Barn Fresh: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Coupe
This 1963 Corvette Split-Window Coupe is an original barn find that could potentially be a stunning car once restored. There is no escaping the fact that it will need some work, but the end result should be well worth the effort. The Corvette is located in Greenwich, Connecticut, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $45,200, and with the reserve now met, it is set to head off to a new home.
The Sebring Silver Corvette has just emerged from hiding after spending several decades parked in a barn. The owner concedes that the car will require a complete restoration, and I suspect that this will have to be a “nut and bolt” project if the car is to be done real justice. The owner doesn’t provide a lot of photos, and it isn’t clear whether the car has any major rust issues that will need to be addressed. He does say that the barn environment was quite humid, and as a consequence, there is rust on many components. It just isn’t clear exactly how extensive this rust is. He also says that the car will come fitted with standard wheels, along with the original stainless steel wheel covers. He states that the original Soft Ray glass is in good condition.
This is a full, numbers-matching car, equipped with its original 327ci V8, 4-speed manual transmission, and factory power brakes. Once again, the car has been sitting for an extended period, so there is sure to be plenty of work before that 327 fires into life once again. The numbers-matching status extends to all of the peripheral items, including components such as the alternator and radiator. We really are operating in the dark with the Corvette’s mechanical components, because the owner doesn’t indicate whether the engine even turns freely. There are no photos of the Corvette’s interior, but once again, it is said to be all original in black vinyl. It is also complete, but the owner does say that the vinyl upholstery feels very hard to the touch. There is a chance that this has become brittle over time, and while it might be able to be restored, I’d probably be bracing for replacement. The reason for this is that in a majority of cases, brittle upholstery is apt to split as soon as any weight or strain is placed upon it. Still, it would be worth the effort of consulting a good upholsterer before taking any action.
One thing that I can be pretty sure of is the fact that there are probably plenty of Corvette enthusiasts who are looking at this car right now, and are virtually salivating at the prospect of getting their hands on it. I can fully understand that feeling, so it will be interesting to see if any of our readers lash out and take this one on.
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Comments
This is the 250 HP car by looking at breather and valve covers. The car shows much sweating with interior surface rust near vin numbers.
No pictures of frame but really needed to see as it could need patched or replaced.
One should bank on five grand professional engine rebuild and 1000 for seat covers snd carpet. The bumpers (what little pieces they are) is 1500 replacement or 400 per piece re chrome.
The tail lights (pitted all fro 500. The paint is 7-10 grand …miscellaneous like brakes, gas tank and lines 1200. juat saying it all adds uo…
I wonder if the owners comments on hoing to another brand is because sll the pricing to restore?
My spkit window is the 340 sc edition snd its pricey but worth it but no rust or sweating took place .
I need to go where you go for these services – you pay less than I do. I’m serious, the prices you quote seem low. Where do you get work done?
I suspect if someone buys this car without looking it over closely, they’ll be in for a shock.
Stored in a humid barn? The staining on the heater box, the rust on the dash support, and the corroded trim tag, leads me to believe this car has been outside at some point, or the barn didn’t have a roof. It looks like water has been running through the windshield or cowl somewhere, and onto the dash support and heater box. I’d say it’s quite possible that this car has some serious birdcage rust. Even one of the trim tag’s rivets is corroding away. In 40 plus years of playing with Corvettes, I’ve never seen that before.
Split windows exploded in popularity about 10 years ago, and though the prices have seemed to come down a little bit the last year or so, they’re still commanding big bucks. But before I parted with 40+ for this car, I’d want to look it over very carefully.
I don’t trust eBay. I always think there is most likely shill bidding going on. I have seen it happen when cars get bids just to rack up the price. I am not saying that is the case here, BUT it can and does happen so these kinds of cars will sell.
The car was stored in a “quite humid” environment.
Translation: “total rust bucket.”
Pass the salt Please….
45 grand. Plus….
I could probably find one thats running for that coin.
I’ve been following “Barn Finds” for several years, and usually enjoy the ads and the narratives. Seems like more & more lately sellers have need to apply the “barn find” description to their ads in the hope that the usually inflated price can be justified because someone didn’t have the sense 40 years ago to properly store a then-nice car, and allow it to become a rust-bucket that probably no longer justifies restoration from a logical, monetary reason that proper storage & care could have prevented. I’m a 50’s classic car and WWII Warbird fan, and wish intentional abuse (over MANY years) wouldn’t be expected to sell higher just because it will take ridiculous $ to repair an abused, “numbers matching” item. I don’t care who agrees or disagrees with me, but feel that if you value it, maintain it, or get rid of it before you ruin it !!
I suspect that the vast majority of Barn Finds readers agree with you.
Likewise, I agree with you.
Not that you care………….
Another high priced total restoration!!!
Seems like a lot of money to me for the work it needs. It’s also a standard engine car.
Yeah, yeah, it’s a split window that needs everything. I’ll take the E36 in the back at 10% of some ridiculous reserve and drive it home.
… with the top down.
45k for the car, 5k shipping, 15-30k in restoration parts and 15-30k in labor = 80 to 110k. For a car worth 75k when done. Nope. It’s not a 340hp car, or a F.I. car.
Even the steering column and steering wheel have rust. Makes one wonder if this was in a flood. Just my opinion, but this looks like a money pit, will cost more to restore then it’ll be worth.