Many enthusiasts believe that the 1963 model year was when the Chevrolet Corvette came of age. The company introduced the C2, featuring a dramatic new body and significant mechanical changes that transformed the car’s road manners and handling. This first-year Convertible is genuinely remarkable. It is a one-owner survivor that recently emerged from an extended slumber. It is rock-solid, roadworthy, and ready to return to its rightful place on our roads. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this fantastic survivor listed here on eBay in Fenton, Missouri. Bidding sits below the reserve at $27,455, with time remaining for readers to get their financial ducks in a row if they intend on making a play for this classic.

The C2 Corvette caused a sensation at its unveiling. Not only did it feature striking styling, but Chevrolet added a Coupe variant to tempt buyers. This proved to be a masterstroke, because almost half of the buyers during that initial year ticked that box on the Order Form. That the C2 was the right car at the right time was confirmed by the sales figures. A new record of 21,513 vehicles eclipsed the previous record by almost 50%. The first owner purchased this Convertible on August 3rd, 1963. They chose Riverside Red from the seven shades in that year’s color palette, teaming Red with a White soft-top. The car’s presentation is consistent with a cherished survivor of this vintage. The paint retains a warm shine, with no significant imperfections. It cloaks fiberglass exhibiting no fatigue cracks, while the soft-top is acceptable for a car of this type. The seller confirms that this classic has recently emerged after hibernating since 1978. The storage environment was close to ideal because, apart from areas of dry surface corrosion, there is no evidence of penetrating rust in the frame or the birdcage. The chrome is undamaged, the glass is clear, and this Corvette rolls on its original steel wheels with the correct hub caps.

This Corvette’s interior graphically demonstrates how its owner has treasured it. Trimmed in Red vinyl, there seems little to criticize about its appearance. The carpet is a giveaway, because there isn’t any significant wear in the prone area under the driver’s feet. The vinyl is excellent, but the armrests show mild deterioration. However, they are acceptable if the buyer is determined to maintain this car’s survivor credentials. The dash is spotless, the gauges feature clear lenses and crisp markings, and the first owner splashed a cool $174.35 on an AM/FM radio as the only interior option.

You could order a 1963 Corvette with any engine you liked, as long as it was a 327ci V8. Chevrolet offered four versions, with the L75 proving a popular choice. This is understandable, because it boosted power from 250hp to 300hp while adding a mere $53.80 to the sticker price. It is little wonder that over 37% of Corvettes sold during this model year featured the L75. The first owner teamed that motor with a four-speed M20 manual transmission and a 3.36 Posi rear end. That combination is pretty good, offering an excellent compromise between outright acceleration and open road cruising. The seller confirms that the first owner placed this Convertible into dry storage in 1978, with the odometer reading approximately 21,000 miles. It recently emerged from hiding and has been carefully revived to a roadworthy state. The process included replacing the exhaust, tires, and fluids, rebuilding the carburetor, and performing a tune-up on the engine. The ‘Vette runs and drives well, as demonstrated in this YouTube video. If you’re the type of enthusiast who values documentation, you may be irresistibly drawn to this classic. The sale includes the Owner’s Manual, Warranty Protection Plan, Radio Instruction Manual, the Instruction Cards that Chevrolet fitted throughout the interior, the Window Sticker, Dealer Order Form, Dealer Invoice, original Title, and other relevant paperwork tracing the car’s history to Day One.

Finding six-decade-old survivor-grade classics is not unusual, although those cars have typically had multiple owners. That this 1963 Corvette Convertible has had the same custodian throughout its life is genuinely remarkable. It ticks almost every box serious collectors crave, from its originality to its condition and the documentation. This ‘Vette has attracted twelve bids, and I believe that the number will climb substantially as the auction progresses. Even if you aren’t seriously interested in joining the action, monitoring the listing could be worthwhile. I suspect that the final hours will be highly entertaining.