My initial emotion after checking out this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette is a feeling of sympathy, first for the driver, as I hope they got OK and weren’t severely injured in this crash. Second, my condolences also go out to the ‘Vette, as this one seems like it was done right before the unthinkable happened. No information is shared about what this C2 made contact with, so the past events remain a total mystery. However, the powerful LS3 that was installed is running, and there are probably some other usable parts, unless the buyer decides to try to straighten this one out. Sitting idle in Rancho Cordova, California, this convertible is priced at $24,999.15 and can be found here on eBay, with a make-offer option also a possibility.
Not surprisingly, this one comes with a salvage title, and if (that’s a big if) there’s any good news here, it’s that this wasn’t a split-window coupe. However, a ’63 ragtop is also a desirable commodity, so it will be interesting to see how many readers consider this Corvette a project versus those who feel it’s better suited as a parts car. The seller seems to think the crown jewel here is the engine, and he may be right, as it’s been upgraded to a 6.2-liter LS3. Unfortunately, some lowlife stole the ECU, but a freshly-flashed unit is now present, and the small block is said to be running. A GM 4L65-E automatic transmission had also been installed, a sturdy component that typically holds up well when matched with a high-torque LS V8. However, it’s unknown whether or not it survived the impact unscathed.
Since fiberglass doesn’t bend, the breaks and disintegration paint a picture of a rather hard hit, and many of the panels were affected. It’ll take someone with high-level skills and lots of experience to get the exterior back to normal, but unfortunately, the damage isn’t limited to the body. The owner doesn’t know to what extent the frame and chassis are compromised, so he recommends that the buyer inspect the Corvette to make that determination. It’s sad how much effort has gone into a few areas that aren’t visible from the outside, such as coilovers on all four corners and a Wildwood brake system.
This is the view that makes me mourn the driver most. It’s not looking good at all from this perspective, and that steering wheel and surrounding areas suggest a pretty grim situation for him or her to crawl out of. Hopefully, they have now recuperated and perhaps moved on to having another vintage Corvette in their life. This ’63 is light-years beyond my capabilities to resurrect, but maybe someone out there can envision something beyond removing the LS3 and salvaging a few parts. Are you seeing any hope here?
Way over priced parts car.
A once beautiful car..
A driving non salvage is cheaper and drivable.
Fyi: my 63 split window with hagerty has the option checked that after payout the carcass is mine to keep.
I maybe mistaken but wasn’t this posted a while back. I recall seeing this one or another one with a LS that was totaled. no description of how.
I cannot picture what type of impact leads to that sort of damage on both sides of the car?
Only time I’ve seen that kind of damage is when someone blows through a light
Restomod or restowreck?
How about Wrecktomod?
That steering wheel tells a nasty story.
But 25k, for what?
To much motor for such a lite car! Lost it!
Your right on, I owned a 1964 convertible modified 350 ci,400hp loved it I had friends that owned 427/435 hp vettes, we all agreed on one thing, from a standing start these mid year corvettes don’t like to go straight, can go side ways before you know whats happening.
A restorer might have to bring in a dentist to repair that steering wheel.
I wonder if the mini liquor bottle in the glove box, that can be seen in the ebay pictures, had anything to do with the condition of this corvette. The door skins are gone on both sides, any guesses on how that happened? My guess is pulling into a single car concrete block garage doing 25MPH with both car doors open.
Look at the steering wheel, Bob, that did not happen from having the doors open. My guess, but I’d say it looks like a fairly high speed impact, like a t-bone into a pole, or another vehicle.
Maybe it was octane booster.
Hit on the driver side and pushed into a traffic pole ? Not much left
Yeah, that’s what it looks like. If you look at picture 1 where you’re looking at the car dead on from the front you can see the windshield frame looks bent such that something hit it from the driver side, but the more telling picture is picture number 13 of the interior with the steering wheel. The steering wheel looks bad but look a little further and it looks like the driver side rocker panel is pushed in about a foot and a half. Then judging from how the passenger rear wheel is bent, it looks like it may be hit up against a curb or something afterwards.
Good eye Phil, that’s exactly what I see as well, primary impact driver front door cowl area pushed the rocker and frame rail in deep right into the driver, that’s a significant enough hit on a fiberglass car it could have caused the passenger door damage as well, curb or something solid to bend the right rear wheel though. Hopefully the driver escaped with no major injuries but that damage says otherwise…
Dream a little dream of me…. What are you buying, the drivetrain, or a dream? For that kinda money I’d look at another project.
