The 1963 Corvette Coupe must rate as one of those “it seemed like a good idea at the time” propositions. While it made a striking visual statement, the split rear window that was a defining characteristic of the Coupe also divided opinion. As matters transpired, it was a feature that Chevrolet offered for a single model year before consigning it to the pages of history. The seller refers to this Coupe as an older restoration, but it still presents superbly. It is hard to fault and would suit potential buyers who aren’t keen to accept second best. That is reflected in the bidding history since the owner listed it for sale here on eBay. The Corvette is located in Cary, North Carolina, and twelve bids have pushed the price to $120,100. However, that figure remains short of the reserve.

It isn’t clear when it happened, but somebody has treated this Corvette to a frame-off restoration. It still presents beautifully today in its original Riverside Red. The paint shines impressively, with no apparent flaws or issues visible in the supplied high-quality photos. The fiberglass beneath that red paint is equally immaculate, with no cracks, spiderwebbing, or problems around the bonding strips. The owner provides no underside photos, but if the external presentation is any indication, this classic should be structurally sound and rust-free. He describes the exterior trim as flawless, and it is hard to argue with that assessment. The glass is in a similar state, while the factory aluminum alloy knock-off wheels offer a classy finishing touch and help increase this classic’s value.

When you look at the state of this Corvette’s interior, it would be easy to believe that mere months, not years, have passed since it underwent restoration. I’m struggling to spot any faults worth mentioning. There is no wear evident on any upholstered surfaces, while the same is true of the carpet. The dash is immaculate, the console appears to be in a similar state, the gauge markings are crisp, and the lenses are crystal clear. There have been no aftermarket additions, and the factory radio occupies its rightful place. I’m not sure I could describe it as factory fresh, but the next owner would feel no shame displaying this classic at a show or a Cars & Coffee.

There’s plenty of good news when we start to assess the mechanical condition of this Corvette. The first is that the owner states that the car is numbers-matching. That factor is significant when determining this classic’s ultimate value. The second piece of positive news is that the original owner didn’t compromise when they ordered this beauty. Its engine bay is occupied by the L76 version of the beautiful 327ci small-block V8. It punches out 340hp, which feeds through a four-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels. There wasn’t a single offering within the 1963 Corvette range that could genuinely be classed as slow, but this car’s ability to storm the ¼ mile in 14.3 seconds commanded plenty of respect. Frustratingly, the seller supplies no information on how well this ‘Vette runs or drives. If we use its appearance as a guide, there should be nothing for potential buyers to worry about. However, if the owner is approachable, it wouldn’t cost anything to pose a question or two on this subject.

The pages of automotive history books are littered with examples of times when an owner has modified a car because it suited their purpose at the time, but those modifications compromised the potential value years later. That was the case with a few examples of the 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe. Some owners found that the distinctive rear window compromised visibility, and there were Chevrolet dealers offering a solution. The owner could drop their pride and joy into the dealer’s service department, where the staff would remove the rear windows. They would cut away the dividing strip, install a one-piece rear window, and the problem was solved. All of that sounded great in theory, but who would have known that six decades later, an unmolested example with its original glass intact would easily command a six-figure value! Our feature car hasn’t suffered that fate, which helps explain the current bid price. It has been subdued, but if the action intensifies, there’s a good chance that it will soar past $150,000 before the hammer falls. That figure could climb considerably higher if the right people are motivated enough. This auction could be worth watching.