In the Corvette kingdom, a 1963 Split Window Coupe is considered royalty, and that’s sort of what you’re getting here. However, it’s not entirely, so read on to find out if the pros here are enough to persuade you to provide this one with a new home. The seller refers to his ‘Vette as a project, but if you can handle the mods, it might not take a whole lot of effort to turn this anomaly into a weekend driver. This one’s located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and can be found here on eBay, where it comes with a buy-it-now price of $42,500. The owner is also considering offers, and this seems like an example that might be preferable to see in person before deciding how much to spend, so it’ll be a good excuse to travel south after all the early snow many of our readers up north have been experiencing already.
Curvette, thanks for your tip on this Corvette! The story the seller was told is that this one was stolen in the seventies, then not recovered until the nineties. Whatever happened to the car between the lost and found period remains unknown, but what’s certain is that the original platform is long gone, and the ’63 body is now riding on the chassis of a 1996 Corvette. Considering all this one’s been through, some of the fiberglass still appears to be OK, although the rear windows have been flush-mounted. However, minor body damage is mentioned in a few areas, so it’s nowhere near perfect. Several custom touches have also been added, including shaved door handles and the headlights being relocated.
Inside, the interior’s components consist of a combination of older and newer parts, featuring the instruments from a ’96 model surrounded by a C2 dash on top. Most of the panel covering is a gray material, possibly trimmed with hand scissors, and falling in the back. It would be nice to get to view everything that is hiding beneath all of that fabric, but the unusual battery location is certainly no mystery.
Power is said to be provided by a built LT1, which is stated to be idling smoothly. However, this combo Corvette is also noted to have been sitting for a while, and the owner recommends a full engine tune-up. As a whole, I’m having difficulty determining what my recommendations would be regarding this one, but attempting to return it to 1963 specs would likely prove difficult and cost-prohibitive, unless you happen to have a proper donor chassis and interior at your disposal. What would you do with this 1963/1996 Corvette?
Reading the seller’s “item description” in the Ebay post merely reinforces what a scary mess this thing is.
I think ‘Vette purists just puked in their oatmeal.( note:, aim AWAY from the computer, laptops aren’t cheap) The wheels are like a giant middle finger to me, IDK, does anyone here actually like those things? If so, I apologize, the car itself is blasphemy enough, the wheels are just the stick you poke it with. Almost 1500 viewers, but no offers. I’m confident some “mishuga” will cough up 5 figures for this abomination, and that’s the way it is,,
Put some bumpers on the front and loose the hood and then toss the steering wheel. Then spend 3-4 grand on the interior to put the dash, seats, carpets in order. Put the door handles back and put C2 knockoff wheels.
Fix the crack on fender and door gap on drivers side.
Paint it original color or period correct please.
I have 63 SW Ermine white all original 340 hp 4 speed Vette.
FYI: The engine and frame for now would be livable but keeping the hood down on classic shows and open on hot rod shows are optional 😎
What a crab. This is totally FUBAR. The question is how much the split window is worth, because that is the only thing left of any value.
Some things are best unfound !
the A pillars are wrong for a 63 . not so sure this isn’t a 64
the A pillar is wrong for a 63
Frankenstein
The car was probably built in the 70,s I think its to customized to return to stock to bad
This incarnation was probably done in the late-90’s or early-2000’s, it didn’t take long for people doing this sort of project to realize how good the LS1’s were and abandoned LT1’s and TPI’s as power plants. I’d be surprised if this car was on the road after it was stolen in the 1970’s, until the frame was swapped, it has the feel of a never ending/completed project. Whatever happened to it, it likely wasn’t pristine. If someone is going to do these sorts of modifications to a C2 Corvette this is the car it should have done with.
Steve R
Typical car wreck.
You know its bad, but you have to look.
Myself it’s bits and pieces. Someone’s unrealized dream and probably didn’t have a lot to start with. So had part of a body and just started from there, hey it runs and drives they say!
Wow, what a severe case of indecisiveness. Only live 100 miles from Daytona and don’t think I would go pick it up if it were given away. I wouldn’t want any of my friends to see me towing this up I-95, especially with those rims!!
Reminds me of a hash-up that I encountered at a local Oldsmobile dealer in Emporia. Ah, but it’s a “Split Window” the salesman said. Some parts are, I thought. I won’t say that I ran screaming from the lot, but I also didn’t waste any time exiting either.
I dont think this is a true split window. Any one with common sense would not hack up a classic like tihs may be the kit they sell for it. real shame…
I’m with you. That “split” window just does not look right.
Nothing to see here, move along.
The best thing to do with this heap is take the radiator cap off and drive another car up to it.
My first Corvette was a ’63 Coupe, and my latest was a C5 Convertible. There was a world of difference between the two, and anyone that thinks it’s okay to combine modern with classic in this case should be forced to drive a Yugo for the rest of whatever.
But that’s just me.
Since it was stolen, insurance company wrote it off as salvage. At best this would have a rebuilt title
I believe the body is completely aftermarket. I doubt this was ever a ’63 Corvette coupe built by GM.
will never get that kind of money for the cobbled together junk !
This thing is Werth about $5000 as it sits .??? maybe.