1963 Corvette

The Corvette received major restyling in 1963 including a divided rear window for a new "split-window" fastback coupe.
The sides of the front fenders, behind the wheel openings, were decorated with two long, horizontal "wind split" indentations or louvers that were designed to look like brake cooling ducts, although they were not functional.
The rear deck treatment resembled that of the previous year's model but the rest of the car appeared totally new.
The twin side-by-side headlights were hidden in an electrically-operated panel
This was more then a styling gimmick, as it added to the car's basic aerodynamic design.
The recessed fake hood louvers were another matter.
Front fender louvers, vents on the roof side panels (of the fastback split-window sport coupe) and ribbed rocker panel molding were styling features used on the sides of the new Corvette.
The interior had circular gauges with black faces.
There was storage space under the seats of early models.
Among the standard equipment was
- windshield washer
- carpeting
- outside rearview mirror
- dual exhaust
- tachometer
- electric clock
- heater and defroster
- cigarette lighter
- safety belts
Seven interior colors were offered
- Black
- White
- Silver
- Silver-Blue
- Daytona Blue
- Red
- Tan
For the first time since 1957, a Beige softtop was available
Seven exterior colors were available
- Tuxedo Black
- Ermine White
- Riverside Red
- Silver Blue
- Daytona Blue
- Saddle Tan
- Sebring Silver
All were available with a Black, White, or Beige soft top.

V.I.N. NUMBERS

The serial number (Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN) was located on a stainless steel plate welded to the right side hinge pillar cross-brace under the glove box
Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 30867S100001 to 30867S121513
Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 30837S100001 to 30837S121513

Position	Character	Description
1	3	1963
2 & 3	08	body series: Corvette
4 & 5	67	convertible
4 & 5	37	"split-window" coupe
6	S	Assembled in St. Louis, MO
7 to 12	100001 to 121513	production sequence

Engine serial number

1 to 7	0001001	sequential production number
8	F or T	Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
9 to 10	Carburetion & transmission	RC = 327-cid 250-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor RD = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor RE = 327-cid 340-hp V-8 with 11.25:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor RF = 327-cid 360-hp V-8 with 11.25:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and fuel injection SC = 327-cid 250-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission and a four-barrel carburetor SD = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission and dual four-barrel carburetors

Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number
The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
The Fisher Body Style Number 63-0867 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray convertible
The Fisher Body Style Number 63-0837 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray "split-window" coupe
The body number is the production serial number of the body.
The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
The vinyl upholstery was available in Red, Black, Saddle Tan, and Dark Blue
Two Saddle Tan upholstery options were offered

Vinyl on Coupes	Leather on Coupes	Vinyl on Convertible	Leather on Convertible
(STD/BLK) Black	(490E, 490N) Saddle Tan	(STD/BLK) Black	(898B, 898F) Saddle Tan
(490A, 490J) Dark Blue	(898A, 898E, Q, G, S) Saddle Tan	(490B, 490K) Dark Blue	(R, H, T) Saddle Tan
(S, XE, XG) Dark Blue		(T, XF, XH) Dark Blue
(490C, 490L) Red		(490D, 490M) Red
(Q, XA, XC)Red		(R, XB, XD) Red
(490E, 490N) Saddle Tan		(490F, 490P) Saddle Tan
(U, XJ, XL) Saddle Tan		(V, XK, XM) Saddle Tan

The paint number indicates the color combination.
The seven 1963 Corvette "Magic Mirror" acrylic lacquer exterior colors were:
- 900 = Tuxedo Black
- 912 = Silver Blue
- 916 = Daytona Blue
- 923 = Riverside Red
- 932 = Saddle Tan
- 936 = Ermine White
- 941 = Sebring Silver

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
0800	37	1963 Corvette 2-dr. Fastback Coupe - 2 passenger	$4257	3150 lb	10,594
0800	67	1963 Corvette 2-door Convertible - 2 passenger	$4037	2881 lb	10,919

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine	Optional Engine	Optional Engine (RPO L76)	Optional Engine (RPO L84)
Type	V-8, Overhead valve
Block	Cast iron block
Displacement	327 cid
Bore & Stroke	4.00 x 3.25
Compression ratio	10.50:1		11.25:1
Brake horsepower	250 @ 4400 rpm	300 @ 5000 rpm	340 @ 6000 rpm	360 @ 6000 rpm
Torque	350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm	360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm	344 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	352 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Main bearing	five
Valve lifters	hydraulic			Mechanical valve lifters & Duntov camshaft
Carburetor	Carter four-barrel Type WCFB Model 3501S	Carter aluminum Type AFB four-barrel		Ram-Jet Fuel Injection

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission	Optional Manual Transmission	Automatic Transmission
Close-ratio three-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter	Close-ratio four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter	Two-speed Powerglide transmission (optional)

