Spotless Split Window: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Some enthusiasts will purchase a classic car and enjoy a long-term relationship with their pride and joy. For others, it will be a brief flirtation before turning their attention to other matters. This 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe falls into the second category, with the seller choosing to part with it after a year of ownership. It presents beautifully as a result of what I would classify as a refurbishment rather than a restoration. It is by no means a cheap investment, but the photos and listing suggest the buyer won’t need to spend a dime beyond the purchase price to enjoy one of the most desirable American classics of all time. The Coupe is listed here on eBay in Richmond, Kentucky. Bidding sits below the reserve at $102,322, although there is a BIN option of $129,500 for those wishing to throw caution to the wind.
The Trim Tag tells us much about this Corvette, which is why I classify it as refurbished rather than restored. The Riverside Red paint gracing its beautiful and flawless fiberglass panels shines impressively. I can’t spot any problems worthy of criticism, but I can confirm that the original owner ordered this classic finished in Code 932 Saddle Tan. The change will disappoint purists, and while reversing it is possible, the BIN figure may leave some questioning whether it is worth sinking extra cash into such a move. That decision will be driven by the new owner’s desire for originality and whether such a move would represent a wise long-term investment. Recent market volatility makes that a hard call, not one I would like to face myself. The buyer won’t need to touch the frame or birdcage because the seller declares this ‘Vette is rust-free and structurally sound. The trim and glass present as nicely as you would expect from a recently refurbished classic, and the steel wheels feature a classy set of narrow whitewalls and a sparkling set of spinner hubcaps.
The theme of spotless presentation continues when we turn our attention to this Corvette’s interior. It features correct Saddle leather upholstery, as specified on the Trim Tag. Its condition is exceptional, with no signs of wear or other issues. The carpet is spotless, and the dash is in as-new condition. The seller indicates the horn and wipers are inoperative, but the remaining features, lights, and gauges work as they should. Only 278 buyers ordered a ’63 Corvette with air conditioning, but I’m unsure if this is one of those cars. The system may be a later addition or a rare feature that increases this car’s desirability. The seller indicates it blows ice-cold, while the new owner also benefits from power windows and an AM radio.
Probably the biggest question hanging over this Corvette involves its numbers-matching status. While some don’t consider that characteristic essential, it is a desirable attribute when assessing a classic’s long-term investment potential. The seller refers to the 327ci V8 occupying the engine bay as “period correct,” which suggests it may not be original. It is the L75 version that sends 300hp to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. Life behind the wheel should be effortless because the new owner receives power steering and power brakes. The Corvette had come a long way since the first V8-powered car rolled off the line in 1955. The best a buyer could hope for from a ’55 model was a ¼-mile ET of 16.6 seconds and a top speed of 120mph. This car should show a clean set of heels, courtesy of a 14.5-second ET and a terminal velocity of 129mph. Regardless of the situation surrounding the originality of the drivetrain, the news for potential buyers is positive. This Corvette runs and drives perfectly, allowing the winning bidder to fly in and drive this baby home.
Assessing a desirable classic and the seller’s motivation can be complex, and that seems to be the case with this 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe. There is no questioning its overall condition, but the seller may need to answer a few questions surrounding the originality of the drivetrain. It is also worth considering that this is not the first time this classic has hit the market. A previous listing from the same seller indicates that after receiving an impressive eighty-eight bids, someone hit the BIN button at $112,900. If the sale fell through, listing the Corvette with a significantly higher BIN seems, on the face of it, an odd strategy. The ten-day auction has already received nine bids in under a day to hit $102,322, suggesting that while the move might seem strange, it could also potentially be a profitable decision. Do you think they will taste success this time, or will they struggle to achieve their sale price? Over to you.
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Comments
Who knows on sale price these days, but it is nice to see a car that was actually run and taken care of over the years with changes that most owners would have done to suit their tastes. I too would have changed the color to what suits the Corvette rather than a GMC pickup. I like this one.
“This car should show a clean set of heels, courtesy of a 14.5-second ET and a terminal velocity of 129 mph.”
I will assume the writer is conflating the 1/4 mile results with top speed value as 100 mph might be a 1/4 mile speed depending on gear ratio.
I knew something was up when I seen saddle tan interior,I never seen tan interior with riverside red and never will!
