To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Amelia Island event, 8 - 9
March 2019.
Estimate:
$175,000 - $225,000
- Iconic one-year-only split-window design
- Highly desirable, factory fuel-injection
- Numbers-matching 327/360 engine mated to a four-speed
transmission
- Known owner history
- Frame-off restoration; NCRS Top Flight Award winner
Chevrolet unveiled a radical new Corvette fastback design for 1963,
based on two spectacular GM concept cars: the 1957 Q-Corvette by
Zora Arkus Dontov and the 1959 Sting Ray designed by Peter Brock
for Bill Mitchell. This first-year Sting Ray coupe features all of
Corvette's new innovations for 1963, including an all-new chassis,
independent rear suspension, and the stunning one-year-only split
rear window. These features combine to make the 1963 Corvette coupe
an automotive design icon.
This 1963 Sting Ray, finished brilliantly in Sebring Silver, is an
early production car, built in the last week of December 1962. It
was equipped with top-of-the-line and highly desirable RPO L84
Ram-Jet fuel-injected 327/360 engine mated to a four-speed manual
transmission and fitted with optional power brakes. This beautiful
"split-window" coupe has benefited from a complete body-off
restoration by a marque specialist that resulted in being awarded
NCRS Top Flight status. Inside, the fully restored black interior
features the highly desirable AM Wonderbar radio.
Showing under 48,000 miles on the odometer, this 1963 Sting Ray has
been collector owned and has received the very best of care and
maintenance. Accompanying the car is documented ownership history
and service invoices showing just one caretaker from 1964 until
1987. Included is also the NCRS Top Flight Certificate and NCRS
judging sheets, restoration receipts, Chevrolet owner production
plan booklet, owner's manual, and radio operating instructions.
Since restoration, the Corvette has been driven sparingly and kept
in a climate-controlled environment. The car presents beautifully
today and sports the superb combination of iconic one-year-only
split-window design, exceptional high-quality and authentic NCRS
Top Flight Award-winning restoration, and its matching-numbers and
highly desirable 327 fuel-injected engine. This 1963 coupe is a
stunning example of one of the most important and legendary
Corvettes ever made.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
