The seller has spent the past eight years transforming this 1963 Corvette Convertible from a dusty barn find into a stunning classic that will turn heads. It retains its numbers-matching status, although they performed a couple of reversible upgrades for improved safety. The presentation is hard to fault, and potential buyers shouldn’t need to spend a dime on this classic beyond the purchase price. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting the Corvette listed here on Craigslist in Half Moon Bay, California. The seller set their price at $58,000, which appears to reflect a price drop since this Convertible first hit the market.
Manufacturers typically avoid releasing entirely new models for two crucial reasons. The first is that the development costs are typically high, and recouping those expenses can be difficult unless the latest offering enjoys a long production life or there is an opportunity to platform share across several vehicles. The second, and possibly the most important, is the risk factor. Discarding a tried and true package that hides no nasty surprises can open a can of worms, regardless of the development time. However, Chevrolet threw caution to the wind when it released the C2 Corvette. It retained some of the mechanical components from its predecessor, but the latest offering featured a new frame, body, suspension, and other features. It proved a wise decision, because owners agreed that the C2 provided a more satisfying driving experience than the C1. Our feature car rolled off the line during the first year, and is 1-of-10,919 Convertibles sold in 1963. The seller indicates it is a genuine barn find that has undergone a meticulous eight-year restoration. No aspect of the car escaped their attention, and they attempted to be as faithful as possible in their approach. That meant stripping away the tired paint before applying a fresh layer of Sebring Silver over the flawless panels. Finding anything worth criticism is seemingly impossible, and the lack of rust is also welcome news. The car features a color-matched factory hardtop and a Black soft-top that is in as-new condition. The trim looks excellent, and the glass is clear.
The good news continues with this Corvette as we delve below the surface. Chevrolet carried over the major drivetrain components from 1962 to the 1963 model year, with this Convertible featuring its numbers-matching 327ci V8 and four-speed M21 manual transmission. The engine produced a respectable 250hp when the car was shiny and new, and I see no reason why any of those ponies would have escaped from the corral. The restoration included upgrading the braking system with front discs as a dual-circuit master cylinder, but the removed components are included if the buyer wishes to reverse the changes. It appears that this Corvette is ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel, with this YouTube video confirming that the engine runs like a Swiss watch. Interestingly, the video also indicates a sale price of $63,000 when it was posted, suggesting there has been a welcome price drop.
The restoration of this Corvette included a complete retrim in the car’s original Dark Blue vinyl. As with every other aspect of the car, the presentation is impressive. I am not sold on the shifter, and I would be hoping that the original is included if I were considering becoming the new owner. One aspect of this interior that is interesting is the first owner’s decision to order the car without a radio. Both the AM and AM/FM units proved popular, finding their way into 20,546 Corvettes in 1963. That means that only 967 buyers chose not to tick the box on their Order Form. It might not increase the Convertible’s desirability or value, but it is something that will almost certainly be noticed by enthusiasts if the buyer displays the car in a show or at a Cars & Coffee.
Chevrolet’s C2 Corvette brought a Coupe variant to the party, and this proved to be a wise move. The Convertible remained the most popular version in 1963, but the sales difference between the pair was only around 300 vehicles. This drop-top appears to need nothing, and any changes performed during the restoration should be easily reversed since the seller includes the removed parts. Would you follow that path, or would you squirrel away those items and enjoy this classic in its current form?
What a wonderful drive this must be. Silver looks great 👍 Just over 3000lbs so 250hp is plenty.. 350lb-ft even better. 4sp, 3.36 gear⚙️ 🏁
Supposing this car was discovered missing its original motor. How about, during its restoration, installing a fresh 302 Z-motor drive train? Light weight, and over 300hp waiting at your right foot!
That’s a great price for a restored ’63, IMO
Someone correct me if I’m right, but isn’t the Sting Ray split-window actually worth more restored than the convertible? That’s rather rare because usually a convertible anything is worth more than the hardtop counterpoint.
Yes Terrry, the coupe is worth much more than the roadster. Regarding this particular car, I believe that the asking price is pretty reasonable given how nice the car is. The only faults that jump out at me are the 250-horse motor and the shifter. Other than that, this is a nice example of a ’63 roadster.
Low option car, base motor, 4spd, hardtop, no radio. Looks to be very nicely refurbished and a reasonable price. I’d probably lose the Hurst shifter but otherwise a great driver.
I forgot, the Sebring silver paint was an option too.
I’d leave the shifter but ditch the T-handle.
Where the seller lives, every way in and out are hilly two lane windy road several miles in length. It would be a fun car if driven regularly and the disc brakes up front make a lot of sense.
Steve R
I agree that the curved Hurst handle does look a little “off” on an otherwise original car. I do however feel that the Hurst shifter mechanism is superior to the original GM type. There are OE-looking handles available to replace the Hurst shifter handle/knob.
Ok, for today’s mini-rant. M21 Muncie 4 speeds weren’t an option until 1966. In 1963 the early Corvettes used a Borg-Warner T10 4 speed but switched over to the GM produced Muncie during the model year. All Muncies were option code M20, although the higher horsepower/higher RPM engines had close ratio gears. 1964 and 1965 Corvette 4 speeds were all designated M20 even though they had either close or wide ratios. In 1966 the option code M21 began to be used, I suspect to help out the dealer techs and parts guys get the correct parts. Again the M21 was usually optioned for the higher horsepower/higher RPM engines. At least they didn’t call it an M22!
427man, a voice of sanity. Jeez, it makes my head spin. It appears (without a hands-on inspection) to be a nice car and, aside from a few panel fit issues, seems to be well worth the price.
It’s the original motor, it is NOT radio delete, and could/would/should be a nice driver.
How cheap is this guy supposed to sell this for? Seems like a sell today price regardless of the lopo 327. Good buy in my book
Often overlooked for it’s SWC brother, I think the vert is a really nice car! They are my favorite C2 ….especially the early production ones with all their little one year only quirks.
I think everybody put hurst shifters in cause the original shifter I heard would jam up then you had to full around with the linkage. I have to laugh about these guys making a big deal over a tee handle! Grow up! Immaterial!
The first thing you do if you buy this car is take the hard top off and sell it cause you won’t ever put it back on! Those days of driving in the snow with winter treads are well over!
Well I beg to differ. My very first Vette was a silver ’65 L-79 roadster that had the hardtop only and my wife and I drove it for two years in Oregon. We never drove it in the snow but then no one that drove a high performance car did either. The hardtop makes a C-2 much quieter as well as much warmer to drive.