mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

1963 Chevy Corvette Harley Earl Styling Car Kissimmee Auction Bound

Harley J. Earl was born in Hollywood, California in late November, 1893. He learned automotive styling working for his father at Earl Automobile Works, the family’s coachbuilding business. Harley eventually left to work for General Motors in 1925, designing the new body for LaSalle. Earl was an innovator in automotive styling, introducing the concept of integrated hood and fenders, using modeling clay in concept development, and he was the driving force behind the creation of the Chevy Corvette. Earl would later be recognized as the second most influential man in automotive history behind Henry Ford.

Harley Earl saw the influx of European sports cars to the United States after World War II. Many of the American troops who served in Europe became enamored with the small, light performance cars, and were having them shipped to the US. Earl spearheaded the effort to develop a GM sports car. The Chevy Corvette had beautiful styling, and with the wisdom of Zora Arkus-Duntov, would become a legitimate performer.

Harley Earl retired from GM after 33 years, near the end of the first-generation Chevy Corvette’s run. Though the second-gen Corvette development was under way before Earl left, he didn’t get to have one as a company car before his retirement. Earl’s replacement, Bill Mitchell, had a special Corvette built for Mr. Earl. Shop Order #10323 was the twin to the Corvette that was featured at the 1964 World’s Fair.

The 1963 Chevy Corvette convertible was stuffed full of unique equipment and touches. It featured four-wheel disc brakes that would not be available on Corvettes until the 1965 model year, a 1964 Corvette hood, emblems that would be used on 1965 Corvettes, three-bar knock-off wheels, fuel injection, unique side exhaust, special exterior badging, and air conditioning. Originally red over red, the colors were changed to Earl’s favorite shade of Bright Blue Metallic with a white stripe over blue and white leather interior. The dash panels were re-finished in white, with extra gauges added including an accelerometer, vacuum gauge, interior and exterior temp gauges, and an oil temp gauge.

The 1963 Chevy Corvette was delivered to Harley Earl at his West Palm Beach, Florida home. Earl drove the car frequently, even using it as a pace car when he was invited to be the Grand Marshal at the 1965 Daytona 500. The Sting Ray has been featured in numerous magazine articles and special displays, including the 2011 Bloomington Gold Great Hall. The Corvette has cemented its place in Corvette history.

This stunning one-of-a-kind 1964 Chevy Corvette special will cross the Mecum Auctions block at their Kissimmee, Florida event taking place January 2nd through the 14th.

Subscribe to GM Authority for more Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. I remember that car as I sat in it when it was at Roger Dean Chevrolet on Old Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, FL.
    My 64 Impala SS 327 300 HP was in for service. While waiting I walked around the lot and found that car sitting there.
    Not locked, so I hopped in it for a bit to check it out. It really was a cool car for it’s time with all the extra gadgets on it. Mr. Earl lived on the ocean in Palm Beach and they also had a Pearlescent Pink 63-64 Coupe coupe sitting in the driveway. Maybe it was his wife’s. I never got close to that one though. Those were the days.

    Reply
  2. Sweet ! Thank you for your inspiration Harley.

    Reply
  3. Absolutely, positively stunning. She must be kept in a museum of sorts, for all to see, on a permanent display……hint, hint, National Corvette Museum.

    Reply
  4. Harley Earl is probably rolling over in his grave …..

    Reply
  5. I remember that car in the late 80’s when it was in the collection of the Dominos Pizza founder’s car museum in Ann Arbor Michigan. Nice car. I wonder if it has been restored since the late 80’s? Years ago the Owner of Pro Team Corvettes in Ohio bought it for a client, but he wouldn’t tell me whom. Maybe that buyer is the seller now?

    Reply
  6. It may have had fuel injection when initially produced, but it certainly does not now, looking at the engine pictures.

    Reply
    1. It was fuel injected when built for Mr. Earl.

      Reply
  7. Bob gold and rich dampman restored it in late 70s early 80 found it at carlise pa after they were done they took it to for 4 wheel alignment. 1 bad ass car kennet square pa.

    Reply
  8. I always considered this Corvette to be more bill Mitchell over Harley

    Reply
    1. This C2 Vette design was definitely Bill Mitchell. I believe this is sort of tribute edition to Mr. Earl.

      IMO, Bill Mitchell was the last truly great GM chief. By that I mean nearly everything that came out of Design Staff under his watch was the design leader (or close to it) in each of their respective segments. Everyone else was playing catch up. The General really was the General.

      Mitchell’s successor, Irv Rybicki did well but didn’t have the consistency of Mitchell’s group.

      I worked with three design heads after Irv and was generally disappointed in Design Staff’s lack design innovation and feel for consumer tastes that once made GM great.

      Reply
      1. Upvoted, but with a mild disagreement. More and more, I’m a fan of GM design headed by their Chief, Ed Wellburn. Right now, I’m watching an hour plus interview of Mr Wellburn and he speaks of his 2006 Camaro Concept as showing the world (and the people within GM) that they can make an exciting vehicle again, if they want to.

        I like what GM Design under his direction, did with the Corvette Stingray study, which predated the upcoming C7. Also a fan of Chuck Jordan; whose varied history includes the Opel Aero GT design study, Opel Manta A (during his time as design Chief of Opel) and later, the C5 Corvette design, (penned by John Cafaro).

        Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel