Restored Corvette Split Window 327/360 FI V8 4 Speed

You can ask pretty much any Corvette guy what the paramount vintage Vette is and he'll probably say “C2”. When you counter with words like “327” and “fuel injection”, the phrases “ultimate” and “blue chip” become a natural settling point. And investors clearly agree, since prices on mid-year Chevys remain solid year after year despite the state of the economy. A splendid candidate for any serious gearhead, this mid-year Vette is a numbers-matching piece that, thanks to a meticulous restoration, wears correct riverside red paint, a correct standard black interior and better-than-factory aesthetics. And when all that classic Americana is wrapped in a 1963-exclusive split-window body, “blue chip” starts to really take shape. So, what are you waiting for? Give your friends at RK Motors Charlotte a call and experience this “ultimate” Corvette!

But before we get too far let's first decode the VIN and data plate:
VIN:
30837S******
3: 1963
08: Corvette
37: 2-door sports coupe
S: St. Louis assembly plant
******: basic production number

Data Plate:
• Style: 63 837: 1963 Corvette 2 –door sports coupe
• Body 6944: production serial number
• Paint 923A: Riverside Red
• TRIM STD: Standard black leather interior

Many Corvette enthusiasts regard the C2 as Chevrolet's purest Corvette design. And that's very easy to understand given this coupe's small dimensions, purpose-built form and athletic demeanor. Of course, those qualities are best viewed through a beautiful restoration and, fortunately, the guys who reworked this Sting Ray did a fantastic job. It's evident that they painstakingly made sure the car's body was clean, laser-straight and much nicer than any factory-correct original. Once that level of fit and finish was attained, a buttery layer of correct riverside red basecoat was sealed in glossy clear. Although the plate on the interior suggests the car was completely restored early in the 90's, we would guess that as clean and vibrant as the paint is, it would had to have been repainted since the extensive restoration.

Thanks to a renewed dedication to motorsports, and heavy influence from the original Mako Shark concept car, the second generation Corvette sports a very athletic appearance. At the front of this classic, a low-slung 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 GT profile hangs colorful fender badging between traditional door handles, beefy rocker guards and a stylish chrome mirror. At the top of that profile, like-new glass rides between polished wipers and straight stainless frames. 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.

As mentioned, the car carries its original top of the line 327ci 360hp V8 and one look is all it takes to confirm that. A closer look at the small block reveals a 3782870 casting number, a April 3rd, 1963 assembly date, and an 'RF' suffix code that verifies its basic credentials. 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 block, a big, “AC” branded air tube funnels wind into a vintage Rochester injection system that's threaded onto polished stainless fuel lines. Below that juice box, a correct 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. Bright Chevy Orange paint covers the block from its clean oil pan all the way to its 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.

Put this coupe on a lift and you'll find a fully restored chassis that looks much like it probably did when it rolled off the showroom floor. The pans retain their raw fiberglass coloration, free of overspray or undercoating. At the center, a rugged Borg Warner T-10 four-speed transmission, provides rock solid shifts behind the small block. Around the drivetrain, a fully restored double A-arm front and independent rear sports suspension is completely detailed down to its transverse rear spring. At the corners, standard equipment hydraulic drum brakes pair with manual steering direct and responsive handling. Above the rebuilt suspension original floor tubs are bolted to a straight and clean satin black frame. Power meets the road through standard 15-inch steel wheels which spin a fresh set of 6.70-15 Firestone bias ply tires around pristine correct corvette wheel covers.

Inside the car, a correct standard black vinyl interior provides a comfortable and luxurious place to log miles from. The seat covers, door panels and their chrome trim look as if they just left the showroom and show no signs of wear. Below the seats, the carpet looks fresh topped by matching heavy duty floor mats. In front of the driver, the stylish and sporty dual cowl dash houses a large 7,000 rpm redline tachometer and 160 mph speedometer alongside smaller gauges that track fuel, battery, temperature, and oil pressure. In the passenger's side cowl, a locking glove box is housed behind an attractive stainless panel that features a chrome “Corvette Sting ray” emblem. The middle of the dash flows to the center console and houses a correct radio and a continuous motion electric clock. Below the Delco battery, is an aluminum plate that was attached to the dash when the Corvette was fully restored in 1990. Control is offered through what appears to be the original three-spoke steering wheel, a chrome shifter, and plainspoken black pedals that hang nearly out of sight. Above the seats, a taut headliner rounds out the roof while, behind the seats, the cargo area is covered in the same rich black carpet as the rest of the interior.

This restored Vette is the kind of car that runs hard and wins trophies. Everyone loves split window Sting Rays, but some are A LOT nicer than others. If you've been searching for an awesome C2 to enjoy for years to come, you're looking at your next classic!