UPDATE – This iconic Split Window Corvette has popped back up here on eBay. Bidding previously reached $100k, but the car didn’t meet the reserve. It really is an amazing example, but what do you think its top value is in the current market?
Throughout the history of Chevrolet’s Corvette, there is probably no more iconic single car than the one-year-only Corvette Split Window Coupe. When you consider just how desirable these cars have become, it is amazing to consider that at one point, Chevrolet was offering a one-piece rear window through its dealership. This allowed those owners who did not like that strip of bodywork down the middle of the rear window to have it removed, and have a one-piece window installed instead. It isn’t clear just how many owners chose to follow this route, but you can bet that those people would be kicking themselves today. This 1963 Split Window is about as nice and clean as they come and is located in Templeton, Massachusetts. It has been listed for sale here on eBay, and while bidding has now reached $79,850, the reserve hasn’t been met.
The Corvette has only covered around 1,500 miles since it received some significant restoration work. This included a full repaint in its original color of Silver Blue. It has also received some new exterior trim items, including new front and rear bumpers, new hood grilles, new rocker moldings, new door handles, and a new set of aluminum wheels. The original steel wheels and hubcaps are included with the car, and they look to be in first-class condition. The overall external presentation of the car is very impressive, and the owner states that the car has not only never had any accident damage, but it is free of any rust issues in the frame and birdcage. There are plenty of photos of the underside of the car, and it really is clean enough to eat off.
The news remains very positive when we delve below the surface of the Corvette. This is a full, numbers-matching car, featuring the 300hp version of the 327ci V8 engine, and 4-speed manual transmission. The owner says that the rear end is also the original item. As part of the previously mentioned restoration work, the engine has been pulled and was treated to a rebuild. The original carburetor also received a rebuild, while you can add a new fuel pump, new water pump, new brakes, a complete front-end kit, new shocks, and a new set of carbon fiber rear leaf springs to the list. The owner doesn’t mention how well the car runs and drives, but given the fact that the Corvette has only accumulated 1,500 miles since all of this work was performed, you would have to think that it would drive pretty nicely.
The interior of the Corvette presents fairly well, but probably not as well as the rest of the car. The Dark Blue vinyl trim on the seats is beginning to show its age a bit, while the carpet has some noticeable fading and wear. There are a few aftermarket additions inside the car, and from a personal perspective, I’m not completely sold on them. That Teakwood wheel is not original but is an aftermarket item. The original Daytona Blue wheel is included with the car. Similarly, the original radio has been removed in favor of a vintage-look AM/FM radio/cassette player. As with the wheel, the original factory unit is included with the car. That stereo is also key to the one addition that I really don’t like. There are a set of speakers mounted in the back of the Corvette, and while they (thankfully) are box speakers, they look out of place. The shifter also isn’t original, but the original shifter and linkages do come with the car.
There is no doubt that this Split Window Corvette is a pretty stunning looking car, and I have to admit that I do like it a lot. I would probably like it more if it was completely original, and if I bought it, then I would be returning it to that state pretty quickly. Of course, I also understand that these are my personal views on that, and yours could be entirely different. If so, then that is okay with me. My logic is that if you are the person who has slapped down your hard-earned cash for a car, then you are the one who has the right to decide whether or not it remains completely original. After all, it is a free country.
Speakers in non-factory locations always look awful, especially in this car. Otherwise, I don’t find the modifications terribly objectionable. This is a car that I would drive and enjoy. The seller also has on offer a 1969 Chevrolet K-20, which is even more to my liking!
Rather have a ’69 K-20 than a split window Corvette?
Turn in your man card…
It’s easy to question my masculinity from the safety of your keyboard, isn’t it? Feel like saying that to my face?
Dan – to your face: Most men understand a little lighthearted sarcasm.
Lighten up, dude.
Now, now, it’s a stressful time for everyone. Not everybody is as big a ‘Vette fan as you apparently are.
I bought a 63 4 sp 2 dr chev candy apple red price 2800 If I knew what the vette would be worth maybe I should have got that. I did sell my 58 vette for 1800 bucks to get the money lol
I’m wondering what make of oil flter that is.
http://imgsrv.sellersourcebook.com/users/123803/1963_corvette_sw_silver_blue_10.jpg
Poor fitting hood?
http://imgsrv.sellersourcebook.com/users/123803/1963_corvette_sw_silver_blue_59.jpg
I wonder why that carb looks smaller than a quadrajet on a low hp pontiac 400 of the ’70s.
http://imgsrv.sellersourcebook.com/users/123803/1963_corvette_sw_silver_blue_47a.jpg
I guess the chrome distributor shield is for decoration? No other car has that.
I doubt it’s to keep the distrib from getting wet.
http://imgsrv.sellersourcebook.com/users/123803/1963_corvette_sw_silver_blue_46.jpg
This year Corvette should have a canister type filter where the element fits into a type of can, this one is probably sitting on an adapter allowing its use instead of the cartridge type. The hood is not latched in this picture. I cant really discern if the carb. pictured is an old style, pre Quadrajet Rochester or a Carter AFB….Finally the chrome around the distributor is for radio interference from the distributor. I hope this helps.
