One year, two windows.
On June 3rd, 1953 the first generation of Chevrolet’s Corvette (C1) rolled off of the production line in Flint, Michigan. Soon after its release, the streamlined and shockingly simplistic silhouette adorned bedroom walls across the country and was deemed a near necessity by just about every sedan owning family—the weekend had just evolved.
Drive forward a decade—a few engine options and trim panels later and the C1 had run its course—time for the next iteration...
1963 would mark ten years of Chevrolet’s pioneering leap into the modern sports-car world and when designing the second generation of one of America’s most beloved cars, a few guidelines were to be followed (no pressure)...
Offer more power. Create a coupe variant. Pen a shape that would transcend both time and space.
Lead designer Larry Shinoda was inspired by a myriad of past prototypes—and marine animals. With the profile of the C2 shaped after a Mako Shark and a distinctive spine-like body contour on the car’s topside resembling that of a Stingray’s spine, it was only fitting that Chevrolet’s second go around the sun would be badged, “The Stingray”. Upon its release in 1963, the Corvette Stingray Coupe would feature a wide array of firsts (and some lasts)—i.e. Popup/hideaway headlights, independent rear suspension, an improved steering rack setup, and of course, the twin pane rear window—all groundbreaking alterations, but unfortunately (or fortunately) one would not last. The “Split Window” design would prove too difficult for some drivers to see out of the rear-view mirror and this styling cue was discontinued, lasting but only one year—and as “they” say about any poor-selling car, “it couldn’t be given away”.
Get back in the car and set your nav to present-day—the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette “Split Window” Coupe is one of the most collectible and sought after American cars of all time.
Photographed here, our Saddle Tan over Saddle leather example is a timeless piece of rolling art. Featuring the incredibly rare, L84 5.4L Fuel Injected 327 cubic inch/360 hp Naturaly Aspirated V8, this factory “Fuelie” is one of only 1,300 (est.) Split-Window Coupes to leave the factory with a fuel injection system opposed to carburetors. Purchased in 2012 in its restored condition by a Canadian based collector from a long term owner in Florida, the car has gone on to receive an NCRS (National Corvette Restoration Society) Second Flight award. Accompanying its awards and further documentation is the radio tag, Protect-O-Plate and more.
PS. The transcendence of time and space? It was the astronaut's car of choice, but, that’s a whole other story.
For more information, please contact Walt Grace Vintage at +1.786.483.8180 or [email protected].
