Split Window Fuelie: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
The 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe is one of the most instantly recognizable and iconic vehicles to roll off an American production line in the 1960s. They remain extraordinarily desirable today, and if our feature car were 100% original, people would be tripping over themselves to park it in their garage. However, it isn’t original, and that will leave the buyer with choices to make. As you will see, some of these will be easy and cheap, while others will require a considerable financial outlay. If you finish this article and still feel tempted, you will find the Corvette located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $122,000, but he leaves the option available for interested parties to make an offer.
There’s a bit to consider with this Corvette, so let’s get down to it. The seller admits that a previous owner treated the Coupe to a repaint in its original shade of Daytona Blue many years ago. It still holds a decent shine, and from a distance, there’s not much to criticize. Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that this has deteriorated and that there are many small cracks and imperfections. It isn’t clear whether these cracks extend into the fiberglass, but if the buyer seeks anything better than a tidy driver, they will face stripping the panels and applying fresh paint to achieve a flawless finish. That isn’t the end of the world because, beyond that, things look positive. The owner states that the frame and birdcage are rust-free, making the car structurally sound. The chrome and glass look good for a diver-quality survivor, but the buyer has a couple of other choices to make. The side exhaust and knock-off wheels are non-genuine. Both are older reproductions, although their quality looks better than average. If the buyer seeks spotless originality, they would need to go. However, if they view this as a driver-grade classic where originality isn’t critical, the condition is good enough to justify their retention.
Okay, everything has looked pretty positive, but the time has come for me to throw a spanner in the works. While the drivetrain features a 327ci V8, a four-speed manual transmission, and a Posi rear end, I can tell you that the motor isn’t numbers-matching. That can be a bad thing with any classic, but it is more so in this case. The owner admits that the 327 that initially called this engine bay home was the fuel-injected L84 version that churned out 360hp. That would have made this classic capable of demolishing the ¼ mile in 14 seconds. The L84 would have added $430.40 to the sticker price of this Coupe, and while that doesn’t sound like a huge amount, it is worth remembering that the sticker price was $4,038. Suddenly, that L84 looks mighty expensive. Total Corvette production for that model year was 21,513 cars, but a mere 2,610 buyers ticked the box next to this option. There is a slight saving grace in all of this. The engine block isn’t original, but it appears that the cylinder heads and a few other peripherals are. That makes it possible to recreate a reasonable facsimile if the buyer can locate a replacement Rochester FI system. They do appear occasionally online, but the starting price is usually around $5,000. Their rarity means that the figure can climb pretty quickly, depending on the system’s condition and completeness. The seller doesn’t supply any information on how well the Coupe runs or drives, but since he encourages in-person inspections, that would be the perfect opportunity to find out first-hand.
When we open the Coupe’s doors, we find an interior that presents well for its age. It appears to be largely original and is upholstered in Dark Blue vinyl. It looks like someone has swapped the shifter, but I can’t spot any further changes. The upholstered surfaces look pretty good, with no wear or physical damage. The carpet doesn’t show much of the fading common in these classics, while the dash and remaining trim appear very presentable. The interior isn’t loaded with optional extras, but it does look like it features a factory AM/FM radio.
If this 1963 Corvette Split Window were 100% original, I would say that it was worth the BIN price any day of the week. It is structurally sound, and its cosmetic needs would be easy and relatively inexpensive to address. However, the changes under the hood, especially the absence of the original Rochester fuel-injection system, cast a shadow on the price. Even if the next owner does manage to source a complete and original system, the Corvette still won’t be numbers-matching. Do you think that the seller will realize the BIN figure, or do you see him having to accept a lower offer?
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Comments
This vintage sidepipe belongs on a wood-burning stove. Oh, and a NOM? Good luck on the BIN! Nobody cares, but if you do, I think these Corvettes are SOOOOOOO over. Why would any rational person consider buying one of these over-priced relics in 2021? Where are you going to drive it besides some gathering of old codgers at a Cars and Coffee or some hokey “Cruise Night” to talk about the good old days? Give me a break. $122,000 goes to my local Chevy Store and I drive a 2022 C8 to Watkins Glen and then take it on two or three cross-country trips skipping every Cars and Coffee and Cruise Night along the way.
