The 1963 Corvette – One of the 20th Century’s Most Important Sports Cars?

If you had to pick just one icon of American sports car performance, it’s a safe bet that the Corvette would be on everyone’s list. And while there are many examples from nearly 70 years of history, perhaps the most exciting Corvette to ever come to market was the 1963 Split window Sting Ray.

It’s certainly easy to view the Corvette as one of many advanced sports car designs that emerged in the 1950s, but the Spilt Window Coupe prevails as a dramatic shift from everything that was happening in car design at that time, ushering in a wide range of fresh, chiseled body designs that continue to impress more than half a century later. In addition to the radical design, the all-new 1963 Corvette set a high standard for performance excellence at a reasonable price. Distinguishing itself in both competition and on the street, uniquely aligned with the racing energy from those who created it.