Regardless of its desirability, at what point does a classic reach the stage where it is deemed beyond salvation? That is the question posed by this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe. Its desirability is unquestioned, but time hasn’t been kind to this Coupe. That hasn’t prevented people from making a play for this project, and it will be fascinating to see what someone is willing to pay to take what is left of this classic home. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Jeff H for spotting the Corvette listed here on Bring A Trailer in Edgewood, New Mexico. Bidding sits at $6,000 at the time of writing, and with no reserve in play, it is days away from finding a new home.
Many enthusiasts believe that the release of the C2 in 1963 marks the moment when the Corvette came of age. Apart from a few mechanical components, Chevrolet started with a clean sheet when designing its latest model. The approach included a new frame and upgraded suspension, and the improvements that resulted made the Corvette a more “complete” driver’s car. The company also introduced a Coupe to the range, a move that proved inspired. It was breaking new ground, but almost half of all sales during that first year were Coupes. The desirability is heightened by the split rear window design, which the company discontinued after one model year. It makes cars like this among the most desirable C2 Corvettes. However, this classic has fallen on hard times. The Trim Tag confirms that it left the factory finished in Riverside Red, a shade chosen by 4,612 buyers. There is barely a trace of the original paint, but that is the least of the buyer’s problems. The entire front clip is missing, as are both rear quarter panels. The seller scrapped the frame due to damage, though it is unclear whether the damage was accidental or due to severe rust. On a more positive note, the glass and associated trim are intact, and the doors open and close properly. I acknowledge that I’m grasping at straws with those observations, but it demonstrates that it isn’t all bad news with this classic.
The first owner ordered this Corvette with an interior trimmed in Black vinyl. They also ticked the box beside the AM/FM radio on the Order Form, and that item is intact. The seats aren’t bolted down, but are included. The dash is complete, although it is worth noting that the speedometer and tachometer may have come from a ’65 Corvette. The loss of the frame means that, apart from minor suspension and brake parts, the original V8, four-speed transmission, and most steering components are also gone. We can speculate which version of the 327 originally powered this classic, but it would have delivered at least 250hp and 350 ft/lb of torque. However, with so much of this classic now AWOL, anyone wishing to return the car to active service would be forgiven if they choose to pursue a non-original path to create the Split Window of their dreams.
I’m sure some readers will scrutinize the seller’s image gallery and conclude that this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe has run its final race. However, it seems a few people saw something, because after opening at $1, fifteen bids pushed the price to $6,000 in seven hours. That’s pretty impressive action, and the listing statistics suggest that things are far from over. There is almost a week remaining before the hammer falls, but what do you think someone will eventually pay for this Corvette?
Wow. Not a lot of car for the cash here…maybe its future lies in some exquisite woodwork, turning the compartment into a high-end racing simulator installation?
Yes!
That’s not a bad idea! It’s a bit costly at this point for a simulator, but if someone has the gumption to do it, it would be cool!
That would be sooo cool sitting in there with the audio from the racing game you are playing!
Yeesh, if it wasn’t for the dust, there would be nothing left.
Anything is possible… I guess.
For thousands of years the greatest minds have debated whether an object that has had most of its components replaced is still the same object. I am no Plato but I think this Corvette will be basically a kit car if it gets put back together again.
Bidding is now up to $12K.
Ship of Theseus…
The window isn’t the only thing that’s split! But the bidding is at 12K? I thought nobody cared about old cars anymore.
Only certain old cars.
Steve R
Speechless
AH NOPE!!!!
The key statement is “This C2 split-window coupe project is now offered with a clean New Mexico title in the seller’s name.” With the title, trim tags and vin plates you can put them on a car with a dubious background. What you’re buying is a title and a vin plate. That’s what’s driving this.
I am unfamiliar with that world, so this never occurred to me. Thank you El Grecko for the Sunday morning enlightenment. I sure would like to know how this story ends.
Gee, Wally…I don’t think anyone would ever do something like that!
^This will become this>
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1963-chevrolet-corvette-coupe-193/
This always happens…you leave a car sit around long enough and parts start to go missing.
Can i test drive first?
I’d kick the tire. Oh, wait, not even a spare.
Junk…
Unfortunately what will likely happen is the back glass VIN tag and title will end up on a 65 to 67 car and the value will double. Not right, but likely.
Look at the structural rot in pic #46. Does smell like a glorified tags and title sale …
This is actually a one of one special order SEC versus SWC. The SE stands for “Split Everything”.
Seriously, Rustytech isn’t too far off. It will remain titled a 63 SWC, that’s the prestige,, but it will be restomodded with an Art Mortison chassis, modern power train and suspension, custom interior, on and on, and will ultimately sell for $300K – $450K.
