Rebuilt 327: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window
For any enthusiasts living outside the USA, the 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe is one of the most instantly recognizable classics. It is an iconic vehicle and reflects a moment in time when Chevrolet was willing to be bold and daring. This particular car is an unmolested survivor, and it is now looking for a new home. Located in Vacaville, California, you will find the Coupe listed for sale here on eBay. It can be easy to establish the desirability of cars like this when you look at their bidding history. There have already been 46 bids submitted, which has pushed the price along to $71,100. The reserve hasn’t been met, and if you are the type of person who hates the whole auction scene, you might choose to hit the BIN button at $95,000.
What would an article about a ’63 Corvette Coupe be without a shot like this? It shows the car’s most distinctive feature, which divided opinions amongst potential buyers when the car was released. Some people purchased the Coupe but found the rear vision compromised by the divider strip between the two glass pieces. Some even went as far as to have the strip removed and a one-piece rear window installed. I wonder how many of those owners regret that decision today. This Corvette is finished in Saddle Tan, and it generally presents quite well. There is some color inconsistency across the vehicle, and this might suggest some prior touch-up work. The fiberglass that hides beneath that paint looks to be in good condition, with no evidence of cracks or other issues. When we delve below the surface, we discover a classic that seems to be structurally sound. There is no evidence of rust in the frame, and if the Corvette has spent most of its life in California, this isn’t surprising. The exterior trim looks acceptable for a survivor-grade car, while there are no issues with the glass.
The owner doesn’t specifically say that the Corvette is numbers-matching, but you get that impression from the listing. Under the hood is the L76 version of the venerable 327ci V8. This should be producing 340hp, which finds its way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. Performance figures are mighty impressive, with this package capable of punching the Coupe through the ¼ mile in 14.3 seconds. The L76 also represented pretty good value for money in 1963. It delivered a 36% increase in power for a mere $107.60 over the base list price. It is no wonder that 6,978 buyers chose this option. The only step above this was the 327 Fuelie, but it only added an extra 20hp for a cost of $430.40. It was a no-brainer, really. The news here all seems positive, with the 327 and the transmission recently receiving a rebuild. It has also been treated to new tires, new shocks, and new brakes. That makes the owner’s claim that it runs and drives well seem very plausible.
The Corvette’s interior is as original and unmolested as the rest of the vehicle, and its condition is more than acceptable for a survivor-grade car. The carpet is looking faded and marked, but that is one of the few faults that is worth noting. The Saddle leather upholstery on the seats has some slight stretching, but there is no evidence of wear. The armrest on the console is discolored, but the remaining trim, the dash, and the console itself are all in excellent order. The original radio is intact, and everything is said to work as it should. This includes the often troublesome clock, which is a bonus in a Corvette of this vintage.
If ever there is an American classic that displays all of the attributes of a solid long-term investment, the 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe would have to be it. The last year has seen many classics take a value hit, but the Corvette has bucked that trend. The increase hasn’t been dramatic in that time, but at least it has continued heading in the right direction. That means that it isn’t uncommon to see these commanding solid six-figure values. There are probably plenty of stocks and shares that would offer a greater return for your investment, but would any of them provide the enjoyment that a ’63 Split Window can? Somehow, I doubt it.
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Comments
Another dream car that I *SIGH* will never own, but I can still look and drool, uh, I mean dream about it! GLWTA!! :-)
20 years ago I didn’t buy a 63 just like this one with half the mileage for $25,000. Same color and interior.
That was twenty years ago
I had a 63 that looked identical to this one . In 1990 I sold it at a car show in Ocloa Fl. to a man from Ky. For 32k. Is there a way of looking up the vin # to see if it’s the same car.
VIN is on ebay. If you remember what your VIN was just compare it.
I bought one in the 70s for $3,000 but no longer have it. I also bought a 1956 that I could drive home for $550, those were the days.
Is that a flexalite full flex fan?
Wrong black modern wiper frames.
Did these all come with whitewalls?
Backup lights apparently still not req’d by law.
Not a flex fan.
Wipers are an easy fix, though it’s a sign they didn’t focus on the details.
Backup lights weren’t mandatory, not even in 65.
Steve R
Think backup lights didn’t show up until the 67 model year
For $95K I get a set of $49.95 white walls? Get some real wheels and tires on this thing.
And they’re probably made in China tires.
Then will you bid?
I know 63 hubcaps came in a few different finishes, are these frosty ones any more collectible?
