- Seller: Chris C (Contact)
- Location: Sonoma, California
- Mileage: 46,487 Shown
- Chassis #: 30837S112135
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 327 cui V8
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
UPDATE – The seller has added photos of the engine numbers and the underside of their Corvette.
In the world of barn finds, there are certain cars that everyone dreams of finding. One of those cars that is right at the top of the list is the 1963 Corvette Split-Window Coupe! They are a truly iconic car, with incredible looks and solid performance, and the split-window design was produced for only one year, making them quite rare. This one has been in storage since 1989 and was purchased new by the seller’s uncle. It’s been in their family since day one, but the time has come to let a new family enjoy it, so it’s being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction and is located in Sonoma, California.
The seller’s uncle clearly had good taste, as he optioned the car in Saddle Tan Metallic paint with saddle leather interior and with a 4-speed manual transmission. Around 1967, the car was gifted to the seller’s father, who used it as his daily driver for a decade before giving it to the seller. Around 1989, the seller decided to restore the car and started taking it apart for paint. Unfortunately, that’s about as far as they got with it, so it went into storage and stayed there until just recently. The car ran and drove when parked, and the engine was occasionally started over the following 5 years. One day, they went out to start it, and it wouldn’t fire up. They had plans to get back to it, but life got in the way, and it stayed in their father’s garage.
Much of the interior was removed for restoration, but thankfully, the seller kept all the major components that were in it at the time. The seats are said to be out of a later Corvette, possibly a ’67, as the seller’s father said the original seats were too uncomfortable. Original seat frames are available, so you could put it back to original, if you desire. Leather seat upholstery in the correct color is available for both ’63 and ’67 seats, so you could retain these seats to save a little money. While only about 10,000 split-window coupes were built, parts supply is very healthy, so you shouldn’t have any issues getting any of the parts needed to put it back together.
The engine is a bit of a mystery, as it’s stamped with the CE designation, indicating it’s a warranty replacement. It should be the same specs as the original, but it’s hard to tell without a closer look. There was only one size of V8 offered in ’63, the 327 cui, but it was offered in several output levels. The seller believes this one came with the 300-horsepower version, so we assume the replacement engine had the same rating. It hasn’t been started since the ’90s, so it’s hard to say what all it will need to be revived.
While this is a project, it’s a worthy one to take on. Getting it running shouldn’t be too difficult, but the body and interior are going to need lots of work. It sure would be dramatic to leave the exterior looking rough, but restore the interior and drivetrain. Let us know what direction you would take it! And if you’d love to be this Split-Window barn find’s next owner, cast your bids below. Please leave any questions you have in the comment section and you can view the full resolution professional photos here.
Bid On This Auction
Joad bid $75,250.00 2025-10-30 11:38:34
jamclea bid $75,000.00 2025-10-30 11:37:51- Joad bid $74,750.00 2025-10-30 11:34:18
- jamclea bid $74,250.00 2025-10-30 11:33:29
- Joad bid $74,000.00 2025-10-30 11:30:23
- jamclea bid $73,750.00 2025-10-30 11:28:36
- Joad bid $73,500.00 2025-10-30 11:26:45
- jamclea bid $73,000.00 2025-10-30 11:24:31
- Joad bid $72,750.00 2025-10-30 11:22:28
- jamclea bid $72,500.00 2025-10-30 11:21:26
- Joad bid $72,250.00 2025-10-30 11:19:56
- jamclea bid $72,000.00 2025-10-30 11:17:35
- Joad bid $71,750.00 2025-10-30 11:15:44
- jamclea bid $71,250.00 2025-10-30 11:12:39
- Joad bid $71,000.00 2025-10-30 11:11:50
- jamclea bid $70,750.00 2025-10-30 11:09:30
- Joad bid $70,500.00 2025-10-30 11:07:42
- jamclea bid $70,000.00 2025-10-30 11:04:24
Drbark1 bid $69,500.00 2025-10-30 11:02:10- jamclea bid $69,000.00 2025-10-30 11:00:47
