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 1957-62 Sting Ray 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 1960s 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 all 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. Honors include Bloomington Gold certification, NCRS Top Flight, MCACN Concours Gold and Triple Diamond awards, an AACA National Senior First Prize and AACA Senior Grand National status. Documents include the CCAS/Grenning trim tag affirmation, 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 three- ring binder. Today, the one-year-only split window Corvette remains one of the most iconic designs in the history of the American automobile, and this highly equipped, multiple- award winner is among the most desirable.