The frosted wheel covers were only used on about the first 2500 63’s. After that, all cars came with a full polished cover. Are they more collectible, I’d say really only to an owner of an early 63, that they’d be correct on. Having had both frosted and polished sets to sell, I can tell you the polished ones are much easier to sell.
Other than the copper replacement radiator (instead of correct aluminum one), and some minor little details like the wiper blades, this appears to be a pretty nice and correct example of a split window. I’m not a fan of split windows, but if you’re in the market for one, this may be one to consider.
This is an early 63 according to the vin # so it has the 2 boxes under the seats and the silver frosted hub caps are entirely correct. Other telling items are a heater box of rustic fiberglass.I bought one new and remember these things. (77yo now)
Compared with Ferraris and Lamborghinis of the same era, these cars are still a “bargain.”
Why is the alternator belt not straight??
I luv 63 SW’s and own one all original 340 4 speed.
I looked thru all the pictures and the only one that bugs me is the rust under the dash around the trim tags by glove box.
I would do a thorough inspection of the birdcage etc. it looks as if it sweated possibly on pix 24 as the tag is even chewed a little.
The color is spectacular 👍
I agree with the trim tab comment…it looks wonky. Also, the screws in the dash are rusty. I’m no expert but it looks like an AM only radio, which is early run, and the three spinner hubcaps are late run.
A very nice, albeit high priced, SWC.
This is an early car. VIN 1552 was built about October 13, 1962. The AM Wonderbar radio is correct for this car, and any 63 built through around VIN 11000-12000. All 63 wheel covers came with 3 bar spinners, early covers (used through about VIN 2500) had the dull silver “frosting” painted on them, while later covers were completely polished.
Chevrolet originally planned on offering a true knock off wheel in 63, but porosity issues caused them to be cancelled. The 63 knock offs used a 2 bar spinner, while 64-66 KO wheels used a 3 bar knock off spinner.
How do you call a car with a rebuilt engine an unmolested survivor?
be surprised if that’s original paint. Especially given the condition of the trim tag.
What does the Frame & Birdcage look like for RUST/ROT … ? As well as the TRIM & VIN Tags ….?
“For any enthusiasts living outside the USA, the 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe is one of the most instantly recognizable classics.”
What? Enthusiasts in the USA won’t recognize it???
How can you list a car like this with a BIN price of $95,000 and not be clear about a matching numbers engine?
Because they are greedy..
What the guy said about survivor being overused. This car has a rebuilt engine, trans, etc. Not a survivor. In fact, $95,000 is too steep for a car with dirty carpets, cheap tires, etc. The 340 horse engine is great, but this one has few options, no pb, no ps. The 63 only wheel cover is very heavy and made of 10 separate pieces when taken apart. Very hard to find a good set today. The car is nice, but pictures do not tell the whole story. Before I would dump more than $71,000, I want that thing on a lift with my NCRS buddies looking. 63s had many mid year changes. FYI, back up lamps optional through 1966. Mandatory in 67.
15 years ago I bought a 63 coupe out of an estate in AZ. Highly documented car, complete with the business card of the salesman who made the deal. Spent its life in Ca. And Az. Every part on the car was documented original. The data and receipts were eight inches tall. Downside was that it was the small 327, two speed auto, no power steering, roll up windows, you get the picture. Further the car was documented by a NRCS scoring sheet. Kept it for ten years, rewired the entire car with NOS wiring, same for all the rubber moldings. Bought it for 30 G, six years ago sold it for 47.5… BUT saw it cross at Barrett Jackson for 112 G. My car for sure. Crazy, huh? Regrets? Yes, a little, but I’d rather have this car at a reasonable price than the one I owned.
The term survivor is like the term classic. There is no true and uniform definition.
My ( and only my) definition of the term Survivor car is an automobile that is totally original with only normal maintenance parts changed and then they should be factory or brand replacements… as in filters, light bulbs, etc. A totally original car sporting a repaint is not a survivor to me… Just my thoughts on the matter.
Agreed. Here are some over-used terms, many of which don’t fit the car being described.
resto-rod
survivor
all original
turn-key
vintage
ran when parked
very little rust
patina
as new
modified
mostly solid
low mileage
solid performing
no expense spared
show car quality
starts and runs
If 1 updates a ’63 split window with a much superior power(or manual) rack & pinion setup, do you destroy the value of the car? If orig vague steering parts originating from the ’40s! actually are included, i don’t see any1 wanted to convert back to them.
Fan pulleys crooked?
I see only 3 tread grooves going around each of the tires – is that factory correct for ’63?- i don’t think so. Or are they another recent modern bean counter idea to make a narrower tire in the “same size”?