Drop Top Survivor: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette
Update 3/4/20 – After getting bid up to $42,200 and not selling, this one has been relisted here on eBay. Will it go higher this time around?
From 2/29/20 – This beautiful 1963 Chevrolet Corvette convertible is currently for sale at a price of $32,701 at the time of writing. Someone out of the 51 bidders thinks this car has reached its price potential, placing that last extra dollar in there to try to secure a win. It doesn’t really matter much because there is a reserve that is not yet met. It is located in Memphis, Tennessee. The seller claims it has seen just 39,186 miles and it has a clean title. You can find it here on eBay.
A recent tune-up has been performed on this running and driving example of a Stingray. It has a 327 cubic-inch V8 making 340 horsepower. While that might have been when new, this example might not be too far off from that. That engine is connected to a 4-speed manual transmission. They don’t mention anything about the brakes, but because it is a driving example, it is highly likely they perform well.
Inside, the red interior compliments the exterior Sebring Silver paint. It does have original paint which is awesome. The seller indicates that it would be hard to find another Corvette of this age with a paint job like this. It would be very hard to find one with this interior as well. It is stunning and incredibly clean. The pictures are worth a thousand words, so feast your eyes on the photo provided.
Since this car is convertible, it doesn’t have the iconic split window, which could also be just as controversial in terms of styling, desirability, and price. The bidders might have spoken on the price of this car and the seller might not be as pleased since the reserve has not yet been met. Corvettes have all sorts of stereotypes that accompany them but the C1 and C2s seem to be more immune to them. This car has a presence. I don’t think you would be disappointed in it if you are in the market for a Vette like this.
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Comments
With all due respect why doesn’t the seller give information on what needs attention, what is incorrect and what has been replaced. This car has headers, tie straps on hoses, a broken speedometer and some paint that’s strange for original.
It would be helpful for the seller and perspective buyers to have the mysteries explained. Stepping down from my soapbox. Thanks
This car is anything but a true survivor. Instead it looks like it’s been assembled from a collection of parts.
It looks like it has an air conditioning heater box, and a driver’s side battery mount, which was only used in AC cars, but it doesn’t have any inside AC ducts, vents or controls. Also the VIN indicates it was built January 7, 63, which was about 4 months before AC became available in Corvettes.
327/340’s weren’t available with AC, but then it doesn’t look like a 340. The car has a 5500 RPM redline tach, which came with 250’s & 300’s, 340’s have a 6500 redline. That’s not a 340 intake manifold either, the oil fill is on the wrong side. The fill tube itself is a 66-67, not 63. The fan is wrong, the valve covers are 66 or newer, it has the wrong air cleaner lid, and the alternator should be on the right. It also has headers and a Hurst shifter.
As Jeff pointed out above, there are signs of overspray on the weatherstrip, and also on the door alignment wedges and inner fender skirts. The short base outside mirror wasn’t used until about VIN 11000, this car is VIN 6311. It also has the wrong antenna, and the gas door emblem’s wrong. The decklid trim and headliner are missing, and it looks like a later hardtop too (63 tops have a notch above the door).
“All original Survivor”, I don’t think so.
Thanks for taking me to school on this one.All those facts will stick in the back of my mind every time I see one now. One can obviously see how “ratty” for lack of a better term, it looks under the hood. Even if the wrench would have spent some more time in there it wouldn’t look nearly as bad. For the life of me, I don’t know why people cant be honest! Examples such as this make one want to question my work and I’m sure many other shop owners as well, then something like this comes along, and puts the fear right back at 100% in customers, not to mention swaying the decision of potential customers to want something done. Not tooting my own horn, but customers here with me know my work and it speaks loudly for itself. Thanks again for the lesson.My grandfather always said if you quit learning one must be dead.😁
gbvette62 Please contact me at [email protected] as I really need your help. Thanks buddy…….. Jerry
Wrong shifter, that’s a straight rod Hurst Super Shifter.
What looked initially (to me) like a nice, unmolested car is in reality a parts car? I am not questioning this, but I am reminded how looks can be deceiving, especially on one like this where we want to think we are in fact looking at a well cared for “survivor”. Kudos to all of you who appear to be the experts to point these things out. Another reminder of how little I actually know about the classics.
$32,000 +/- for a cool looking and if good driving mid year??? it’s a steal if you want a driver! all that original bull doesn/t make a fun driver. if all you want is garage queen to boast about every nut and bolt never turn a wheel …. why even look at this beauty???
Wayne, it’s advertised as an original survivor car but iit has many questionable areas. The misrepresenting is an issue and the car isn’t available for 32. It’s 34.8 with the reserve not met.
My favorite picture is of the broken speedometer needle laying against the inside of the glass.
Thought the seller would mention that considering he claims ultra low mileage of 39,000.
Looks good ! BUT first thing to do is take the car outside at night. find a real dark spot,turn off all lights, start the engine and open the hood. Then enjoy the light show. Everyone of those plug wires that are lying up against those stupid headers will be pulling half inch sparks where they touch. As for sound just turn the Am radio on and listen to every plug fire. My point of course is there’s no shielding. Plus you do a tune up and don’t bother to cut the plug wires to proper size? I agree with the ? others have brought as well. What’s the first thing that strikes you when you open the hood on a C2 like this ? for me its hands down the shielding, Sure, many folks just tossed it when they went with a HEI set up. but if you want 40k plus for a car that looks as nice as this example otherwise, the engine bay needs to be at least GOOD not POOR like this. IMHO. I know I can trust you other girls and guys to cover the other fishy things about the car so I thought I’d drive this point into the ground. Surely one of you folks remembers lighting under the hood and thunder on the AM. Later………………..JIMMY