America’s Sports Car, the Chevrolet Corvette, finally got a redesign in 1963. That was more than 10 years after its original debut. Now sub-dubbed “Sting Ray”, it was immediately popular with sales increasing by half over the warmed-over 1962s. This 1963 coupe/convertible was once a show car, but none of that heritage is described. Located in Bonney Lake, Washington, this weather-worn project is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $25,000. A “bravo” goes to T.J. for the custom tip!
Sales of the all-new Corvette were split almost equally between the “split window” coupe and the convertible, which could come with an optional hardtop. So, nearly 11,000 of these non-coupes were produced in ’63, and the seller’s example gained custom paint and a side exhaust for the show circuit. It’s a shame those details are shared – because if its history is significant, that would be important if you decided to restore it as its former show status.
In 1963, you could buy a new Corvette drop-top for less than $4,000 (MSRP), about the price of a used ordinary daily driver today from the 1980s. About 85% of the ’63 Sting Rays came with a 4-speed manual transmission, but this one was converted to an automatic at some point. Also, the original 327 cubic inch V8 has been replaced by another Chevy small block.
The seller’s car looks familiar, but I can’t find another like it online, and I have never been to the Pacific Northwest. We’re told it’s been in a garage for more than four decades, but when it became a show car is unknown. The white paint may be original, and the body will require repair in some places (the snout and the driver’s side rear wheel opening). The interior looks to have been customized, too, but it’s mostly just full of spare parts now. If you brought this project home, what would you do with it?
I wouldn’t buy it at the asking price. No telling what isn’t right with this thing.
It always amazes my how someone will sped a fortune “Customizing” a car, then leave it deteriorate like this. It’s going to cost more to bring it back than the original custom work!
Beside a paint job and a set of seat covers, that’s about it unless the engine has to come out.
ACZ: car has to be completely stripped before the paint job, no cheap task. The left rear fender is busted up, which is several thousand dollars-worth of work & the engine is probably seized due to sitting for 40 years. Doesn’t look like a cheap & easy project.
First I would not entertain the sellers price. Way too many unknowns lurking around on it! Good thing the 3rd pedal still there would be easy going back to manual. Pull the engine and find a L76 for the Vette. Try a keep the custom paint and fix all the fiberglass work and try to get new side exhaust. If not, cleaned it up the best you can. Custom wheels from that period keep the interior and restore it the way it is because restoring the vette back to factory specs with cost a fortune. Otherwise good luck to the next owner. 🇺🇸🐻
Show car?
Barnum & Bailey’s, maybe.
KC… I guess you didnt grow up in the 60s and 70s to see Vettes of different years customize at car shows. They were hot looking. I guess you read my comments above yours. Have a good day. 🇺🇸🐻
Sure did grow up in the ‘60’s & ‘70’s, and had the hot rod magazines to prove it!
I saw plenty of well-done C2’s… triple taillights, deleted front bumper, maybe some Cragars, and maybe even some candy apple metal flake.
But this thing is an affront to one of the most beautiful designs ever to rumble out of Motown.
I vaguely remember seeing a Corvette with such a paint job in Car Craft or Hot Rod magazines back in the late 1960s. So it is possible that it was in some sort of rod & custom show back then.
For you youngins, this is how many C2s, weren’t called that yet, looked like when I started in the Corvette hobby more than 50 years ago. I still have hundreds of car magazines with “custom” Corvettes om the covers. Suddenly, the craze went to original cars about 1976. I had a 67 L68 roadster in Goodwood over black leather with ORIGINAL everything. Paid $1,800 in 76. True story. Those days are over. This car will be sold and be a restomod. I agree with the comment why invest all the money into a Corvette with that horrible custom crao and then let it turn into a pile of crap.
To me, with the few pics provided, and there are bound to be more problems to uncover,,hopefully the frame is good,, but a simple $10,000 to $15,000 strip down and re- paint job, an interior refresh, put the stock exhaust on, new brakes/water pump, etc. and it would be back on the road. Why fuss over getting the right size small block when it already has a small block.Put the correct valve covers on- who would know its a 350 and not a 327? Most people don’t know the difference. This could be brought back to a nice driver! The seller has a stock hood included with the sale and at least it doesn’t have fender flairs to deal with.
Show car? Show it the door! They ruined it.
Just like the dinosaurs. It had its time, it’s a relict from a forgotten time. the way of the future points into a different direction.
I’d get it running make it safe put the 4spd back in it and drive the wheels off it!! I like it it’s kool! Not for 25 k tho.
Yeah, it shows what not to do to a Corvette.
Wow I love all the comments from a bunch of couch potato’s that never restored a car that’s what we did in the 60s and70s we rolled up a joint got a plan corvettes were cheap this car is worth restoring
Well, that certainly explains the paint job.
“Tisk Tisk”…aw.. someone got there fielers hurt..!
#$<&÷(& Man Up…