Few Corvettes have achieved such praises as the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, which launched the second generation (C2) of America’s Sports Car with a stimulating aerodynamic design by Bill Mitchell and Larry Shinoda, riding a thoroughly redesigned chassis with Corvette’s first four-wheel independent suspension, developed by Zora Arkus-Duntov. Also new was the first-ever production Corvette Coupe, immediately recognized by its split rear window. While the basic design of the coupe would last until 1967, the “split-window” would not, and it is the signature-identifying feature of closed 1963 Corvettes today.

This 1963 Chevrolet Corvette has benefitted from a frame-off restoration to its current restomod appearance and mechanical features. This high quality build was completed by Jeff Hayes of Bloomington, Indiana. The Corvette is presented in Gun Metal Gray with tinted windows, and rides on slim redline tires mounted on Z06 Spyder wheels. Other exterior features include front and rear chromed bumpers, hood inserts as seen on the production cars, Corvette badging and sidepipe exhausts; all set at a slightly lowered stance.

Underneath the Corvette’s power-operated hood is a 500-hp, LS3 V-8 engine with Holley Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) and an aluminum Be Cool radiator. The engine is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Both the engine and transmission are backed by a GM warranty – there’s a two year warranty (from January 2016) on the engine and a one year warranty (from January 2016) on the transmission. The engine compartment is nicely presented in a clean, tidy manner with bright finishes on numerous components throughout.

The frame of the Corvette features a C6 era (2005 to 2013) front end and a C5 era (1997 to 2004) rear end on a complete custom chassis. Braking is accomplished by drilled and ventilated four-wheel discs with a Wilwood master cylinder with six-piston calipers in front and Z06 brakes in the rear. The red tone of the calipers adds a great accent with the redline tires. The Corvette features a power rack-and-pinion steering configuration for precise and rather effortless inputs.

The interior of the car is completed in distressed red leather with custom bolstered bucket seats. Behind the tilt Billet Specialties column and wheel are custom analog Auto Meter gauges with bright bezels and brushed metal with black accented faces. Other interior features include air conditioning, power windows, AM/FM radio as well as a backup camera. The door panels have subtle styling accents that also set them apart from the originals.

This is an excellent opportunity to own a unique 1963 split-window Corvette. It truly encompasses the best of both worlds with the classic looks of the Corvette’s Sting Ray design and the modern performance, reliability, and comfort of a late model Corvette.