Vehicle Description
As with many vintage Corvettes, provenance is critical.
Fortunately, this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette convertible has plenty of
it: a matching-numbers 327 V8, 4-speed manual transmission, and an
awesome blue color combination. Still an icon, this Corvette
roadster offers a pretty big bang for the buck and it's impossible
to go wrong with a pedigreed mid-year 'Vette.
Imagine it's 1963 and this Corvette has just hit the market. Owning
one well and truly made you 'The Man', and save for perhaps the
E-Type Jag, there was simply no other car on the road that could
upstage the all-new Sting Ray. Painting it code 912 Silver Blue
Metallic only heightens this car's appeal, and thanks to a
comprehensive restoration a few years ago, it looks fantastic
today. They really spared no expense getting the bodywork
laser-straight, and then followed that up with a show-quality
repaint that our pictures struggle to give justice to. This car
really needs to be seen in person, especially out in the sunshine.
It fits together the way a properly restored vintage 'Vette should
and the fiberglass is in excellent condition, befitting a car
that's obviously led a very good life as someone's prized
possession. The details are right, from the crease that surrounds
the perimeter of the body - which remains crisp and sharp - to the
more subtle things like the fit of the headlight doors and the
shiny grilles in the hood that sit flush with the surface. The
bright blue paint looks right with a pleasing shine that only comes
from a properly executed job, and even though some of the
brightwork shows a little age, overall the chrome is uniformly
solid throughout and provides the perfect amount of bling to the
light blue roadster.
If there's a more inviting-looking interior than this, it's hard to
imagine what it is. Dark Blue is a perfect complement to the
exterior, and when this roadster was restored it was all done
right, and to a high standard. The dark blue vinyl buckets are
correctly finished with vertical pleats and flank a factory center
console, complete with chrome T-handle 4-speed shifter and
eight-ball knob. The rest of the color-matching interior is just as
nice, with correct carpets that show only slight wear, a
beautifully preserved blue-rimmed steering wheel, and bright, clear
original gauges ahead of the driver that cover all the engine's
vitals. There's a rather rare AM/FM radio in the center stack and
everything seems to work correctly - further evidence of an
expensive restoration that was done right. You'll love the
beautifully finished gauges with their deep-dish stainless centers
and bright, crisp lettering that means they've either been properly
restored or impeccably preserved. Underneath the blue carpets are
the correct pile and loop, and they're protected with OEM Corvette
floor mats, and the door panels at the flanks are wonderfully
ornate pieces that match the patterns on the seats. The dash is
free of any cracks or UV damage, which is a rare sight on a dark
color, and protecting the interior is a beautiful white vinyl top
with a clear plastic window that folds neatly under the rear
cover.
The engine powering this gorgeous Sting Ray roadster is the base
250 horsepower 327 V8, but anything with just two seats and 250
horsepower is a great performer. It is the car's original,
numbers-matching engine and is running smooth as ever, with signs
of a rebuild and maintenance throughout. It shows only minor signs
of having been driven since the car was restored, and with the
Chevrolet Orange on the block and valve covers, along with the
dual-snorkeled chrome air cleaner lid up top, the engine bay has a
very authentic look indeed. You will note the original ram's horn
exhaust manifolds still look great and the original generator has
given way to an alternator for better performance. The 4-speed
still pushes power back to the original rear end, and the chassis
features newer bushings, shocks, and a super-clean look with satin
black paint. A recent dual exhaust system growls with authority and
it's nice to see a '63 with chrome hubcaps instead of knock-offs,
which technically were available but never delivered due to casting
issues. Goodyear whitewall radials finish off the factory look,
with plenty or grip and rubber that fill the fenders perfectly.
The '63 Corvette Sting Ray is one of those hard-to-find examples of
a rare car with matching-numbers and a show-quality restoration,
that actually under the far-reaching six-figure asking price. If
you've been looking for the right year, the right look, and the
right Corvette, you may have just found it. Call today!
