63 SS Nova COPO ???????

[92646]

This will be the first I have ever seen. A numbers matching 1963 COPO Nova with a 283 installed at the factory and a frame off restoration. These are pretty big claims I wonder what documentation he has to back it up. Is it safe to say that this COPO nova probally does not have the special Nova block and they had to use the powerglide trans because there are no provisions cast in for the clutch piviot?
Mark Sheppard

[Verne_Frantz]

Mark,
'63 283s were commonly available with 3-spds so the hole for the Z-bar pivot should be on all of them.
As for COPO, a look at the cowl tag should provide an answer.

Verne

[JayR]

Stevesnovasite had a pretty good discussion about this car when it appeared on Ebay in April with a BIN of $45,900!!! One of the members talked to the seller who had absolutely nothing in the way of proof to backup the COPO claim. The car was built in Oakland third week of March/63. The cowl tag shows the SS option, radio, driver door mirror and powerglide. The general consensus is that this is a real nice 63 Nova SS that, like many of these cars, had the six swapped out for a 283 V/8. There are frequent listings of 63 Chevy IIs purported to have the dealer installed V/8 and 4 speed conversion, however they all seem to be short on proof. These installs were more than half the price of the car, so there weren't many takers. Those that did must have been a little more than upset when the 283 introduced for the 64 Chevy II was only a $108 option plus $188 for a 4 speed.
Bob

[Verne_Frantz]

If it means anything, I have a copy of Chevrolet's production records for the '63 model year. According to those numbers, there were 3 Chevy-IIs built with a 283 V8, and ONE 4-spd.

Verne

[Paul_S]

DE is the correct code for Nova 283/PG for '64 but will have to verify for conversion suffix. I asked for block codes, casting #'s and data plate photo. Would like to see the casting date.

Verne, what production records are you seeing that? Could they just be engineering mules or what?

[Verne_Frantz]

I have a source that lists DE for Chevy-II '62-'64 283 with P/G. There's also a '67 Chevelle with 283 P/G & '68 Chevelle with 307 P/G.

As far as I know (and believe), my production numbers indicate production (shipped) vehicles, and not engineering mules. There is no reference to a V8 style number for the Chevy-II, nor an RPO for the V8 or 4-spd for the Chevy-II (as Dog stated). The only reference is found in the total engine production and transmission production listings by model.

Every other COPO I've documented in '63 was a full size car, and the cowl tag was either stamped COPO or F&SO (Fleet & Special Order) followed by the order #.

So, based on Chevrolet records, it seems possible for 3 to exist, but this car in question has no indication of being a COPO (IMO). But that doesn't mean that it couldn't be one of the 3.

If it's a Tonawanda block, and if it's a late '62 casting to correspond with the Sept assy date, it (more than likely) will have a Julian cast date, which will make it difficult to pin-point the year.

This car needs a solid paper trail to make it worth $30K more than it would otherwise be worth.

Verne

[Paul_S]

Well, Chevy II/Nova did not use style numbers to designate V8 cars until '65. If that is a Nova block it will be a flint casting/assembly. I have seen the RPO in the '63 assembly manual for V8s and yes, it lists 4-spd also. I don't remember it off the top of my head right now though. -I'll have to look. My bet is that it's just a very nice SS that had its L6 swapped for a '64 Nova 283. Any accessories listed on the data plate will not draw a conclusion to it being a V8 car unless it's coded for a 4-spd.

[PeteLeathersac]

Vin 304370141309

A Sept engine and March build....possible but doubtful?.

If the seller truly bought his own story, wouldn't you think he'd be happy to state how he arrived at such a conclusion also back up his claims w/ castings and stampings in the ad...not say 'he believes' and mention things like how it's been 'thoroughly inspected' (by his own people)?.

Also if truly belived, why goof it up w/ added accessories and disc brakes during resto?.

If he'd skipped the Copo story the car may've even sold by now...or reached more than the 20 thou it did on eBay?.

I vote !!!

This gem aside, what year was the Copo process first known to have been used anyway?.


~ Pete

[Verne_Frantz]

[ QUOTE ]
Vin 304370141309

A Sept engine and March build....possible but doubtful?.

If the seller truly bought his own story, wouldn't you think he'd be happy to state how he arrived at such a conclusion also back up his claims w/ castings and stampings in the ad...not say 'he believes' and mention things like how it's been 'thoroughly inspected' (by his own people)?.

Also if truly belived, why goof it up w/ added accessories and disc brakes during resto?.

If he'd skipped the Copo story the car may've even sold by now...or reached more than the 20 thou it did on eBay?.

I vote !!!

This gem aside, what year was the Copo process first known to have been used anyway?.


~ Pete

[/ QUOTE ]

Pete,
I agree; that VIN would be a mid-March Oakland build.
I have '58 COPOs on record. As for when they began that process, my files don't include any cars prior to '58..

Verne

BTW, The Oakland plant also built trucks that year, so there would be plenty of 283s around. It's doubtful a Sept engine would find it's way in a March car.

[x Baldwin Motion]

wait a second....one of three???