1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 'Split Window' Coupé

• Dating from the first year of Sting Ray production
• Rare one-year-only 'Split Window' Coupé
• Desirable 300bhp engine and four-speed manual gearbox
• Acquired for the Bishop Collection in 2018

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 improved both roadholding and ride. The standard power unit was a 327ci (5.4-litre) overhead-valve V8 producing 250bhp.
As had been the case with the previous (1956-1962) generation of Corvettes, development proceeded slowly, being characterised by annual facelifts and few engineering changes of note. 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. The first 'Split Window' model lasted for only one year, a single-piece screen becoming the norm thereafter, and is now considered one of the most desirable of Corvette variants. 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.
First registered in the UK in 1977, this rare and collectible first-year 'Split Window' Sting Ray has the desirable combination of the 300bhp L75 V8 engine and four-speed manual transmission. Finished in Sebring Silver with black interior, the car previously belonged to Mr Daniel Lappin of Lincolnshire and was formerly registered as 'USA 111'. There are numerous bills on file dating from Mr Lappin's ownership for parts supplied by various specialists (inspection recommended), together with some expired MoTs, email correspondence, and a V5C document. Acquired for the Bishop Collection in 2018, the Corvette will require re-commissioning before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed.