The second-generation (aka C2) Chevy Corvette finally arrived in 1963 and it did not disappoint. Christened the “Sting Ray” and not only was a convertible offered, but also a slippery new coupe with a split rear window. The latter would later prove iconic as the designers made it all one piece starting in 1964 to improve rearward visibility. Located in Richmond, Kentucky, this classic had the same owner for 28 years and may only need new paint and some interior work. It’s available here on eBay but for some serious coin. The current bid is $81,463, the reserve is unmet, and the Buy It Now price is $99,500.
Corvette sales jumped by 50% with the new design and the enclosed coupe accounted for about half of the 21,500 total units sold in ’63. Standard power in these hot new Chevies was the 327 cubic inch V8 that produced 300 hp (you could option yourself up to 360 with fuel injection). Most Corvettes were built with a 4-speed manual, but the seller’s car has an automatic transmission (2-speed Powerglide?).
As the story goes, this ‘Vette has been in Central Florida for the past 35 years, with the previous owner in possession most of that time. The engine is numbers matching and we assume the same could be said for the tranny. The motor carries new paint which suggests it’s been gone into, but that is not discussed. It does start, drive, and stop, but only for short hops, so the buyer will need to go over the mechanicals with a fine-tooth comb.
The ”birdcage” is good and we’re told it once wore brown paint, but we’re not sure what’s on there now (camo?). The passenger compartment is certainly passable but new carpeting should be added to the to-do list. The exterior window trim has been removed and will follow the Chevy to its new home. These ‘Vettes are very desirable and the ’63 split-window coupe tends to command much higher prices than those from ’64-forward without the divider.
looks like the body was blasted to strip the paint.
If so this removed some of the surface gel coat that weakens the outer shell. Not a good start to a quality refinish…
Many parts missing such as all the radio shields in the engine compartment. The price seems high for this condition. That body alone is going to need $20K or more. Add on to that all the mechanicals. Then add on new interior trim, etc etc.
I agree, John. The body is going to take a lot of work sanding and filler, to say nothing of the areas where it’s been smacked.
Seller coulda, actually shoulda, saved the $5.49 he paid for the can of red Krylon. Why do that?
I love his comment ‘…I’m not sure what works and what don’t I did not try anything on it.’ He knows, he just doesn’t wanna say.
Let’s see…buy it for a hunnerd grand, put $30k of your cash in it, 300 of your labor hours in it, and you’ll have a $130k base motor powerglide SWC.
Interesting current bid of $81,463. Somebody really sharpened their pencil on that one.
63 spit, a highly controversial build for GM,which they did not want to build, 1 year 21k units ,probably less than one third still in driving order…under $100k, a bargain for a 1963 split window c2 Stingray that could be priceless in a very short period of time…..
All that money and you’ll be driving a powerglide.
Steve, I’ve got my glasses on and maybe I’m wrong but I swear in the pic on my phone that looks like a 4 spd w a lockout. Anybody else ?
63 3 speed console
https://www.ecklers.com/image/1963-corvette-shifter-console-plate-rear-without-power-windows-25-108689-1.EK-25-108689-1.jpg
Nope, it’s a PG.
Saw a “fairly good” example on Tiktok at Dodie auto sales 186k$ 63 split.
They are pricey.
Thing is I’d rather drive the 62 roadster,same basic chassis – update it of course.
This one is very ratty & needs gone thru 40k+in work needed parts & labor but will bring a 30k+ profit if done right.
Spend big to make big profit.
The ’62 was the last of the ‘solid axle’ Corvettes. The ’63 was the first of the independent rear suspension.
That’s not camouflage it’s yellow primer .and the black splotches are a
spray on “guide coat” to check for high
and low spots on surfaces during sanding of the primer. I work at a body shop.
I know. Been doing bodywork my whole life it seems. My present build looked just like this one a few months ago.
‘gotta want it bad @ that price…
Looks like a split front bumper on this particular example. IJS. GLWTS.
All the 63-67’s have two piece front and rear bumpers. Split bumper is a term used to describe the 70-73 Camaro’s with the Rally Sport option.
For that kind of money you’d think the seller would have at least shoveled out the interior. Never saw a Vette with camouflage paint on it.
Auto trans, looks like base motor from painted valve covers. I think current bid is very strong.
For that kind of money I can find something better.
Looks like over spray on the coil holder and carb linkage is looking pretty old not clean. Sooooooooo not mentioning motor work is cause a can of paint is cheap.
This reminds me of the one earlier this year from Delaware looking for 110k (it’s still up after a year and a half ) That one was a automatic. This one was at least pulled outside so you can get a look see. Not that this one is any better. Lots of work and lots of cash needed. This is a long term investment for not enough return for time invested and outlay. Good luck with either of these.
Did he paint it that way so the neighbors wouldn’t see it?
Big C,
It’s deer season right now in most places. Who knows, maybe he’s going after a big 10 pointer?
Just my oponion!
Well, in August it was a very loud green and was bid to just over 64K at the point I saw it. It was in Groveland FL on eBay. Item #266354487736 by orlandotolv.
The seller now, always seems to always have a 63 coupe for sale. I wonder where he finds them all?
I made an earlier post about this same vehicle concerning the paint, body damage and the rattle can engine paint work. Nothing radical, just the usual.
Miraculously, it all just disappeared!
I don’t believe it just self exploded by itself!
If my comments aren’t wanted on BF, I will stop posting!
I love to read and post on BF , but I also loved all of my ex wives. Somehow, i have managed to live without all of them though.
Just a fact!
I feel you. Several of my posts have disappeared too. I think they were removed because my comments didn’t flatter the car for sale. There was nothing obscene or personal about the seller… just that I thought the car was ugly, wasn’t worth the money, or something else negative like that.
As we have mentioned many times, we had to restore from backup and we lost some comments. Things seems to be running better now.
My apologies to you Jesse, and the entire staff.
I did not know about the issues you mentioned.
Thanks,
Ashtray
That’s not camouflage it’s just raw fiberglass from sanding. Pricey but has potential.
Looks like the split window trim is shot. Didn’t Kindig have trouble finding trim when he add a split window top to a roadster?
No it looks like the trim has been removes to do some sanding then placed on the windows for pictures to show that rare window trim goes with the purchase.
It isn’t paint, someone blasted the old finish off. Looks like my competition hit it with something very course. I used to use acrylic ground plastic media at 30 psi and it would clean that fiberglass up smooth. Looking at what the photos show that fiberglass is really rough and will take a LOT of rework to make paint ready. Very wrong way to remove the old paint, but was CHEAP..
63 coupes are selling now for well north of $100,000. The truth here is Powerglide Corvettes were likely not abused like a manual shift car. The trim tag shows this car was originally Saddle Tan, a stunning color.
The base engine for ‘62 thru ‘65 was the 327 250hp.
That is not guide coat, bodyman for 47 yrs