Vehicle Description
Matching-numbers L76 327/340, 4-speed manual, original color
combination. NCRS Top Flight frame-off restoration. Runs and drives
beautifully. A very correct early Mid-Year Corvette with an awesome
pedigree!Code 923 Riverside Red is the car's original color, and
I'd argue that there aren't many ways to make a Corvette look
better than this. Refinished by Mark Murphy and his team of experts
at Murphy's Classic Restorations, the car still looks spectacular
even after nearly fifteen years. It was purchased as an aborted
project car, complete but disassembled. It took Murphy about a year
to piece it back together, and you know you can't trust anyone
else's work when you're gunning for a Top Flight trophy, so
everything had to be re-restored. The body was given a spectacular
coat of Riverside Red that's vivid and clear, the perfect red for
America's Sports Car. Fit and finish are surely better than new and
panel gaps are excellent throughout. The chrome and stainless trim
was professionally refinished at the same time and still looks
great with very few signs of age, and all the rubber weather seals
were replaced. As I said, even though this restoration is 15 years
old and shows about 2300 miles, it still looks fantastic.The trim
tag says this car was originally equipped with a code 490M red
vinyl interior, so that is what went back inside when it was
refinished. Accurate reproduction seat covers, carpets, door
panels, and other details give it a correct look inside that
remains quite crisp and ready to enjoy. All the gauges were
restored, and you'll note it carries a correct 6500 RPM redline
tach, which was standard equipment with the high-revving L76. All
the gauges are fully operational, including the clock, and the
AM/FM was still a rather unusual feature in 1963. The big chrome
shifter for the 4-speed is a Corvette tradition that works just as
great as it looks and seat belts were added for safety-always a
good idea. This convertible seals up nicely thanks to a new white
convertible top that stows in seconds, ready to have fun in the
sun.The engine is the original, numbers-matching RE-coded L76 327
cubic inch V8, which makes 340 horsepower. Remarkably enough, the
L76 uses the same solid lifter camshaft as the fuel injected L84,
so it has an awesome mechanical sound and loves to rev. For you
numbers junkies, the details are all correct: carburetor (Carter
AFB 3461S), alternator (1100628-37A), distributor (Delco 1111024),
all on a 3782870 block. It starts easily and makes an awesome sound
on the road. This is a performance car, so it's happiest when
you're running hard, but it'll idle in traffic without getting
cranky or loading up, and our experience with it says that it runs
cool so have fun. Manual steering and brakes put you directly in
touch with what the machinery is doing, and on a car this light,
neither should be considered mandatory. It's a lot of fun to
drive!The Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission works as well here
as anywhere else, racking through the gears with an indestructible
feel that urges you to drive it hard. The ratios are well-matched
to the L76's powerband, and with 3.70 gears in back you'll quickly
learn that first gear is probably superfluous. This car is QUICK!
The chassis was nicely detailed during the frame-off restoration
and today shows only the most minor signs of use-some dirt here,
some oozing grease on the ball joints, stuff like that. Brakes were
still drums all around in '63, but they're plenty strong for the
car's modest weight and shouldn't be considered a demerit,
especially if you still want to show it. Steering is remarkably
precise despite those vintage-looking 6.70-15 bias-ply whitewall
tires.Documentation includes an original owner's manual, protection
plan booklet, and radio guide, a reproduction window sticker, Top
Flight Award with judging sheets showing a score of 95.3 points,
and a detailed photo album of the restoration.There's nothing else
quite like being in a bright red Corvette and running that
high-revving small block through the gears, each shift picking up
right where the last one left off. This fantastic red roadster gets
it right on every single level. Call today!Harwood motors
recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections on any
vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.