Saw
Maybe, I have never seen tan interior.
Why not? That color combo is one of the most popular of the legendary Ferrari Testarossa.
I remember seeing one with what appeared to be an openable rear hatch! – but it was probably a painted clay model – was on the cover of a GM or Chevy magazine a long time ago. If fiberglass, i wonder if the car or mockup still exists.
I can’t figure out why someone would have painted it red with that tan interior. The original saddle tan exterior matched the interior very well and looked much better IMO. I might be a little bit prejudiced as my 1964 Corvette convertible was saddle tan. It was the rarest color I think, and it’s touted as a plus when you see one for sale now. I don’t want to be too negative here, but the asking price seems to me to be excessive as the horn and wipers don’t work, the engine is not original, and it’s had a color change. The after-market a/c is a plus but I’m not in the market to buy it, so GLWTS.
I know 2nd gen F-bodies at least could be ordered red/tan. Maybe a prev owner had 1 of those too? &/or maybe red attracks the opposite sex more?
I have to agree with you.Not matching numbers. It’s only selling value is the split back window.
It isn’t $200,000 due to the aforementioned changes. For $130,000 large the clock and horn should work. Color change doesn’t bother me as long it was done correctly. This is a nice driver, not an NCRS car, which nobody drives anyway, except on and off a trailer. Isn’t that sad.
A nice appearing car but:
Strike 1 – wrong color
Strike 2 – non original engine
Strike 3 – mickeymouse A/C
Pass
Mickey Mouse A/C, I haven’t heard that in years. One of my (deceased) father’s favorite sayings. Thanks for the smile
Nice to see one of these — but wondering why the seller.has not addressed the wipers and the horn? It LOOKS smashing, and will turn heads everywhere it goes — but, even with the split window, the price seems high for a car that is not fully original and not ENTIRELY functional. But, what do I know? A car such as this is primarily preserved and not driven anyway. But even at that, it would get dinged at car-shows for lack of originality. My 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis has 358,000 miles, and is still running well. The original radiator finally gave out recently, and it has needed such things as plugs and wires and sets of tyres — but otherwise original. Probably couldn’t get $2,500 for it — but I love driving it. Original air-conditioning still works, but can’t seem to fix the cruise control. But this 1963 Corvette is a pretty car — no denying that!
LOBE IT color and all the color like me a good tan :-)
Speak English man!
AKA chrysfl
To point out the obvious, lacking a horn and windshield wipers it would be largely illegal to “drive this car home”. In many localities it may even be illegal to sell it with those issues . This is a beautiful car but one has to wonder how the owner could pursue a hugely expensive cosmetic issue like changing the color but leave items necessary for safe operation untouched. All of us love honest cars. This may not be one of them.
Say what now?
Could not agree more.
Had two of these at 18 yrs old! One yellow, 327/auto from an old ladys husband who passed, paid $5k & another maroon, 327 FI w/ 4sp. Kid before, sealed over flip up lights & put square light under, prof done, pleated door panels inside & a 3rd dealer installed tail light. Bought for $4k as wasnt original. Sold both 2 yrs later in ’80, yellow for $10k & other for $8k.
Nothing that special about these other than collector value today. I bought & drove what they were meant for, hard & like a raped ape! Something NO buyer will ever experience at $100k+, thats for sure! Drove hard so NO ‘smooth’ ride compared to my ’80 purchase of a ’70 LT1/M-22 marlboro maroon conv, which was a LOT smoother & much more powerful. Kept that for 19yrs & sold. Having had at least a dozen real ‘muscle cars’ from ’76-’85, models from ’64 GTO-thru latest year was ’72 SS454 Chevelle & 8-9 inbetween.
I just cant see the prices today, other than investment purpose. For me when young, no offense to the ladies, but were like chicks, w/ all due respect, enjoy for 6-8 mos, showed all your friends, have some fun riding & on to the next as got bored with even then, never sold for less than what was bought for. And they were a dime a dozen & some other always needed cash so great deals in abundance. Those days are long gone.
But todays prices, its all for car shows in local parks & an occasional burnout. Just can’t justify the cost/fun factor overall.
For those that never had one, get one! A driver, NOT trailer queen, #s matching blah blah, for less than $35k, they are still out there & ready to be driven for their purpose build. Enjoy!