The original carburetor on a 300-327 is a Carter AFB They did not have Q-jets until 1966
You got all the chrome and stuff with a 340 hp, as well as a aluminum intake and Holley carb
FYI My 62 327 340hp had a chrome cover over distributor as shown on the split window.
Toad Corvettes have Fiberglass bodies so they have ignition shields ! It is FACTORY! And I do not believe 63 Corvettes had Quadrajets!
The 63′ Split is in the top 3 cars I must own while alive. I have a neighbor friend who has a gold with saddle tan he’s sitting on. He bought it for his wife, but she has since passed on and he is not ready to let it go. He is the second owner and worked with the original owner years ago. There is a car out there for me, it just hasn’t found me yet. Forgot to mention, I too was born in 63.
Please don’t buy a ’69 K-20 instead…
Buy what you want, unsolicited mansplaining is immature.
Can you get me the number of the guy with the tan split window?
If you haven’t checked out this cat’s E bay listing, you should, he has several other nice (and probably very expensive) cars that he’d like to move.
This Vette is in pretty spectacular (other than the speakers) condition!
Where did the writer come up with the idea that Chevrolet offered a one piece rear window for dealers to install in 63 coupes? It was a popular hot rodder modification in the 60’s, but Chevrolet didn’t offer it for 63’s as a factory or dealer installed option.
Car Craft did a pocket size magazine is 63, on customizing tips for the 63 Corvette. Articles in the mag included, among other things, how to radius the wheel openings, adding a third tail lamp and how to remove the rear window split.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Silver Blue. My cousin had a new Silver Blue 64 coupe, unfortunately he only had it about 4 months, before it was stolen and never seen again. This looks like a fairly decent car, but whoever decided to paint the underside of the car, rattle can black, didn’t do it any favors!
I’ve heard thru friends that in 1964 the body shop at Malcolm Konner Chevrolet in Paramus N.J. (at one time the worlds biggest Corvette dealer) were performing split window removals because owners of ’63s preferred the look of the new ’64s. Imagine how they feel about that now if they’re still alive and own those ’63s.
I seem to remember that dealer at one time in the 80’s? had 1 of the concept vettes on display upstairs! Might have been the Reynolds corvette.
Moosie: How much do you think one of those modified ’63’s with the ’64 window would be worth now-with documentation? They have to be more rare than a stock split window, I’m guessing.
@Winfield S Wilson, I would venture a guess that to a Corvette Purist the value would be less then one with the stock original windows but for just a Corvette aficianado the value would be about the same as a stock original one. No matter the documentation.
Reminds me of why the trunk strips and louvered hood on a ’58 are rare. Instant ’59 or ’60.
This ad reveals the biggest issue with owning and enjoying a C2: It’s only been driven 1500 miles since significant restoration work.
What a great car to drive, but they represent such a huge investment that owners don’t feel good about driving them. I love seeing these on the road, and they are never in “fantastic” condition. Owners just enjoying them.
Neat-o garage conversation piece…….
Wow! Ended: Aug 19, 2019 , 12:10PM
Current bid:US $99,850.00
Reserve not met
[ 49 bids ]
Really nice ’63 but is it $100K nice ? Suppose so.
I love these cars. My uncle has a MINT ’63 Split Z06 Tanker in his garage. I have never seen him drive it but he does every once in a while. I did get to drive is “Widow maker” 911 Turbo, but I won’t even bother to ask to drive this. He also has a C7 ZR1 for fun, but the Split stays in his temperature controlled garage under its cover inside the wooden fence that surrounds it so nothing can get close
I know he bought the Tanker brand new in 63 and just put it away for safe keeping
Smart dude
My cousins (all girls) are going to have to fight over it (He is 83)
With this car being one of the gold standard Corvettes which are gold standard throughout collecting it will be interesting to see the final bid. I think car’s values are about to tank as we try to get an economy back. Sell it now or wait another 5 years!
No way this is worth anything near 100K, too many things changed or not original to 63, also a low optioned car, at best a 60K car or maybe 65K if you push it, but as they say, the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I don’t get it. Why would anybody want a split window Corvette? A Corvettes should be a convertible period! Plus they should all have standard transmissions. That is what a sports car is..
Just saying.
Split windows…overrated! Up until a few years ago they were slightly more but this is just ridiculous. I owned 2 65 coupes in the last 11 years selling the last one in 2017. Factory disc brakes, AC, elect. windows…at nearly half the price at this pricing. Expensive bragging rights for 1 of over 10,000 made.
Overpriced!
Lots of peeps took the split out..Could not see out.
How stusplid.
This is a really beautiful car but for 100K I would expect perfection!! It’s not perfect!!!
Not as iconic as the ‘67 L88 and L89. They only made 20 L88s and 16 L89s.Today they are all worth over $1 million.
A friend of mine had one like this .Same color. I was wonder if it had a crack in one of the instrument gauges? My friends did. He was racing it one night and it cracked. One day he was driving back from Morgantown,W.Va. buy a state trooper for speeding. The trooper asked my friend if he could sit in it and my friend oblidged and the trooper wanted to buy it on the spot. He thanked my friend and told him to slow it down and take care of HIS CAR and only let him off with a verbal warning. Then the trooper told my friend he understood why it would be so hard to not want to open it up.