Vehicle Description
After 11 model years of the car's first-generation, during which it
transformed from an underpowered boulevard cruiser with no roll-up
windows or exterior door handles to a proper two-seat sports car
that could hold its own with its competition, Chevrolet surprised
the automotive world with the car's next generation in 1963.
Nineteen sixty-three was the first model year of Corvette available
as a coupe or a convertible. This example, like all Corvettes made
between 1954 and mid-1981, was manufactured in Chevrolet's St.
Louis, Missouri factory (VIN code S).
The current owner has meticulously maintained this car and it hails
from an impressive collection of American Muscle and classic cars.
It underwent a frame-off restoration from late 1990 to early 1993
and almost $73,000 has been invested in this rebuild. This
restoration adhered to NCRS's judging guide and achieved Top Flight
qualifications at chapter (96.3 points), regional (95.4 points) and
national (96.1 points) levels. It comprised a complete engine,
transmission and differential rebuild; a complete repaint; and a
full interior refurbishment, including carpet and seat covers,
gauges and clock, shifter, seat belts, radio and steering column.
This car has covered just over 6,000 miles since the restoration
and has been maintained against current NCRS judging standards to
ensure it remains stock.
The car was stripped and repainted in 1993; the front clip and left
rear quarter panel were replaced with press-molded fiberglass. The
car's convertible top was replaced in October 2022 and the engine
bay was refreshed in August 2023.
Dressed in Silver Blue (code 912), this curvaceous droptop still
turns heads more than 60 years after it left the assembly line.
This example's paint and trim are in overall very good condition.
The white vinyl convertible top operates without issues and all
panels function correctly during the roof-up and roof-down process.
This model year also marked the first year for the car's hidden or
pop-up headlights, which it would retain through the 2004 model
year.
This 'Vette rolls on whitewall bias tires mounted on 15-inch steel
wheels, topped with factory hub caps. The tires and wheels are all
in very good order. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel drum
brakes.
Under the forward-hinged hood is a rebuilt Turbo-Fire 327 CID V-8
engine breathing through dual exhausts and backed by a Muncie
four-speed manual transmission. Driver convenience features include
power steering.
Inside, the car's pristine black vinyl interior (code STD). The new
vinyl bucket seat covers look great and that appearance extends to
the new carpet, inner door panels, dashboard and three-spoke
steering wheel. Overall, the interior is in excellent order,
showing just minimal signs of wear. The crank windows work
seamlessly. The gauges, shifter, seat belts, clock, AM/FM radio and
steering column are all rebuilt and restored. The glove box door
has been replaced. All interior lights, gauges and other items work
well. The Muncie shifter glides between gears and the clutch is
excellent.
Odometer at time of restoration was 47,275; vehicle has racked up
6,110 miles since frame-off restoration was completed in 1993.
The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray not only had a new design but also
newfound handling prowess. The Sting Ray was also a somewhat
lighter Corvette, so acceleration improved despite unchanged
horsepower.
For the 1963 model year, 21,513 units would be built, which was up
50 percent from the record-setting 1962 version. Production was
divided almost evenly between the convertible and the new coupe -
10,919 and 10,594, respectively - and more than half the
convertibles were ordered with the optional lift-off hardtop.
Nevertheless, the coupe wouldn't sell as well again throughout the
Sting Ray years.
The closed Corvette did not outsell the open one until 1969, by
which time the coupe came with a T-top featuring removable roof
panels. Equipment installations for 1963 began reflecting the
market's demand for more civility in sporting cars. The power brake
option went into 15 percent of production; power steering into 12
percent. On the other hand, only 278 buyers specified the $421.80
air conditioning; leather upholstery - a mere $80.70 - was ordered
on only 1,114 cars. The cast aluminum knock-off wheels,
manufactured for Chevy by Kelsey-Hayes, cost $322.80 a set, but few
buyers checked off that option. However, almost 18,000 Sting Rays
left St. Louis with the four-speed manual gearbox - better than
four out of every five.
Competition to this Corvette in 1963 included Aston Martin's DB5,
Ferrari's 250 GT California Spyder, Jaguar's E-Type, Shelby's
Cobra,
VIN: 30867S115574
This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis,
Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 53,385 miles. It is
sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title.
GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!
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