1963 Split Window Corvette. Matching #’s. 327/300 h.p.

History

This split window Corvette is understood to have only three owners from new. The most recent purchase was back in 1983 from Californian Tom Mabry. At the time of purchase, Mabry had reportedly just completed a frame-off mechanical restoration of this rust-free California split window coupe with no known accident history. At the time he elected to leave the body in its original condition with its original Daytona Blue finish.

The current owner retained the Corvette for the next 40+ years. He has only put a few thousand miles on it. In fact, he used it so little that it began to suffer from such limited use, and he felt that it needed to be gone through again in 2014. 

It was then, in 2014, that the current owner commissioned a second restoration of the car. This took three years. The restoration included stripping and repainting the car its original Daytona Blue color. All of the upholstery was redone, including rebuilding the seats and installing new door panels. New carpets were also installed. All of the chrome was either polished or replaced. 

Additionally, the original matching numbers engine was also refreshed in 2015 just for good measure because the car had been sitting around so much. The manual 4 speed was also opened up for inspection and was found to still be in excellent condition. It was then reassembled with new gaskets and resealed.  

Thereafter the owner expected to use the Corvette more often. However, due to life circumstances, he found himself still not using the car except for running it up and down the road every couple of months just to keep all systems operational. He has finally decided to dust the car off, take it out of the garage into the sunlight, and find a new home for it.

The car is going to be sold quickly. So if you are seriously interested, please contact us for additional information and/or to make an offer. The car is still located in California, between San Francisco and the Northern California Wine Country. 

Description

This SW Corvette, trim code 490J, was completed in June 1963 at the St. Louis plant. It was finished in Daytona Blue color, body code number 7852. During the car’s most recent restoration from 2014-2017, the body was stripped and resprayed in its original Daytona Blue color at Duffy’s Old Cars in Costa Mesa, California. See the photos below. 

All of the brightwork was cleaned, polished, or re-chromed. The rocker panels were straightened, and re-anodized. The interior, trim code 490J, was restored with correct matching Daytona Blue vinyl seats, new door panels, new carpeting, and the seat chrome was re-plated. The engine air cleaner was also re-plated at that time. 

The 327/300 h.p. engine is stout and runs strong. During the 2014-2017 restoration the following engine work was performed:

• Remove engine / trans and strip compartment for paint… $585
• Sort bits for paint / polish / replate… $65
• Restored carb…………………..990.00                  
• Vacuum advance……………..23.58
• Oil filter…………………………..10.20
• Fuel line kit……………………..106.95                  
• Engine paint…………………….21.00
• Oil fill cap………………………..10.80
• Dated plug wire kit…………….91.17
• Fuel pump………………………..103.33                       
• Spark plug set…………………..26.40
• Starter……………………………..67.63
• Alternator………………………..86.39
• Ring gear………………………….27.06
• Exhaust system 2 1/2″………849.60
• Exhaust heat shield…………..69.50
• Oil tube /dipstick……………..38.00
• Valve cover screw kit………….8.00
• Crankcase vent tube and hose..38.60
• Air cleaner stud…………………9.45
• Plug wire clips and grommets..27.90
• Ign. shield wing nut kit………18.00
• Fuel filter bracket kit………….24.86
• Ign. shield bracket kit………..24.46
• Heater hose and bracket kit…158.28
• Radiator hoses and clamps…..91.24
• Ignition shields, bolts,brackets..161.46
• Expansion tank kit……………..328.98
• Tunnel insulation……………….65.99
• Chassis paint…………………….21.00
  • Total parts…$3702.25

The 4 speed manual transmission shifts smoothly through all gears. The car drives and brakes straight with no drama. No squeaks or rattles were observed during our test drive. 

Items that we noticed that need attention include the following:

The reverse lockout mechanism is missing for some reason. This can be purchased at Zip Corvette for $90.00. 

Although the alignment on the car seems just fine, the steering wheel needs to be centered to match when the wheels are pointed straight.

The temp gauge is not working, but was working when the car was last parked. 

The speedometer works. However, the main odometer, which currently shows 25,000+ miles, does not appear to be working. The true mileage, therefore, is unknown. The trip odometer does work.

Some additional work and charges included the following:

• Spray paint……….31.80
• Battery……………..141.55
• Antifreeze………….28.78
• 10/30 oil…………..17.94
• Gasoline……………15.00
• Voltage regulator..39.31
• Suppressor………..21.36
• Fan belt……………20.65
• Spare tire………….343.32
• Ign. shields/brkts..193.75
• Exp. tank kit………394.78
• Trans insulation….79.19
• Clutch ass’y………..166.02
• PC Valve……………13.50
• Clutch bolts……….15.67
• Clutch release fork..126.26
• License bar…………41.94
• Throttle linkage kit..35.34
• Acc. pedal kit………32.22
• De-rust solution….68.80
• Pertronix ign………153.62
  • Sub total………1980.80
  • Labor…………….2990.00
  • Total………….4970.80

• Remove the interior for paint… $650
• Complete seat kit…..$1406.16 (includes all hardware)
• Complete door kit…..$459.48 – not including panels ( we have those)
• Heat barrier/ sound deadener….$311.88
• Kick panels……………$41.95
• Sun visors complete…$146.28
• Rear deck/ quarter trim…$125.88
• Interior mirror kit………$95.88
• Seat belt kit…..$194.22 (includes hardware)
• Locking gas cap…$47.95
• Console and door sill kit…$2103.42
  • Freight…..$236.87
  • Total $5169.97
  • Seat labor……….$325.00

1963 Corvette General Specifications

The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray not only had a fantastic new design, but also newfound handling prowess. The Sting Ray was also a somewhat lighter Corvette, so acceleration improved despite unchanged horsepower. Here are the specifications for the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray:

Mechanical Specifications (2-door convertible/coupe)

Suspension
front: Independent; upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, antiroll bar, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers
rear: Fixed differential, U-jointed half shafts, lateral struts, radius rods, transverse leaf spring, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar w/big block engines

Wheels/Tires
6.70×15

Brakes
front: 11-inch drum
rear: 11-inch drum 

Transmission
3-speed manual (std)
4-speed manual (opt)
2-speed Powerglide (opt)

Standard axle ratio
3.70:1

Engine Specifications 

Published Performance Numbers 

Vehicle Production and Base Prices

Options and Production

Color Choices and Production

Source: General Motors Consumer Guide

As mentioned above. The car is solid, original, rust free, matching numbers, 1963 split window Corvette. It is the iconic, one-year limited production split window Corvette. These have just consistently increased in value throughout the decades and there is no reason to expect anything different in the future. My dad had one in the 1960’s and sold it for less than $3,000. Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda, right? Buy it now, drive it now, and enjoy the appreciation over the years. Win-win.

Also mentioned above, this rare SWC will be sold, and quickly. Please contact us and make an offer. Someone is going to drive it home. 

All vehicle descriptions are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. Corrections, and supplemental information, are always welcome. Buyers are responsible for confirming vehicle histories, condition, and authenticity to their own satisfaction prior to purchase. Motorsports Market is not the owner of the vehicle and assumes no liability for errors and omissions.

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