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From: rs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (Robert E. Schleicher)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: '63 Corvette
Message-ID: <586@ihuxk.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 21-Mar-84 14:10:01 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxk.586
Posted: Wed Mar 21 14:10:01 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 22-Mar-84 01:39:22 EST
References: <82@fisher.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 43

Prices on mid-60's Sting Rays vary all over the place, even for
ones in very good to mint condition.  The 63 split-window coupe
is one of the most valuable in this group, being the only year for
the split rear window, but I've seen prices ranging from under $10k
to $20k, all for cars that could be described as excellent condition to mint.

Things to look for that will affect value:

1.  Matching numbers between chassis serial no. and engine serial no.
    This can mean thousands of dollars to Vette collectors/restorers.
    Vette restorers are the most fanatical on earth (whole chapters in my
    Vette restoration guide on proper hose clamps, oil filler caps, etc.)

2.  Options
    All 63's have 327s in them, but there were 4 varieties offered.
         250 hp - steel valve covers, small valves, 1 4-barrel
         300 hp - "", bigger valves, carb.      
         340 hp - alloy valve covers, solid lifters, better cam, bigger carb
         360 hp - all of above, plus fuel injection
     each engine up-grade adds some value, but fueal injection adds ~
     $2k to value.  Note: fuel injection only adds this if the car
     originally had it, ie, the numbers match.
 
     Other options add smaller amounts, such as A/C, power stuff, etc.

Beware of counterfeits!  When the value of split-windows started to be higher
than other coupes, enterprising sellers of 64's started to graft on the window
divider, and doing the other minor mods needed to produce a 63.  Again, the
advice is to know where to look for the numbers. There are several good 
Vette books out that will tell you where to look.

A sure sign of a mint, original (or at least accurately restored) car is
a certification (gold, silver or bronze) from the annual Corvette
show in Bloomington, Ill.  This means that experts have checked out condition
and authenticity with a fine-toothed comb.  Points are taken off for anything
that is different from the day the car left the factory  (ie, "show" cars
are no good).

Bob Schleicher
ihuxk!rs55611
AT&T Bell Laboratories

(I looked at a lot of 63-67 roadsters before getting a '59)