1963 Corvette Sport Coupe 3 owner California car

Description

Would you like to own a seriously collectible car, a piece of rolling art, that you could actually enjoy driving anytime, anywhere, with confidence? A car that draws a crowd of admirers wherever itgoes? If you're looking for an extremely clean, fully sorted example of America's most iconic sportscar, a gentleman's hotrod - the 1963 Corvette "Aero Coupe" a/k/a Split Window - then look no further: this is your car.
Make no mistake - this is no trailer queen which can't be driven for fear of getting scratched or dirty. It is not a "restored" car that looks like new but was actually assembled from a rusted or wrecked shell using recyled, reproduction, and restamped components.
This car is an amazingly well-preserved survivor with original body panels never hit or damaged in any way, frame and birdcage untainted by even the slightest traces of rust, which condition has been verified by one of the founding members of the NCRS in Southern California.
What makes this car so special is that it has NOT been restored, but has instead been lovingly and meticulously maintained primarily by one gentleman for 50 of the past 53 years - from 1965 to 2015. I am the car's third owner.
The car was built in late December of 1962, delivered to Hessel Chevrolet in El Segundo, California, and has remained in Southern California its entire life. It is garaged today in Santa Monica less than 10 miles from where it was originally sold. Examples of ORIGINAL parts commonly missing or replaced on vintage Corvettes, but still present on this car include:
All body panels and bumpers
Trim and VIN tags
Cylinder heads and valve covers
Intake and exhaust manifolds
Distributor and alternator
Differential (3:36 non-posi)
All glass except windshield
Seat belts and buckles
All gauges
Rims and hubcaps
Spare tire
Jack and lug wrench

Plus many, many more rare and hard to replace items.
What is NOT original:
Engine block - original cylinder case damaged by machine shop during a balance and blueprint procedure, replaced with correct 870 Flint block (April 1964 casting date). Engine rebuilt using forged pistons and L-79 (350HP) hydraulic camshaft. All other major engine components such as heads, manifolds, etc. are the original, dated items.
Transmission - original 2-speed Powerglide replaced by new GM 3-speed TurboHydramatic 350 at the same time engine work was done.
Power brakes - upgraded to enhance the stopping power of the original unassisted 4-wheel drum system.
Chroming - a number of original under hood components have a chrome finish, including alternator, valve covers, air cleaner housing, hood hinges, hood support and latches, and cowl vents. Please note these are all original components which were chromed.
Paint - the car was resprayed once, about 15 years ago, in its original Sebring silver color, with a modern two stage paint.
While it's a pleasure just staring at this car admiring its sensual lines and pristine condition, the real joy comes from driving it. This gentleman's hotrod tracks arrow straight, stops in a hurry, and rides smooth as butter with fresh shocks, brakes, and suspension bushings all around. The upgraded engine and transmission deliver more than enough power to effortlessly burn rubber all the way from a stoplight until the second gear upshift, with a healthy chirp into third. Gauges and controls all work properly, as do headlights, wipers, and radio.
See and hear the car in 2 short videos:
This auction presents a rare opportunity for the winner to own a very special car. Good luck and thank you for bidding!