Vehicle Description
Beautiful older frame-off restoration with receipts and photos.
Potent ZZ4 GM crate engine, 4-speed manual. Power steering,
upgraded stereo, newer convertible top. A gorgeous Mid-Year
Corvette that's built to drive!<BR><BR>Finished in the
early 2000s, this is a very well-done Corvette. We should note up
front that it is not matching numbers, carrying a 350 cubic inch GM
ZZ4 crate engine, but it was restored to be the embodiment of all
that is great about the Sting Ray. Fit and finish are exemplary in
every way and all the usual fiberglass flaws that you find on these
cars have been neatly exorcised from its surface and it fits
together extremely well. Gaps are tight and even, the panels line
up well, and there was obviously a lot more care lavished on the
car than the factory could spare back in 1963. Two-stage urethane
paint has been color sanded and buffed to a very high standard and
the car, as I said, simply glows in the showroom and particularly
out in the sunlight. Riverside Red is this car's original color,
and there's nothing more appropriate on GM's awesome fiberglass
shape. We note no critical flaws in the finish and with as a hobby
vehicle that's been properly maintained, obviously it has not been
subjected to the rigors of the real world. The chrome and stainless
trim was likewise restored with the rest of the car, and you can
see in photos that the bumpers shine beautifully, the ribbed rocker
moldings are crisp and bright, and all the lenses are correct
reproductions that look brand new. The unique 1963 hood screens are
unmarked and not pitted or scuffed, the emblems show crisp enamel,
and it appears that even the windshield was replaced because it has
that sparkling clarity that you can't restore back into old glass.
Please come see the car-you'll have to look very hard indeed for
any major faults.<BR><BR>The interior is correct STD
black vinyl, which is how this car was ordered when it was new.
Replacement seat covers are exact replacements and they remain in
excellent condition even with some miles of driving behind them. As
with the exterior, virtually everything inside the car was new at
the time of restoration, including carpets, door panels, dash pads,
and the three-spoke steering wheel. All the original gauges were
rebuilt and show crisp markings and clear lenses, and they're all
fully operational except the clock. The original
vertically-oriented AM radio is gone, replaced by an AM/FM unit
that powers an upgraded set of speakers hidden in the cargo bay
behind the seats. It includes a white convertible top, which is a
great choice here, and that, too, is almost new and in unmarked
condition with a crystal clear rear window and no creases or split
seams. <BR><BR>The engine is a fresh ZZ4 GM crate
engine, which displaces 350 cubic inches and makes 355 horsepower
and a stout 405 lb-ft. of torque. Detailed to look very much like
the original 327, including painting the aluminum heads Chevy
Orange, it looks right and runs the way any small block Chevy
should: smooth and confident. Chevy Orange paint, a proper
open-element air cleaner, and finned valve covers make it look
period correct under the hood. The exhaust manifolds have been
coated to keep them looking their best and even the factory-issued
ignition shields are still in place. It has the heavy-duty cooling
system with clutch fan, and proper GM-logo hoses were used to make
things look authentic throughout. The only notable deviation from
stock spec is the modern dual master cylinder-not correct for 1963
but a welcome addition that doesn't take away any of its
Corvette-ness. Power steering is a nice find, too, making this '63
easy to handle and very user-friendly.<BR><BR>A Muncie
4-speed manual transmission is really the only way to go in a
vintage 'Vette. Yes, you could get a PowerGlide, but what's the
point of owning America's sports car without rowing your own gears?
Despite this car's polish and sophisticated look, it's still a
runner and snapping the chrome shifter through the gears remains
one of life's great joys. The rest of the undercarriage is nicely
restored as well, including rebuilt suspension and brakes, a
reproduction exhaust system, and satin black paint as a backdrop
for the hardware. The floors are fiberglass, so there's obviously
no rust there, but the critical areas of the frame are unmarked and
the smoothness of the finish suggests that it was never in a harsh
climate. 3.55 gears in back mean it's downright nasty around town
but can cruise on the highway without any drama. There are signs of
use, of course, because this is a Corvette that was built to drive,
but nothing that should raise any eyebrows-spend more on a show car
if collecting trophies is your thing. This car rips through the
gears with genuine enthusiasm yet remains docile and easy to drive
for just about anyone. And while the original drum brakes are still
in place, they're plenty effective thanks to fresh hardware
throughout so don't get hung up on it. Correct 15-inch steel wheels
with knock-off hubcaps are the right look, and they combine with a
set of brand new 205/75/15 Diamondback Auburn whitewall radials to
give the car a 1963 stance.<BR><BR>Extras include an
owner's manual, restoration receipts and photos, and the NCRS
Shipping Data Report.<BR><BR>The quality is exceptional
on this Corvette and it has a few invisible, forgivable upgrades to
make it more of what it should be. This is one of those cases where
the best car may not have a perfect pedigree but the quality and
driving experience more than make up for it. If you've wanted a
Mid-Year Corvette that you can drive and show without worries, this
is it. Call today!<BR><BR>Harwood Motors always
recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any
vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.