Frame Off Restored Corvette Sting Ray Split Window 327/360 HP FI V8 4 Speed

SUMMARY

* 327 cubic inch L84 V8
* Correct Rochester fuel injection
* Correct Dark Blue paint
* Muncie 4-speed manual transmission
* Posi-traction rear axle / 3.70 gears
* Standard Black interior
* Wonder Bar radio
* 15-inch turbine wheels

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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 fully restored piece that wears correct Dark Blue paint, a 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!

BODYWORK/TRIM

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 very evident that they painstakingly ensured the car's body was clean, laser-straight and much nicer than any factory-correct original. And finally, everything was layered in correct Dark Blue base, sealed in glossy clear and buffed to a fantastic, wet-look shine.

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 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. At the sides of that hood, a sleek 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 behind 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, Deluxe taillights, two more 'razor blade' bumpers and traditional stainless exhaust tips.

ENGINE

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 11 to 1 compression into an advertised 360 horsepower. At the top of the spry mill, a big, AC-branded air tube funnels wind in to a vintage Rochester injection system that's threaded onto a small AC fuel filter and clean stainless fluid 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 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 polished 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 Delco alternator, a Harrison overflow tank and a reproduction Delco battery ensure this Chevy runs every bit as good as it looks.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

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. At the center of that chassis, a rugged Muncie 4-speed utilizes a factory posi-traction rear end to spin big, 3.70 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, painted 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. And at the edges of those brakes, torque flows to the pavement through requisite turbines, which lap 205-15 Michelin radial whitewalls around bright chrome spinners.

INTERIOR

Open the tossable doors and you'll find a Standard Black interior that was fitted during the car's meticulous restoration. Firm vinyl 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, an old school Wonder Bar radio and an aluminum-trimmed glove box. Below that clock, color-keyed mats and heavy-duty sills protect like-new carpet. Above those sills, stainless-trimmed door panels hang small armrests between traditional handles and stylish accents. And in front of the driver, a satin-spoke steering wheel laps a classy cross-flag emblem.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Before we wrap things up, here's a quick look at the car's VIN and Data Plate:

VIN: 30837SXXXXXX
* 3: 1963 model year
* 08: Chevrolet Corvette
* 37: 2-door sports coupe
* S: Assembled in St. Louis
* XXXXXX: Production Sequence Number

Data Plate:
* F5: Assembled during the fifth (5) week of February (F), 1963
* 63: 1963 model year
* 837: 2-door sports coupe
* 5339: Sequential body number
* 490J: Dark Blue vinyl interior
* 916A: Dark Blue paint

The market certainly has no shortage of softened pro-tourers, but sympathetically revitalized pieces like this classy coupe are becoming an increasing rarity. With its fuel injected 327, tough Muncie 4-speed and list of carefully chosen replacement components, 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 own this impressive Sting Ray!