- Drbark1 bid $68,500.00 2025-10-30 10:59:44
- jamclea bid $68,000.00 2025-10-30 10:58:17
- Drbark1 bid $67,500.00 2025-10-30 10:55:15
- jamclea bid $63,500.00 2025-10-30 10:54:00
- Drbark1 bid $63,000.00 2025-10-30 10:47:08
AllCollectorAutos bid $62,500.00 2025-10-30 10:42:44
First Great Race Winner bid $62,000.00 2025-10-30 10:40:29- Drbark1 bid $61,500.00 2025-10-30 10:06:24
bobbykurt1 bid $55,500.00 2025-10-30 07:50:56- First Great Race Winner bid $55,000.00 2025-10-29 20:56:55
Shaknbake bid $54,500.00 2025-10-29 19:21:01
JF308 bid $54,000.00 2025-10-29 18:15:42- Shaknbake bid $53,500.00 2025-10-29 17:18:55
- bobbykurt1 bid $53,000.00 2025-10-29 13:01:48
- JF308 bid $52,500.00 2025-10-29 07:43:45
- Shaknbake bid $52,000.00 2025-10-28 20:56:07
- JF308 bid $51,000.00 2025-10-28 18:04:46
- Joad bid $50,000.00 2025-10-28 09:28:31
chrisiswild bid $44,500.00 2025-10-27 16:05:20
rickc360 bid $44,000.00 2025-10-24 15:51:31- First Great Race Winner bid $34,000.00 2025-10-24 10:32:00
Steve bid $32,500.00 2025-10-24 10:02:58
zman396 bid $32,000.00 2025-10-24 09:12:20
Rcherch bid $6,500.00 2025-10-24 08:37:56
altrux bid $5,500.00 2025-10-24 06:51:15
freeman bid $5,000.00 2025-10-23 23:35:59
Hi, it’s nice that it had a dry place! I’m 69yrs, I loved cars as a kid. My dad would tell me old ones, I, the new ones. The 60’s for auto makers was the most fun, every year was a surprise! I wish I was my brothers age…
Looks like the same split window that has been passed around for sale for a year or better…..correct me if I’m wrong…..
This is the first time this car has ever been listed for sale.
I have the same car ( restored) but with the 327/340HP. This one looks pretty complete. However the most important pictures are missing to determine restoration complexity: underside including frame and suspension. The engine has cast valve covers which I believe were only on higher HP version. Am I mistaken? This is one car where a NOM isn’t the end of the world. GLWTA
Thanks John. I wish I knew more about the engine variants. I’ll see if I can post photos of the undercarriage as well.
Thanks,
Chris
That’s my understanding as welll. 300 HP had the orange valve covers with a sticker reading 327. Turbo Fire. 300 HP.
Many people bought the cast aluminum ones at their dealer parts dept. as they were so good looking.
Lots of pix but nothing of the frame. Why not??
Hi Russell,
I’ll try to get some frame pics uploaded soon. The car has no rust. It’s lived in Northern California its whole life – so no road salt.
Being 10 y.o. when these came out. I was already a Corvette fan as Dad and I had already restored (and sold) a ’55 Vette and Dad had just picked up a ’58 to restore. (And consequently make his daily driver.,))) I don’t remember what other kids had hanging on their walls for center folds. But I had one of these. The ’63 Stingray has always been one of my favorites along with first issue XKEs and first issue 240Zs and various other cars. Being a project that lived in California away from the ocean will be a great find. (Virtually guaranteed it never saw snow and ice and SALT! JUST A GREAT CAR TO SHOWER SOME LOVE ON.
Hi Wayne,
I was born in 62 and grew up with the car in my family. I pretty much took it for granted until I got my driver’s license😊. It was the car I learned to drive in. Quite a challenge with 300HP and a heavy clutch. I still think it’s one of the best looking Corvette models out there. It breaks my heart that I don’t have the space or money to restore it.
Chris
I bought a ’70 Corvette manual without knowing how to drive a standard. I had driven motorcycles before, so it didn’t take long to get the hang of it. Actually, I think that heavy clutch and short take up actually made it easier.
I grew up in Sonoma from 65 until I left in 89, but still in Sonoma county until 2014. Wonder if I ever saw this running around town…
Need photos and information on the underside and frame and info on the birdcage. Not trying to be a pain but real money is involved here and frame and birdcage issues can be a deal breaker……
I downloaded more photos of some of the undercarriage. Sorry – don’t know what a “birdcage” is. I can get more photos if you are interested in specific areas, but I’m having my sister take photos since I’m living in Virginia now. So trying to answer questions remotely.