Other than the engine and transmission I don’t know what you’d salvage and even they could be damaged. By the way the rear axle is twisted the frame is probably toast. I don’t see $24,000 sitting here.
I think I can find a engine and transmission cheaper I can definitely build it cheaper
Making a left turn he gets hit by the approaching car on the left while trying to avoid the car barreling down on him from the front. A misplaced 45mph speed limit will do it to you.
I might do $24,999, but that extra 15 cents on the price is over my limit.
Not drivin a dead man’s car!
The most beautiful Corvette ever made. Sorry I sold my 63 when I got a newer model.
Where’s the guy who bought the shell of the cab of a ’63 for $70,000 a few weeks ago? Here’s the rest of your car.
looks to me that the driver was doing some sipping and could not handle that 6.2 and lost it. ask is too much in my opinion but then again i am not a corvette or a resto mod person. a wreck like this has bad juju attached.
It’s a Corvette ahead of its time as it has a wrap-around dashboard.I say, get an engine hoist, open the hood, lift the radiator cap up and roll another corvette underneath it. After reinstallation, replace the radiator cap.
C,mon,really? This appears to be a serious accident, and you’re trying to get money from it? Even if you gave it to me for taking it of your property, I’d tell you to find another heartless human being, GOD FOR GIVE YOU
Nope.
It looks like it hit a road approach at a high rate of speed pushing the front clip up off the frame, that is what blew both doors off, then crumpling the rest of the frame when slamming back to the ground, forcing the driver into the dash.
I’m sure the two instant changes in direction hurt the driver seriously! OUCH
“but what remains is an extraordinary platform” you’re kidding, right???
drink and drive you lose! nobody carries empty booze bottles around for decoration.
That looks like an “airline” bottle. I don’t think that had anything to do with the wreck. And also, how’d he get the bottle back into the glove box after the wreck?
Whilst I certainly would never approve of drinking and driving, I dealt with that as a truck driver for 35 years, I think you people are jumping the gun here. That bottle may not be a booze bottle, and a more logical explanation, is it just got away from someone, and by the looks of it, didn’t survive. Or fell off a transport truck, maybe. Here’s another blatant example of trying to cash in on someones woes. Cars like this are clearly insured, so there was a payout, and this vulture wants ANOTHER $25 grand to boot? A special place is saved for people like this, like 4 levels below Hitxxx,,too harsh for 4am rant, you say? Perhaps, but I only hope the site doesn’t make a habit of posting these types of finds, come on, man,,,I’m sure that wash job washed the guts off,,happened at 9:56, am? Too early to be wasted.
Ran out of time, typical on rants, I dealt with drunk drivers as a truck driver, and I see the ignition is out, probably stolen, did anyone notice that? If so, comeupins’ are a bitxx.
If you look at the bottle, you can see that it has the health warning label on it. Not saying he was drinking and driving, but it apparently IS a bottle from some kind of booze.
That’ll buff right out.
This was an auction car from copart that was just sold for $4600 dollars .
Riding with Private Malone. Written in 2001. a guy buys a corvette gets in an accident feels someone pulled him out.
That steering wheel is a reminder that old collector cars do NOT have air bags, ABS, decent brakes, and other safety features newer vehicles have. Old collector cars should be driven and enjoyed but given the speed and distraction of modern traffic, they are better enjoyed in quiet traffic during daylight hours.
After a closer look it looks more like a beer bottle than liqueur. Could also be root beer or some other soft drink.
Street racing maybe? Or maybe the simple stupidity of showing off gone awry? So hard to imagine. The driver probably did not walk away from this one. Between the steering wheel, the missing dash cover, the bent windshield frame & the rocker box being moved as far as it is …
25k for this haunted piece? I still can‘t imagine.
Ouch.. looks a lot like my 63 Apollo GT after a hit and run.
https://youtu.be/3yQUBDxjMH4?si=AsOQ7zlQI6CbJX-n
I had a 1966 Vette with a 427 in it. Never had a problem keeping it straight from a standing start. But then again I grew up on a farm and learned to drive everything you can imagine – fast and slow!
25 cents… Wait… Ran when parked.
Bottle in the glovebox is a Samuel Smith’s beer/ale from the UK, can’t tell which variety.
Not with your $25k would I buy what’s left of this car. Severe injuries at a minimum, and I would be astounded if the engine (the only thing of possible value outside of the VIN left on the car) escaped this unfall unscathed.