1963 Chevrolet Corvette 327/340 Sting Ray Convertible

Description

Road & Track magazine stated in 1963, “As a purely sporting car, the new Corvette will know few peers on road or track.” A seductive body inspired by the aquatic Sting Ray was mounted upon a thoroughly redesigned chassis featuring four-wheel independent suspension for the first time. Powerful 327 cu-in V8 engines in multiple states of performance provided motivation. The new second-generation C2 Corvette was created from top to bottom to be a world-class sports car.

This Daytona Blue 1963 Sting Ray Convertible was ordered with just one option: the performance solid-lifter L76 340 horsepower V8 for $107.60, the highest horsepower engine without fuel injection that year. A three-speed manual transmission was standard as were blackwall tires, and while most buyers kicked in the $188.40 for the four-speed, this is one of 59 L76 Corvettes built with the standard transmission (a four-speed is now installed, but a three-speed and shifter is included). It is also a rare radio delete Corvette, with less than five percent ordered that way in 1963. Then again, with that 340-horse symphony under the hood, who needs a radio? An older restoration optioned with just the essentials; this 1963 Sting Ray Convertible is truly a pure sporting Corvette.

Highlights

• Unusual single-option C2 Corvette Sting Ray

• High-performance L76 327 cu-in V8 with single four-barrel carburetor delivering 340 horsepower believed to be the original engine

• Rare standard three-speed manual transmission (now four-speed equipped)

• Rare radio delete (one of 967 so equipped for 1963)

• Finished in Daytona Blue over a Dark Blue interior and black cloth top

• The chassis number (30867S116813) decodes as:

  • 3 - 1963

  • 08 - Corvette

  • 67 - Convertible

  • S - St. Louis, Missouri, final assembly plant

  • 116813 - Production number with an approximate build date of June 1963

• The Body by Chevrolet Tag decodes as:

  • Style: 63 867 – 1963 Corvette convertible

  • Body: 8263 – Body production number

  • Paint: 916A – Daytona Blue

  • Trim: 490B ­­– Dark Blue

  • Date: J1 ­– First week of June 1963

Features

• This 1963 Corvette features components with the following part numbers and date codes:

  • Front engine pad: 3116813 F0423RE (Flint April 23, 340hp)

  • Block casting number: 3782870

  • Block casting date: D 8 3

  • Head casting numbers: 3782461 (both)

  • Head casting dates: D103 (right), D1 3 (left)

  • Intake casting number: 3794129

  • Carburetor: Tag 3461S D3 (date); main body 0-1552; air horn 6-1518; choke housing 170-786; stamped on right front of carb 3461S CD3

  • Water neck stamped: 3827370 (cast iron)

  • Distributor band: 1111024; date: 3 C 18

  • Coil: 091

  • Crankshaft pulley: 3766987

  • Alternator: 1100628; date: 3 F 3

  • Expansion tank cap: AC 307 13#

  • Expansion tank: 3155416; date: 63E

  • Radiator: 3155316; date: 63E

  • Differential: CA 5 17 63 (3.36:1) date: 17 May 1963

  • Wheels mounted on car: 15x5 1/2K; date: 5 63

  • Horns: 9000455 & 9000456

  • Bellhousing: 3788421

  • Voltage regulator: 1119512; date: 3E

  • Horn relay: 824

  • Windshield=GC (April 1963)

  • Right vent glass=XC (Feb 1963)

  • Left vent glass= GC (April 1963)

  • Right and left door glass= CJ (May 1963)

• Recently replaced master cylinder, front and rear wheel cylinders and rear brake shoes

• Power-operated, retractable headlights

• Manual convertible top with fiberglass cover

• New torsionally stiffer frame

• Four-wheel independent suspension

• Hydraulic self-adjusting brakes

• Full instrumentation including speedometer, tachometer, trip odometer, ammeter, oil pressure, fuel and temperature gauges

• A center console housing an electric clock, ashtray, and heater controls

• Crank operated windows

• Blended air heater

• Cowl inlet ventilation system

• Electric windshield wipers

• Push-button windshield washer

• Parking brake alarm

• Two concealed compartments under the rear luggage area

Known Imperfections

• Very small chip in windshield

• Two small chips in paint on left rear fender

Included

• Three-speed manual transmission and shifter

• NCRS Shipping Data Report

• Owner’s guide

Ownership History

The GM official Production Date of this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 327/340 Convertible was 6 June 1963. The delivery dealer was High Motor Sales, New Washington, Ohio. When removing the black paint from the wheels during restoration the factory Daytona Blue paint was uncovered. According to NCRS there were only 412 Corvettes delivered with this option in 1963. The wheels were painted exterior body color on Corvettes delivered with black wall tires from the factory (whitewall tires were a $31.55 option). The wheels are now painted the correct Daytona Blue, and the dates on the wheels are all 5/63. According to a previous owner it is believed the first or second owner replaced the original three-speed transmission, and it was not retained. Note there is no ignition shielding on the engine since this is a “radio delete” Corvette.