Lot #973.1 - A rare matching numbers Corvette Sting Ray split-window coupe with a L84 327/360hp Fuel Injected engine with a M20 4-speed, 4.11 rear end gears, power windows and AM/FM Wonder Bar radio. This the most powerful Corvette produced at the time. New for 1963 was independent rear suspension, power windows and electric T-3 lighting with aerodynamic function. The Corvette was redesigned for 1963. This model was the first of the C2 Corvettes. Bill Mitchell had taken over for Harley Earl in 1958 as GM's Chief Styling Engineer. Mitchell thought that the Corvette should be associated with racing. He had Larry Shinoda design the 1963 coupe with a split separating the rear window. Mitchell loved it although the father of the Corvette, Zora Arkus-Duntov was against its vision-blocking look. The split window was only a one year design and this made it an instant collectible. Radical new styling, a new chassis with independent rear suspension and offerings of both split-window coupes and convertibles was big news in 1963. The new Corvette was wildly successful and demand far exceeded supply.