Coming to us courtesy of reader Rex M. is this sun-baked 1963 Corvette convertible located in Mesquite, Nevada. The seller is asking $20,000 for this early second-generation Corvette and has advertised it here on craigslist. Let’s look a little closer at this Stingray!
It appears that someone has attempted to begin a restoration but didn’t follow through. There may have been some fiberglass damage to that right rear area but it’s hard to tell given the quality of the pictures. It’s also possible that someone has sanded a bit too far. Fiberglass requires a gentle touch and is considerably more difficult to refinish for the neophyte.
While most of the attention gets paid to the famous one-year-only 1963 split-window coupes, there were actually slightly more (10,919 to 10,594) convertibles produced that model year. It’s good to see all the gauges and switchgear in place, as well as the trim. The sale listing for the car shows an automatic transmission, but I think that looks like a manual to me. The majority of ’63s were produced with manual transmissions, and the majority of those were four-speeds.
Here we see some more important pieces; the hubcaps look to be in nice shape (they aren’t cheap!) and what I believe to be the grille halves.
Although some might disagree, I actually would prefer a small-block C2 rather than the heavier large block (and yes, I know it wasn’t available in 1963). Assume with me for a moment that those are the original valve covers; if so, that’s either the 250-horsepower base V-8 or the optional 300-horsepower version as the two higher-output 327s both came with aluminum valve covers. Other than the lack of a title, I think this could be a relatively easy, if somewhat expensive, project. What do you readers think?
This one should go quick. Though it looks pretty tired, and needs a full restoration, any mid-year that looks this straight, complete and unmolested, is easily worth $20K. The Bill of Sale might be a worry, depending on the title laws in Nevada, and where a buyer lives, but not insurmountable. It would be helpful to know if the car has a VIN plate though.
To the writer, the car does have a Powerglide, you can see the automatic’s dipstick next to the coil. The 63 Corvette Powerglide used a rubber shift boot, and a shifter with a black plastic knob, and looked a lot like a manual shifter.
Based on the WCFB carb, if it is the original engine, it’s likely the base 327/250. The 327/300 came with a Carter AFB. The Powerglide’s a good indication that the car originally came with a 327/250 (or 300), as the 340 and 360 required a manual trans.
100% agree. First fairly priced Vette to show up in awhile. Only negative is the title issue. Oh and the automatic but I am still young , I’ll would adjust.
Owned a few mid years, never an automatic, not a complete expert or idiot Opening near the gear selector console looks to be a stick. Selector and boot looks to be a stick. Appreciate anyone who knows to share.
As I said above, 63 Corvettes with a Powerglide had a rubber boot, a black plastic knob and a shifter that looked a lot like a manual shifter. The 63 automatic shifter was a one year only design. It used the same boot as the 3 speed. It was a very simple design with no push button release like found on later (or most) automatic shifters. Even without being able to identify the shifter, the presence of the transmission dipstick, on the right rear of the engine beside the coil, should erase all doubt as to what kind of trans is in the car.
No title could be a big problem. If you spend $50,000 on the restoration and then someone can prove the car was stolen, they get the car and you don’t get your $50,000 back…
Titles are an issue. File with the state as a lost title. You will need a bond put up (they have charts what a classic is worth) to the state, but after 2 years, the title is free and clear in your name. The title will show there is a bond, but you can get lic, plates and insurance right away. All states are different, this is what I did for AZ.
Before someone puts there money down I would make sure the title is clear.
but it looks like a great project and know its not going to take 50k to restore probably around 30k
As the others have wisely advised.. clean title saves a monster headache.
Id do this one up back near stock, add a huge trans cooler and cruise the Nevada desert 🏜 😎
Here in georgia the county police come out and look at VIN plate , run it thru their system and let you know if it has any problems . Now how far reaching their search is I don’t know . But I was able to get a title on a 83 Aurora Cobra and at least register two 70’s Alfa’s but they would not issue title on cars that old . But Georgia is 100 times easier than most “coast ” states. Also no emmissions on 25 years or older.
Kick down linkage and dipstick indicate the automatic transmission is installed in this car.
Craigs list add states automatic trans