The fuel‑injection setup on C2 Corvettes has long carried a reputation for being temperamental, but plenty of owners insist the Rochester system runs beautifully once you understand its quirks.
Whether you believe the FI is a marvel or a migraine, it’s a moot point with this particular 1963 Corvette Split‑Window Coupe — its factory fuel‑injection hardware is long gone.
According to the VIN and trim tags, this car left St. Louis as a genuine 360-horsepower fuelie, but it now carries a non‑original, period‑correct 327 V8 topped with a traditional carburetor. The block isn’t numbers‑matching, but it’s paired with the correct four‑speed manual, giving the car the right feel even if the factory components aren’t present.
The seller has listed the car on Craigslist out of Lewiston, Maine, asking $139,900 for what’s described as a “stunning, showroom‑condition” example showing 69,000 miles (unverified, at least in the ad).
Chevrolet’s 1963 redesign, of course, delivered one of the most recognizable shapes in American automotive history. The new coupe body introduced the now‑legendary split rear window, a feature dropped after just one year due to visibility concerns. Fuel injection remained optional, selected by only about 12% of buyers — roughly 2,600 cars — making factory fuelies highly desirable today.
This car was one of them, at least originally. The seller notes that a prior owner removed the FI hardware and converted the engine to a standard four‑barrel setup. No explanation is given for when or why the change occurred, though many owners made the same decision decades ago.
Vette Convertible, on Barn Finds, where we spotted this car, says: “Back in the late 60s, I knew several Vettes that had the FI removed because there just weren’t enough techs who knew how to work on the Rochester units… one dealership had 3 or 4 FI units sitting on the shelf.”
That comment reflects a common story: fuel injection was advanced for its time, but not every shop had the expertise to keep it dialed in.
The seller describes the car as mint, with flawless paint, chrome, interior, and bodywork. It wears factory‑style knock‑off wheels and side exhaust, adding to its showroom‑ready appearance. The listing claims it “runs, drives, and shifts beautifully,” though no interior or engine‑bay photos were included — something any serious buyer will want to request.
The ad encourages potential buyers to call or text for videos, photos, or a FaceTime walk‑around, and even suggests flying in and driving the car home.
While the lack of original FI hardware and a NOM block will matter to purists, the car’s overall presentation — and the fact that it’s a 1963 split‑window coupe — keeps it firmly in collector‑grade territory. With only one model year featuring the split window and just 2,610 fuelies built, even modified examples like this one remain a bucket list item for many enthusiasts.
Source:
Craigslist via BarnFinds
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