CHASSIS

Feature	Convertible	Coupe
Wheelbase	98 inches (2.489 m)	98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length	175.2 inches (4.450 m)	175.3 inches (4.453 m)
Overall width	69.6 inches (1.768 m)	69.6 inches (1.768 m)
Overall height		49.8 inches (1.265 m)
Front tread	56.3 inches (1.430 m)	56.3 inches (1.430 m)
Rear tread	57.0 inches (1.448 m)	57.0 inches (1.448 m)
Frame	Full-length ladder type with five cross members and separate body
Ground Clearance	5 inches (12.7 cm)	5 inches (12.7 cm)
Front suspension	Independent; upper and lower A-arms; unequal-length wishbones; coil springs; anti-roll bar; tubular shocks
Rear suspension	Independent with fixed differential; nine leaf springs; lateral struts and universally-jointed axle shafts; radius arms and direct-acting shock absorbers
Steering	Saginaw recirculating ball, 17:1 ratio, 3.4 turns to lock
Rear axle type	Hypoid semi-floating
Brakes	Hydraulic, duo-servo, self-adjusting with sintered iron linings and cast iron drums
Front Drum diameter	11x2.75 inches
Rear Drum diameter	11x2.0 inches
Total swept area	134.9 square inches
Wheels	15" 5-lug steel disc
Standard rear axle ratio	3.70:1
Optional rear axle ratio	4.11:1, 4.56:1, 3.08:1, 3.38:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1

OPTIONS

RPO 898	Genuine leather seat trim	$80.70
RPO A01	Soft-Ray tinted glass, all windows	$16.15
RPO A02	Soft-Ray tinted glass windshield	$10
RPO 431	Electric power windows	$59.20
RPO C07	Auxiliary hardtop for convertible	$236.75
RPO C48	Heater and defroster deletion	$100 credit
RPO C60	Air conditioning	$421.80
RPO F40	Special front and rear suspension	$37.70
RPO G81	Positraction rear axle, all ratios	$43.05
RPO G91	Special 3.08:1 "highway" ratio rear axle	$2.20
RPO J50	Power brakes	$43.05
RPO J56	Sintered metallic brakes	$37.70
RPO K66	Transistor ignition system	$65.35
RPO L75	327-cid 300-hp V-8	$53.80
RPO L76	327-cid 365-hp V-8	$107.60
RPO L84	327-cid 375-hp fuel-injected V-8	$538.40
RPO M20	Four-Speed manual transmission	$188.30
RPO M35	Powerglide automatic transmission	$199.10
RPO N03	36-gallon fuel tank for coupe only	$202.30
RPO N11	Off-road exhaust system	$37.70
RPO N34	Woodgrained plastic steering wheel	$16.15
RPO N40	Power steering	$75.35
RPO P48	Special cast aluminum knock-off wheels	$322.80
RPO P91	Nylon tires, 6.70 x 15 black sidewall	$15.70
RPO P92	Rayon tires, 6.70 x 15 white sidewall	$31.55
RPO T86	Back-up lamps	$10.80
RPO U65	Signal-seeking AM radio	$137.75
RPO U69	AM-FM radio	$174.35
RPO Z06	Special performance equipment for "split-window" coupe	$1,818.45

HISTORICAL NOTES

The Corvette Sting Ray evolved from a racing car called the Mitchell Sting Ray.
William L. Mitchell had replaced Harley Earl as head of General Motors styling in 1958
Mitchell thought it was important for the Corvette to be associated with racing, so he persuaded Chevrolet general manager Ed Cole to sell him the chassis of the 1957 Corvette SS "mule" for $1 (to get around the corporate racing ban) so he could build a race car.
Mitchell had designer Larry Shinoda create a body for the Sting Ray race car inspired by the sea creature of the same name.
Shinoda came up with the "split-window" coupe design which Mitchell loved although Zora Arkus-Duntov was against its vision-blocking look
The "split-window" was offered only one year and has become a very collectible item.
Corvette "firsts" for 1963 included optional knock-off wheels, air conditioning, and leather upholstery
Air conditioning was a rare option in 1963 because it was introduced late in the year.
Only 1.3 percent of the 1963 Corvettes were so equipped.
However 83.5 percent came with four-speed manual transmission.
The 184-powered Corvette could go from 0-to-60 mph in 5.9 seconds and from 0-to-100 mph in 16.5 seconds.
Five historic Corvette Grand Sports were constructed in 1963 before all GM racing programs were canceled.
Grand Sports weighed 1,908 pounds and had a 377-cd version of the small-block Chevy V-8 equipped with an aluminum cylinder block and aluminum hemi-head cylinder heads
They also featured a twin ignition system and port fuel injection.

1963 CORVETTE

V.I.N. NUMBERS

IDENTIFICATION

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

1963 CORVETTE PHOTOS

LITERATURE & LINKS