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1963 Chevrolet Corvette Fastback Coupe

  • Chassis Number: 30837S105479
  • Engine Number: 3105479 F11126RF
Amazingly, it would be a decade before the Corvette would be made available as a coupe and not just a convertible. The excitement around this option, especially when combined with the new Stingray design, would cause a great deal of excitement. However, this excitement would be somewhat muted, given the lack of rearward visibility. As a result of the dislike of the split rear window, Chevrolet would create the next year's model with a single wrap-around window. They likely didn't know they created a collector car right there at that moment.

What wasn't there to like about the new Stingray design. There were the fenders, the doors, disappearing headlights and that coupe styling to finish it all off. But it would be more than that. A fiberglass shell kept the weight of the car down and then there was the independent rear axle and Rochester-injected 327 cubic inch V-8. Boasting of a zero-to-60 time of less than 6 seconds and a zero-to-100mph time of a little more than 16 seconds, the new Stingray design was a unique blend of performance and looks, something American sports cars lacked in great quantities.

In 1963, Chevrolet sold more than 21,000 Corvettes. Some 10,594 of those sold would be the new coupe design. Chassis 105479 would be one of those '63 model Stingrays produced with the split rear window.

Actually, this particular chassis would be built in December of 1962 and would end up being finished in 916A Daytona Blue. The interior would be finished with 898A Saddle leather.

This particular version would be completed with more than enough power at its disposal. Ordered with the optional L84 360hp engine and 4-speed manual transmission, this Stingray was one of those capable of some truly emotional performance.

Some of the other extras that came with the car when production was finished included Kelsey Hayes knock-off aluminum wheels, power windows and N11 side exhausts.

Such a car couldn't go to just anyone right? Interestingly, the car's first owner would be a 16-year-old woman from Florida. In an attempt by her father to have her rid her life of a flame-painted Chevy sedan, he would promise his daughter she could have any car she desired. He perhaps wanted to rethink that offer after she determined she wanted the L84-powered Corvette Stingray.

It would be quite obvious Sherry Morris respected her father. Her father would be true to his word and would purchase the car for her. She would turn around and keep the car with her for the next two decades. In fact, it wouldn't be until she ran into some health issues that she would determine to sell the car.

In August of 1983, the car would pass to just its second owner, Jay Smith. Smith wouldn't retain the Corvette as long as Morris. He would end up selling the car to Scott Marshall of Bountiful, Utah. Marshall would immediately set to work on a body-off restoration that would take 1300 hours and more than $30,000 to complete. Amazingly, one of the components that would not be touched during the restoration effort would be the powerful V-8. It would be determined the engine didn't need to undergo the work in the first place.

Whether Bruce and Ralene Strauss agreed or not, they would purchase the car from Marshall. They would continue the restoration efforts starting in May of 1989 and spending some $50,000 over the course of the process. The fruit from the labor would include a feature in Super Chevy magazine and a nearly two-decade love affair.

The well-known collector Tony Hart would recognize the caliber of 105479 and would buy the car in 2009 through Corvette Mike located in Anaheim, California. Hart would take full advantage of the Stingray enjoying the phenomenal power from this collector Corvette.

Sporting a well-known owner history that includes Tony Hart, original matching numbers, the iconic split rear window, and a couple of heavily-invested restorations and this 1963 Corvette Stingray is certainly a fine example of the first coupe version of the Corvette.

Offered to the public for sale as part of Bonhams' 2015 Quail Lodge auction, the 1963 Corvette Stingray, chassis 105479 would end up selling for a healthy $209,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Jeremy McMullen
This 'Split-Window' Stingray Coupe was built in the third week of December in 1962 and left the factory finished in 916A Daytona Blue paint over an 898A Saddle leather interior. Under the hood were the optional L84 360 horsepower engine package, M20 four-speed manual transmission, P48 Kelsey Hayes knock-off aluminum wheels, A31 power windows, and N11 side exhausts. It was purchased new by a 16-year-old Florida woman named Sherry Morris. She would retain the car for some 20 years before ill health forced her to sell it in August of 1983. The second caretaker was Jay Smith who had the car treated to a four-year, body-off restoration that took 1300 man-hours of labor and $33,000 to complete. Bruce and Ralene Strauss of Irvine, California, purchased the restored car in May 1989, for $50,000. The following year, their car was featured in 'Super Chevy' magazine. The car remained with the Strauss's until early 2009 when Tony Hart purchased it through Corvette Mike in Anaheim, California, where it had been consigned.

