United States
1963 Chevrolet Corvette
United States
1963 Chevrolet Corvette
United States
1963 Chevrolet Corvette
United States
1963 Chevrolet Corvette
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.
In-Depth Answers
Editorial Q&A · 27 articlesHow much is a Corvette C5 Z06 worth in 2026?
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Are classic Corvettes reliable as daily drivers?
Classic Corvettes vary significantly in daily-driver practicality by generation. C4 Corvettes (1984-1996) are the most practical and reliabl...
Are classic Corvettes a good investment in 2026?
Top-tier classic Corvettes (documented L88s, L89s, ZL1s, and early C2 cars) are among the strongest classic car investments in the American...
How much is a 1963 split-window Corvette worth?
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More questions answered
- → What does it cost to own a C4 Corvette annually?
- → How much is a Corvette C6 Z06 worth in 2026?
- → How much is a C2 Corvette worth?
- → What's the best year C3 Corvette to buy?
- → What does a C4 Corvette cost in 2026?
- → C6 ZR1 vs C7 Z06 — which performance Corvette should you buy?
- → Should I buy a C2 or C3 Corvette?
- → How much is a C2 Corvette Sting Ray worth in 2026?
- → Is the C8 Corvette Z06 a future classic?
- → What is a Corvette C4 ZR-1 worth in 2026?
- → What's the difference between a C2 and C3 Corvette?
- → What is the best year chrome-bumper C3 Corvette to buy?
- → What is a tank sticker on a Corvette?
- → What is the Corvette Grand Sport heritage, and what is it worth?
- → What years is the C2 Corvette?
- → How much is a big-block C3 Corvette worth in 2026?
- → What's the best year C1 Corvette to buy?
- → What is the best year C2 Corvette to buy?
- → What made the Corvette C3 L88 special?
- → Is a C2 Corvette convertible worth more than the coupe?
- → How much is a Rochester fuel-injected C1 Corvette worth?
- → Why is the 1963 split-window Corvette so valuable?
- → What is the rarest C2 Corvette?
Recently Ended Chevrolet Corvette Listings
See all 4,416 past listings →| Vehicle | Last Asking Price |
|---|---|
| 1965 Chevrolet Corvette | $66,900 |
| 1988 Chevrolet Corvette | $23,900 |
| 1969 Chevrolet Corvette | $37,495 |
| 1969 Chevrolet Corvette | Not listed |
| 1974 Chevrolet Corvette | Not listed |
| 1958 Chevrolet Corvette | $124,995 |
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Articles About the Chevrolet Corvette
Corvette Grand Sport 1963: the story behind the five cars built
GM shut down the Corvette Grand Sport program in early 1963 with only five cars assembled. This is the story of why they were built, why the program ended, and where those five cars are today.
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The C2 Corvette Sting Ray (1963-1967)
The C2 Corvette Sting Ray generation (1963-1967) brought independent rear suspension, the iconic split-window coupe, disc brakes, and the 427 big-block to America's sports car. Here is what the factory records actually say.
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Corvette Hidden Headlights 1963
The design decision that defined a generation The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray split the collector world before it even reached showrooms. The styling was aggressiv...
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Split window Corvette 1963: the one-year coupe explained
The 1963 Corvette split-window coupe ran for exactly one model year before Chevrolet removed the divided rear window. Here is what that single-year production run means for buyers and collectors today.
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