And a tip of the hat to the best “sour grapes” tirade I’ve read in a long time!
I always give it my best! Thanks for noticing. Happy Friday!
He must be bitter because he’ll never be able to afford one.
I tend to agree to a certain extent. These C3’s are getting out of hand as far as price. And then on top of it, the idiots on the, Bring a Trailer auction site, praise the buyer for a great deal he made and what a great investment they made. Wait till it goes lower in the coming years. I can’t see them going up much more, since we baby boomers are a dying breed and the generations behind us probably could care less.
That, sadly, is probably true. Then again who knows. Car values tend to cycle up and down, and as the “young-uns” get older maybe they’ll pay high prices for these again.
It’s a C2, not a C3, but, you might be right. Sort of like Model A Ford prices are far less now that those who remember them firsthand are mostly gone. Though, a beautiful car, such as a C2 or even a good C3 Corvette will always have a good following. At least, I like to believe that!
Being the owner a 63 numbers matching 340 hp with a four speed that i like the BIN.
The 68 GT500 Shelby 428 is bring 60 to 80 more than Split Windows at upwards to 200.
Then look at a 426 Hemi or Superbird.. they all are high. I say if one can’t afford get a clone but other than that its a what the market can bear 🐻..,
Frank: being an old codger myself I go completely 180 on that and agree with you fully. This coming from me having a 65 Fuelie coupe; a 67 427 coupe; and a 62 driver. Wow I don’t visit the local cruise die my feelings car does get invited to a very special events as it is the earlier side exhaust car sold to the public, as surfaced so far. Tom Hill ;Chevy engineer himself; has asked my car to be in a special collection at Boca Raton CC de Elegance at the end of this coming Feb. a lot more fun than cruise night and helps push the value up.
But I wonder daily on the other Vettes about the bubble popping on them cause like you said; I helped my friends dad work on a model A car and wondered—-who’s going to care about that in the near future? So I didn’t do the math but I’m sure my cars are exactly where his car was at the time in his life and I really don’t see the value holding out; but they are cool for me!!
@David- Welcome Fellow Codger! I’m pushing 69 years young and I’m driving my 4th Corvette. None of them as special as those in your fleet, but my current C4, a 1995 NCRS Top Flight, 6-speed coupe brings me great joy. Congrats on the Boca invite!
This checks all the right boxes for me, except for the price. I’d rather have this motor as-is than the fuelie because I wouldn’t know how to work on it. Nice overall car, and I’d keep everything else as-is too.
Make an offer. You never know.
It is a beautiful 4 speed, split window coupe that happens to be priced on the wrong side of insane.
I’m a lover of the c3 and the split window is of course iconic…but this one seems to be about 40k overpriced given its non matching, respray, etc status. And those wheels just have to go
Why does everyone keep saying C3? This is a C2. I agree with what you’re saying though.
That was my bad @Chris. I know it’s a C2 but I couldn’t edit the comment after fat fingering the keyboard and hitting the ‘post comment’ button
Did I say 40k over priced? 60k over (I thought it was 102bin ha)
It’s not that hard or expensive to create the right motor and match numbers to make the effort worth it, but you’d have to be at 90k now for that. Still, someone will pay near this because too much lunch money is out there.
It’s not hard but it is fraud.
O frank seating there in your greasy wife beater shirt with a half drank whisky bottle and a bag of chips waiting for welfare check
My “wife-beater” is spotless and ironed.
Guys it a C2 not a C3 let’s get it right
First year for C2
Hmm. 122k for this piece of mierde?
Or 127k for this beautiful f.i. car…https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1963-chevrolet-corvette-121/
This eBay seller’s listing is crack-pipe ridunkulous. Unless it’s one of those where he promised his wife he’s going to sell the old vette she keeps nagging about
uh that BAT vehicle sold for $200K.
