Restoring an original Sting Ray

[schlotz]

I didn't want to step on the recent thread by @Colin1230 . Here is a link to how my '63 Split Window was both restored and tastefully brought up to date while maintaining the original design of Bill Mitchell's styling team. The hunt started in 2014, and the car was located in the spring of 2016. Then the real work began... hope you find it interesting.

TheBook | Schlotz's Place

mschlotz.com

 

[normanaj]

Sick!!!

 

[Smoke-Chem BBQ]

Wow! Beautiful!

 

[sandyut]

WOW Matt!!! that is one gorgeous vette!

 

[Fueling Around]

Thanks for the tour
Beautiful car Matt.

 

[JIMSMOKES]

Stunning

 

[sawhorseray]

INCREDIBLE, BEST EVER!

 

[Compulsive Smoker]

What an amazing transformation! Thanks for sharing Matt!

 

[Winterrider]

That is gorgeous. . . ! ! !

 

[schlotz]

Thanks guys! The build experience was quite an undertaking mixed in with delays. In the process of deciding who to go with, I flew out to spent a day with Heartland Customs in their shop and observed a level of attention to detail that was beyond belief. If you are about to start a similar project, make sure you've picked the right set of professionals.

 

[yankee2bbq]

Wow!

 

[Colin1230]

Thanks for sharing your book Matt, very impressive!

 

[chopsaw]

Awesome build Matt . I'm a sucker for a factory spec restoration , but the total redo like you did , done right , like you did , is something else all together . Impressive .
Ever see the show Speed is the new Black ? Based in St. Louis . They do some amazing cars . Like yours , all modern performance and custom inside and out .

 

[schlotz]

Awesome build Matt . I'm a sucker for a factory spec restoration , but the total redo like you did , done right , like you did , is something else all together . Impressive .
Ever see the show Speed is the new Black ? Based in St. Louis . They do some amazing cars . Like yours , all modern performance and custom inside and out .

Yes I've watched that show Rich. Some really nice work. There were a number of car shows running during the time mine was being worked on. While I thought about contacting them as potential builders, I didn't want to potentially get dragged into their production environment which could introduce changes I wasn't going to agree with. A number of other potentials were also discounted due to them running their business via an open checkbook concept which can, in some cases, become a nightmare.

Thanks for taking the time to see what we got accomplished!

 

[chopsaw]

I've watched that show

Scott that's on there used to drive the boom truck for a material supply house we used . Good dude .
I was shocked one day when I saw him on there . Saw him out and about after that , he was telling me the money that changes hands in that place is unbelievable . He does a lot of the custom metal work . Dash and trans tunnel stuff to make the new drive train fit .

 

[clifish]

Awesome build Matt . I'm a sucker for a factory spec restoration , but the total redo like you did , done right , like you did , is something else all together . Impressive .
Ever see the show Speed is the new Black ? Based in St. Louis . They do some amazing cars . Like yours , all modern performance and custom inside and out .

I would be torn on this. On one hand a 63 split is a rare car not to do an outright factory resto. On the other hand, Corvettes did not drive that great so doing a resto mod is probably the best way to enjoy and use it. I am also a fan of an over restored car, why pay to have GM's imperfections recreated. Matt this was an awesome build and you made all the right choices.

I hope you use it more than the 3K miles I have put in on my 81 vette in the last 28 years.

 

[chopsaw]

I would be torn on this.

When they're done like Matt's , there's no question which one I like better . Like you say , more enjoyable too . Good point on paying to restore a " weakness " .

Corvettes did not drive that great

A buddy had a '58 . 283 . You needed a kidney belt to ride in the darn thing .

 

[schlotz]

I would be torn on this. On one hand a 63 split is a rare car not to do an outright factory resto. On the other hand, Corvettes did not drive that great so doing a resto mod is probably the best way to enjoy and use it. I am also a fan of an over restored car, why pay to have GM's imperfections recreated. Matt this was an awesome build and you made all the right choices.

I hope you use it more than the 3K miles I have put in on my 81 vette in the last 28 years.

Appreciate the comments @clifish. It was a dilemma I faced up front as everything on the car was numbers matching except the engine. There was a period correct block available but still not numbers matching. If the engine was matching a different decision might have been made. I was already in my late 60s and really wasn't looking forward to that original '63 ride. With the upgrades: chassis, IRS, coil overs etc, the ride was significantly improved however, it's still a '63 and not all of that original ride is gone. That's probably more due to how the coil overs are set. The car does not throw you one inch when making a hard turn under speed. Now that I'm over the 70 hill, I'm probably going to adjust the ride to further soften those bumps. I have driven it approximately 3000 miles in the 6 years since delivery in Dec '20. These days it's usually a short jaunt for lunch or dinner with the wife and an occasional car show/cruse-in that is also near by.