1963 Chevrolet Corvette for Sale

Coupe or convertible

All 10,594 coupes built for 1963 were split-window cars, and no later year has the feature. Convertibles never had it. The split window was dropped for 1964 because it hurt rear visibility; Zora Arkus-Duntov, the engineer most closely tied to the Corvette, had argued against it from the start.

The coupe carries a clear price premium over the convertible. Two rare options add far more: fuel injection, fitted to 2,610 cars, and the Z06 competition package, of which only 199 were built.

Engines and transmissions

Every 1963 Corvette had a 327 cubic inch V8, in four versions: 250 hp as the base engine, 300 hp, 340 hp and 360 hp with Rochester fuel injection. Most cars were built with a four-speed manual; a three-speed manual and the two-speed Powerglide were also offered.

Is it a real split-window?

The VIN and trim tag are under the dash on the passenger side, below the glovebox. A 1963 coupe VIN starts 30837S and a convertible starts 30867S. The first digit is the year, so a 1964 coupe starts 40837S.

That gives you a simple first check: later coupes have been converted with split-window kits, but a converted car keeps its later VIN. The VIN has no engine code, so a fuel-injected or Z06 claim needs the engine pad stamp, period paperwork and, on a car at that price, an expert inspection.

What to inspect before you buy

• Frame: rust at the kick-ups ahead of the rear wheels.
• Birdcage: the steel structure around the windshield and doors rusts from the inside.
• Body: look at the bonding strips where panels join, and for stress cracks and poor fiberglass patches.
• 1963-only parts: the hood has recesses for its two decorative grilles, which later hoods lack. First-year trim and interior pieces are harder to find than 1964 to 1967 parts.
• Headlights: the electric motors should raise and lower both lamps together.

Related listings

• 1964 Corvette and 1967 Corvette for sale, or every C2 Corvette, 1963 to 1967.
• Values: what a 1963 split-window Corvette is worth.
• Which year to choose: best year C2 Corvette to buy.
• From the magazine: the 1963 split-window coupe, the 1963 Z06 and the hidden headlights.