Wrong engine. No FI. Needs paint. Wheels and side pipes not original to 1963. No way I’d pay the BIN amount for what this C2 brings to the table.
Deak your just an unhappy soul, and even the likes of you has his day. Today is the day you’re noticed by those around you. Tomorrow you return to the faceless person in the crowd, the shadow on the fringe of people enjoying life.
If you want a Rochester FI contact R.A.R.E. Corvettes Soquel, CA. He has a few of them.
Owned by Joe Calcagno. NCRS legend and one of the most knowledgeable C1 folks anywhere. His website has a great Q&A section that would answer a lot of the questions that come up here regarding C1 restoration.
This car is at best a $70-$80K car, and that’s only because it’s a split window. If this was a 64-66 it would be a $50K car.
It may have started life as a fuelie, but it’s not now and once the engine’s gone, there aren’t many ways to prove it was one. All of the things the seller mentioned (heads, pulleys, exhaust manifolds, etc) are also common to the 327/360, except the core support. GM sold thousands of the 63 fuelie core support as a service replacement for all 63’s, because it could be used with FI or a carb, so it’s not unique or rare either.
My 64 has a core support with the FI hole. Yep, universal application.
I work on these old injection units, and others, designed 50 yrs ago, to run on the fuel of that time, most work well today w/ 100 octane race gas only, no alky, lead or unlead ,o.k. carb is so car can be driven on pump junk daily . Price is high by the way.
Likely would get the BIN if original, but it is not. Sad fact.
This seller has 735 items for sale!!
@Howie and all of them with equally stupid pricing
Driving one of these while considering a purchase in 1967, I realized that there was little attention given to everyday driving needs by the manufacture, such as rear visibility. Decades later, my Challenger scat pack also has terrible visibility to the side and rear. However, modern electronics solve that problem along with many other short comings we once lived with.
I have a 64 driver convertible in my garage set up as a 327 -360 hp 4 speed with knock offs. Top in good condition. Paint is show condition Red with black interior. I believe in buy cheap/sell cheap at reasonable profit. Double your money is reasonable. I would sell mine for $40,000. Includes a balanced/forged piston short block that is correctly stamped and dated.
Moose, where do you live? If not too far, I’d like to come take a look at her…..
San Luis Obispo, CA
San Luis Obispo, CA?
Sorry, too far…I’m in Texas
Another El Cheapo trying to beat BF out of the Classified Ad fee. You have a $40,000 car (Maybe) and you can’t shell out $50? Wow. I paid the fee to sell a $4500 Corvette here a few years ago. BF should zap you comment ASAP.
Frankie baby what’s your problem????
Sorry, was not really trying to sell. Just what I had been thinking.
So, if I could afford this dream car of mine, I still would not spend the money for a two piece rear window. Maybe, I would buy another year of the C2 vests and have a good body man put the post in the rear window and just let everyone drool. Then, sell it to some guy and say, ‘hey, it’s a split window and I want $122,000″. Why not? We both win, kinda!
Great idea, except for all of the other changes to the C2 coupes over the model run that differentiate the years, and those pesky date codes and other identifying tags and stamps. Go for it and let us know how it kinda works out.
Frankie baby what’s your problem????
@ Jonny Baby- My problem is I don’t get a royalty from Barn Finds for all the clicks I bring to their site. 44 comments on a car that deserves maybe 10. I do wonders for their advertising rates and I think they would miss me, don’t you? Feel free to respond. It helps the economy.
A legend in his own mind …. Will the legend be missed ?? It really would nice to find out.
I watched a Youtube video put on by an collector car broker. He said buying classic Corvettes is the most difficult. He says every owner thinks there car is special and asks too much. Like you have a C2 with a 3 speed manual trans. (Only 300 (for example) were built because no one wanted one) then this seller thinks his car is unique and is worth extra money.