How much of a gamble is this barn-stored ’63 Corvette?
“It was a great sale for gamblers, and some of them could’ve come up aces.” So said Dave Kinney, publisher of the Hagerty Price Guide, of Gooding’s Estate of Mark Smith auction. He added, however, that other bidders may have bought into some cars that needed serious reconditioning before they’d be back on the road.
Which brings us to this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster, bought for $52,640, including fees. Did the buyer nab a winning hand with this nicely appointed second-gen Vette?
Let’s see how the deck stacks up. 1963 was a good year for Corvette. Chevy kicked off its sports car’s second generation with a design now considered to be among the best to come off an American assembly line. But that was the coupe with its famous split window; ’63 convertibles, while attractive, have never carried the same panache.
Despite that, this 54,000-mile convertible example acquits itself well with some attractive options. Equipped with air conditioning, a hardtop, and the 340-hp L76 327 cubic-inch engine—second only to the 360-hp Fuelie 327 that year—the Smith Corvette was an attractive configuration. From the photographs, the paint looked good from afar but showed its age up close. The interior appeared worn but serviceable, and the engine bay featured a mix of fresh-looking bits and items that could use some reconditioning. The real wildcard, however, was that the car’s mechanical condition, like that of many other vehicles in the auction, was unknown.
Values of condition #1 (concours-ready) L76 convertibles are up just 11 percent since 2018, to $136,000, but the condition #4 (Fair) values have been on the move, up 47 percent to $53,500. Factor in another $12,500 for this car’s optional A/C (likely dealer installed) and $3700 for the hardtop, and this car could fetch $69,700 if it were in #4 condition. It appears the sale price baked in at least some of the unknowns.
This car is a good reminder that the Corvette market has long been big enough to serve different enthusiast groups. Condition #1 values for a best-of-the-best 1963 Split-Window with a fuel-injected 327 cubic-inch engine is up 42 percent since 2018 to $327,000, while the condition #4 value is up 18 percent to $111,000.
Compare that to the values of the L76 convertible (and the knowledge that there are drivetrain options out there with even more approachable values), and it appears that the collectors are pursuing the perfect fuelie Split-Windows, while the drivers/home restorers are going for the convertibles.
We hope this one finds its way back to the road for some top-down fun.
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Via Insider
The picture from the rear of this Corvette confirms that this is not a factory A/C car (no center vent and accompanying knobs on the dash).
Being a 340HP 327 it has solid lifters with was not offered with factory A/C, this engine was the same as the FI with a Carter AFB carb, my brother had a new red 63 roadster with a 340 hp and a 4 speed, quick car back in the day. No cars with solid lifters from the big three were offered with factory A/C
Would have been nice to see under the hood? And open the door?
I would rather have the split window, but then we are not talking about 52k!
Is there a question here? Even short on details, the mechanicals are not the question. I agree with the comments above. Baring structural damage that is as hidden as it is extensive, I don’t understand the question.
Yes? Of course? Obviously? If you want a Corvette, at this price does it matter if there are problems?
And, me? I would be much more interested in the lovely Aurelia (?) behind the Vette.
But what about the Lancia Aurelia peaking out from behind the ‘Vette??
Car Highlights
A Lovely Roadster from the First Year of C2 Corvette Production
Desirably Equipped with the RPO L76 Engine
Highly Original Condition and Showing Just 54,520 Miles when Catalogued
Technical Specs
327 CID RPO L76 V-8 Engine
Single Carter 4-Barrel Carburetor
340 BHP at 6,000 RPM
4-Speed Muncie M20 Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
Front Independent Coil-Spring Suspension
Rear Independent Suspension with Transverse Leaf Spring
from the auction site
too much, paint and chrome looks bad
Well as the buyer of the 8255 mile, factory original down to her Dunlops, 1955 MG TF-1500 at the same auction I can say this. A change of fluids, a flush of the fuel system, and she fired right up. Still working thru it all but I’m hoping to get her accepted as a Survivor to Hilton Head in November. 100 years of MG is one of the headline marquees.
WOW As an owner of a TF 1500 (build date October 11&12 1954 #7427) I would love to see that one. A link to the sale?
According to the information on Goodings website concerning the Mark Smith auction the car was a 4 speed car having been purchased from a dealer in 2019. Maybe it hasn’t been sitting as long as you think and with a little work will fire right up. I can’t see how the new owner can lose.
I think it’s a good buy. Mostly original car 327, Muncie four-speed, Great color survivor car, has the original hard top. it will likely only need fluids, brakes, tires, belts, and rubber parts replaced. Please put this classic Chevrolet on the road where it belongs!
Good grief. Pictures would tell the story (since you didn’t). Pretty sure most of us know what a rear view mirror & badges look like. Engine bay & interior would have told (most of us) if it was aftermarket air & what transmission it has. Anybody buying a vintage Vette & not knowing if it is numbers matching before bidding is a fool. That information (as well as vin#) is not hard to figure out. OBTW : My favorite color on a 63.
No bargain at that price ! I’d rather have a 1966 -69 Coupe 427 4 speed car
Interesting that it was said this car had AC. The detailed pictures from the auction do not show any A/C equipment. There is not a compressor, ducting, controls and no center console vent. Not only is it not an A/C car it could not have been given the engine configuration of 340HP as you could not get A/C on the higher HP motors. Additionally A/C was not available on 1963 models until approximately VIN 13000 this car is VIN 8374. If it runs and drives it looks like a nice survivor.