The 1963 model year was all kinds of special for the Corvette lineup. Chevrolet redesigned the body and the chassis, launching a coupe and the famous split-window design that’s incredibly desirable today.
The C2 Corvette recorded impressive demand, so the production exceeded 21,500 units. The new coupe accounted for nearly 50 percent of the output with 10.594 units. The convertible remained particularly popular among established Corvette fanboys, with this body style finding 10,919 customers for this model year.
The 1963 Corvette posted on eBay by seller vettes4you ticks many boxes for a restoration candidate whose place is in someone’s collection.
First, it’s a split window Vette. It doesn’t exhibit a spectacular shape, but the split-window design makes it a very desirable model, especially because it was available for a single year.
Second, the car spent the last four decades in a barn. The seller explains that the vehicle was purchased by the last owner in 1974, so the Corvette has been sitting almost ever since.
Third, the Vette comes with a rust-free frame, so it’s a solid starting point for someone who wants to restore a rare icon that could eventually be worth a small fortune. 1963 split-window Corvettes in tip-top shape and with everything restored to factory specifications could sell for over $200,000, but there’s a long way from this project’s condition to this ambitious price.
Despite these strong points, bringing this Corvette back to the road is a great challenge.
It doesn’t have an engine or a transmission, but the seller says they have the date-coded powertrain separately. No further specifics were provided, but the 1963 Corvette was also available with a fuel-injected unit that’s incredibly desirable today. The 327 developed 360 horsepower – Chevrolet also offered two other 327 units with 300 and 340 horsepower.
There’s no doubt this project isn’t aimed at the faint of heart, and only a true connoisseur can save a split-window Corvette and make the most out of such a rare survivor. As a rolling project that left the factor in a red/red combo with power windows and power steering, this Corvette deserves a full restoration to factory specifications, so you’ll probably want to get rid of those 1965 seats.
The Corvette comes with a hefty price tag, but this isn’t a surprise. The owner wants to let the split-window coupe go to anyone willing to pay $95,000. The Make Offer option is also enabled, so you must contact the seller to discuss additional details. The vehicle is parked in Cincinnati, Ohio, and you’ll need a trailer to take it home.
If you want to restore the car, the seller says they can take care of the process for you, but don’t expect the whole thing to be cheap.