The Bird Cage is the windshield frame, A pillars, Roof rails and rockers.
The birdcage is the structure that supports the hardtop fiberglass. The kick panels and A pillar trim should be removed to give shots of the steel structure to see if it is in good shape or not. Information here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c1-and-c2-corvettes/4448863-quick-birdcage-inspection-how-to.html
Birdcage. The whole thing, not just what is circled in blue. This is for a C3, but basically the same idea on a C2.
Bird cage?
looks like a great project it would be nice to have frame pictures but its location I would think would be in good shape
These are like gold! I asked an owner of one why they were one year only. He said it was visibility problems thru rear split window. A safety issue.
What I’ve read is that many people didn’t like the look and actually swapped out the split.
Absolutely worth restoring. Great color. Another plus is nobody fakes 300 hp cars. 63 coupes are the most valuable Corvettes for the last 5 years, many times surpassing 67 435 hp cars, of which many are faked and have been since say the late 80s. I’m 70 and not starting another project. I drove a 63 FI coupe about 18 years ago. Could not see our those back windows.
It would be good to see frame pictures, but from what I can see, this is a great car to get running as a survivor or restore. I appreciate the honest representation and I love the color in and out. I can’t see out the back of my C8 Z06 either, so bring on the split window! Also all of the trim that’s expensive to replace is there.
Original designs are always the best. Reminds be of the quote from Cannonball Rally, “Whassa’ behind me, I no care!”
Gumball Rally ;) Gary Busey was a riot in that one!
I’m a ’51 model. At 13 my brother in-law had a ’63 white w/a 4sp it was beautiful. He tinted the rear window/windows w/spray on window tint! Newspapers everywhere, it was made to drip off. He sold it for $3200, as all the cool muscle cars he flipped it was mint. Ten yrs ago my buddy’s neighbor had a 2004 automatic red ‘Vette that the rear window all lifted up (I forget what that’s called.) It sat for 8yrs B4 I got the nerve to ask if it was for sale. A retired banker, he said no that their prices were heading up. 78K miles, I had introduced myself as his neighbor’s friend and jokingly said that I doubted my buddy would admit to being my friend. The owner had just gotten it back from his mechanic and said it needed driven. He asked ME if I would do him a favor and drive it for the day…..stunned after only fifteen or so minutes that he’d let me take his baby for the day. At the end of his street is a busy road. Waiting to pull out and seeing a gap I gently pushed on the gas and broke the tires loose for about two feet B4 I could react! I told him about the afternoon and thanked him profusely. Four months later the ‘Vette was gone, totaled but the owner was ok. He drove it under a jacked up 4X4. He and I agreed that life is short, to find another, put his wife and a picnic basket in it and make new memories while we can.
Underside photos have been added.
Thanks Josh!
Steve ?
There is nothing presented here to support it being a 300hp car as opposed to a 250hp car. CE engines were not solely warranty replacement engines. The CE engine program did not start until 1969. Well past the 1963 model year warranty period. If this car’s current engine is stamped CE the block’s casting number very likely ends with 512.
Does any of the original documentation available / part of the sale?
Any documentation on the history of the car? Or historical photos?
Hi Matt. Unfortunately I don’t have any original documentation for the car. We do have the original license plates – black with yellow lettering.
Chris
This body style is Corvette to me. I don’t have the time or the inclination, but if I did, I would want this type of car. I hope it finds a good home and is made into what it should be.
Nice car. Single family owned is a great story.
Chris Choulos – I understand you are selling the car remotely and I appreciate you being forthcoming about the engine being a mystery. But, is there any way to get a pic of the engine number? Or, do you know what the number is beyond CS? My understanding is that if this car had it’s engine replaced under warranty, and this is that engine, then it’s nearly as valuable as the original engine. If this is an engine that was installed into this car later in it’s life then the car’s value could be impacted by $25K to $35K.
Let me see if I can get my sister to take a photo of it.
The reserve is off!
Added a few photos showing the casting and stamped engine numbers.
