Decent Driver: 1963 Corvette 327/4-Speed Convertible – Sold?

August 20, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this ’63 Corvette “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

July 23, 2021 Update – We just noticed the private seller of this C2 just lowered their asking price by two thousand dollars to $45,000.

Chevrolet stunned the automotive world when it launched the stunning C2 Corvette for 1963.  Small block-only performance combined with drum brakes make these earlier versions of C2s the more affordable of the bunch like this driver-quality, red-over-black example originally listed in July 2021 on Craigslist in Highland Park, New Jersey for a revised $45,000 (down from the original ask of $47,000.) Comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their C2 priced between this guide’s #4 “Fair” estimate of $34,100 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $52,700.  A bit more optimistic, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the asking price falls this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $45,600 and its #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $56,000.

1963 was the first year for Chevrolet’s new “C2” Corvette Sting Ray and while the beautiful new split-window coupe (a first for Corvette) stole the show, the convertible version was just as pretty. The beautiful styling was nicely matched through vastly improved handling accomplished through a combination of a shorter 98-inch wheelbase, improved “Ball Race” steering, and an innovative new independent rear suspension that reduced unsprung weight by 80 pounds. The only limiting factor was the continued use of aluminum drum brakes; four-wheel disc brakes would not be introduced until two years later.

We came across this slide show of vintage pictures from the St. Louis Corvette factory showing how workers assembled the ’63 Corvette:

The private seller does not indicate which version of the 327 cubic inch V8 their Corvette has, however with a 4:11 rear end and four-speed, this C2 will definitely provide some fun at every stoplight should you so choose. While the convertible top and plastic rear window as clearly worn if it turns out to be the original we would leave it alone. We hate seeing the words “hardtop available” in an ad; if the car originally came with the removable hardtop, then sell it as such.  Other than that, we prefer our C2s in this drive-anywhere form rather than a numbers-matching trailer queen.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1963 Corvette
327 small block
4-speed manual
411 rear
soft top in good shape
hard top available
runs and drives great Turn Key and go
Not a Show car but a very good example of an early corvette“

Show or go: what would you do with this C2 Corvette?  Comment below and let us know!