1963 Corvette Research

The Ultimate 1963 Corvette Database

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Everything You Want to Know About the 1963 Corvette, All in One Place.

The 1963 Chevy Corvette was the final result of more than a half-decade’s worth of research both on and off the racetrack. Conceived by Bill Mitchell and Zora Arkus-Duntov, the second-generation Corvette literally evolved from a racecar – namely the Stingray racer that Mitchell created (and privately funded out of his own pocket.)

Even its title, which was an axiom deliberately given to the race car because of its resemblance to an actual stingray, stuck and further defined the C2 for all time as the “Corvette Sting Ray.”

The car was an instant marketing success. Given its improved and re-imagined styling from the C1, and the impressive advancements made to the car’s performance and handling, there had been no doubt that the second-generation Corvette would be a triumph. Even so, nobody could have guessed that Mitchell’s ingenious design and Duntov’s engineering wizardry would produce a sports car that would become as popular or as successful as the 1963 Corvette ended up being.

“Only a man with a heart of stone could withstand temptation like this” was what the inaugural Sting Ray ad...

Corvette Of The Day: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 "Big Tank"

1963 Corvette - The Ultimate Guide

When the 1963 Corvette finally made it to market, its sales numbers jumped off the charts, literally skyrocketing Corvette sales to levels never before experienced – even in 1953 when the original C1 had originally been marketed to enthusiastic soldiers returning home from overseas.

1963 C2 Chevrolet Corvette Model Guide

1963 Corvette Special Editions

Firmly at the helm of the good ship Corvette in the early 1960s, chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov--a two-time class winner at Le Mans in a Porsche in the mid-1950s--deftly got around GM's racing ban by making certain that road racers could properly outfit their cars from the factory, with options like an extra-large fuel tank and heavy-duty brakes. That started the era of Chevrolet creating some amazing special edition Corvettes.

1963 Corvette Sting Ray Convertible Show Car

In 1963 GM Design put together two special Corvettes according to special work orders. The first was delivered fresh to the 1963 Chicago Auto show, while a nearly identical version was gifted to the retired Harley Earl. These Vettes received numerous modifications from GM Design including and a new custom interior and sidepipes.

1964 Corvette Sting Ray ‘GM Styling Special’

This one-off Corvette was custom-built by GM Styling under famed design chief Bill Mitchell, especially for the famed industrialist and Indianapolis racing sponsor Ozzie Olson of Olsonite fame. Among its special modifications including custom floor grates that were a trademark feature of the GM Styling specials

1963 Chevrolet Corvette GS-II

The GS II (Grand Sport II) was a test vehicle completed in late 1963 by Chevrolet Engineering Center (C.E.C.). The chassis was constructed of spot-welded sheet steel and was fitted with narrow tires. With only minor testing done at GM’s test facility in Michigan, the vehicle was shipped to Texas to the Chaparral Cars test facility.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray ‘Bunkie Knudsen’

The Corvette built for 'Bunkie' Knudsen is a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette styling car known as the "Bunkie" Knudsen Corvette, built for Chevrolet general manager Semon E. "Bunkie" Knudsen. Finished in Rose Pearl with a full-length White racing stripe, it is outwardly distinguished by its chromed header-style pipes.

George Barris’ 1963 Corvette “Asteroid”

The "Asteroid" started life as a 1963 Chevy Corvette. It was ordered by mechanical engineer and renowned mid-century speed boat racer Bob Nordskog, sans any exterior paint save for a primer coat. Instead, the car was shipped directed to Barris Kustoms with instructions for Barris to transform the brand-new Corvette into a more radical version of itself.

The 1963 Corvette Rondine Model Guide

The Corvette Rondine concept was built by Pinanfarina and introduced at the 1963 Paris Motor Show. The car started life as a 1963 split-window Corvette, which is all the more unusual because Chevrolet introduced the split-window coupe at the same time that Pinanfarina was introducing a custom-built Corvette based on that very same platform.

1963 Corvette Grand Sport

Some of the iconic American sports car’s earliest forays into racing were snuffed out before they ever truly began. The 1963 Corvette Grand Sport, a Zora Arkus-Duntov designed rendition, of the C2 was staged for track domination, both at home and abroad.

1963 Corvette Z06 Model Guide

The first Z06 was actually an option package first offered with the 1963 Corvette. The package was developed by Corvette's legendary lead engineer and racing advocate Z0ra Arkus-Duntov. The Z06 option was designed to allow consumers to bolster the 1963 "Split-Window" Corvettes performance and handling capabilities for use on the race track. Selecting regular production option (RPO) Z06 when ordering a Corvette resulted in a car equipped with some tasty options.

1963 Wedge Concept

The 1963 Wedge Corvette split windshield concept was a sleek, front-engine design study that revived the Q Corvette’s split-windshield gullwing-style doors with a short, bobbed tail. Late in 1963, a GM Styling team under Henry Haga prepared this future Corvette proposal. Its sophisticated lines included side-mounted exhaust pipes.

1963 Corvette Technical Research & Data

Dig into the numbers behind the 1963 Corvette and check out these hand-curated research papers and data-driven reports, including VIN information, production numbers, pricing/options, color samples, and more.

1963 Corvette Colors

Looking for information on the colors for the 1963 Corvette? Here you go.

1963 Corvette Engines

Looking for information on the engines powering the 1963 Corvette? Look no further.

1963 5.4L 327CI Engine in open hood of C2 Corvette

1963 5.4L (327CI) V8 Engine Guide: Specs, Features, & More

1967 L68 427CI engine in open hood of white C2 Corvette

A Guide to Every C2 Corvette Engine

1963 Corvette Market & Sales Data

1963 Corvette auction and sales area. We share upcoming auctions, recent auction results, cool 1963 Corvettes we find for sale and commentary on the current market for the 1963 Corvette.