt your back a few times and complain about not being able to take out the trash and you'll get one quick. j/k.

Seriously, if you have a 2 post rack you will just have to make the table mobile. Or make ramps for it.

[Garage Dog 65]

oh, well I don't think my wife will let me get a forklift. I've got approval for a 6 car shop with lift/paint booth but the forklift will be pushing, lol.

If you think that my jig would be something you're interested in let me know. It can be stored flat or hung off the wall as all the parts nest once you pull the bolts. I have the plans, materials list and some basic cost info. Or I could post it in the shop equipment section and you could get it from there. You're call. Jim

[RDuke]

Thanks for the picture Jim. I'll probably end up doing my own design based on my shop layout and what ever lift I end up getting.

Nice 356 by the way. Are you planning a 3.8 and 6-speed for it? :thumbsup:

[Josh69]

Any updates?

This car didn't end up in Minnesota did it? I passed a truck hauling a black split window coupe that didn't look completely finished with polished late model aluminum vette suspension and polished 18" A/R TTII's and some large red calipers...couldn't tell what they were.

You don't see too many Pro-Touring '63's!

[WILWAXU]

That's a killer looking build!

[96z28ss]

I don't think he has posted on here since the summer. must be busy.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/images/63sw/57.html


http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/images/63sw/59.html

[two68s]

They decided to redesign the hood and nose, because NOBODY liked the huge bulge going down the middle!



:( I did. It looks like the engine nacelle bulge of a fighter jet.

F-15 Eagle
http://stix1972.typepad.com/stix_blog/images/2007/11/07/f15_ocean_2.jpg

ZR1 split
http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/turboford/zr1sw/sw36.JPG

Either way, awesome build. Subscribed.

[groovyjay]

I like what you've done so far. Although LT5 is all aluminum, it still weighs almost the same as old big block, still pretty exotic choice, there was one 65 at Carlisle this year with LT5 and ZF6.

I still preffer the stock body lines over the opened up wheel wells. Here's how a friend of mine solved the problem of how to fit big wheels in a mid year:

http://www.onr.com/user/richb/rich66/Pages/cars/2003bwc2/corvettesept24019[1].jpg

Great to see a serious vette project here, keep us posted! :thumbsup:

[57hemicuda]

The mid year vettes are #1 on my list of the coolest cars ever built.I think the next car I build will be a mid yeat.Excellent job,love the project.Ron

[Restovette63]

:cheers: I gotta agree that the midyear Vette has to be the coolest thing on the planet!!!

I am going the stock bodied route with mine (C5 suspension all the way around)

[fleetus macmullitz]

:cheers: I gotta agree that the midyear Vette has to be the coolest thing on the planet!!!

I am going the stock bodied route with mine (C5 suspension all the way around)

Awesome, do you have a build thread?

[Garage Dog 65]

We use GTS Customs extended rear quarters on the cars we do. We just finished a 63 that has a SR3 chassis, zo6 engine and suspension and C4 in the back. It was at Barrett-Jackson in Vegas last month. It's back in here to have the 6 speed pulled - and a 4L65E with electronic shift installed. The guy who we built it for was in a car wreak and can't push the clutch in any more.

Jim

[fesler]

Now that is nice looking vette

[PonchoJohn]

:cheers: I gotta agree that the midyear Vette has to be the coolest thing on the planet!!!

I am going the stock bodied route with mine (C5 suspension all the way around)

Dude,
That's a seriously s e x y looking car. Those fat chunks of rubber on the rear 3/4 shot look awesome!!

[aussiebj]

Love this build up ..I personally loved the way the first hood looked and thoes flares are killer...keep posting up pics.....:thumbsup:

[XLexusTech]

This car makes me smile. :thumbsup: for inovation :thumbsup: for execution

I cant wait to see this unfold

[Restovette63]

Awesome, do you have a build thread?

I don't want to hijack this thread...so I created a build thread.

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?p=178130#post178130

:cheers:

[groovyjay]

Any updates? :unibrow:

[fleetus macmullitz]

Any updates? :unibrow:

I emailed the builder today requesting an update.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Link has updated pics...car has been painted.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/projects_zr1sw.php

[TwinSting]

That car looks killer. Cant wait to see it all done. Would love to have it!!

[bentfab]

That car looks killer. Cant wait to see it all done. Would love to have it!!

Shawn it's time you step up to the plate and get Bent !!!!! Let's do it. Maybe we can put some custom billet parts and wheels on it ? I think I know of an awesome company that can sponsor the parts.:lol: Just an idea.

Mark

[GregWeld]

Link has updated pics...car has been painted.

http://www.eckertsrodandcustom.com/projects_zr1sw.php

Skip ---

Wow -- Not many people know of this shop - the 52 Chevy picks 'em up is being done by a friend of mine. Small world I guess. Mike also has an awesome big block EFI Chevelle.


:cheers:

[gearheads78]

Wow nice work... That Impala they did is insanly nice :yes:

[96z28ss]

I heard that the owners have slowed down on the project do to the economy

[fleetus macmullitz]

Wow nice work... That Impala they did is insanly nice :yes:

X2

I'd like to know how it did at the Optima shootout.

[GregWeld]

You talking about Corpala - The silver Impala with the burgundy top??

If so -- you don't want to know.... :>)

[GregWeld]

X2

I'd like to know how it did at the Optima shootout.



You mean this one Skip??


http://www.thecorpalaproject.com/

[fleetus macmullitz]

You talking about Corpala - The silver Impala with the burgundy top??

If so -- you don't want to know.... :>)

Yes, that big hunk of iron. :D


I just found the results. Ouch.

http://www.optimainvitational.com/media/results.pdf

[GregWeld]

Yes, that big hunk of iron. :D


I just found the results. Ouch.

http://www.optimainvitational.com/media/results.pdf


Let's just say that the Great Pacific NorthWet didn't exactly put their best foot forward...

I'm pretty sure that Ray Young would have brought the Camaro - not the Vette - but someone managed to destroy the paint when he was at End of the World Rod Run... The Vette 'substitute' was not ready for prime time.

Corpala appears to be a little too much "show car" over being a "handler". Not that my crap would even start - or make a lap without the wheels falling off... :woot: