The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray redefined the very essence of America’s Sports Car with dramatic styling and outstanding performance. For the first time in its then 10- year history, a coupe body was added to the Corvette lineup, its most striking feature the now-famous split rear window treatment that lasted for just one model year before being replaced throughout the remainder of the second generation with a single window opening. This 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe from the Split Window Colorama II Collection retains its original, matching-numbers 327/250 HP V-8 engine, which has been affirmed by Al Grenning’s Classic Car Affirmation Service, LLC. Inspection of the stamp pad reveals the block’s RC suffix, denoting its origin as a 327/250 HP V-8 paired with a manual transmission. Built on July 15, 1963 and delivered new by Todd Chevrolet in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the car was originally finished in Daytona Blue (a rare color chosen by an estimated one of 10 buyers) with a red vinyl interior and equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission mated to a 3.36:1 rear end and an AM/ FM radio. The car was the subject of a body-on restoration by a previous owner, who changed the color from Daytona Blue to Riverside Red and installed finned aluminum knock-off wheels now fitted with white-stripe radial tires. The car also features seat belts and aluminized exhaust. Documented with NCRS/GM Shipping Data Records, CCAS affirmation of both the engine stamp pad and factory original body/trim tag, owner history, copies of titles and bills of sales, an owner’s manual packet, restoration receipts and a three- ring binder, this late-production split window coupe features most all factory-correct-type components including the spare, replacement jack, jack tools, washer system, shifter, shielding, air cleaner, alternator, carburetor, spark plug shields, hoses, hose clamps, valve covers, exhaust heat shields, gas door assembly, bowtie mirror, glovebox door and cookie tin hood. Today, the one-year-only 1963 Sting Ray split window coupe remains one of the most iconic designs in the history of the American automobile, making examples such as this among the most exclusive and desirable of collector Corvettes.
