Out with the old, in with the new
Chevrolet’s original Corvette was a decade old by the time the second-generation C2 was released in 1963. Designer Larry Shinoda took cues for the C2 from both a 1957 Corvette concept design known as the ‘Q-Corvette’ and the ‘Mitchell Sting Ray’ concept race car sponsored by designer William “Bill” Mitchell. He incorporated both the pointed front and rear ends as well as the half-covered wheel wells, giving the C2 a distinctly shark-like silhouette. This debut-year convertible C2 Corvette on Exotic Car Trader is very well preserved and comes with both a soft top and a hard top, offering top-down motoring in whatever way is most convenient for you.
Exotic Car Trader
Thinking about selling your car?
Get a value estimate and list it online with Exotic Car Trader. Click here to learn more.
Glide like a butterfly, sting like a ray
1963 was the first year to offer pop-up headlights on a Corvette, replacing the much more conventional dual or quad headlights found on previous year models. The grille is slung low and covered by a pair of corner-hugging chrome bumpers that leave the middle section bare. The hood sports two heat vents and a Corvette flag badge that is echoed by a similar badge on the front fenders.
The quad taillights really pop against the backdrop of the smooth and buttery Ermine White paint color, while twin exhaust tips poke out under the similarly split rear bumpers. This C2 sits on correct-looking tires with thin white walls and six-pointed hubcaps, enhancing this Corvette’s originality from every angle.
Exotic Car Trader
Perfectly preserved interior
Just take a moment, or scroll down to the interior shot and really look, at how well this Corvette’s interior has been preserved. No crazy restorations, no reupholstering, no modifications. That is the genuine factory-original cabin, lovingly maintained for over 60 years!
The brown interior leather and perfectly matched carpeting are accented by black finishes on the dashboard, as well as dashes of silver on the knobs, gauge surrounds, and center console shifter plate. Ahead of those gauges sits a wooden-rimmed tri-spoke steering wheel, with tear-drop shaped cut-outs for weight and styling. A single driver-side mirror is dainty and period correct, while the hand-crank windows work with the top up or down, allowing just that little extra bit of control over airflow. This C2 also comes with its original radio, which is vertically mounted rather than horizontally, as in most cars.
Exotic Car Trader
Original numbers-matching engine and parts
The original 327 cu in (5.3L) V8 that powers this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette is the one it rolled off the factory floor with, as are the other parts, including the carburetor. The engine compartment and components appear to be cleaned and well-maintained, though some wear and corrosion can be seen in non-essential places. When new, this 327 cu in V8 was rated at 300hp, which is quite a lot of power for the four-speed transmission to put to the rear wheels, ensuring Corvette’s iconic sound has some teeth behind it in the hands of a capable driver.
Exotic Car Trader
Final thoughts: This Corvette preserves all of its 1963 glory
You can tell a great deal of care and attention has been paid to this amazing machine in its 62 years as an icon. The paint is perfect, the interior is immaculate, the engine is clean, and all the major components are numbers-matching. This is the closest you can get to going back in time to the 1960s, at least until a blue police box whirrs into existence in your back garden, or a DeLorean fitted with a Mr. Fusion finds its way into your garage.
Exotic Car Trader