Frame Up Restored Corvette Roadster L84 327/360 Fuel Injected V8 T10 4 Speed

According to collectors, the best Corvette is an original Corvette. But asking a car to stay fully intact for over half a century is a tall order and, as a result, many classics are torn apart and rebuilt in an attempt to recapture their showroom-fresh feel. Some, like this 1963 Sting Ray fuelie, have received a lifetime of care and maintenance that's good enough to minimize the need for major restorative efforts. Over the course of 51 years, this roadster's body and frame have always stayed together; consistently packing 327 cubic inches of V8 power and consistently motivated by a 4-speed manual transmission. With a rare leather interior and fresh, frame-up restoration, the car presents with authority without sacrificing aesthetics. And, if you're looking for a nice, fully-sorted weekend cruiser to join the NCRS crowd with, it reflects your brand of unique!

Sold new at Daniels Motors in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and logging very few miles since its 2013 frame-up restoration, this clean drop-top possesses all the desirable traits of a blue chip C2. During its thorough reboot, the car's solid, fiberglass body was carefully massaged to correct most of the typical waves and ripples that came standard from GM's St. Louis manufacturing facility. With those cosmetic semantics complete, a finishing phase took the form of aggressive block sanding. And finally, everything was layered in correct Saddle Tan base, sealed in glossy clear and buffed to a fantastic, wet-look shine.

While we don't have exact production numbers, it's safe to assume that Saddle Tan was some pretty rare pigment. But, once you've seen this subdued Chevy in person, its appeal becomes both appreciable and undeniable. At the front of the car, a low-slung nose clip tucks a stainless-trimmed grille behind thin 'razor blade' bumpers and bright, bullet-style parking lamps. Above that grille, hidden headlights highlight a familiar cross-flag emblem while a 1963-exclusive hood adds a touch of class. Behind those headlights, a topless profile hangs colorful Fuel Injection badging between traditional door handles, beefy rocker guards and a stylish bowtie mirror. At the top of that profile, like-new glass rides between polished wipers, straight stainless frames and a choice of either hard or soft roofing. And the car's sloped decklid centers a cross-flag-branded fuel cap above a bright Sting Ray emblem, round taillights, two more 'razor blade' bumpers and traditional stainless exhaust tips.

Tilt this Corvette's lightweight hood and you'll find a familiar L84 V8 that hangs a correct 3782870 casting number behind a correct “RF” suffix stamp and matching partial VIN. Holding the title of “World's most powerful, naturally aspirated single-cam V8” until the debut of Chevrolet's 2001 Corvette Z06, this impressive small block utilizes wide-bore casting, a forged steel crank, forged pistons and a hot cam to turn stout 10.5 to 1 compression into a solid 360 horsepower. At the top of the spry mill, a big, AC-branded air tube funnels wind into a vintage Rochester injection system that's threaded onto clean stainless fuel lines. Below that date-correct juice box, a clean Winters intake perfectly complements finned Corvette valve covers. At the back of that intake, chrome-cased ignition shoots spark past correct exhaust manifolds via chrome-sleeved wires. And at the front of those manifolds, a Harrison-branded radiator circulates water through pliable GM hoses and authentic tower clamps. Whoever performed the restoration on this Corvette did an excellent job of creating an attractive, reliable engine bay that's every bit as detailed as the rest of the car. Bright Chevy Orange paint covers the block from its straight oil pan all the way to its factory oil filler and, as always, looks great against GM's Satin Black bay. As expected, correct textures and decals are present and accounted for. And details like a rebuilt alternator, a rebuilt master cylinder and a reproduction Delco battery ensure this Chevy runs every bit as good as it looks.

Flip this Vette upside down and you'll find a solid chassis that's in good shape, and today, looks much nicer than it did when it rolled off the showroom floor. A rugged Borg Warner T-10 4-speed, which is tagged with an August (H) 10th (10), 1962 (2) production stamp, utilizes a correct posi-traction differential to spin big, road-ready gears. At the ends of the car, a fully sorted double A-arm front and independent rear suspension is completely detailed down to its fresh shocks, correct springs and standard manual steering. Above that rebuilt suspension, bare floor tubs, which look damage-free in every way, are bolted to a straight, Satin Black frame. At the corners of those floors, beefy drum brakes mix good handling characteristics with quick and solid stops. At the edges of those brakes, torque flows to the pavement through prerequisite turbines, which lap 6.70-15 Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewalls around bright chrome spinners. And everything, from this Corvette's stainless brake lines to its aluminized exhaust system, is fully sorted and ready to roll!

Open the car's tossable doors and you'll find a factory-correct interior that's one of only 1,114 1963 Saddle cockpits to feature optional leather seating. Those thrones are anchored between bright stainless trim and a small chrome shifter. From the driver's perch, stock gauges bleed onto their bordering panels in a march toward a center-mount clock, correct Delco radio and aluminum-trimmed glove box. Below that clock, like-new carpet is protected by correct plastic mats and predictable chrome sills. Above those mats, stainless-trimmed door panels hang small armrests between traditional handles and stylish accents. And in front of the driver, a satin-spoked steering wheel spins around a brilliant cross-flag emblem.

The sale of this impressive Chevy includes an original Owner's Manual, a small stack of historic documents, reproduction service manuals and a reproduction window sticker.

Like the old saying goes – “it's only original once”. The market certainly has no shortage of over-restored show queens, but sympathetically revitalized pieces like this unique roadster are an increasing rarity. With its correct, 360 horsepower 327, tough T10 4-speed and list of carefully chosen replacement pieces, this is a classic you can show and drive just as General Motors intended. If that sounds like a good way to spend your Saturdays, don't miss the chance to claim your next Corvette!