1964 C2 Corvette old Motion Performance Custom

[longbros]

I recently purchased a 64 Corvette that was customized a long time ago using custom fiberglass parts sold by Motion Performance, and I would like to know if anyone else has a C2 with these custom components installed? If there are other vehicles out there that were customized with these components, I would like to exchange pictures and information with the owners.

I have corresponded with the Joel Rosen who was the head of Motion, and he has verified that the custom components on my 64 were sold thru their showroom and catalog. He said although these items were never used on any of the Baldwin Motion new cars, they were installed on some customs they did.

The custom pieces consist of a shark nose, front spoiler, custom hood, and front and rear fender flares. If you have a C2 with these custom pieces, please contact me.

This NOM 64 is in need of total restoration, and my original idea was to take it back to factory original, but I am now leaning towards restoring it back to its original customized glory. Any thoughts?

[Pantera]

I think you should go back stock. The hood looks like a Ecklers to me. That is a '69 427 L-88 style center on a stock 64 hood. I had one just like it on a 63 that I raced in SCCA. I am not trying to hurt your feelings but, I think you would find it would not bring big money as a custom even with the questionable Motion parts link.

Unless you can find positive proof via bills of sale for the parts and/or Motion's own body shop having done the work it would not in my opinion be considered a true motion car. One other way would be old pic from that era showing it customized and that date back then.

I hope that someone on here will step forward and say that they reconize it from years ago. You may have a hard road to go with it if someone doesn't come along.

Hope you don't mind the frank words. There are so many guys come on here wanting so bad to have a MOTION car in some way. We tend to be a little hard nosed with out good paperwork or other proof. I hope you understand? Nothing personal intended or infered for sure.

No mater what you decide I want you to know that it could be a neat looking car as a custom. You have some big $$$$ ahead of you either way you go. Let me wish you the best of luck which ever you decide. Don't get discouraged and Keep us informed on your progress either way.



Pantera

[longbros]

Thanks so much for the input. The hood is nothing like an Ecklers that I have seen. It is not just a L-88 center that someone added to a stock 64 hood. It is all one piece and the underside doesn't look like any I have seen, although I have not looked at that many.

I am certain about the Motion Performance nose. I have seen a NOS Motion performance nose just like it on Ebay. I have provided the Ebay acution link below. I sent both the photo of the vehicle and the photo of the NOS nose to Joel, and he commented as noted above. I also have a photo copy of a motion catalog listing the pieces, but have not seen any catalog pictures.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=7949450556

I know that this is not a "Motion car", as indicated by Joel, but I feel pretty certain that at least the nose is Motion, and possibly the hood, flares, and spoiler. I agree, more research is in order and more proof, that is one reason I submitted this post.

I have at least one name of a previous owner, and know of two different states the vehicle was registered in, so I have some leads and homework to do. I am just getting started.

No problem with the frank words, I completely understand. There are a lot of bogus and clone vehicles out there. I have restored many vehicles before, so understand the big $$$$ issue. It is easy to get discouraged with a project like this because it will take a long time, but that has never been a problem for me.

I do hope someone will know this vehicle and come forward with some information. Thanks again for your input and insight.

[55chevy]

I'll chime in... I wouldn't doubt it being Motion sold parts on your car.. But we gotta start being realistic.. Motion Performance ie Joel Rosen was in business for a long time (mid 1960s thru late 1980s-early 90s??) And sold A LOT of stuff from every automotive spectrum throughout the years... but it seems a lot of people these days seem to think that ANYTHING with "motion" on it is super rare and worth tons of money.. and it really isn't... case in point.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...002947&rd=1 ... a Baldwin/Motion washer?????
That'll add about 400hp.. ............ There are RARE "Motion" items.. The BALDWIN/Motion cars modified NEW at Motion and sold NEW through Baldwin Chevrolet with a warranty.. Cars like Marks '68 Phase III L88 427 Camaro and Larrys '70 Phase III GT LS7 454 Vette and Dan's '73 Phase III LS6 454 Camaro...etc. THOSE are "rare" and worth the big bucks... but when I see a common part worth $3 to 100 bucks fought over to some rediculous price in the hundreds of hundreds just because it has an old Motion mail order sales receipt or a sticker on the package... that just makes me think things are getting out of hand these days... Anyone else feeling the same?

[djunod]

Realistic went out the window a long time ago...

[djunod]

Do you enjoy the car the way it is?

Do you go to cruise-in's or car shows?

Do you want to become a part of the factory lineup or do you want to show something truly interesting?

For me it is so very boring to go to a cruise-in or "show" and just see a bunch of old cars that have been faithfully restored to the way they came from the factory... and then hear everybody nit-picking about this or that part not being correct for your year of vehicle.

I grew up in an era when a car show was a *** CAR SHOW ***. It was so much more exciting thing. People need to get back to having a little more show & style.

Nowadays it is just some big investment scam.

[Pantera]

I didn't mean to infer that it was a part put on a original hood. I don't know about your hood but here is a pic of my old race car. It had one that sure looks like the one on yours? This was a std Ecklers hood that they sold thousands of them, back in the '70's. This pic was about 1979.

I agree with you about the nose on your car. If you like it as a custom then that is what I was trying to convey to you to go for it.

If you think about it, those guys that bought the big $$$$ Motion cars years ago must have liked having something different and not just a restored stocker or they would not have bought it. I have always liked having something different that everybody else. I guess I am just weird that way. Or perhaps wired that way...? Hah.... (Beat you to it ED)

If I had your 64. I would just finish it as a custom. It is neat looking as is. One thing that I would do different is get the side f fender panels behind the wheels off a 67 and reverse them side for side. The louvers would then stick out instead of in and that is more like what Motion did with the '69's. I really think it would look kool on a mid year like yours. I never did like the look of the 64 side panels.


Pantera

[MosportGreen66]

I think you should do what you want to do with the car. I would like you to keep the 1970s style theme throughout the entire car. I like the Cragar idea and the side pipes too. Continue the theme with wild paint (check out last month's Hot Rod for ideas) and even go wild with the motor with some period correct valve covers and intake manifold. Wow just think how much fun you could have with some 50 series Mickey Thompson Indy Profile S/S raised white letter rears and black walls up front. Even some color spark plug wires and a gilter steering wheel. Don't forget your flex-flan! Then through your travels (if YOU so please) check into some authenic Motion Parts. Like a Phase III ignition box, valve covers if Cal Custom ain't your thing... the list could go on forever!

The issue with the two recent auction sales of Motion Modified Corvettes is that the majority of Corvette owners out there are purists and do not like to see their Corvettes modified regardless if it was done by Joel Rosen. I think a lot of people on this website would have spent more money than $95,000 for that blue convertible and $210,000 for the real Phase III car, I sure would have. So with this Corvette being YOURS and in need of a restoration, make it unique, make it fun, and drive the hell out of it!

[Belair62]

I'm with Whitetop...restore it as you found it with all the custome pieces....at the end of the day you have to take it out and have a ball in it.....and no offense Corvette guys but 64's are the stepchildren of the species....so if you restore it stock...it's not a high dollar car anyway...JMO

[longbros]

Pantera,

Thanks for the photo of your car. I agree, my hood looks just like the one you have, it may very well be an old Ecklers. As I mentioned above, I am certain about the Motion nose because I have a reference, but I have no way at this time to verify the hood, flares, and front spoiler as being Motion, other than they are mentioned in an early 70's Motion catalog. Again, I appreicate the photo and your input.