MARKETWATCH AN EYE ON VALUES 1963 CORVETTE STING RAY


THE DEBUT CARS OF 1963


1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 327-CID, 360-HP FI V-8, 4-SPEED MANUAL


SOLD AT $110,000 | JUNE 22, 2012 BARRETT-JACKSON, ORANGE COUNTY, CA | LOT 3701


Three of the best from Motown and South Bend Dave Kinney


The list of cars celebrating their 50th birthday in 2013 is a long one, and more than a handful made their debut memorable in year one. Buick introduced the Riviera and defined the personal luxury car for a genera- tion. