Written by independent automotive journalist Roger C. Johnson
A stunning example of a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/340 Split-Window Coupe (Lot #663) will undoubtedly attract a lot of attention at the upcoming Northeast Auction.
Just by mentioning the words “split-window coupe,” every car enthusiast on earth knows the year, make, model and body style you’re referring to. Talk about a reputation that proceeds – and all because of a one-year-only design element. The 1963 Corvette Stingray coupe couldn’t possibly have made a bigger splash at its initial introduction to the public. It didn’t just look a year newer, it looked 10, even 20 years more modern than the previous model, or anything else on the road for that matter. Today, the ’63 Corvette coupe is more popular than ever because almost two more generations of sports car lovers have been born and added to the car’s fan base.
The product of design and engineering icons like Bill Mitchell, Zora Arkus-Duntov, Larry Shinoda and Peter Brock, the first Corvette Stingray had everything going for it, and the finished product is still proving it. Once you get past this particular car’s stunning good looks and the striking Sebring Silver paint, it’s time to consider all the other things that make the machine so special.
It offers a fully independent suspension system. The design of the rear portion came straight from Chevrolet’s world-famous CERV-1 prototype that Duntov himself was responsible for. The setup was modified to work with an extremely effective transversely mounted leaf-spring arrangement, which was required for packaging reasons.
Under the hood of this example, Lot #663, headed to the 2018 Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction at No Reserve lies Chevy’s best-carbureted small block of that era. This original 327 is rated at 340 horsepower and many seemed to think it was more user-friendly than the Fuelie model. The 340-horse version would also fly with top speeds in the 140 mph range. Some of us have seen 75 mph first-gear blasts in ’Vettes just like this one when they were new and equipped with 3.08 gears, along with this same 4-speed Muncie transmission.
The double-pod dash layout with two large, serious-looking analog gauges for revs and speed squarely in front of the driver was all the more reason to put a grab-handle on the other side of the dash, so passengers could hold on tight to their sanity.
When you sit inside for the first time, the ’Vette’s interior just wraps itself around you like what you’d expect in a personal fighter plane. The view from that driver’s seat looks like a sci-fi fantasy come true. The rising edge of both front fenders seem to frame the road’s action through the windshield, like a giant gun sight. Hit the throttle and both of those fenders rise under acceleration as though they’re directly connected to your own brain waves – one with the machine, you know.
This fabulous collectible is a matching-numbers car right down to its wheels. It has only been driven 22,700 miles – ever. The rare ’63 Corvette here has never been damaged by man nor beastly weather. Its underside has been lightly detailed and looks like new. Even the naturally finished fiberglass floors are virtually immaculate.
This particular Corvette sports what is certainly the most unique set of wheels ever offered on any American production car. These turbine-like aluminum rims, with actual knockoff center nuts, simply drip of style, class and historical significance.
From an investment standpoint, this is not some unknown quantity. Classic Corvettes with such exclusivity have an unrelenting history of appreciating in value.
Lot #663 will be delivered with its original owner’s manual, dealer pouch and a NCRS Shipping Data Report. This utterly dazzling 1963 Corvette Stingray may be one of the lowest-mileage and most-desirable specimens anyone could hope to find. Don’t let this remarkable example of world-class American sports car engineering – and passion – accelerate right past you.
For up-to-date information on this vehicle, click HERE.