There’s certainly been no shortage of customized Corvettes over the years, and even with all of the unique touches many of them have received, one thing I’ve noticed is that most of the cars seem to have remained symmetrical. But that’s not the case for this 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe, as it exhibits some asymmetrical angles, at least from the front and rear views. Dubbed “The Outer Limits”, this one-of-a-kind first-year C2 features a star theme throughout, and if you’ve been looking for an unusual ‘Vette like nothing anybody else has this may be a good one to check out. It’s located in Mankato, Minnesota, and can be found here on eBay with bidding currently sitting at $42,100 plus a reserve that’s not been met. Or if you want it today for $59,900, just go to the Unique Classic Cars website.
Some great news here is that The Outer Limits began as a very desirable second-generation Corvette to start with, the one-year-only split window coupe, and thankfully the two-piece glass structure was retained. The back end is completely custom, as is the front, and the seller says that most of the work was done in the mid-sixties, although the car has gone through some color changes and revisions through the years before it ended up as you see it now.
The body features outward-shaped finned fenders, which also extend into the doors. The exterior also has radiused wheel wells, and one-off polished star wheels, as stars are the overall theme for The Outer Limits. The custom hood is included and it will fasten to the body, but the car also had a custom screw-gear power mechanism that lowered and raised the hood, and unfortunately, that’s no longer functioning. Both door handles have been shaved off, and they can be popped open from under the wheel wells outside and from the center column on the dash.
Inside, there’s a white and red color combo that presents beautifully, from the leather seats to the custom dashboard. The interior features shooting star stitching throughout, including the seats, door panels, headliner, and rear cargo area. The chrome mirrored instrument panel features digital gauges, which the seller says all appear to be working, and the Hurst shifter compliments everything in there nicely.
There’s a 350 small block under the hood, with lots of chrome plating all around the engine compartment, and it fired right up when the seller started the car in his walk-around video. No word on the history of the motor or what it came out of, but it is said to be running smoothly and the exhaust from the side pipes has a good rumble. No specific details are mentioned about the 4-Speed manual or the rest of the drivetrain.
The red and white combo continues down below, as does the chrome plating, and a lot of attention has been given to the underside area and it shows. While this C2 may not be for everybody, for a custom build it does seem to have been overall well executed, and if this is the kind of Corvette you enjoy it may be a good candidate to consider. What are your thoughts on this 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe, and its Outer Limits theme?
Ok, maybe Bootsy Collins back in his day would dig this…
Other than the rear lighting I think it’s unique and done with quite a bit better taste than I remember some customs of the era. Yeah it’s a split window, hey they weren’t collector material back in the day. Sure you can see some revisions like the 350 and paint can’t be period as it looks too good. Has sort of the original Maco Shark lines from the side profile. Amazing it still looks this good. I like it, would I want to own it? No thanks but that’s me.
I recall seeing this one in the custom car magazines, way back before I had a driver’s license.
Like 370zpp I remember seeing this car featured in a car magazine from the late 60’s or early 70’s. I am curious to see if I can find the original article on the internet. The asymmetrical styling is unique and should help find some more history of the car. I would like to know a little about the person who originally customized the car as well.
David . I believe something like this will be done by a guy like Roger Brunelle in 80s and 90s and the place was called Bruno’s Vettes. You can still see some of his masterpieces around LA.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-12-va-1314-story.html
Here’s some history on the car:
https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1963-CHEVROLET-CORVETTE-CUSTOM-SPLIT-WINDOW-COUPE-200670
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm7Axt8IzEc
I’ll try to find photos showing the earlier versions of this custom.
Here ya go:
https://kustomrama.com/wiki/Ray_Farhner%27s_1963_Chevrolet
Wow.
If Liberace and Elvis were still alive, they would be having a bidding war over this.
But it’s not really my thing.
Don’t forget Evel Knievel!
Kool Kustom, but the engine bay steals the show. Best looking upper radiator hose I’ve ever seen, and that air cleaner ain’t too shabby either.
When considering the upper radiator “hose” if you will, I’m surprised the car even needed a radiator. And the license plate treatment would have looked right at home on the back of some low riding mini-truck. Gauche.
Gauche, hmm. Many would disagree. In 1963, the year this car was customized, this was state of the art. The workmanship is clearly outstanding.
The OCD in me is making my eye twitch. While the bodywork looks top notch, I’d have to redo the front and rear valance just to settle my nerves.
Is it just me, or does that tail light strip droop a bit as it goes towards the license plate box ?
Appears that way, but could just be an illusion due to the lighting and photo angles.
I love this Corvette!!! And I believe our resident historian of all things “Custom Cars and Hot Rods”, Mr.Haska, probably has some information on this beauty. I think this is a “tribute” to the original?
Oh the beauty of fiberglass you get someone who knows how to work it and you can create or modify some really cool stuff, Peru I don’t care for the tail light licence plate area but I’m also not sure how to make it look cool nice ride for someone
The side view has Bizzarrini GT vibes.
Not crazy about the front and rear end look but otherwise the side view, interior and under the hood is very nice and up to now I cannot recall a customized Vette I liked. Lots of skill and craftsmanship to build this one.
The offset license plate, tail light and headlights remind me a lot of the “Dream Rod” show rod that was also built around the same time as this Vette.
I like the side views and I’m sure I’d get used to the 60s custom treatments, but the color would have to go back to one of its older shades. right now it has too much of a peppermint candy look to it
It looks like a C2 mated with a C3 and this is its abomination child.
The drooping taillight confirms it.
Sad end to a beautiful classic. Nothing nice about those raised fenders, downright ugly and the removal of the original fender vents, terrible. Ok for George Barris geners but not even pretty as far as I am concerned. I would be embarrassed to be seen driving this one. Too far out!
WHY? What a waste of a C2.
Because it was built when these cars were new, plentiful , and not extra special .
This car is like George Washington’s “original” hatchet. I’m going to pass.
It’s been painted about 5 times, had 4 different interiors, several drivetrains, multiple wheel/tire combos, perhaps 2 – 3 frames, and currently has no fan shroud, seat belts, heater, weatherstripping, radio, or factory trim tag. Also, many of the suspension parts have been chrome plated and may crack after street driving. The engine is a 350 with 7.5 to 1 compression because of a turbo installation in the past.
The original VIN tag is there, and the title isn’t branded as salvage for some reason. It was totaled around April, 1963 within weeks of leaving the St. Louis Corvette assembly plant.
The initial styling was interesting, to say the least. Now it has a disco-clown look that is embarrassing. However, the paint is still shiny which probably appeals to the BJ auction crowd.
My understanding is the car was in the Peterson Auto Museum basement for a long time. There was also a trailer that went with it which now appears to be gone. Old school custom and I still like it, seems like a reasonable buy it now price. Too bad out of room, I’d like it.
I’d drive it
Ended at $50,200, Reserve Not Met.
That taillight is kind of strange, and by golly how convenient it would be to open the door by reaching under the wheel well. No thanks.
I’m the new owner and I have loved this car for 30 yrs, Merry Christmas to me!
Congratulations, very cool piece of automotive art.