This 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe isn’t perfect, and the owner is quite open about that. However, it is an original survivor that is in overall excellent health, and it still wears its black plates from its early life in California. There have been a couple of minor changes performed by various owners over the years, but all of these can easily be reversed if the buyer is seeking total originality. The time has come to find that buyer, so the Corvette has been listed for sale here on eBay. The vehicle is located in Templeton, Massachusetts, and while the bidding has rocketed to $111,811, the reserve is yet to be met. I have to say thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for referring the Corvette to us.

The owner provides a huge collection of photos of every aspect of this Riverside Red Corvette, but only a limited number shows an overall view of the vehicle. However, this allows us to develop a clear understanding of what is on offer here. The vehicle wears its original paint, with no evidence of prior accident damage or repaint work. The paint has plenty of minor imperfections accumulated over the past 58-years, but it still holds a good shine. The fiberglass seems to be free from significant problems, while a look beneath the vehicle shows a clean and structurally sound frame. The glass is clear and free from defects, while the chrome is in good order. We will undoubtedly have readers who will look at the collection of minor paint defects and be tempted to treat the car to a cosmetic refresh.  However, we’ve all seen these Split Windows when they’ve received such work. They invariably look stunning, but to do that to this car would destroy a lot of the character of what is a fantastic survivor.

The more observant among you are sure to spot two issues when you look at the engine photos that the owner supplies. The first is the vintage-look air conditioning compressor, while the other is the exhaust headers. Both of these components were added by a previous owner, but neither spells terrible news for this car. The compressor and aftermarket A/C system has been installed without drilling any holes, so it could be removed if the buyer is seeking originality. The story is similar with the headers. The owner has a set of date-correct exhaust manifolds that he includes, along with a shiny new correct exhaust that is still in its box. With those components fitted, the engine bay would present in as-new condition. Powering the Split Window is its numbers-matching 327ci V8. The original owner was seeking a car with performance to match its good looks, so he ticked the box beside the L76 version of the V8 that should be producing 340hp. All of that power finds its way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission, and this combination should allow the Corvette to storm the ¼ mile in 14.3 seconds. The vehicle comes with a comprehensive service history and documentation that confirms that it has only clocked 5,000 miles since the 327 was treated to a rebuild. The car is in excellent mechanical health and is ready to be driven and enjoyed by its next owner.

If you look beyond the A/C ducts below the dash, you find that the Corvette has an interior that is just as original as every other aspect of the vehicle. It is upholstered in Black vinyl, and apart from some stretching on the driver’s seat cover, it is free from significant flaws or defects. There are no rips, tears, or faded spots. The carpet looks respectable, and there are no major issues with the dash. Some of the smaller trim items have marks, but they are acceptable if we consider this car an original and unmolested survivor. The factory clock is said to work correctly, as does the original AM/FM radio.

This 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe is not perfect, but that is almost certainly what has made it attractive to potential buyers. This is a classic that proudly wears the label of a survivor, and I suspect that the person who buys it will make the few minor changes required to return it to a 100% original state. After fluctuating slightly in recent times, values on the Split Window Coupes have resumed their upward climb. I don’t think we are far from the day when we see spotless examples knocking on the door of $150,000 regularly, with pristine examples surpassing $200,000. This Corvette probably won’t reach those figures, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it work past $120,000. Whatever the final sale price happens to be, someone is set to become the next owner of a fabulous black plate survivor.