As the product of a lengthy design and development cycle, the new-for-1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray benefited from the input of a veritable “dream team” at General Motors, beginning with Peter Brock, the giant corporation’s youngest-ever stylist. Other key personnel included chief GM stylist Bill Mitchell, his close associate Larry Shinoda, and, of course, lead Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov. During the 1957-1962 Sting Ray design and development program, a major evolutionary milestone was achieved with the design and construction of Mitchell’s self-funded Stingray racer, which Dick “The Flying Dentist” Thompson drove to the 1960 SCCA A-Modified championship. Racing was part of the Corvette experience as soon as Chevrolet’s potent small-block V-8 engine was first fitted for 1955, followed by the availability of the Rochester fuel-injection system by ’57. Featuring the iconic, 1963-only split-window rear treatment, this 1963 Corvette Coupe is an early production car (Serial No. 1022) with a production date of October 6, 1962. Delivery was to Don Allen Midtown Chevrolet in Manhattan, New York (Dealer Code 0, Zone 27), per the official NCRS/GM Shipping Data record. Power is delivered by a matching-numbers RPO L84 fuel- injected 327/360 HP V-8 engine that is paired with a T-10 4-speed manual transmission and 3.70 Positraction rear axle. Finished in its rare, born-with Tuxedo Black paint with a Saddle Tan leather interior, the Corvette also retains its factory-original body/trim tag with CCAS/Grenning affirmation. Other choice highlights include power windows, a Wonderbar radio, off-road exhaust, early 1963 hubcaps and 6.70x15 vintage Blackwall Firestone tires. Most factory-correct-type components are present, including the spare, jack, jack tools, shocks, seat belts, washer system, tar top battery, shifter, shielding, air cleaner, alternator, distributor, idler pulley, spark plug shields, hoses and hose clamps. Other factory-correct-type highlights include the fuel-injection unit, fuel-injection fuel filter, starter, 6-quart oil pan, finned balancer, exhaust heat shields, expansion tank, radiator, gas door assembly, long-base Bowtie mirror, glovebox door, cookie tin hood and T-3 headlights. A concours-quality restoration was completed by Joe Scafidi of the Bowtie Shop in Billerica, Massachusetts, resulting in the achievement of many awards and accolades. Among them are Bloomington Gold certification, NCRS Top Flight, MCACN Concours Gold and Triple Diamond awards, an AACA National Senior First Prize, and the AACA Senior Grand National Award. Documents include the CCAS trim tag affirmation issued by Corvette authority Al Grenning, judging award certificates, Bloomington Gold judging sheets (showing a loss of only 150 points in 2021), and the owner’s manual packet—all organized in a document binder. Today, the one-year-only split-window Corvette remains one of the most iconic designs in automotive history, and this highly equipped, multiple award-winning example ranks among the finest and most desirable.