The stamped numbers are: CE6P21253 S0108CFB.
Casting number: 3844459 and A284.
Hi Chris,
Just so you know, the casting number you listed and showed in the picture is for the intake manifold. The block casting number will be on the back of the block between the head and the transmission bell housing on the left side (drivers). It may be kind of hard to see/take a picture of. Often times it gets pretty dirty down there so a bit of cleaning may be required to see it. This engine looks pretty clean so cleaning may not be required on this one.
Thanks! Joad
Thanks Joad,
Yeah I just realized that the numbers were from the intake. I wish I was with the car, but I have to instruct my sister on what to take photos of and she knows nothing about cars. I’ll see if I can get my brother over there to look under the engine.
Chris
Sorry to be the barer of bad news, but it appears the engine is not a Corvette replacement engine, but unfortunately some sort of Frankenstein’ed replacement engine and will have a significant negative effect on the overall car’s value.
CE6P22253 indicates the engine is a 1976 or 1986 Chevrolet replacement engine.
S0108CFB indicates a Saginaw engine which would not be a Corvette engine as they were Flint built engines.
CFB suffix was used for a 1982 or 1985 305ci motor, of which Corvette did not use.
3844459 is the casting number for a 327/300 intake manifold, not a block casting number
A284 is also the intake manifold casting date of January 28, of 1964.
Its the best year in the best colors and numbers to match which alone is very rare.. Every nut and bolt for it is readily available from many sources. If i was going to restore another Corvette this would be the one.
Hello:
Chris Choulos is the title clear and in the current family name eligible to transfer to new owner ?
Will someone be around to help load the car on a trailer service.
The parts should fit in rear area.
Thanks for information in advance.
Arguably the most beautiful car ever built in America.
Hey Chris, One of your pictures shows the driver’s door open looking at the steering wheel and gauges (15th row, middle picture). Do you have the original picture in higher resolution where you could zoom in on where the door jam meets the windshield frame? This is part of the bird cage and there’s some discoloration which I’m wondering if it’s rust. The car is so clean that I’m surprised to see any rust but that’s what it looks like zooming in on the low resolution picture. Hoping it’s just the picture.
You can view the full resolution photos here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1A6TaxS1RiRbwlpweI9sH1UaYEc4sUImd
Kudos to Josh for being a good Arbitrator , and Barn Find was a good place for this auction.
I tried uploading the pic and circling the area but it’s not letting me do it.
Thanks Matt. I am not a Corvette engine number expert, so appreciate the insights provided. Confused however about the dates you reference:
Some 76 or 86? Some CFB 82 or 85? SO Saginaw.
Any other Vette experts want to weigh in and provide confirmation? The car is certainly valuable even without an original engine, but value certainly impacted if its not a Counter Exchange factory Corvette engine from the correct period.
Help Please. Two hours to go.
Is it really a non-Corvette engine from ’76 or ’86 as Matt states above?
From Seller: The stamped numbers are: CE6P21253 S0108CFB.
A 63 Vette is certainly valuable in its own right (even with a non-Vette engine) but it would impact the ultimate value, of course. Would be nice for others to weigh in here too to validate and confirm agreement
BarnFind auctions are so civil.
We have a bidding war going!
Auction was getting a little too crazy for me. Good luck to the last two standing.
Plus I would probably get divorce papers served right after the car showed up on my driveway.
Congrats Joad!
Thank you Jesse!
Congratulations to Joad. You got a very nice car.
Thank you very much! It certainly looks like an awesome car and I am very much looking forward to seeing it in person.
As soon as the bidding ended, I had to put the business owner hat back on and finish out our day.
I always love hearing people’s car stories, so I am going to attempt to share this adventure as it unfolds. Not too much for now but I will say that I’m not a Corvette fanatic, but I have always put them on a pedestal, especially the Split Window. The numbers matching aspect of this car had almost zero influence for me and in a way, was kind of a bonus to find out it wasn’t numbers matching. The primary attraction for me was the overall originality of it and a vision of driving around in such an iconic machine in a relatively unrestored state.
What a crazy day/experience……..
Joad
Enjoy it
Hey Chris, Surprised?
I’m just glad it’s finding a good home and a second lease on life!