This 1963 Chevrolet Corvette convertible is a project car in every sense of the word, but it could be a smart way to enter into Stingray ownership given the needs seem fairly straightforward for sorting out. That’s not to say this isn’t a big-time restoration project; rather, if what the seller has described here is accurate, you could likely get this desirable four-speed convertible into a running, driving state without a ton of work. However, you’ll want to be mindful of your investment given it is a non-numbers matching car and the paint job also isn’t original. Find the Corvette here on eBay where bidding is at $31,100 with the reserve unmet.
Now, there’s a lot going in this Corvette’s favor, with the manual transmission being chief among them. Stingrays with manual gearboxes don’t exactly grow on trees, so I’m not surprised to see the seller listing this with a reserve. The interior doesn’t look too shabby from this vantage point, and other photos show the bucket seats with no major rips or scuffs and the door panels look sound as well. All switchgear appears to be present and accounted for, and the dash isn’t hacked up. The seller notes the radio doesn’t work, so that will likely need to be sent out for refurbishment, but otherwise, the cabin is said to be all-original and will come with both the factory hard- and soft tops.
The Corvette was parked a decade or so ago due to a fairly significant coolant leak (the seller uses the word “noticeable.”) This is common sense, as driving with a considerable coolant loss and no sense of where it’s coming from or why is grounds for more profound damage, including a smoked head gasket and other maladies. Hopefully, when the coolant loss was noted, the Corvette hadn’t been driven any long distances. The seller will not be attempting to fire up or otherwise turn over the Corvette, so the next owner will find out if it will run for the first time in ten years once it arrives on their doorsteps. The non-matching engine is a 350 from a 1972 Chevy Nova SS.
The tires won’t hold air and the battery is dead, so this Corvette will definitely have to be trailered. The seller notes it was originally blue before being repainted in the 70s. Several new and useful spares will be included with the sale, including disc brake conversion components, a body lift kit, a set of shocks, new chrome door handles, and a set of aftermarket refurbished chrome bumpers. The seller doesn’t discuss any rust issues and simply notes it’s a long-term Flordia resident, which can be a good or bad thing depending on proximity to the ocean and the availability of dry storage. What do you think the reserve is pegged at?
That’s… um…. quite a color. Someone clearly had an affinity for school buses and taxis.
Might have been an attempt at “Ontario Orange”? Hard to tell.
I’m starting to think it’s a gold metalflake custom job.
….and mustard
I would call it diarrhea yellow, and wear a set of nose plugs.
Was it painted with Tires left on the car.
Formerly owned by “Donovan”?
as long as it was parked under a roof 10 years is really not that long. Get it running, drain gas and coolant, change the tires/radiator hoses, and should be good to go as a driver
Butterscotch belongs on ice cream. Doesnt matter where it is, its where it came from. Rotten frame disease is everywhere, A new set of skins wouldnt cost that much in the grand scheme of things. Good luck and happy motoring!
Cheers
GPC
The vin plate looks like it’s been tampered with
I saw that too, I wonder if Chevy put one on the frame as well in 63? I know my 68 has the vin stamped on the frame over the LR wheel. Does not seem like that bad of a deal at 35k now.
I’m sure the frame is stamped somewhere, my 60 its on top of the left frame rail
There were definitely 2 places where VIN was stamped 0n the frame on all 1963 thru 1967 vettes. One was on top of frame at left rear wheel. You must remove the wheel to see it. The other is very well hidden on top of the left side rail and not easily accessible. VIN plate under dash is supposed to be affixed with rose shaped rivets. Any other rivets are not factory and buyer beware.
I think that I may have left it parked too! That is not Mellow Yellow!
Seems like it may have been parked in the Everglades. From the muddy water marks and stains. Someone is gonna have alot of work and more money in this car. Then what its worth. Way over priced .For the shape its in. You ,d be better off looking else were and find one in better shape.
Located in:
Jacksonville, Florida
My thoughts are what weird original color combination tan interior and blue exterior. no wonder the color change.
As soon as this page opened up, I said “woah” Quite the color. I do question Jeff’s comment “Stingrays with manual gearboxes don’t exactly grow on trees,” I assume he is referring to the ratio of automatics versus manuals, but I am willing to bet the manuals outnumber the automatics produced by a huge margin.
You can buy a runner for for a bit more cash. Paint 7-10k, date correct motor 5k, tires, fluids, wheels etc 2k, suspension, brakes, , exhaust 3k, frame if needed 5k. You will be underwater if you are not careful. Better to do a in person inspection than take it in the @#$. Over priced imho but the seems to be the norm now. I kind of like the color, House of Colors candy yellow perhaps?
Maybe House of Gulden’s . .
At the current bid of 35K, you probably won’t find a ’63 in this okay condition for much less than that, anymore.
Of course, the frame and birdcage need checking first.
That’s not a Chevy 350 it’s a 327 or 283
Charles, out of curiosity, how is this not a 350? I know the 63 Corvette came standard with a 327, and I realize the 350 was not introduced until 1967 in the Camaro SS 350. Engine swaps common, how can you tell?? I see it has a pre-68 intake, possibly the original, but is there something that you see that says otherwise? The ebay ad states it is a 72 350 from a Nova SS. Just an inquiry, not trying to start an argument!
Where you put oil in front of engine the 283 and 327 only
SOLD for $36,300.
Ended: Feb 28, 2022 , 5:49PM
Winning bid:US $36,300.00
[ 38 bids ]
The Chevy 265 also had oil spout in front of engine but it isn’t a 265