The first generation of the Corvette (C1) lasted for more than a decade. Its successor (C2) had a shorter run from 1963-67 but is considered the definitive ‘Vette by many collectors. It would be an all-new car that also gained a secondary name, the Sting Ray, one it would keep through 1976. C2 Corvettes are known for giving us the famous split-window (for just one year), fuel-injected small-blocks, and fire-breathing big-blocks. This ‘’63 Corvette looks to be an earlier restoration that has been in storage for a while. It runs but isn’t numbers-matching with a 1966 engine under the hood. Located in Bakersfield, California, this beauty is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $29,100 without any reserve to be concerned about.
The C2 was the same car as the C1 in-so-much as it had a long nose, compact cabin and short rear deck with peaked fenders. But that where the similarities ended. The most noticeable physical change was the with the front end that now featured folding pop-up headlights. The C2 was the by-product of two GM projects, the Q-Corvette and the racing Sting Ray, which led to the first prototype of the 1963 ‘Vette called the XP-720. The production car – continuing to use a fiberglass body – used nearly twice as much steel under the surfaces to shore up the rigidity of the vehicle. The increased weight of the steel was offset by using thinner fiberglass.
With its independent rear suspension and single transverse leaf spring, sales of the 1963 Corvette were up 50 percent over the previous year’s model. More than 21,500 ‘Vettes were built, with production split nearly even between the fixed coupe and the convertible. Some of the more relevant numbers for 1963 include: 10,919 drop-tops (like the seller’s car), 2,621 with the 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission (again like the seller’s car), 8,033 came with the L75 327 cubic inch, 300 hp V8 (if that’s what was in the seller’s car; it now has a 327 from 1966), and 4,612 were painted Riverside Red (if that’s what this car wore then and now).
We’re told that this Corvette runs and drives, yet the seller chose not to drive it out into the daylight for more complete photos of the entire car. After sitting for an undetermined period, it has developed a few ticks, such as a leaking seal from the front of the transmission. The instrument cluster has been upgraded, but the seller has retained the original to go with the car. While the Corvette could be ordered with factory air conditioning, this one was not and had the heater deleted.
The car presents exceptionally well, with a touch of grey being used to contrast the red paint on the exterior. The same theme continues into the interior with black and red, which looks to have been restored/modified when the paint was redone. It looks like a beautiful car that I wish we could see more of. Resale values for the split-window coupe is off the charts, so the convertible is actually the more affordable choice today. $70,000 seems to be the going rate for a drop-top in excellent condition, perhaps half that of the coupe in some instances.
Nice looking modified C2.
No favors were done with steering wheel and dash clusters upgrades.
Its a nice vehicle and will be a fun car to cherish.
Fyi- I hope the electric motors for the headlights work that are in open positions .
Never liked those air cleaners.
I could be wrong but I think Engine Masters had an air cleaner comparison test and these faired poorly.
The paint looks like it just came out of the paint shop, and has yet to dry…the car appears to have been restored to someone’s personal taste…seats, interior, hood treatment…lacking originality, the car is worth just about what the current bid is sitting at in my opinion…
I’d want an in person inspection before purchasing. Every visible modification to the engine compartment and interior suggest they were done on the cheap. The description is light on details, which will lead many to fill in the blanks in the most positive light possible.
Steve R
Interesting juxtaposition here. The “Outer Limits” 1963 being a true representation of its era and this “Restoration” in a time when someone should have known better. IMHO this should raise some outrage from the same folks who spent time dumping on a period-correct project. Each to his own.
Which plug wire is #1?
Just wondering
The wire that goes to the first spark plug. Sorry, I couldn’t resist!
C2 Corvettes may have been “known for giving us the famous split-window”, but “Fuel-injected small-blocks” pre-dated the C2 by 6 years. Fuel injection was introduced in 1957.
This car wasn’t originally a heater delete car. It wouldn’t have the two heater controls on the dash, above the radio knobs, if it came without a heater. Heater delete cars got two black rubber plugs in the heater control holes.
There’s not much original about this car, but it might make a nice driver for someone who likes modified Corvettes. The mid $40’s would probably be a fair price for this customized Corvette.
Except for the paint (and motor of course), it doesn’t look like there’s too much that can’t be easily reversed to at least make it present like a faithful example of the car. The drop top always appealed to me more than the split window and if I was in the market for this type of car, I’d want a driver not a trailer queen. What would concern me most about this is the “restored then parked” description. I immediately suspect that something went wrong and it’s going to take too much effort or money to correct it.
I hope it has power steering with that tiny wheel. Looks like it had a hardtop at one point with those extra holes in the deck. If your going to screw with a ’63, the first thing to do is stick disc brakes on it.
Or just look for a 1965.
I have been reading all of the comments and no one has mentioned about a rather large gap that is at the top of the door on the passengers side where it meets the bottom of the front window or is it just the angle of the photo that created a shadow
The door isn’t fully closed.