The 1963 Corvette was a dramatic, exciting breakthrough in American automobile design, engineering and specifications. Its four-wheel independent suspension was as good as any European exotic, and it should have ruled the road courses of the time—and would have, except for Carroll Shelby’s Cobra.

But the Cobra was gone in five years, while the Corvette that GM styling chief Bill Mitchell and engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov unleashed was still around mechanically in 1983.

The ’63 Corvette evolved from a racing car called the Mitchell Sting Ray. Bill Mitchell had replaced Harley Earl as head of GM styling in 1958. Like Duntov, he thought it important to race the ’Vette, so he persuaded Chevy’s general manager Ed Cole to sell him the chassis of the ’57 Corvette SS “mule” for $1. Mitchell then had designer Larry Shinoda create a body for the Sting Ray race car inspired by the sea-creature itself.

Mitchell loved the 1963 “Split-Window” coupe, but Duntov hated the vision-blocking rear and the style was offered only one year.

Somewhat overshadowed was a companion convertible, which featured a new folding top that was so much easier to operate now that the power assist was discontinued.

Convertible buyers had several top and color combinations from which to choose. A black fabric top was standard, and 3,448 cars were so equipped. For the same price, a customer could select a color-matched fiberglass hard top instead, and for $237, the buyer could add the body-colored fiberglass hard top in addition to the soft top. Folding tops also came in beige and white at no extra charge.

In 1963, the Corvette trunk was eliminated to allow room for a repositioned gas tank, which in turn made room for the new independent rear suspension.

All ’63 ’Vettes had front fenders with two long non-functional louvers—the “barbecue grilles.” The rear deck still had a ’62-style look, but the rest of the car was new. Hide-away headlights enhanced the car’s aerodynamics. Inside were circular gauges with black faces. There was storage space under the seats of early ’63 models.

Firsts for ’63 ’Vettes included optional knockoff wheels, air-conditioning and leather seats. As in 1962, Chevrolet offered four engines, all based on the small-block 327. The cars came with 250-, 300-, 340-, and 360-hp ratings. The 360-hp job carried Rochester fuel injection.

The beautiful example offered here is the best that Corvette could offer in 1963. It is equipped with the top-of-the-line 327-ci, 360-hp, fuel-injected small-block V8 engine, backed up by a close-ratio 4-speed transmission. The power windows may surprise some collectors, but there was dispute at the time as to whether they were lighter than wind-up mechanisms.

This car is represented as a matching-numbers example, evidenced by the block deck stamping and the block date casting support. It is one of only 1,110 360-hp fuel-injected Corvette convertibles built in 1963.

An NCRS-judged 96.4-point Top Flight score in August 1991 supports the quality of this early 1990s restoration by Master Works in Madison Heights, Michigan. It has been carefully maintained since and is still in excellent condition. The consignor reports that everything works, even the radio and the clock.

Finished in Saddle Tan with Saddle leather interior, this is a rare and highly collectible example of Corvette’s graduation from the straight-axle years to the fully indpendent Sting Ray. Any 1963 fuel-injected Corvette is a trophy, a welcome addition to any collection, and an exciting car to drive.

SCM Analysis

Detailing

Vehicle:1963 327/360 4-Speed “Fuelie” Convertible
Years Produced:1963
Number Produced:1,110 (“fuelie” convertibles)
Original List Price:$4,606.60
SCM Valuation:$66,000–$115,000
Tune Up Cost:$180
Distributor Caps:$14.99
Chassis Number Location:Right hinge pillar cross brace under glovebox
Engine Number Location:Corvette V8s have last six symbols of VIN stamped on block next to engine number, at right front
Club Info:National Corvette Owners Association
Website:www.ncoa-vettes.com
Alternatives:1963–64 Shelby Cobra 1963 Jaguar XKE 1963 Austin-Healey 3000
Investment Grade:B

This 1963 fuel-injected convertible sold for $101,790 at the Bonhams & Butterfields Quail Lodge auction at Carmel, California, on August 17, 2007.

The car was listed as a “roadster,” though Corvette authority Noland Adams, in his Complete Corvette Restoration & Technical Guide—Vol. 2: 1963 through 1967, describes the cars as “convertibles,” which is technically correct because they have a fixed windshield and roll-up windows. This car is one of 3,742 ordered with the A31 power windows for 1963.

The auction catalog goes deeply into the fact that power windows were lighter than roll-up windows, although it’s hard to believe this affects value. On the other hand, the copious details that Adams researched in his 1988 book are important in gauging authenticity, and anyone planning to spent $90,000-plus on a C2 Corvette should get a copy of his book.

One of 1,110 360-hp convertibles in 1963

Getting back to lot 440, the seller represented this Corvette as a “matching-numbers” car. Bonhams & Butterfields says this is supported by 3105012F1116RF, which is stamped on the deck of the engine block, as well as block casting number J222, which indicates an October 22, 1962, build date. The catalog says it is one of 1,110 fuel-injected 360-hp convertibles built in 1963.

In addition to having the top-of-the line 327-ci engine, the car is fitted with the desirable close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission and a Saddle leather interior. The leather trim was a first-time option in ’63 and undoubtedly helped the strong price this car achieved.

In August 1991, following its restoration, it took a National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) “Top Flight” award after being judged a 96.4-point perfect restoration.

Everything works, even the clock

According to the car’s owner, everything on the car, works, including the clock—always a nice touch when you are spending the price of a house (in our neck of the woods) for a car.

The 1963 Sting Ray convertible is very much an under-appreciated car, since it has always been overshadowed by its “Split-Window” partner. If you study Adams’s book, you’ll realize that Chevrolet put a lot of effort into giving the ’63 ragtop much stronger construction than previous open models.

We expect that well-preserved wind-in-the-face ’Vettes like this ’63 will grow in value a little faster in the future, due to their fun factor and a depletion of the supply of comparable-condition Split-Windows. Choice options like fuel injection and cow hide upholstery add even more to the “bottom line.” We’re not saying the ragtops will zoom past the coupes, but convertibles have a lasting appeal, which makes this car an excellent investment. Let’s call this fully priced, but at the same time well bought

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