Currently, the car has just 27,621 miles on the odometer.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2015

2015 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $130,000-USD $160,000 
Sale Price :
USD $209,000

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Chevrolet Corvette

(Data based on Model Year 1963 sales)
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe
Chassis#: 30837s102551
Sold for USD$247,500
  2024 Mecum : Glendale
 
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe
Chassis#: 30837s114963
Sold for USD$203,500
  2024 Mecum : Glendale
 
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe
Chassis#: 30837s107600
Sold for USD$143,000
  2024 Mecum : Glendale
 
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe
Chassis#: 30837s109629
Sold for USD$176,000
  2024 Mecum : Glendale
 
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe
Chassis#: 30837s106090
Sold for USD$173,250
  2024 Mecum : Glendale
 
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe
Chassis#: 30837s112313
Sold for USD$143,000
  2024 Mecum : Glendale
 
1963 Chevrolet Corvette 'Split Window' Coupe 327/340
Chassis#: 30837S108769
Sold for USD$190,400
  2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia
 
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 'Split-Window' Coupe
Chassis#: 30837S116260
Sold for USD$235,200
  2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami
 
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Convertible
Chassis#: 30867S113501
Sold for USD$81,217
  2024 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde a Paris
 
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: 30867S101154
Sold for USD$143,000
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: 30867S118741
Sold for USD$288,200
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE
Chassis#: AZ381538
Sold for USD$110,000
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 327/360 Z06 SPLIT-WINDOW COUPE
Chassis#: 30837S113873
Sold for USD$330,000
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 327/250 SPLIT-WINDOW COUPE
Chassis#: 30837S107968
Sold for USD$154,000
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE SPLIT-WINDOW COUPE
Chassis#: 30837S107861
Sold for USD$319,000
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM SPLIT-WINDOW COUPE
Chassis#: 30837S101128
Sold for USD$401,500
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM SPLIT-WINDOW COUPE
Chassis#: 30837S111289
Sold for USD$68,200
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE SPLIT-WINDOW CUSTOM COUPE
Chassis#: 30837S112084
Sold for USD$135,300
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM SPLIT-WINDOW COUPE
Chassis#: 30837S110305
Sold for USD$308,000
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM SPLIT-WINDOW COUPE
Chassis#: 30837S112031
Sold for USD$231,000
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 

Chevrolet Corvettes That Failed To Sell At Auction

1963 Chevrolet Corvette's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1190332024 Mecum : Glendale$170,000$275,000$325,000
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1058852024 Mecum : Glendale$140,000$180,000$200,000
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible30867s1009272024 Mecum : Glendale$50,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1120842024 Mecum : Glendale$100,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837S1160012024 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction $80,000$140,000
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Custom30837s1034612024 Mecum : Kissimmee$425,000$650,000$750,000
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1136602024 Mecum : Kissimmee$120,000$200,000$225,000
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1095062024 Mecum : Kissimmee$140,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible30867s1193042024 Mecum : Kissimmee$62,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1060782024 Mecum : Kissimmee$425,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible30867s1134962024 Mecum : Kissimmee$70,000$100,000$120,000
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible30867s1089072024 Mecum : Kissimmee$100,000$165,000$175,000
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1115422024 Mecum : Kissimmee$135,000$150,000$175,000
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1059712024 Mecum : Kissimmee$145,000$300,000$350,000
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1055642024 Mecum : Kissimmee$145,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1017322024 Mecum : Kissimmee$360,000$450,000$500,000
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible30867s1165312023 Mecum : Chattanooga$45,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible30867s1115142023 Mecum : Chattanooga$55,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1107542023 Mecum : Dallas$230,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible30867s1111722023 Mecum : Dallas$107,500  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1205632023 Mecum : Dallas$130,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Coupe30837S1169392023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center $150,000$180,000
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1036792023 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special 2023   
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible30867s1141062023 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special 2023$60,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1114472023 Mecum : Indy$150,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible30867s1081772023 Mecum : Indy$35,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1107542023 Mecum : Indy$260,000$300,000$350,000
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupetex1139742023 Mecum : Indy$90,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1142642023 Mecum : Indy$135,000  
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe30837s1092942023 Mecum : Indy$120,000  

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1963 Chevrolet Corvette

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