The long-awaited second-generation Chevy Corvette finally arrived in 1963. It was a new car that adopted the surname “Stingray.” Sales grew by 50% and would continue to increase in the coming years. The convertible continued to be popular, but an enclosed coupe was added, which garnered half of the 1963 sales. This ’63 drop-top is in the midst of a restoration, which we assume includes replacing the chassis with another provided by the seller. Located in Danvers, Massachusetts, this undertaking is available here on craigslist for $23,500 OBO.
One of the new styling cues of the C2 Corvettes was hideaway headlights. The cars still used the 327 cubic inch V8 that debuted in 1962, so the car’s hardware came in familiar territory. We don’t know the history of this 1963 convertible, but we assume the frame is bad given the extra frame from 1964 that appears to have been restored. And what happened to the body on the ’64? We also conclude that the drivetrain in the ’64 was transferred already from the ’63, but the seller is unsure of its reliability.
From the photos provided, the fiberglass body looks okay and has been prepped for paint before or after the shell is transferred to the other frame. The paint was black before it was covered. This is a manual shift Corvette, which we assume is a 4-speed. Missing from the equation, at a minimum, are both the canvas and hardtops and some of the interior. So, if you’re looking for a project to complete with limited information, would you tackle this one? Kudos to “Zappenduster” for the tip!
A cut in half 63 coupe body ONLY sold for 70K a few months sgo. This needs a ton of work and money, but being in the Corvette hobby 50 years I have seen far worse.
*Actually* (TM), it was “Sting Ray” 1963 to 1967, and then “Stingray” 1969 to 1976. (And then revived in 2014.)
A lot of work still to do, but not an impossible task, with the reward of a ’63 Corvette waiting at the end.
The price is right