It’s not uncommon for an auto design to become far more appreciated as the years go by, and the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette with the split back window is a textbook case in point. This was the year the long-awaited C2 arrived, and while the new styling was generally found to be favorable among the public, the two-piece glass on the coupe was not. Safety concerns regarding rear visibility quickly arose, so it wasn’t uncommon for owners or even Chevy dealers to amputate the center pillar and replace the dual windows with a one-piece glass unit, as has been done on this ‘63 Corvette. When the following model arrived, the center divider had been eliminated, making the one-year-only split-window variety one of the most desirable ‘Vettes out there.
The seller says this one has been off the road since the late sixties, with only an additional 8 miles on the odometer since an oil-change sticker dated 1968. The Corvette has been stored inside all this time, but with such a short driving life and having traveled just 52,818 miles, it’s probably safe to say that it may have lived a rather hard life for the five years it was in operation. Originally, the exterior was painted Saddle Tan, but at some point, the body was resprayed blue, and that’s when the owner thinks the rear split pillar was removed. The factory hood was also replaced with a 1965 component, so the next owner will have to source some parts to get this one looking like it did back in ‘63, along with making quite a few other outside repairs.
Although it’s not currently in the bay, there’s some excellent news in the performance area, as this one came with the optional L76 engine, a strong and high-compression 327 variant making 340 horsepower. Numerous external parts appear to be missing, but this is said to be the factory block, though there’s no word on when it was removed, or why. The only information we get regarding the transmission is that the car was born with a manual.
A look inside reveals an interior that’s in surprisingly decent condition overall, with the door jambs also retaining the original Saddle paint color. A huge positive we don’t get to view is the underside, as the seller says there’s a beautiful and rock-solid chassis below, so hopefully most of the efforts here will be focused on bodywork and rebuilding that 327, instead of having to address platform issues.
A considerable amount of work will be required to make this one a top-level example, but with the popularity of the split window variety, it’s probably well worth the effort to get there. If you’re ready to get started, this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette is in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and can be found here on eBay. You’ll also have some competitors to contend with, as 36 bids have already raised the price to $45,100, and that’s still short of the reserve. All things considered, what’s a fair amount to pay for this one?
Too bad the rear divider is gone, it made the Sting Ray look a little more like a, well, sting ray! Might have been GM’s intent. Anyway this car lost its originality when the divider was removed, sad to say. You wouldn’t know it by the way the price is going up though, probably because any Gen 2 Vette is a classic.
Bidders are probably planning to restore the car to split window configuration. The fiberglass divider bar, trim, and glass are all reproduced, but if the next owner can get his hands on original glass and trim, it will be very difficult to detect the repair. With the 340HP engine, it would definitely be worth the effort.
This Vette has not had a great life, but because of the year and body style, I feel confident it will be saved. Not sure what the number to own it will be? However, in the right hands it could be well worth it!
Even tough cut out, the split window can be restored. Given that #’s all match, this one could go to $60K and you would still have $70K foa the restoration without being underwater.
Owning a now restored numbers matching 63 SW it makes me feel good seeing one in such shape bringing a small fortune.
Unmatched hood, needs quarters , engine rebuild…missing engine top end pieces and the split window removed.
For years I have heard about ’63s where the owners that had that middle divider bar removed. This is the first time I have ever seen one.
I remember going to Central Chevrolet in Atlanta to look at Corvettes when these came out. Lots of people didn’t love that split window and I was one of those people. I did love the convertible though, and a couple of years later I bought one. IMO, this car needs too much to be worth what it has bid up to. If I bought it I would go the restomod route because that would free me to make it like I wanted it, but because the center post could be put back and it would be a genuine split window again that could be the way it might go. It won’t be cheap, but good luck to whoever takes it on.
Russ, I agree with you about the ’63 coupe. I was the 2nd Owner of a “splitty” back in ’71 and had seriously considered the conversion to a ’64-’67 back lite after having more than several blind spot close calls. (the rearview mirror was functionally useless!) I located the glass, interior trim and moldings in a local boneyard, but I then came to my senses and traded it in for a new ’72 Camaro. (nice car, but NOT a Vette!) To the best of my knowledge, that splitty is still with the same family who purchased it in ’72.
Too much money bid for what it needs. A very skilled body man. People that know how to properly work with old fiberglass and bonding strips are far and few between. Wonder how many 63s had the divider removed 60 years ago and thrown away? If they only had a crystal ball.
I don’t want to pay $45,000 for a complete C2 in excellent shape much less a completely disassembled array of parts. I hope the engine can be authenticated to this car. Also there is NO mention of if the transmission is present. That alone is a big ticket item.
The condition of the engine, authenticated or not, and considering it’s sitting there with a rusty timing chain gear and all the insides open to the elements tells me there isn’t going to be anything cheap in rebuilding this car.