Photo Credit: Mecum
Split Window fans, assemble!
Mecum Kissimmee 2024 will be here in just a few weeks, and a look ahead at the docket is showing some amazing Corvettes that will be offered during their 13-day residency in Central Florida. The auction runs January 2-14 at the Osceola Heritage Park and full details can be found at mecum.com.
Corvette enthusiasts know that one of the most iconic Corvettes ever produced was the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe, aka the “Split Window” due to its unique one-year rear window design feature. Only 10,594 coupes were built with this design before it was changed in 1964 to a one-piece window. The Split Window’s status among Corvette collectors is well known as they are consistently one of the top draws (and sellers) of any auction. For the Kissimmee auction, Mecum will be offering a special group of ’63 Sting Rays called The Split Window Colorama Collection, which features a Split Window Coupe in every one of the seven colors offered in 1963!
These Corvettes represented the pinnacle of GM performance at the time, and while those boundaries were continually increased over the years, there was no getting over the unique one-year styling and beauty of the 1963 Split Window Coupe.
These seven Corvettes all have one of the optional engines offered in the model year which includes the 300-hp L75, the 340-hp L76, and the fuel injected 360-hp L84. The cornerstone of the collection is a 1 of 199 Z06 that was exported to Australia for a Right-Hand-Drive conversion by GM. And finally, all seven are offered in restored condition with several having been judged by Bloomington Gold and the NCRS.
Those wanting to bid on one of these special cars will certainly have their work cut out for them in deciding their favorite, and that’s where we come in! The 1963 Corvette Colorama Collection will be offered on Friday, January 12th and we’ve got the highlights of each car listed below.
LOT F192 – Silver Blue with Black Interior
This Silver Blue 1963 Corvette Sting Ray is powered by its numbers matchings powertrain featuring its original 327/360-hp fuel injected V8 engine, T10 4-speed manual transmission, and a 4.56 Positraction rear end. It has undergone a professional body-on restoration with the major mechanicals all rebuilt, and currently there are 36,714 actual miles showing on the odometer. This car is highly documented, and has been judged at the highest levels as it is Bloomington Gold Certified, a multiple NCRS Top Flight Winner, and it has the MCACN Triple Crown award.
LOT F193 – Tuxedo Black with Black Interior
This 1963 Corvette Sport Coupe features the very desirable combination of Tuxedo Black with a Black interior, and it’s especially rare combo for one equipped with the L84 fuel injected 327/360-hp V8. The original motor is coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission and a 4.11 Positraction rear end and there are 35,668 miles showing on the odometer. This original California car is highly documented and its trim tag has been validated by CCAS.
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LOT F193.1 – Sebring Silver with Red Interior
This 1963 Split Window Coupe is offered in the outstanding color combo of Sebring Silver with an upgraded Riverside Red interior. Powered by its matching number 327/360-hp fuel injected V8 engine, options include the M20 4-speed manual transmission, Positraction rear end, aluminized Off Road exhaust, knock off wheels with white stripe radial tires, and an AM/FM radio. The Sting Ray was body-on restored in 2016 and the fuel injection unit serviced earlier this year.
LOT F194 – Ermine White with Riverside Red Interior
Here’s a 1963 Corvette Sting Ray that not only looks great with its Ermine White over Riverside Red interior, but apparently this Split Window has a bit of a Hollywood pedigree. It was purchased by Jessie James of West Coast Choppers and Monster Garage for actress Sandra Bullock. She would donate the car for a charity in New Orleans to help rebuild a high school. The car was purchased by a classic car museum where it stayed until 2023. The Split Window is powered by its numbers matching original 327/340-hp motor and it is documented with the NCRS Shipping Report, and a CCAS engine affirmation.
LOT F195 – Riverside Red with Black Interior
This 1963 Corvette was produced on March 8, 1963 and delivered new to Dan-Ridge Chevrolet in Connecticut as verified by the NCRS Shipping Report. The Sting Ray is finished in Riverside Red with Black interior and is powered by its original matching numbers 327/340-hp engine that is mated to a T10 4-speed manual transmission. Other options include a 3.36 Positraction rear end, Off Road exhaust, aluminum knock off wheels first offered for 1963 and white stripe radial tires. The engine was rebuilt in 2005 and driven only 4,000 miles since. There are 47,844 actual miles on the odometer.
LOT F195.1 – Saddle Tan with Saddle Tan Interior
This Saddle Tan 1963 Corvette Coupe was a barn-find back in 2008 as the car was purchased from the 2nd owner and then sold to an employee of the Discovery Channel. Once the no-hit body was restored, it ended up in the collection of the Discovery Channel’s founder John Hendricks, and it was displayed at the Gateway Colorado Auto Museum. It retains its matching numbers original 327/300-hp V8 engine which is coupled to the T10 4-speed manual transmission, and a 3.36 Positraction rear end. It was further optioned with power steering, power windows, aluminized exhaust, and a Wonderbar radio.
LOT F196 – Daytona Blue with Dark Blue Interior
Of all the Split Window Corvettes offered in the collection, only one was equipped with the Z06 special equipment package of which just 199 were built. This Daytona Blue 1963 Corvette Coupe was produced on May 11, 1963 and then exported to Australia per the NCRS Shipping Report. GM Holden performed the right-hand-drive conversion, and it served as a GM Show Car. GM sold the car in 1964 and it finally made its way back to the States in 2011. Highly documented, it’s been displayed at all the major shows including Amelia Island and Bloomington Gold, where it earned Gold and Survivor certifications.
Mecum Kissimmee 2024
Mecum kicks off 2024 with its Kissimmee auction held January 2-14 at the Oceola Heritage Park and hundreds of Corvettes are expected to be offered. The Split Window Colorama Collection will be offered on Friday, January 11th.
Mecum offers options for in-person, telephone and internet bidding starting at $100, and you can register to bid at Mecum.com.
For more on Mecum’s Kissimmee 2024 auction, check out the preview video below:
Source:
The Split Window Colorama Collection
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Tan exterior? Never seen one…must be rare…for good reason.
Wow that’s quite a collection but I think that’s messed up that one is right hand drive and it’s the only one that’s a Z06.
Back in about 1974 I was a young 13-year-old that used to drive by a saddle tan corvette on the school bus everyday. Hard to believe a car like that was just parked outside. The color actually looks gold in the sunlight. I was surprised to hear that it was actually called saddle Tan. I wonder what I could’ve bought that car for back in the day. If I was in the market for one of those cars today , I would either buy the red one or the saddle tan. You can’t go wrong with either color.
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