QR Cide Oosts

1963. CHEVROLET SPLIT WINDOW CORVETTE

OWNER: ROBERT STEWART

 

The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray marks the start of the second-generation (C2) “Mid-Year” Corvette era and is famous for being the only model year with a split rear window. [1]
Key Specifications & Production
  • Total Production: 21,513 total Corvettes built in 1963, split almost evenly between the coupe and convertible. [1, 2]
  • Split Window Coupes Built: 10,594 units. [1]
  • Engine: 327 cid small-block V8 ranging from 250 bhp up to 360 bhp (with optional Rochester fuel-injection). [1]
  • Transmissions: 4-speed manual or 2-speed Powerglide automatic. [1]
  • Base Price (Coupe): $4,257.00. [1]
  • Chassis & Suspension: Shorter, stiffer frame featuring Corvette’s first independent rear suspension with a transverse leaf spring. [1, 2]
Why the Split Window is Famous
  • Design: Styled by Bill Mitchell and Larry Shinoda, the center metal spine split the rear glass in half to mimic a shark-like “Stingray” spine. [1, 2]
  • One-Year-Only: Chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov and other critics disliked the split window because it severely obstructed rear visibility. Chevrolet dropped the design for a single-piece glass window in 1964. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  • Rarities: Only 199 factory Z06 “Big Tank” special performance equipment coupes were built this year. [1]
 

Not much to say except its been my dream since I was a small boy. Enjoying life with shows like this! Fully restored frame off, everything original except paint, its red but not the original red.