1963 Corvette Split Window Fuelie Coupe, Harry Mann Chevrolet, Big Brake Car

Price: - Item location: Corona, California, United States
Description:

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe

1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe, "Harry Mann Chevrolet," Big Brake, Survivor, Fuelie
With a build date of 12/13/62, this SWC was originally sold by Harry Mann Chevrolet in Los Angeles (dealer code 20-307). Harry Mann was known for selling high performance cars to privateer race drivers of the area, and specialized in fuel injected cars-one of the few dealerships with a fuel injection mechanic on staff.
Presented in its original 941 Sebring Silver paint (repainted in mid-1970's) with Dark Blue interior.
It has J65 "big" brakes, including the very rare Kelsey Hayes E48327 R1 master cylinder (recently rebuilt while leaving original patina untouched), 3841825 front drums, 3841832 rear drums, vented backing plates, "elephant ear" intake ducts, internal cooling fins, and sintered metallic brake pads. It presently has a set of modern material brake pads installed for drivability, but the original sintered metallic ones will go with the car. This big brake kit is pure "unobtanium" and worth many thousands of dollars to collectors.
It also has the heavy duty Delco Hayes front and rear shocks, 305lb 7 leaf spring in the rear, 550lb heavy duty front springs, and large anti-sway bar in the front.
I do not believe this is an original ZO6 car, but it does have all the correct equipment of a "small tank" ZO6. The big brakes and suspension items could have been installed at Harry Mann Chevrolet, or by a later owner. I have not been able to confirm one or the other, so I make no representations as to when they were installed.
I have owned the car for two years, and the prior California owner purchased it in 1980. Registration receipts are maintained dating back to that purchase, and will go with the car, along with the original owner's manual which is missing a cover. My research shows it has always been a California car, and the owner prior to him was an engineer from Los Angeles who worked for Northrop.
Very solid body and frame. No rust issues, and no major accidents. The fiberglass is very clean, all windows are original with proper markings, and all bonding strips are in place.
It is in "survivor" condition aside from the following: repaint in mid-1970's, engine rebuilt in 2016, transmission rebuilt in 2016, rear end rebuilt in 2016, new one-piece N11 off road exhaust, new clutch. Essentially, I wanted to have it mechanically restored while leaving the vintage patina.
The fuel injection unit was recently reconditioned by noted expert John Marquardt, being sure to leave the "blued" patina on the very original and hard to find FI unit. The numbers on the unit are: Serial 1599, Part 7017375.
The following numbers are on the vehicle: Engine 3104947 FII28RF; Block 3782870; Heads 3782461 date coded K 13 2; Differential 11 12 62 (G81 Posi unit presently has 3:36 gears but the original 4:11 gears will go with the car...they were changed out for drivability); Trans WM423 3104947 4-speed Borg Warner; Headers 3797942; Intake 3826810.
It has original P48 Kelsey Hayes 3-bar aluminum knock off wheels in excellent condition. Stamp on wheels is K-H D-49985. Date stamp is illegible but you can see where it once was, at the time it was stamped in ink, not stamped into the aluminum. Original hubs, nuts, and unrestored spinners in excellent condition.
Working U65 Wonderbar radio. Brand new Goodyear vintage tires. Original (5 bolt) spare and jack. Lead hammer for knock-offs.
This car runs and drives great.
Flaws: It has a couple of small (1/8-3/4") dings in the paint here and there, the original carpet is pulled up in a couple of places, it has aftermarket headrests that seem to have been installed in the 70's, and it has the wrong date coded alternator and radiator. My intent was not to have a "trailer queen" but a survivor car that runs like a top that I could leave in the parking lot or lean against without any worries.
Vehicle sold as is, where it is.
Car is available for PPI in Corona, California. Call to arrange, or with any questions whatsoever, feel free to text or call: (949) 683-8373 Vince

On Oct-06-17 at 08:02:33 PDT, seller added the following information:

Ok folks, because several people have asked a question about the pulled back carpet, or the small ding on the door, I will just post a response to everyone here to save myself some time. This is a survivor car aside from the repaint in the mid-1970's. The car has not been unmated from the frame. These collector cars are only original once, and this car does have patina, but that's what makes it such a great and special car. And collectors such as myself are finally starting to recognize the value in that after about 20 years of restored cars being the trend. Look around and try to find an un-restored car in good or excellent condition and you will begin to understand the value in them. A car in this condition has been babied, loved, and well cared for during its entire existence. It has had very few owners, and it has not been sold around or traded dozens of times. Cars like this just are not available anymore. Check the listings for yourself. I will say this...a restored car will never be like an original car. They look, drive, feel and even smell different, and you always have to worry about scratches and dirt. I know this because I have restored cars and owned restored cars in the past. When I found this car, the value was in the fact that it had been maintained but untouched for many years. I wanted to restore it mechanically while leaving the patina, and drive and enjoy it. That's one reason why I put original '68 Goodyear "Shelby" bias ply tires on it instead of '63 Goodyear bias ply tires which track heavily and don't drive well at all. And that's what you get. This car is always the hit of the events I take it to, much to the chagrin on the owners of restored cars who are present. Sorry guys :).
Now, the above being said, if you want new carpet, you can easily buy a new $500 carpet kit and have fun installing it over the weekend. And, if someone would want to restore the car, then that's a possibility as well. Because the body is so straight and the frame is un-rusted, un-pitted and un-damaged, and all the parts are present, it would make a great candidate. But, again, my opinion is, "why" when this car is so great and special as-is?
Lastly, as to the "big" brake kit and original Kelsey-Hayes three-bar knock off wheels, yes these are rare parts. I know this. I have gotten several emails from individuals asking me to sell them separately. I will not. This car will be sold as-is. It's a wonderful car, and it drives well, and I don't want to be a part of changing that. But, the new purchaser should know that yes, these parts are valuable. The brake kit is worth about 15-20K, and the rims with tires about 10K. There is not a big brake kit available for purchase anywhere in the world at this moment. Especially the master cylinder, which is the rarest of the parts and commands a high price all on its own.
Happy bidding.

Vehicle Details:
  • Make: Chevrolet
  • Model: Corvette
  • SubModel: Fuelie
  • Type: Coupe
  • Trim: Split Window Coupe
  • Year: 1963
  • Mileage: 64,157
  • VIN: 30837S104947
  • Color: Silver
  • Engine size: 327/360HP Fuel Injected
  • Number of cylinders: 8
  • Power options: Power Windows, Fuel Injected
  • Fuel: Gasoline
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Drive type: RWD
  • Interior color: Blue
  • Drive side: Left-hand drive
  • Options: J65 Big Brakes
  • Vehicle Title: Clear
  • Want to buy? Contact seller!