Bloomington Gold 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Coupe L76 327/340 4-Speed

Description

Few Corvettes are as revered as the split window coupe. In 1963, Corvette’s stars aligned: the first C2 wore a seductive body, sat on a new chassis with an independent rear suspension, and was powered by stout 327s. But it was a split rear window that made this car legend.

Zora Arkus-Duntov’s chassis had both strength, and a low center of gravity. It was complemented with a fully independent suspension, as well as four engine options and manual or automatic transmissions. The L76 reigned as the most powerful carbureted 327, utilizing a high-lift cam and high compression to make 340 horsepower.

Sending those ponies through a four-speed resulted in high-5-second 0–60 mph runs. However, testers were most impressed with the new IRS. Road & Track exclaimed, “In a word, the new Sting Ray sticks! Whether you slam the car through an S-bend at 85 or pop the clutch at 5000 rpm at the drag strip, the result is the same—great gripping gobs of traction.” 

This stunning 1963 split window coupe was Bloomington Gold Certified in 1988, and underwent a comprehensive restoration in 2015. It is one of only 3,475 Corvettes finished in Daytona Blue paint, it’s equipped with a 340-horsepower 327 and a four-speed, and its 93,131 miles are believed to be original.

Highlights 

• Highly-original 1963 split window coupe 

• (L76) 327 cu-in Chevrolet V8 rated at 340 hp and 344 lb-ft of torque 

• RE-code 11.25:1 engine with large-port heads, domed pistons, high-lift camshaft, solid lifters, and a four-barrel carb 

• (M20) four-speed manual transmission with a 2.20 first gear 

• Finished in (916A) Daytona Blue with (490J) Dark Blue vinyl interior 

• (G81) Positraction axle with 3.70 gears 

• (U65) Wonder Bar radio   

• The chassis number (30837S108541) decodes as: 

  • 3 – 1963 

  • 08 – Corvette 

  • 37 – 2 Door Coupe 

  • S – St. Louis, Missouri assembly plant 

  • 108541 – Sequential production number   

• The trim tag decodes as: 

  • F2 – Second week of February 1963 build date  

  • 63-837 – 1963 coupe 

  • 4723 – Body production number  

  • 916A – Daytona Blue paint  

  • 490J – Dark Blue vinyl trim    

• The engine casting and pad stamping numbers decode as: 

  • 3782870 – Casting number 

  • 3108541 – 1963, VIN derivative  

  • F0I29 – Flint, Michigan January 29, 1963 assembly date 

  • RE – 1963 Corvette 327/340 4-barrel manual trans 

Features 

• 15-inch knockoff wheels wearing whitewall tires 

• Four wheel drum brakes 

• Four wheel independent suspension with coil spring front, three-link rear  

• 160-mph speedometer, 7,000-rpm tachometer, oil pressure, coolant temp, voltage, and fuel level gauges, with clock 

• Pre-sale maintenance includes: 

  • Oil and filter change 

  • Spark plugs and plug wires replaced 

  • Distributor rotor and condenser replaced 

Included 

• Binders with awards, reports, service records, judging scorecards, correct parts, and date codes

• Owner’s manual, owner protection plan booklet, and Wonder Bar radio booklet

• Restoration and maintenance receipts

Ownership History

The consignor states, “This 1963 Chevrolet Corvette split-window coupe was refurbished in 2015, and purchased by the current owner in 2024. It is now offered on their behalf in New Jersey with a 1988 Bloomington Gold Certified award, service records, and a clean Montana title in the name of the current owner’s LLC.”

“The fiberglass body was finished at the factory in Daytona Blue (916) and was refinished during the aforementioned refurbishment, with close-up exterior photos shown in the gallery. Silver-finished 15-inch steel wheels feature three-eared knock-off spinner-style hubcaps, and are mounted with whitewall tires.”

“The three-spoke steering wheel frames a 160-mph speedometer and a 7,000-rpm tachometer, as well as gauges for amperage, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows 93,131 miles.”