1963 Corvette Sting Ray Split Window coupe, body-off-the-frame restoration

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Description

This stunning ’63 Corvette Sting Ray split-window coupe has been completely taken apart, professionally refinished and painstakingly put back together with the highest quality parts and paint finish possible.

All the major systems have been gone through (outlined below) and rebuilt. It is an original Sebring Silver car, 327 V8, numbers-matching 300-horsepower (RD engine code), four-speed, no air conditioning. Sale includes a complete collection of 500-plus restoration photos. Incredible detail.

The following is a list of the major work completed:

EXTERIOR/BODY

Four full-time months spent on fiberglass, bodywork and paint prep. Top coat is Sikkens base coat Sebring Silver, House of Kolor clear ($1,000 just for the clear). Color sanded and buffed to a liquid-like shine.

Bumpers rechromed by a shop that specializes in show-chrome Harley-Davidson parts, all new badges, repaired and polished stainless exterior trim, new door handles, hood grilles and light bezels. Retained stock rear glass.

Frame and chassis parts all disassembled, sandblasted/bead blasted and painted.

ENGINE

Original 327 V8, professionally rebuilt to better than factory specs and dyno tuned:

Rotating assembly: 10.5:1 forged pistons; Speed Pro plasma moly rings; shot-peened rods; ARP fasteners; factory forged crankshaft.

Heads: “Camel-hump” rebuilt, ported and flow-benched. 2.02-inch intake, 1.60-exhaust. Intake flow, 240 cfm @ 0.500 lift, exhaust is 195 cfm.

Valvetrain: Comp Cams XE274H hydraulic, Comp roller rockers, 1.5 ratio.

Induction: Original aluminum intake, rebuilt Carter four-barrel carb and air cleaner for authenticity.

Exhaust: Factory 2.5-inch manifolds, 2.5-inch dual pipes, dual polished stainless-steel Borla mufflers and factory-look hand-built stainless-steel 2.5-inch tips (original tips are less than two inches, which stifles power). Ignition: Pertronix electronic, Taylor wires.

Dyno testing: 391 horsepower @ 5,800 r.p.m., 403 pound-feet of torque.

New rad, belts, hoses, water pump, etc.

TRANSMISSION

Muncie four-speed manual, completely disassembled and rebuilt. Centerforce “Stage II” clutch package, polished-aluminum bell-housing.

DIFFERENTIAL

Factory Positraction unit, completely disassembled and rebuilt with new clutches. The stock 3.30 gearing was replaced with Richmond 3.90.

BRAKES AND SUSPENSION

So that it can be safely driven in traffic, front power disc conversion from Master Power Brakes (all ’63s came with four-wheel drums), and refurbished rear drums (everything from bearings and springs to shoes are new).

Entire suspension is either new or rebuilt and includes a new “street and slalom” package from Eckler’s Corvettes. Includes Bilstein gas shocks, front and rear Addco sway bars (’63s did not come with a rear sway bar from the factory), monoleaf composite rear spring, fully adjustable rear tie bars and high-rate front springs. All polyurethane bushings (firm, but a little squeaky).

WHEELS/TIRES

BF Goodrich T/A whitewalls on factory 15-inch steel wheels with polished hubcaps and new reproduction three-bar “spinners.”

Dozens of new and reproduction parts: leather seat covers, hand-built original-style door panels, leather-covered headliner, hand-made carpet set patterned after the original, new sun visors, mirror assembly and all-new hardware. New glove-box door, console top and a new wood-rim steering wheel. Original gauge cluster and factory dash. Seat frames hot tanked and painted. (Note: in the photo the steering wheel looks like it's on upside down, but the wheel is just turned.

WARRANTY: No, it's 52-year-old car, of course there's no warranty.

FOR MORE PHOTOS, I've set up a Facebook page “1963 Corvette Split Window restoration” where you can also see/hear the car running.

TRADES: NO trades, except cash for car.