1963 Corvette

Description

The C2 Corvette, which was introduced in 1963, lasted until 1967.

For 1963 the Corvette was completely redesigned with a new frame, suspension, body, and interior. Designed by Bill Mitchell, it was now called the Corvette Sting Ray.

1963 was the first year of a fixed-roof coupe Corvette, but the convertible was still available. For 1963 only, the rear window on the coupe was split into two sections, and thus the car became known as the "split window coupe" or the "split window Corvette." Hidden headlights were also added, and there was now no external trunk. The center section of the instrument gauges was silver for this year only.

Independent rear suspension was now standard, and for the first time, power steering and power brakes were optional. Air conditioning and aluminum knock-off wheels were also optional for the first time.

1963 Corvette Key Differences

A 1963 Corvette can easily be recognized by the fake hood grills, and the split rear window in the coupes, both of which were specific to this model year. Also the C-pillars had non-functional louvers (indentations) which had no grills or trim for 1963 only.

Similar Years

The 1963 to 1967 Corvettes shared the same basic body design other than the split window of the '63 Vette. Different trim, side louvers, and engines differentiate the various years.

How to Identify a 1963 Corvette

Overview

• C2 Corvette body style (1963-1967)
• Coupe body shown

1963 Corvette Hood Grills

• Two fake grills were recessed into the forward section of the hood (1963)

1963 Corvette Split Window

• In the coupes, the rear window was split down the center into two sections (1963)
• 1963 coupes are often referred to as "split window Corvettes" or "split window coupes"

1963 Corvette Roof Vents

• Two indentations or fake roof vents were added to the coupe. They had no grill or trim for the first year (1963)

1963 Corvette Fender Louvers

• Fender louvers replaced the side cove panel of the earlier Corvettes. (1963-67)
• Fake louvers with two indentations were initially used (1963-64)

1963 Corvette Grill

• Front grill consisted of thin horizontal chrome bars (1963-64)

1963 Corvette Fuel Filler Door

• Design of the fuel filler door was unique to this year (1963)

1963 Corvette Rear Deck

• Carried over from the C1 Corvette, the "ducktail" rear deck design continued for the whole C2 Corvette run (1963-67)

1963 Corvette Tail lights

• Dual round tail lights on each side continued (1963-67)

1963 Corvette Sting Ray Badge

• The Corvette gained the "Sting Ray" designation which was first used on a Chevrolet race car in 1957 (1963-65)

1963 Corvette Front Emblem

• Front crossed-flags emblem was new for 1963 (1963-67)

1963 Corvette Hidden Headlights

• For the first time, Corvette headlights were hidden. A motor rotated the housing to reveal dual headlights on each side (1963-67)

1963 Corvette Fender Emblem

• The crossed-flags fender emblem was a carry over from the previous generation (1963-65)

1963 Corvette Interior

• The interior was all new for the first year of the C2 Vette (1963-67)
• Optional wood-grained plastic steering wheel shown (1963)

1963 Corvette Dash

• The center section of the instrument gauges was silver (1963)
• Steering wheel with color-coordinated rim was standard (1963)

1963 Corvette Seats

• These seats are unique to the '63 Vette. They would be changed slightly for 1964 (1963)

1963 Corvette Knock Off Wheels

• 1963 was the first year for the optional cast aluminum knock-off wheels (1963-66)

1963 Corvette Fuel Injection Engine

• The fuel injected 327 small block Chevy engine produced 360 horsepower and 352 foot-pounds of torque in 1963

1963 Corvette Fuel Injection Emblem

• A fender mounted "Fuel Injection" emblem designated the fuelie Corvettes (1963-65)

1963 Corvette Convertible

• Convertible version of a 1963 Vette

More 1963 Corvette Pictures

For more photos of vintage 1963 Corvettes, visit the C2 Corvette Image Gallery at the Muscle Car Jungle.

If you have any comments, or would like to report any errors or omissions, contact us at feedback@oldcarsguide.com