Today, fuel-injection is no big deal, but 60 years ago, it was on the cutting edge of technology, as there were no computers, at least not ones small enough to fit inside a car. These were the analog days, not the digital times we live in today.
While the fine details are very complex, the system jointly developed by Zora Arkus-Duntov, John Dolza and Rochester, essentially had just three components: the air meter, the fuel meter, and the intake manifold. The air meter supplied control signals to the fuel meter; the fuel meter used air meter signal to regulate the fuel flow to the 8 injection nozzles and the intake manifold provided the distribution system for the fuel/air mixture. The end result was one of the first mass-produced engines in history to reach 1 bhp per cubic inch. Chevrolet used this achievement in their advertising to bolster the company’s reputation and sales.
The First Year Fuelie
1957 Onyx Black Fuelie
This beautiful ’57 came to us from a discriminating collector client of ours. The car is very correct with its EL code motor. It was restored in the ’90’s but still shows like a car restored much more recently. It’s optioned with the 283ci/283hp solid lifter fuel injected engine (1 of only 713 built), 3-spd manual transmission, power windows and Wonderbar radio, 3.70 Posi rear end and courtesy lights. The car appears to have been originally purchased in So. Cal and we have almost complete owner history. It’s an excellent driver that starts up instantly and runs just like it should! Stock #5798 – Price: $110,000
1961 Tuxedo Black Big Brake Fuelie
This highly desirable triple Black Convertible was produced as a radio-and heater-delete model with the RPO 687 heavy-duty brakes and steering package composed of special front and rear shock absorbers, air scoops to feed cool air to the brakes, metallic brake linings, special finned drums with internal cooling fans and a quick steering adapter. Power comes from the competition-ready 283 CI engine combining Rochester fuel injection, 11:1 compression, the Duntov solid-lifter cam and high-speed valve train for a factory rating of 315 HP at 6,000 RPM. Teamed with a Borg Warner T-10 4-speed manual transmission and Posi-traction, this was the most potent Corvette available in 1961, one ready to defeat any competition in B/Production SCCA or FIA GT racing. Once owned by a prominent collector who recently traded it for a 1963 “tanker” Z06, it was meticulously restored by a retired police officer in Pasadena, California, and comes with documentation that includes ownership history back to 1974.
HIGHLIGHTS
– 1 of 233 produced with RPO 687 heavy duty brakes and steering
– The front air scoops and duct work is intact
– Fuel injected 283/315 HP engine
– 4-speed transmission
– Radio and heater delete model
– Owner history back to 1974 verified by CA pink slip
– California pink slip copy from 1987 last titled owner
– Meticulous period restoration by a retired police officer in Pasadena, California
– Highly desirable Triple Black color combination
– Owned by prominent collector and recently traded for a 1963 Z06 Tanker
– Currently equipped with street shoes for more reliable braking
Stock #5731 – Price: $125,000
1963 Tuxedo Black SWC Fuelie
Some twenty-two years ago a small accident landed the current owner of this stunning ’63’s Toyota truck in a family owned body shop in Deep South Texas. It was there where he first encountered car # 30837S109878. Behind the owners’ desk was a large window and behind that window sitting on a wooden dolly was the body of a 1963 Split Window Corvette. As an owner of a mid-year Corvette that was undergoing a body off restoration he asked the owner about the ’63. He immediately began to tell him about the car. He said it was his car, and he intended to put it back together himself with a logical process that he walked him through. The body was in one bay. The rolling chassis was located in another bay. Then he pointed to the storage area in the rafters and said ” I’m taking off all the pieces of the car and putting them in boxes (those that would fit into boxes) and labeling them “and then I’m going to either use those pieces or buy new parts”. “Here is the original glove box door and it is in terrible shape, but I’m putting the parts into boxes so I can keep track of what I need to buy.” He was intrigued by his passion for the car. He continued to tell him about the history of the car.
Fast forward to 2005 when he received a call from the third owner. He was going through divorce proceedings and 1963 Split Window Corvette was for sale, and he was the first person he thought of who might be interested. The price seemed fair, and he became the fourth owner of car # 30837S109878. He dispatched his restorer from LA. to drive down to pick up the car and the 121 boxes of parts that the third owner had accumulated since his ownership and commencement of a five-year high end restoration and the car being nicknamed “the box car.” Since its recent completion, the car amassed many awards including class wins at the ’15 Super Chevy Show, Boca Raton Concours d ‘Elegance, Winter Park Concours d ‘Elegance and of course an N.C.R.S. Top Flight! This is without a doubt, one of the nicest examples of a Fuel Injected ’63 Split Window Coupe as you will ever see anywhere. Stock#: 5792 – Price: $259,900
The Last Year Fuelie
1965 Tuxedo Black Fuelie
This very original fuelie was sold twice by us previously and recently traded in on a rare ’63 Z06 Tanker from a 100 car collection. Other than one repaint and new carpet, it’s basically as it was when it left St. Louis!
Options include:
Radio Delete
Brake Shoe Drum Equipped
Fuel Injected
Original Window Sticker
Original Protect-O-Plate
Original Dealer Write Up
Original Dealer Invoice
NCRS Shipping Report
Stock#: 5732 – Price: $150,000