The 1963 model year was a landmark one for the Corvette. It marked the introduction of the all-new C2 version, and it was a year in which the Corvette set a new sales record. Buyers were tripping over themselves to park one of these classics in their garage, and this is your opportunity to admit one into your life. It isn’t perfect, but it is a beautiful survivor that features a more potent optional V8 under the hood. If you find yourself sorely tempted, you will find the Corvette located in Santa Barbara, California, and listed for sale here on Autotrader. The owner has set a sale price of $63,000 for this wonderful survivor. Barn Finder Larry D has once again demonstrated that he has a well-developed radar for spotting desirable classics. Thank you so much for referring this one to us, Larry.

Some shades look right at home gracing the panels of a Corvette, and Riverside Red is one of them. The owner admits that this car isn’t perfect, but it still presents beautifully. The paint holds an impressive shine, although there are a few minor chips and marks. There is nothing horrendous, and the car presents acceptably for a survivor-grade vehicle. The owner purchased the ‘Vette around twenty years ago and states that a prior owner replaced the front clip. He says that the installation isn’t first-rate, but it is okay if the buyer doesn’t seek perfection. There is no soft-top, but the car does come with its factory hardtop. This requires new weather stripping, but it is an otherwise good order. The external trim and chrome would be considered fine for a survivor, while there are no issues with the glass. If a buyer is looking for a classic that they can drive with minimal stress, this looks like it could be a strong contender.

Lifting the hood of this Corvette reveals its numbers-matching 327ci V8. This motor is the optional L76 version, which represented a pretty respectable “bang for your bucks” proposition for new car buyers in 1963. It boosted the power output to 340hp but added a mere $107.60 to the sticker price of a new Corvette. Those thoroughbreds find their way to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, allowing the ‘Vette to cover the ¼ mile in 14.3 seconds before winding its way to 139mph. The owner is specific about any parts that have been replaced on this car during its life. He admits that he has installed a new water pump and hoses, along with a master cylinder, alternator, and mufflers. The Corvette has 131,000 miles on the clock, but it is in sound mechanical health. It runs and drives extremely well and is ready to tackle long journeys with a new owner behind the wheel.

The presentation of this Corvette’s interior is on a par with the exterior. That means that while it is not perfect, it is more than acceptable for a survivor-grade classic. The original owner ordered it upholstered in Black, with the door trims and seats remaining in good order. There is no appreciable wear or physical damage, while the carpet is also in good condition. Due to breakage, the owner replaced the glove compartment door but includes the original in the sale. The rest of the dash is unmolested and is in good order. Optional extras include a woodgrain wheel and a factory AM/FM radio.

This 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Convertible is not perfect, but that is to the buyer’s advantage. If it were perfect, the owner would be within his rights to set the sale price at somewhere closer to $90,000. It would be possible to restore the vehicle to that point, but many buyers will see this as the chance to own a tidy driver-grade classic. A faithful restoration could be financially viable, but I would leave it largely untouched if I were to buy this classic. Do you feel the same?