1963 Chevrolet Corvette 2291 Miles Riverside Red Convertible 327 cubic inch L76

1963 Chevrolet Corvette

The 1963 Corvette was easily the most influential car of the 1960s. There are others that were innovative and which may have pushed boundaries, but the all-new Sting Ray reset everything we knew about American performance and defined what the Corvette would be for the next 45 years. It changed the way American cars were designed and built and thanks to the patient ministrations of Zora Arkus Duntov, it was a legitimate performance vehicle taken to the next level. If the all-new mid-engined Corvette is the only way to make a Corvette faster in 2020, then this Sting Ray did the same thing in 1963. The fact that the Mid-Year or “C2” Corvettes remain the most popular models with Corvette fans is a testament to the transformational power of the 1963 Sting Ray. This awesome 1963 Corvette convertible is the car kids were dreaming about in the early ‘60s. Bright red, upgraded 340 horsepower solid-lifter engine, manual transmission, and a take-no-prisoners attitude make this car the one to own if you want a Corvette that does everything well. Not only is it matching-numbers with its original L76 327/340 engine, but it features a high-quality NCRS Top Flight restoration that was finished about 15 years ago. Code 923 Riverside Red is the car’s original color, and I’d argue that there aren’t many ways to make a Corvette look better than this. Refinished by Mark Murphy and his team of experts at Murphy’s Classic Restorations, the car still looks spectacular even after nearly fifteen years. It was purchased as an aborted project car, complete but disassembled. It took Murphy about a year to piece it back together, and you know you can’t trust anyone else’s work when you’re gunning for a Top Flight trophy, so everything had to be re-restored. The body was given a spectacular coat of Riverside Red that’s vivid and clear, the perfect red for America’s Sports Car. Fit and finish are surely better than new and panel gaps are excellent throughout. The chrome and stainless trim was professionally refinished at the same time and still looks great with very few signs of age, and all the rubber weather seals were replaced. As I said, even though this restoration is 15 years old and shows about 2300 miles, it still looks fantastic. The trim tag says this car was originally equipped with a code 490M red vinyl interior, so that is what went back inside when it was refinished. Accurate reproduction seat covers, carpets, door panels, and other details give it a correct look inside that remains quite crisp and ready to enjoy. Seats are firm thanks to new foam underneath and the red steering wheel was re-cast to look its best. All the gauges were restored, and you’ll note it carries a correct 6500 RPM redline tach, which was standard equipment with the high-revving solid lifter L76. All the gauges are fully operational, including the clock, and the AM/FM was still a rather unusual feature in 1963. The big chrome shifter for the 4-speed is a Corvette tradition that works just as great as it looks and seat belts were added for safety—always a good idea. This convertible seals up nicely thanks to a new white convertible top that still has its installation tag hanging on the rear seam, and the design is a model of simplicity, allowing you to stow the top in seconds. The engine is the original, numbers-matching RE-coded L76 327 cubic inch V8, which makes a rather significant 340 horsepower and the most wonderful mechanical soundtrack. Remarkably enough, the L76 uses the same solid lifter camshaft as the L84 fuelie, so it sounds awesome and loves to rev. For you numbers junkies, the details are all correct: carburetor (Carter AFB 3461S), alternator (1100628-37A), distributor (Delco 1111024), all on a 3782870 block. Other correct details include the finned aluminum valve covers with ‘340’ decals, an alternator with oversized aluminum pulley to help keep it alive, and blue stripe hoses with tower hose clamps. The engine bay is quite clean and tidy despite 2300 miles of driving, and even the exhaust manifolds—which were coated when it was restored—look great. It starts easily and makes an awesome mechanical sound on the road. This is a performance car, so it’s happiest when you’re running hard, but it’ll idle in traffic without getting cranky or loading up, and our experience with it says that it runs ice cold so have fun. Manual steering and brakes put you directly in touch with what the machinery is doing, and on a car this light, neither should be considered mandatory. This car is a whole lot of fun to drive! The Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission works as well here as anywhere else, racking through the gears with an indestructible feel that urges you to drive it hard. The ratios are well-matched to the L76’s powerband, and with 3.70 gears in back you’ll quickly learn that first gear is probably superfluous. This car is QUICK! The chassis was nicely detailed during the frame-off restoration and today shows only the most minor signs of use—some dirt here, some oozing grease on the ball joints, stuff like that. The front suspension was rebuilt and the rear suspension—which makes the C2 so remarkable—uses a correct transverse leaf spring and reproduction shocks. The raw fiberglass floors are in excellent condition and the reproduction dual exhaust system sounds just right. It cackles but never gets annoying. Brakes were still drums all around in ’63, but they’re plenty strong for the car’s modest weight and shouldn’t be considered a demerit, especially if you still want to show it. Steering is remarkably precise despite those vintage-looking 6.70-15 bias-ply whitewall tires. Documentation includes an original owner’s manual, protection plan booklet, and radio guide, a reproduction window sticker, Top Flight Award with judging sheets showing a score of 95.3 points, and a detailed photo album of the restoration. Everyone can agree that the ’63 Corvette was a landmark vehicle. They remain on every collector’s wish list and the best ones are accurately restored, correctly detailed, and authenticated by the top Corvette organizations. But even better, a sorted Corvette like this convertible is just a joy to drive. There’s nothing else quite like being in a bright red Corvette and running that high-revving small block through the gears, each shift picking up right where the last one left off. This fantastic red roadster gets it right on every single level. Call today! Harwood motors recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections on any vehicle in our inventory.

• Condition: Used
• Make: Chevrolet
• Model: Corvette
• Type: Convertible
• Year: 1963
• Mileage: 2291
• VIN: 30867S114347
• Color: Red
• Engine size: 327 cubic inch L76 V8
• Power options: --
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Automatic
• Drive type: --
• Interior color: Red
• Options: --
• Vehicle Title: Clean
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