LOT 80 *
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 'Split Window' Coupé Registration no. not UK registered Chassis no. to be advised
Estimate: £80,000 - £100,000
Lot 80*
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 'Split Window' Coupé Registration no. not UK registered Chassis no. to be advised
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 'Split Window' Coupé
Registration no. not UK registered
Chassis no. to be advised
Registration no. not UK registered
Chassis no. to be advised
*Dating from the first year of Sting Ray production
*Rare one-year-only 'Split Window' Coupé
*360bhp fuel injected engine and four-speed manual gearbox
*Purchased by the Key Collection in September 2011
*Rare one-year-only 'Split Window' Coupé
*360bhp fuel injected engine and four-speed manual gearbox
*Purchased by the Key Collection in September 2011
Footnotes
'The Sting Ray hit the American sports car market like a thunderclap, reminiscent of the knock-'em-dead debut of the Jaguar E-Type two years previously; comparisons were not slow to materialise. For the first time in history the Corvette was a sell-out success.' – Richard M Langworth, The Complete Book Of The Corvette.
To say that the Sting Ray's arrival caused a sensation would be grossly understating its impact on the North American sports car market. Indeed, such was its runaway success that the St Louis factory hired a second shift but still could not build cars fast enough to meet demand. Styled in General Motors' Art and Colour Studio under Bill Mitchell, the new Corvette featured radical styling pioneered on Mitchell's successful Stingray sports-racer, and for the first time there was a Gran Turismo coupé in the range. Beneath the skin was an all-new ladder-frame chassis with independent rear suspension, the adoption of which enabled the centre of gravity to be significantly lowered, improving both roadholding and ride. This new frame was the work of Corvette Chief Engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov who said: 'For the first time I have a Corvette which I am proud to use in Europe.'
As had been the case with the previous (1956-62) generation of Corvettes, development proceeded slowly, being characterised by annual facelifts and few engineering changes of note. On the latter front, the long-overdue arrival of four-wheel disc brakes was the most significant development for 1965 while Chevrolet's 327ci (5.4-litre) 250bhp standard V8 was joined by an optional 396ci (6.5-litre) Big Block for '65 only, then a '427' until the end of Sting Ray production in 1967. Now recognised as representing a 'golden age' for the Corvette, the Sting Ray version was manufactured from 1963 to 1967 and has since gone on to become a highly collectible modern classic.
A little over 21,000 Sting Rays were made in 1963, the production split being roughly 50/50 coupé/convertible. As is the case with most American cars of this period, the Corvette buyer could choose from a host of factory options with the result that seldom are two cars exactly alike. Completed in May 1963, this example has the rare and desirable combination of the 360bhp fuel injected engine and four-speed manual transmission. Left-hand drive, as were all Corvettes at this time, this collectible and rare first-year 'Split Window' Sting Ray was purchased in the USA by the Key Collection and imported in September 2011.
Should the vehicle remain in the UK, local import taxes of 5% will be added to the hammer price.
Saleroom notices
Please note, this lot is withdrawn.
Additional information
Specialist section
Motor Cars (Europe)
Client Services (UK)
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Auction Viewings
- 6 April 2019, 09:00 - 17:30 BST
- 7 April 2019, 09:00 - 13:00 BST
Lot symbols
| * | Import low rate |
| VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. |
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