Again drawing from the aesthetic perfection of sea creatures, Larry Shinoda designed the predatory-appearing Mako Shark show car of 1961, clearly foreshadowing the upcoming Corvette Sting Ray, which was guided and refined to production readiness by Shinoda, along with fellow designers Chuck Pohlmann and Tony Lapine. The object of automotive desire and an outstanding performer consistent with its racy looks, the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray sold in record numbers with a daring new “Split Window” body style and a gorgeous Convertible. This 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is the first Corvette Sting Ray ever offered for sale to the general public. According to the NCRS, the vehicle was shipped to its selling dealer on August 29, 1962. In 1975, the car was purchased by Brian Richardson, who bought and sold Corvettes with his identical twin brother, Bruce, to finance their college educations. Since their mother worked at a California DMV office, the boys placed a search for the first 20 1963 Corvette VINs, yielding the extremely early production car offered here, which remained in Brian Richardson’s possession until he passed away in 2022. In addition to holding many patents, Brian Richardson was also a bobsledder for the U.S. Olympic Team and a participant at the 1992 Albertville, France, Olympiad. Benefiting handsomely from a comprehensive restoration, this Sting Ray features power from the top-shelf 327/360 HP fuel-injected RPO L84 V-8 engine and 4-speed manual transmission. Finished in Riverside Red with a white soft top and the original and unrestored body-color hardtop, it also sports a red interior with new custom-fabricated upholstery to match the original early production pieces. Given its early production status, this Sting Ray features a number of characteristic items, beginning with the car’s one- off, sand-cast and manually machined headlight mechanisms. Unique outer door panels display top rear cut-outs. A shortened stainless-steel trim bead runs along the tops of the door trim panels in contrast to later models, and windshield reveal moldings are handmade. Rounding out the tell-tale early features, it was also equipped with holes in the body to accommodate power windows and a passenger-side rearview mirror, but they were filled with a factory bonding adhesive. Additionally, the carpeting used for the luggage compartment was similar to that of 1962 models, and the inner front fenders are of a unique design. Features and options in addition to this Sting Ray’s race- derived powertrain include an AM radio, heater/defroster and tachometer, plus aluminum alloy knock-off wheels mounting 1960s-style whitewall tires. A number of desirable original items included with Corvette 003 are seat covers, seat foam, door panels and carpets. Featured in the book “Corvette: 1963–1967” by Larry Galloway, this historic 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray is accompanied by an extensive array of historical photographs.
