ProTeam Corvettes • 1963 Corvette Historical Facts

50th Anniversary of Corvette's Greatest Achievement... is coming soon as September 17th, 2012 marks 50 years to the day when the Chevrolet Corvette was transformed into the iconic 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe which is now a milestone and what we believe is the most significant event in Corvette history, thanks in part to the efforts of GM's Bill Mitchell, Larry Shinoda, and Zora Arkus Duntov. Thousands of photos grace the internet and past magazine articles as the 1963 Split Window Coupe represents a hallmark of the famed Stingray and its design is endless without peers. Here are a few quotes that I have extracted from various articles:

A.	"all time great"
B.	"a bowtie legend"
C.	"a cultural icon"
D.	"a milestone"
E.	"a breakthrough in style and substance"
F.	"a benchmark"
G.	"sophisticated and civilized"
H.	"every Corvette since has been influenced by it"
I.	"the most exciting production car America has yet experienced"
J.	"history's most unforgettable"
K.	"it didn't just carry people, it carried dreams"
L.	"timeless styling"
M.	"this is the car that made the Corvette hobby"
N.	"a symbol of the 1960's American dream"
O.	"extreme makeover and leaped into the future"
P.	"demonstrating dramatic styling changes"
Q.	"emotional appeal, execution, artistic excellence, and design character and continuity"
R.	"distinction and visionary"

*1963 Corvette Facts (condensed version)
1963 Corvettes had a total production of 21,513. Of that number, 10,594 were coupes and 10,919 were convertibles. 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the 1963 Corvette.

A.	For 1963, the Corvettes body/chassis were completely redesigned and for the 1st time, a coupe body was available. A center window "split" on the coupes marked the one year only iconic "split window". The chassis featured an independent rear suspension with a single transverse leaf spring,*
B.	Popular & Optional Engine Combinations were: a 327ci, 250hp engine, 3-speed manual transmission, vinyl interior trim, and soft top (convertible) were included in the base price. Z06 was initially coupe only (later, Z06 cost $1,293.95 & excluded KO wheels/36-gallon tank but was available in convertibles).*
C.	K.O. aluminum wheels were introduced as a 1963 option but availability is questionable and has not been confirmed as a dealer delivered option. The wheels were available over-the-counter though.*
D.	1963 Colors Were: Tuxedo Black; Silver Blue; Daytona Blue - 3,475; Riverside Red - 4,612; Saddle Tan; Ermine White; Sebring Silver - 3,516.*
E.	Grand Sports: 5 factory Corvette racers built.
F.	1963 Milestone: leap in sales 21,513 (demand exceeded supply); 1-year only split window; air conditioning/leather seat available for the 1st time; 36-gallon tank (coupe only) available for 1st time.*

The 1963 Corvette celebrates its 50th anniversary this year (2013) & marks the beginning of the Corvette's second generation (1963 to 1967).

*source: Corvette Black Book, Mike Antonick (2011)

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