This car came out of Pa wrecked hard. Set on mountain at Tijeras for years. Front frame was not rusty but bent bad. Front clip never made it to Tijeras from Pa. Dogs chewed a good bit of rear qtrs off. Yes it was an original red car..
This could have been a Beverly Hills Car Company listing….except they would be asking $75,000. I envision a split window dune buggy with huge travel suspension, etc
True barn find….dust proves it…..Ran when last driven😀😀😀
Will probably bring 25,000 to 30,000 as is. I predict it will be rebuilt.
It’ll buff out
You can usually find someone somewhere that will buy anything. I recently sold an old drill called Wizard, 50s or 60s Western Auto and even though it didn’t work because it burned up years ago the buyer was really excited. He said he collected antique tools and can make it work again, some machine polishing and it will be on display in his antique museum. I can see a total Corvette fanatec buying this just for the parts. It will sell
How can someone take so many pictures of nothing??
Ran when parked??? WOW! To restore this Vette would take big bucks regardless of the split window, any one with common sense will pass….. Investment would exceed what a restored would cost….
BARGAIN at $13K+ as of this post.
Will go higher.
The VIN tag, trim tag and title alone trade at this price if you are looking.
To get the 63 tub is golden. All the fiberglass parts are available to build.
Definitely will become a Resto-Mod.
Done right will be at Barret Scottsdale or Mecum Kissimmee next year and bring $250-$500K!
Highly doubt it. Basically a rebuilt Lego car at this point.
Anything is possible!
Future restomod.
A 2025 in 1963 clothing.
.
The OE rear window trim just might be worth it for 12k!
surprised nobody on B A T has asked for a driving video or tire date codes yet!
This hulk was sitting on roadside in Pa many years ago. Long haul trucker had it firk lift loaded and brought it back to the Tijeras area where it set in the brush on a mountainside for 20/30 yrs. Belonged to Deloy Naeb. He offered it to me for 1000 along with an old flatbed trailer to haul it back to Tulsa on. Was on bent up non rusty frame at that time sans front clip and his big dogs were chewing in rear quarters.
I have purchased a few rough ones over the years, but this one will probably take the cake when I ask “exactly HOW did it get this way?”. The town where it is being sold from is right up the road… maybe I’ll go take a look.
This car needs MidYear Mitch. He takes a ditch diamond like this and puts it back together and makes it look easy. Anyone else would crush this, but greed springs eternal ; )
It would be cool to see this turned around. I just wouldn’t have the money to pay for it!
Good luck with the roll back.
It could be turned into an interesting piece of living room furniture for the right house…. and budget! You are paying $6K for that little piece of fiberglass between the windows! I don’t think you could get this kind of money for a one piece window 64 Corvette in this condition……. but…. you never know!!!!
“living room furniture” – I like that. A “date night in a Corvette” display in a man cave. A guy can keep trying.
So anyhow, it appears that the bid is over $13k, so this is a VIN number play. Ya gotta be a player with Benjamins to burn in that world.
Probably make one of the coolest rat rods ever considering nobody wanting to hack up a split window to build one. I know my wheels are turning!
I don’t know if “Edsel Al” will remember this, but in the mid-’70’s, word spread like wildfire that in 1960, Edsel only made 75 convertibles. So….the shady community went around buying up decent to great ’60 Ford Sunliners and converting them into Edsel convertibles and selling them for a small fortune. You had to look close so you wouldn’t get hoodoo’d.
No tire kickers please.
I want to know the story of how it got into this condition in the first place.
3 days, 18 hrs
$15,000.-
Perhaps for $6.00
With the VIN # listed on BaT, will be hard to erase the history of where it has been.
Well, crime isn’t a crime anymore.
$17000
I wonder if the Windshield rubber blades have been replaced ?
Based on witness mark identification this could be a significant early C2 race car with quite a history.
It’s at 21K with 3 days left.
Anything is possible when it comes to a ’63 SWC.
Sold $70,000 !!!!
I told you above.
Stand back and watch in amazement for the end price!
The center of the car is there and mostly complete.
The ends of the car are most always replaced on any rough body restoration.
Well Sold!
For that much money, I would demand the complete history.
Why would you care????
Wow. 70k. Can only wonder what will become of it now. I have some ideas. It would be great if we could get a follow up story down the road.
Holy $hi! 🤣
I can supply part of the story!
Just wondering how such an amazing car in 1963 gets into that condition in 2026. What a circuitous route it must have seen in its 60+years!
Remember, at one time this Corvette was just another junky old wrecked Corvette that was not worth much money at all that passed through a bunch of owners who never did anything with the car.
Had it been anything other than a Corvette it would have been scrapped decades ago!
@joel miller, would love to hear the story of it’s journey from Pennsylvania to New Mexico. Please share the story with us!
I can supply part of story!
Please!
Would love to hear the story as well.
We are waiting Joel Miller……