The owner of this 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe has recently treated the vehicle to a frame-off restoration. The car now presents superbly, but it seems that someone else will be reaping the benefits of his hard work and considerable financial outlay. With the work completed and the vehicle at a point where it can be driven and appreciated, the owner has listed it for sale here on Craigslist. The Corvette is located in Durham, California, and the owner has set the sale price at $115,000. I have to say a huge thank you to Barn Finder rex m for referring the Split Window classic to us.

It seems that the owner pulled out all the stops when he performed the frame-off restoration of this Sebring Silver Corvette. By the time the process was complete, his wallet was lighter to the tune of $87,000. This isn’t a figure that he has plucked from thin air because he holds all of the receipts and invoices verifying this claim. It is no surprise to discover that the result is a car that presents in as-new condition. The paint shines beautifully, with no signs of defects or problems. The fiberglass that hides below that paint is free from cracks or crazing and shows no issues around the bonding strips. When we delve below the surface, the car’s underside is equally as impressive as the rest of the exterior, and rust in the frame or birdcage is something that the buyer won’t need to give a second thought. The trim and chrome sparkle as impressively as the paint, while the glass appears as flawless as the rest of the exterior.

The Corvette is a numbers-matching classic that features a 327ci V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission. The owner is pretty light on specifics with the drivetrain, so we are in the dark about which version of the 327 we are looking at. The entry-level version offered the driver 250hp, which was enough to launch the Corvette through the ¼ mile in 15.2 seconds. There’s nothing wrong with that figure, although if it is actually the L75 or L76 version, that will slice a fair chunk off that time. The engine bay presents just as impressively as the exterior, and it’s great to say that this classic is about more than mere good looks. The owner uses the word “amazing” to describe the driving experience, and given the amount of cash he’s splashed to date, I hardly find that description surprising.

This is the sole interior shot that the owner provides, but it seems to reinforce how beautifully this Corvette presents. It is upholstered in Dark Blue, and you would swear that the car has recently rolled off a showroom floor. Admittedly the photo is a bit vague, but there’s no evidence of any wear or damage for the buyer to tackle. There is no wear on the upholstered surfaces, the dash is flawless, and the carpet is spotlessly clean. More importantly, in a car of this type, there is no evidence of aftermarket additions. It looks like the factory AM/FM radio, which would’ve cost the original owner an incredible $174.35, remains intact. To place that figure into perspective, if the original owner had chosen to specify power steering, that would’ve cost $75.35. Even upgrading from the standard 327ci V8 to the L76 version would’ve only cost $107.60. That’s an indication of how technological improvements have impacted prices for optional extras since this car rolled off the production line.

When you examine the photos the owner supplies of this 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe, it appears to be a classic that needs nothing. It presents superbly, and the Split Window is a one-year model instantly recognizable across the globe. At $115,000, this is not a cheap investment, but it is deserving of a closer look. The Split Window concept wasn’t as widely accepted as Chevrolet expected, and that’s why it only lasted for that single model year. What was unloved when it was new is highly sought in today’s market. It is common to see these changing hands for more than $130,000, although the right combination of options can see that figure balloon well beyond $150,000. When you pause to consider that fact, that makes the sale price of this car look extremely competitive. As always, a personal inspection will verify that all is well with this classic. If it reveals that this Corvette is all that the owner claims, I believe it will be finding its way to a new home very soon. Could that home be yours?