There are cars that come along in life, and their very appearance is enough to get your pulse racing. One such car is the 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe, and this one is a nice project car that has just been listed for sale with a BIN price of $82,999, but the option is also there to submit an offer. The Corvette is located in Lakewood, New Jersey, and is listed for sale here on eBay.
The Split Window is such an incredibly iconic car that its appearance transcends eras and countries. Hidden away in a box I still have a battery-operated Split Window tin toy that I had as a child, and it is still one of my most prized possessions. This Corvette has spent a considerable amount of time on display in a museum, and while its original Tuxedo Black paint looks to be in fabulous condition, the owner says that this is a restoration project. There doesn’t appear to be a lot of work to perform on the panels and paint, because they look pretty good from the photos. I do notice that a few of the chrome items such as the bumpers are looking a bit tired, so it may be detail items like this that the owner is referring to. The originality of the car is nothing short of impressive. As well as the original paint, all of the external trim is original, as is the spotless and flawless glass.
While the interior is also pretty impressive for a 56-year-old car, there are a few items that will need to be attended to. I’m really not sure what the deal is with the shifter, but that looks about as out-of-place as it is possible to look. That would definitely have to go because as far as I’m concerned, there wasn’t a whole lot wrong with the original. I do notice some slight scuffing and discoloring of the bottoms of the door trims, but this can hopefully be addressed without having to replace them. There is also some wear visible on some of the carpet pieces, but once again, these may be able to be fixed with the careful application of some dye. Overall then, the interior looks quite good.
Is there anything better than finding a classic like this that is a full numbers-matching car? Well, I’m not going to disappoint you, because that’s precisely what this Corvette is. The engine is the original 300hp L75 327ci V8 engine, and this is backed by a 2-speed Powerglide transmission. The Corvette also features power steering and power brakes. The engine underwent a rebuild in 2001, but it has spent all of the intervening years parked in a heated museum, and the owner doesn’t indicate whether or not the car now runs. Given the inherent value of the car, I would most certainly be having the whole car gone over from top to bottom before I would be willing to hit the starter. However, once that’s been done, there’s no doubt that it will be a potent and enjoyable car to drive.
So, now we come to crunch time, which is discussing the true worth of this car. If you want to get your hands on a 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe, it is definitely possible to find some in the market for $75,000 mark, but these are going to be cars that will require a reasonable amount of restoration work. A really nice one equipped the same as our feature car will generally sell for around the $115,000 mark, and from there, the sky is most definitely the limit. While this one needs a bit of work, if it is as solid and clean as the photos tend to indicate, then it’s a car that I would really like to have in my garage? Do you feel the same?
Amazing car! The value can only climb from the BIN. This would be a perfect way for me to observe the change to DST this weekend.
I would certainly be removing that transmission…
If he removed the original pad stamping in the engine rebuild, then the value has dropped 30%. The Powerglide lowers value, but removing it will not increase value because it would not be original anymore.
I don’t usualy pay too much attention to these cars. I’ve seen a few and I figure they are so expensive now, that I most likely won’t ever own one. This one really grabbed my attention though. What a gourgous car. When I rebuilt the door panels on my old Buick I used fabric spray on the lower portion. They matched the carpet perfectly and held up for years. I don’t know if that trick flies on a car of this value. Perhaps a dye job or replacement.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/91EAAOSw4qBcV7vr/s-l1600.jpg
I’m trying to figure out what that shifter is out of. It’s not a 63 Corvette part, or for that matter out of any pre 84 Corvette. Looking at the shifter, I have to wonder if it still has a Powerglide, or if it has a later trans in it now? The car must have had side pipes on it a some point, because there are no exhaust holes in the rear valance panel, which makes me curious as to where and how the exhaust exits now? I wish there were some pictures of the underside, to see what kind of shape the chassis is in, and if there’s even an exhaust system on it. Another oddity is the gas door, which is from a 67 Corvette.
The seller states that it does not run, which isn’t surprising considering that it’s missing the thermostat housing, upper hose, heater hoses, some valve cover bolts and the power steering belt.
Admittedly, I’m not a fan of 63’s, especially the coupes, but $83,000 for a non running, split with an automatic, seems high to me.
Thank you. Not only in agreement questioning the trans but that shifter looks horrible and out of place (in my opinion).
Again, cool car but a small block with a power glide is not, again…in my opinion, where the money is.
Take the time, sort the car out. Run through the engine, put it all back together, get it running and sounding right. Detail it professionally (from someone who is known for detailing classic cars, not your corner car wash) and then start asking some serious money like you are.
Mainlymuscle below….right on….60K but in my opinion that is WITH it put back together and running.
Again, in my opinion, this car is too nice to sell as a “project”. Additionally, I know someone will BUT, why would I spend $80 grand on a car that does not run? Like I said, someone will.
That shifter just looks like it is out of a Taurus SHO.
I have held one of those for over a million miles.
It is high.I have an offer of trade,for one of my cars,on the table as we speak, from a fellow with a numbers Fuel injected 4 speed 63 splittie.C2’s are softer now,and the trend is downward. His car is a strong #2,but undocumented,so I see it as a $120k car max.He sees 145,which it was 2 years ago.This subject car is a $60,000 car today.
My favorite Corvette. Would prefer a fuelie,knockoff wheels, 4-speed, Daytona Blue with saddle tan leather. And it helps that I was born in 63 also.
He’s dreaming. Where are the lake pipes? Not running? Come on now!
Adam, I would think your 1963 Corvette toy looks like one of these, likely the red one?click to see full size.
Another” barn find “…..
“Another ‘barn find’………”
Very few cars on this site are actually barn finds.
red line tack is not right for 300hp car
I was all set to love this car, but…as stated above the rear valance (not fully attached) has either been filled or it is not original. I seriously doubt the paint is original. The carpet edging looks odd. The shifter is wrong. My guess is the tires are 20+ years old. The chrome is bad everywhere. And there are no underneath shots. Pass.
This other “Barn Find” – a 1963 Split Window in blue with tan leather – was sold at Owl’s Head last year: http://owlshead.org/auctions/detail/1963-chevrolet-corvette. I was outbid by $123,200.
Scuffs on chrome, auto , i cant work with this
Messaged the seller during the first time he had up and he wouldn’t respond to questions. Only think he did was add to the description that the car isn’t running and isn’t complete and needs full restoration. Doesn’t really help to let you know what all you’re buying. Pass, (and for me that’s really hard as I’ve been looking for an original paint black ’63 for a couple years now.) Just glad it’s an auto as it makes it a little easier.
Museum Piece ?
Is that where all the missing parts are ?
Back in the Museum ?
Another non runner. Says it all.
Either the tach is wrong or the motor is wrong, that is the redline for a 340 hp or an FI car.
The seller might take the highest offer and be happy (if actually inclined to let go of this cool car) (especially if following all the observations, suggestions and input here on BarnFinds). It is worth what the seller accepts at that moment I think. Of course I wish him the best in this endeavor!! I like the car but am too old to easily get down in, much less hop right up and out.
As it is a New Jersey vehicle, I would like to see under the car and see how the metal parts have held up to salted roads. Down here in North Carolina we refer to salt corrosion as “Yankee cancer.”
BIN now lowered to $74,999.