Split Window Project: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette

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Chevrolet finally redesigned its Corvette sports car in 1963, retiring the first-generation models after a 10-year run. An enclosed coupe was offered in addition to the convertible. It used a split-window layout for the back glass which would become a one-year wonder. The engineers likely didn’t realize this would create a Holy Grail automobile that is highly sought after today. From a single garage in Wilmington, Delaware, the seller is fielding offers of more than $75,000 from the listing here on craigslist.

Nearly 10,600 of the split-window Corvette coupes were produced in 1963. This one has a 327 cubic inch V8 with a 2-speed Powerglide, a numbers-matching pairing. But the seller tells us very little else about the car, leaving the rather vague photos to do the job. Most of the discussion is focused on his pricing requirements and his/her desire to net $100,000 for this car with no trades.

We assume the body is okay and the car may be wearing white paint although it could also be primer. The indicated mileage is 70,000 yet the seller doesn’t indicate if the Chevy runs or how long it’s been in storage. We do get one photo of what it looked like in better days, but that’s an old Polaroid print. These cars can be worth some serious money when in pristine condition. But what would be your total investment to bring this one up to those standards? BTW, our thanks to Mitchell G. for this tip.

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Comments

  1. Calipag

    WOW! What an Adam Henry or am I reading this ad wrong! $100,000 for that ………. I believe he is off base. A quick search and I find a few done in the mid to upper $100,000.

    I agree with Russ, total investment is a huge concern with this car and the limited information!

    Like 16
    • Eric B. Haulenbeek

      This guy is dreaming. The car needs a tear-down, and that’s expensive as well as very time consuming. Who knows what condition the running gear is in, and that Powerglide needs to go if the value of that car is going to be maintained. Then there’s the bodywork and finish. No way is this ‘project’ worth $100K.

      Like 12
    • David Harris

      That thing is left alone and stayed like that till 2023!! Somehow because of that alone it seems like a fair deal; but that’s way too much just to get to a starting point of restoration.

      Like 2
    • Billy

      Didn’t realize “The big man” Joe was able to acquire Maui Wowwy Ganga all the way back there.
      Oh, dumbass me, it’s not 1976 anymore.

      Wonder if when they push it out of the storage unit how many boxes of top secret files will be found under all the cob webs?
      That, or some of that “catch” some judge or representative or
      ??? caught while fishing off the coast of Cuba or wherever.

      Wow, I’m getting high just thinking about the ego that pulled this price out of the blue.

      Like 0
  2. ruxvette

    I’ll give him a ‘conditional’ offer (without seeing the car) of $99,900. Then, after I see the car make a more realistic offer of $50-60k…depending on the undercarriage, what parts go with it, overall condition, etc. It’s a BAC…250HP, Pglide, power nothing.
    $100,000 and he’s showing pictures of the back side of hubcaps. Jeez, just shoot me.

    Like 21
    • CCFisher

      Give it a try! Be sure to let us know if you get one black eye or two.

      Like 3
  3. CraigR

    Well the ad is up for 28 days now so I suspect he’s had no takers.

    Like 7
  4. Frank Sumatra

    In a garage in Delaware? Double-check the documentation.

    Like 6
    • JimmyinTEXAS

      Dang, there could be top-secret documents stored in the trunk.

      Like 14
  5. Bamapoppy

    A 60’s Corvette? In a garage? In Delaware? Any classified documents laying about? Maybe there’s a reason he thinks it has some ‘intrinsic value.’

    Like 23
  6. James Quinn

    I’m tempted to offer him 74,900.

    Like 3
    • Marshall Belcher

      I’m tempted to offer him 2500.a box of animal cookies 6 pk of coke that he can drink while watching me load the car. See him Monday morning early. Don’t be late

      Like 6
    • Eric B. Haulenbeek

      Too much. Your time is worth more than you could get out of it… unless you’re in it for the looooong haul. It’s a $45K package just the way it is, and you’ll end up putting a BUNDLE into it.

      Like 4
  7. Heartbreaker AL

    He’s not really selling he’s just testing the waters and trying to raise the price so someday he can get that 100k. I would do the same if I had space to keep it inside.

    Like 1
  8. Susan McKee

    Just saw one go on Mecum recently. $130K, I think and it was Mecum-quality. This guy is dreaming.

    Like 12
  9. Brian

    Greetings:

    He had this add up back in OCT 2022 as well

    Like 2
  10. Greg GustafsonMember

    In 1965, a friend of mine bought a wrecked 63 split window Coupe and fabricated a fiberglass “Mako-Shark” front end that looked perfect. Back then, many “split window owners were having the split window body converted to the later one piece rear glass. My friend was on the fence with making this mod, then backed into a pole in a parking lot that lined up with the rear window divider. His insurance paid for the damage but wouldn’t pay to have the divider reconfigured; so he left it as is. I wonder how many had the divider removed all the while destroying the value of that iconic design?

    Like 5
    • Eric B. Haulenbeek

      I knew a guy back in the day who had that modification done, converting the split rear window to a one-piece window. At the time I thought it looked pretty cool. Hah… what did I know! LOL

      Like 4
  11. Sw smith

    He was reading from a teleprompter and forgot the price so add lib. Then tripped.

    Like 2
  12. Jim C

    I live very close to this SWC. This has been on CL for over a year or more. Looking for 100K from the get go. It appears he is taking offers only if it’s sight unseen. Pie in the sky as far as I’m concern. At 100k it better be turn key, Pipe dream.

    Like 3

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