1963 Chevrolet Corvette Harley Earl Styling Convertible

General Motors' shop order 10323 is known as the Harley Earl Car. Earl was the Vice President of Design for General Motors. He joined GM in 1928 and retired in 1958. Over his 30-year career, Earl became one of the most influential automotive stylists in the world. His best-known innovations include the 1927 LaSalle redesign, the Buick Y-Job and LaSabre styling exercise, the iconic Motorama dream cars, the trend-setting fin cars of the late 1950s, wrap-around windshields, pillarless hardtops, and two-tone paint.

After thirty-three years of styling leadership with General Motors, Harley J. Earl retired to Florida. Bill Mitchell had taken over control and was designing his aquatic-inspired 'Stingray' Corvette. The Studio typically built show cars that would try out new ideas and get feedback from the public, before turning the ideas into production vehicles. The Styling Center in Warren, Michigan, was in the process of building such a car for the 1964 World's Fair when Bill Mitchell ordered a second car to be built as a gift for Harley J. Earl. This car was delivered to Harley at his home in West Palm Beach, Florida, and he drove it on a regular basis.

While this car bears a 1963 serial number, it is fitted with several 1965 and even some non-production components. Examples are the side-exit exhausts, the glove box mounted instruments, custom leather seats, and door panels. There are extensive examples of cast brass trim including the console. The chrome trim, dash knobs, hood, and disc brakes are all 1965 pieces. The car is equipped with a four-speed transmission and air conditioning.

In 1965, Harley was invited to be the grand marshal at the Daytona 500 stock car race. He drove this car 200 miles north to the site of the Daytona race and used it in the parade laps. The trophy for the winner of the 500-mile race was named 'The Harley J. Earl Trophy' in honor of Mr. Earl.