Vehicle Description
According to serious collectors, the best Corvette is an original
Corvette. But asking a car to stay fully intact for over half a
century is a tall order, and as a result, many classics are torn
apart and rebuilt in painstaking detail. Some, like this sterling
Split-Window, are rebuilt so well that they attain national
recognition. Over the course of four years, this impressive Vette
claimed three NCRS Top Flight awards and won a Palmetto Award at
the 2009 Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance. Today, wrapping an
original 327/4-speed drivetrain in stunning silver and black
aesthetics, the car presents with authority. And if you're in the
market for an exclusive Sting Ray that looks good, drives great and
can stand its ground on any show field, it's just the Main Street
centerpiece you've been looking for!
BODYWORK/TRIM
The beneficiary of a detailed, body-off restoration that was
completed in late 2006, this slick Corvette features a glossy,
correct appearance that highlights solid, attractive bodywork. Take
one look down the sides of the car's sinuous body and it becomes
very obvious that great care was taken to ensure every panel is
aligned to better-than-new condition. Step closer to that body's
mirror-like paint and check out its straight and ripple-free
surfaces, which are a product of both clean OEM fiberglass and high
quality replacement parts. Grab the pivotal pieces of that
well-adjusted resin and experience the kind of excellent fit and
finish that's right at home reflecting a summertime car show. Then
step back to admire one very well done classic that was built to
parade.
ENGINE
Tilt the car's lightweight hood and you'll find an original, 327
cubic inch small block that hangs a correct 3782870 casting number
behind a correct "RE" suffix code and matching partial VIN.
Introduced as the ultimate option for Sting Ray owners who wanted
to be just as quick in the corners as they were on the
straightaways, Chevrolet's lightweight L76 utilized a wide-bore
block, a forged steel crank, forged pop up pistons and a Duntov
30-30 cam to turn stout 11 to 1 compression into a solid 340
horsepower. At the top of the spry mill, a polished air cleaner
funnels wind in to a familiar 4-pot carburetor, which is sequenced
to an AC fuel filter via clean stainless fluid lines. Below that
carb, a clean Winters intake perfectly complements finned Corvette
valve covers. At the back of that intake, chrome-cased ignition
shoots spark past restored exhaust manifolds via stainless-sleeved
wires. At the front of those manifolds, a Harrison-branded radiator
circulates coolant through pliable hoses and authentic tower
clamps. And details like a correct alternator, a Harrison overflow
tank and a reproduction Delco battery ensure this Chevy runs every
bit as good as it looks.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Peer under this well-planted coupe and you'll find a Satin Black
chassis that's straight, solid and ready to pound the pavement. The
L76 sends power to an original Muncie 4-speed, which hangs a
correct 3831704 casting number and matching partial VIN in front of
a correct "CB" branded rear end that twists a posi-traction
differential around friendly, 3.36 gears. In front of that
transmission, a double A-arm suspension employs an
authentic-feeling manual steering rack. Opposite that rack, a
transverse leaf suspension does an excellent job of increasing
grip. In the middle of the car's bare floors, aluminized, true-dual
exhaust shuttles spent gases through rear mounted mufflers and
polished stainless tips. At the corners of the car's suspension,
traditional drum brakes mix firm stops with solid handling. And all
that fully sorted hardware rolls on 15-inch steelies, which spin
6.70-15 Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewalls around modernist
Chevrolet wheel covers.
INTERIOR
Slip in to this Vette's correct interior and settle on one of its
comfortable buckets. Those seats are as original, with correct lap
belts framing polished stainless trim. From the driver's perch,
stock gauges bleed onto their bordering panels in a march toward a
center-mount clock, a Delco AM/FM radio and an aluminum-trimmed
glove box. Below that clock, like-new carpet floats wide sills and
heavy-duty floor mats at the sides of a factory console that's
fitted with a small armrest and chrome shifter. Opposite that
console, stainless-trimmed door panels front factory power windows.
And in front of the driver, a satin-spoke steering wheel laps a
classy cross-flag emblem.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Before we wrap things up, here's a quick look at the car's VIN and
Data Plate:
VIN: 30837S116334 3: 1963 model year
08: Chevrolet Corvette
37: 2-door sports coupe
S: Assembled in St. Louis
116334: Production Sequence Number
DATA PLATE
15: Assembled on Friday, May 31st, 1963
63: 1963 model year
837: 2-door sports coupe
8476: Sequential body number
STD: Black vinyl interior
941A: Sebring Silver paint
AWARDS
Palmetto Award
- Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance
- October 29th, 2009
NCRS Top Flight Award
- Gettysburg Regional Meet
- May 6th, 2010
NCRS Top Flight Award
- Southeastern Corvette Expo
- October 18th, 2008
NCRS Top Flight Award
- The Farm
- September 1st, 2007
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
A vintage sales brochure
Original factory literature
An original Owner's Manual
An original Warranty Booklet
An original New Vehicle Delivery Inspection Report
A full ownership history
Restoration photos
A reproduction Window Sticker
Framed pictures of the car's appearance at the Hilton Head Island
Concours d'Elegance
The car's Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance ribbon
NCRS judging sheets
All the car's NCRS Top Flight awards
Two of the car's NCRS Top Flight ribbons
A Chevrolet first aid kit
As the old saying goes: "it's only original once". Problem is, no
matter how well its maintained, a 50-year-old car is just that: a
50-year-old car. Why not hit the road in a carefully revitalized
piece like this national award-winning Split-Window? With an
original 327/4-speed drivetrain and a roster of carefully chosen
replacement pieces, this is a classic you can show and drive just
as General Motors intended. Don't miss your opportunity to own one
of the most coveted Corvettes ever!
SUMMARY
The beneficiary of a body-off restoration that was completed in
2006
Awarded NCRS Top Flight honors in 2007, 2008 & 2010
Received the Palmetto Award at the 2009 Hilton Head Island Concours
d'Elegance
Original 327 cubic inch L76 V8
Original Muncie 4-speed manual transmission
Correct Sebring Silver paint
Correct Black vinyl interior
Sale includes: Restoration photos / A full ownership history / NCRS
judging sheets / All the car's awards
Posi-traction differential / 3.36 gears
15-inch wheels