Honestly, who wouldn’t want to have this Corvette Split Window? These things are beautiful and worth serious bucks, but this one has a few issues that may keep it from hitting six figure numbers. It’s a 340 horse 4 speed car, sounds like fun, but the current engine isn’t the original. It is however a factory warranty replacement and was installed in ’67 by a dealer. The seller is asking $75k, which doesn’t seem to bad for a running driving split window. Take a look at it here on eBay in Erie, Pennsylvania and let me know what you think!
The seller claims the paint looks amazing, they even go so far as to call it a 9 our of 10. It does look good, but I see some overspray. Why can’t people ever properly mask cars when they paint them, especially something like a split window Corvette? At least the seller doesn’t try to claim it’s original paint!
The seller does claim the underside is in great shape and it looks to be original. I see some surface rust, but nothing serious. The bottom of the engine and transmission look great, I don’t see any signs of leaks or damage.
Speaking of the engine, here it is! It looks to be in good shape and the seller provides all the numbers, so you can do your own research.
Take a look at this interior. It looks fantastic, but the seller admits the carpets have been replaced. They don’t look too bad and are definitely better than faded and damaged carpets.
This might not be an all original Corvette, but how often do you come across split window coupes? As long as it is in good shape, I would love to have it. It sure would be fun to hit the road in it. Just imagine the noise that 327 makes and how much fun it would be to row through the gears! Oh and are those the rare knock off wheels?
Maybe some GM enthusiast can tell me: did “warranty replacement” engines have any identifying marks or features? Did they have the exact specifications — with correct camshafts, etc. — for the engines they replaced?
I know the real hard-core ‘Vette guys don’t like ANY replacements, and devalue cars that have them, but it’s not so important to me; I’m a driver and not a collector. The only thing that would bug me would be to find out this is a “one-size fits all” engine that was used in both Corvette and pickup-truck warranty jobs.
I would just make sure everything works well and is clean, and then start putting miles on this beauty! Those are either factory aluminum wheels or pretty good-looking copies. I’ve wanted a set on a 4-speed “splitty” for a long, long time. Since 1963, in fact!
Ray,
The replacement engines were not the exact same as the original engine. In this case, this engine was either a 275 or 325 hp. replacement engine. GM just identified a service engine assembly that closely matched the original motor that was being replaced. Also, this engine wasn’t assembled until 1968 (CE8). CE was “Counter Engine or some folks say “Chevrolet Engine” for service engines. The eight is for the year of assembly. Therefore, it wasn’t installed in ’67 as the seller claims.
This block, 3892657, was also used as the basis of the 350 used in the 1967 Camaro.
This web page will tell you more about it.
http://www.chevellestuff.net/qd/index.htm
Thanks, JW!
This is one of those things I’d want to verify before buying any Corvette, much less one capable of pulling down Big Money!
Still, 325 bhp ought to be enough to make this a fun car. And I’d feel better about driving it knowing it wasn’t worth more than many houses….
real vette guys drive their cars, I’ve owned stock, Motion Modified and modified vettes, yes, an original block would be better, but things happen to these cars, or any cars
a reputable dealership would have given the then owner the choice of replacing the motor with the correct replacement motor
I worked at a Chevy dealership in the 80’s-90’s. There were no numbers on replacement blocks/engines to associate it as such. There’s no way the seller can prove this without the original work order showing where the engine was replaced. Plus he just mentioned that the transmission is not correct either and is from a 67 as well. So that’s fishy. Unless he can prove that, it’s a 63 Split Window without the original engine. On another note, my dad had one just like this but his was a factory fuelie car when I was growing up. It was a great car.
The block, carb., Intake manifold, and head numbers (dates and casting)should tell you everything you need to know wether it is an appropriate 340 . The number can be checked on a multitude of sights. My thinking is they might have not matched all of it and you would get a 327/350 hp in 1967.
Casting number on back of block says 350 295 horse out of a 1967 Camaro.
All I get on the block stamp is as Je 454 said is a 1968 flint motor!
Number on back of block that’s shown in pics.
Sigh wish I had mine back….sold it in 1977 for $3500….I had stripped the paint getting ready to paint it when I lost my job and had to sell it. A guy 20 miles from me bought and it is still in his barn with no paint…and won’t sell it back to me…..dang….
Recent median auction price paid for these has been $102K. I could be wrong, but the $75K price for this car looks high because of the drivetrain changes, which make me wonder whether the car was abused so much that it needed a new engine after 4 years and a different transmission at some point, maybe because of abuse, theft, or other unknown reasons.
No documentation offered on anything other than photos of casting numbers, so it seems difficult to justify the asking price. I would rather have a very nice documented original for ~$100K, or a lesser condition documented original car for maybe the price of this one. Otherwise it’s rolling the dice on what the value of this car will be down the road when its sold with its replaced drivetrain and no documentation.
Drool, always wanted one of these, don’t care If it’s a original motor because I would never sell it just drive the wheels off it until I die.
I think that is a valid point, JW. Only issue is when it is time to sell by choice or not, what to do. My ’65 Mustang convertible is a case in point. I am not sure whether it is a numbers matching car ( I was told it was when I bought it). I know I can figure it out and I have owned the car now for 20+ years but there is a significant difference in value. When I bought it, the difference in value was much smaller.
Fogline,
You can only check date codes on “NON” High Performance 289 engines. Only the HiPo’s had the vin number stamped on the side of the block, near the front of oil pan rail, pass side.
I would not worry about the overspray…..That’s the way Corvettes were painted..
A 340 horse four gear SW, paradise city. My buddy Birdog had a SW, Ermine white fuelie, never drove it but that girl was so fun to cruise in. I will never be able to buy one now but a great time to be had. RIP Birdog. Thanks for the memories!
those red plug wires just look out of place….and that black shifter knob – how hard or exspensive is that to replace ?
No spare tire carrier.
Hard to believe that GM gave a 4 year drive train warranty in the first place and on a Corvette yet.
I thought that was strange also, but who am I to question a 49 year old story, without docs.
To the best of my memory:
Back in the ’60’s, the factories(dealers) only gave 12mo. or 12,000 miles, unless you bought a car with solid lifters, then it was 90 days or 4.000 miles. Someone with a better memory is welcome to correct me if I’m wrong.
I think (after I read his ad), that someone bought an over the counter replacement engine for this car. He just refer’s to it as a warranty eng.
But, it also doesn’t have the right intake and carb. So, I’m thinking that someone found a ‘vette without driveline, and had some Corvette parts (shop in background) and pieced it back together. Nothing wrong here, except it’s not mentioned. Maybe it was done back when, and the story was told when who ever bought it, and is believed.
Maybe I’m full of crap. Just my $.02 .
I would need bulletproof documentation on that,, otherwise I call B.S.
Just relisted for $71K. Knock offs incorrect for 63 though many like them. Missing all the radio supression equipment in the engine compartment. Other things there just don’t look right like air cleaner cover, chromed alternator, coil. This is a steep price given engine and tranny. Can’t tell for sure but doesnt look like PS or PB either.
The real sad part about these split window 63’s is that when the 64 came out without the split window, some ’63 owners were said to have had the split cut out so their cars would look like the newer model. Sad, sad mistake. I like the split window better myself.
Yeah Russ, How true and one of the biggest culprits of doing that was Malcolm Konners Chevrolet in Paramus New Jersey, which at the time was one of the worlds biggest Corvette dealers,
My favorite car growing up. I will never be able to buy 1 but looking is still enjoyable