Looking for a split-window coupe that’s been restored but not to such a degree that you’re scared to drive it?
Then you might want to check out this very sharp Sebring Silver 1963 Corvette Sting Ray available at auction for the next two days on Buyatrailer.com.
The seller is offering the car at no reserve, and 23 bids had already run the price up to $63,000 as of Monday morning on Feb. 23.
He’s owned the Sting Ray since 2004, when he brought back memories of his very first car by buying this one just like it in Florida.
After driving it awhile, the fellow decided he wanted to work on the mechanics of the vehicle while also adding air conditioning, understandable since he lives in Texas.
What followed was an interesting restoration that is documented by 200 photos and an 11-page invoice of more than $53,000.
Interestingly, the seller did a body-off restoration but did not have the entire car painted at the same time, fearing that the resulting paint job would be too perfect and he would not drive it.
The whole point of his restoration was to make the car a better driver, after all.
Nevertheless, the code-correct paint still maintains a “nice uniform shine,” according to the auction listing, “though the front fenders and nose exhibit small paint pimpling” that is “very difficult to capture in photos.”
What that means is that most of the bucks were spent on things that make the car function better. For instance, the original frame was severely rusted in spots and had to be replaced by a dry genuine replacement frame. “The build of the freshly restored frame and drivetrain is spectacular, and was all done with originality in mind, apart from the A/C system which was added,” the seller says.
As for the interior, the seller believes that it was redone before he bought the car and remains in nice condition. However, he did have the dash thoroughly disassembled and gone through while restoring the car in 2005, including installation of all new wiring.
The numbers-matching engine was not torn down because it was found to already be in very good condition, but it was stripped of its original orange paint, inspected, re-sealed, and externally detailed to original specs. Meanwhile, all other components such as the 4-speed transmission, brakes, and suspension were completely taken apart and rebuilt.
Also on the list of new items are springs and KYB shocks for a smooth ride, lines and master cylinder for the stock drum brakes, wheel bearings, U-joints, and bushings to keep it tight, water pump, exhaust manifold, and Magnaflow aluminized mufflers.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Mid-Cities Classics out of Hurst, Texas did the teardown and rebuild of the entire chassis, drivetrain, and dash.
The car also still has the one-year-only parts like the windshield and rear window trim, the three-piece center console, and the correct parking brake, gauges, seats, and steering column. Someone should be able to get a nice driver out of this auction, based on the information provided.
Source:
bringatrailer.com
Related:
1963 Corvette Convertible Fuelie Offered at No Reserve at Mecum Auction in Las Vegas
[VIDEO] Lets Go Autocrossing in a 1963 Corvette Grand Sport
Barn Find 1963 Corvette Split-Window Coupe Stored for 41 Years Sells on eBay
-
