The right classic car can generate intense interest when it hits the market, even in modified form. Such is the case with this 1963 Corvette Convertible. It presents exceptionally well as a driver-grade vehicle, but the changes under the skin promise improved performance. It needs a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Granada Hills, California. Bidding remains below the reserve at $40,700, although there is plenty of time for a passionate enthusiast to make a play for this classic.

This Daytona Blue Corvette ticks many of the right boxes for potential buyers because it presents beautifully. The paint shines richly courtesy of a recent cosmetic refresh, with no visible flaws or defects. It is the same story with the color-matched hardtop, while the new White soft-top is free from rips. It is wrinkled, but an extended period in the raised position should eliminate that shortcoming. The fiberglass is excellent, and there is no mention of rust in the frame. One fascinating change is the relocation of the headlamps. The front clip was damaged many years ago, and the headlamps are lower on the vehicle. The seller mentions the modification but supplies no photos allowing us to assess its relative worth. Some purists will oppose the change, while others will see it as a point of difference that will start conversations wherever this classic goes. The chrome and trim are ideal for a high-end driver-grade vehicle, and the glass is flawless. The spinner hubcaps and narrow whitewalls provide a perfect finishing touch, offering no hint that there is more to this classic than meets the eye.

Ordering a new 1963 Corvette brought a wide selection of engines, but all were variations on the 327ci V8. The entry-level version placed 250hp at the driver’s disposal, while buyers with enough cash could splash $430.40 on a 327 “Fuelie” that delivered 360hp. This ‘Vette isn’t numbers-matching, but it should provide its new owner with power to burn. Somebody removed the original 327, slotting a 350 in its place. It should deliver 300hp if the air cleaner sticker is to be believed, but the uprated aluminum intake, Edelbrock carburetor, and MSD ignition mean there could be a few more ponies awaiting the new owner. The power feeds to the rear wheels via a four-speed Muncie manual transmission, and even if we believe the figure as quoted on the sticker, this gem should cut a 14.5-second ¼-mile ET without raising a sweat. The news with this Convertible is nothing but positive, with the small-block rebuilt in 2009, and the car recently received many new parts. The comprehensive list includes a complete front-end rebuild, new brakes, new hubs, and a re-cored radiator. The seller purchased the car in 2009 for $19,500 and has invested a further $30,000 in parts alone to bring it to its current standard. This isn’t an idle boast because they include the receipts as verifying evidence. It runs and drives perfectly and is a turnkey proposition for the winning bidder.

The seller’s cash splash continued inside this Corvette, with their shopping list extending to new seatcovers, foam, door trims, carpet, and a new wheel. There were sundry smaller parts, and the gauges were professionally rebuilt. The impact is impressive, with the interior needing nothing. Everything works as it should, and arriving at a local Cars & Coffee with the top down shouldn’t cause the new owner shame.

Many enthusiasts believe the Corvette found its feet in C2 guise, as the company concentrated as much on handling as outright performance. Its engineering represented a quantum leap forward over its predecessor, and the buying public embraced the new model warmly. It set a sales record in 1963 that improved on the previous figure by an impressive 50%, and they are as highly coveted today as they were when they graced showroom floors. Our feature car demonstrates that even modified examples generate interest, having received twenty-five bids at the time of writing. That figure will undoubtedly climb before the hammer falls, but what do you believe the final sale price will be?