1963 Chevy Corvette Z06 Big Tank Split Window Auction Bound

by Brett Hatfield
— Aug 15, 2024

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The 1963 model year brought a clean-sheet redesign for the Chevy Corvette, which was called the Corvette Sting Ray. The new Corvette was based largely on the 1959 Sting Ray racer conceived by GM styling head Bill Mitchell with input from Pete Brock and Larry Shinoda. The coupe featured a center “spine” which bisected the rear window and ran rearward to the rear of the car, giving it the look of a stingray’s backbone.

The new Chevy Corvette was available in both convertible and coupe variants for the first time. Fenders were arched and widened, headlights were hidden until flipped up, and the rear end strongly resembled that of the 1961 and 1962 Corvettes. The frame was of a perimeter design, leaving behind the previous generation’s Safety Girder X-Frame. The rear suspension was fully independent with a transverse leaf spring. Hoods on 1963 Corvettes had faux vents toward the leading edge. Exterior door handles were mounted atop a raised pad, and coupes had stainless trim forward of the side wing windows. 21,513 Corvettes were built in 1963, 10,594 coupes and 10,919 convertibles.

The new Chevy Corvette interior was also completely revamped, with twin dash binnacles. The driver’s side of the dash was home to large, round, black-face speedometer and odometer, with recessed, bright finish centers. Smaller gauges included gas, battery, temperature, and oil pressure, all with similar finishes. Interior door release knobs and the shift knob were made of black plastic. Early in the production, radios were of the AM signal-seeking variety, but AM/FM radios would become available later in production. The passenger side of the dash featured a lockable glove box as opposed to the lockable storage compartment located between the seats in previous years. Early in 1963 production, the area around the glove box, radio speaker, and radio was painted, but switched to black vinyl covering during the year.

Chevy Corvette engine and transmission choices were largely held over from the previous year, save for the fuel injection units that were modified with larger redesigned intake plenums. During the production year, the four-speed manual transmission supplier was changed from Borg-Warner to Muncie.

RPO P48 Kelsey-Hayes knock-off aluminum wheels were supposed to be an available option for the 1963 Chevy Corvette, but there is some debate as to if any were delivered. Reasons cited for the delay in availability are wheels coming loose or losing air. Thirteen sets of the KH knock-offs with two-bar spinners are shown to have been delivered to race teams, but no sets have been documented as delivered to customers.

The Chevy Corvette Z06 Special Performance Equipment package initially was available only for coupes. The package price of $1,818.45 included RPO N03 36-gallon fuel tank and was supposed to include RPO P48 Kelsey Hayes knock-off wheels. Later in the production year, the Z06 package was reduced to $1,293.35, could be had separately from the wheel and big tank options, and was available in convertibles. Only 199 1963 Corvettes were built with the Z06 Special Performance Equipment package, and just 63 featured the 36-gallon fuel tank.

Chevy Corvettes ordered with RPO P92 whitewall tires would come with standard steel wheels painted black. When RPO P91 blackwall tires were specified, the steel wheels were painted body color. White cars generally had black steel wheels irrespective of tire option.

1963 was the first year for coding interior colors on trim tags. Codes were three numbers followed by one or two letters except for standard black vinyl.

Our feature 1963 Chevy Corvette Split Window Coupe is one of the 63 Corvettes built with the Z06 Special Performance Equipment Package that included the N03 36-gallon fuel tank. It has been the subject of a painstaking restoration, evidenced by a Bloomington Gold certification. The Corvette has recent service receipts totaling $11,000. Finished in brilliant Riverside Red over a black interior, it is powered by the L84 327 cubic-inch Small Block fed by Rochester Ramjet Mechanical Fuel Injection, producing 360 horsepower. Backing the fuelie 327 is a close-ratio four-speed gearbox. Heavy-duty drum brakes see to stopping duties. Included in the sale are multiple magazine articles featuring the Corvette and Bloomington Gold judging documents.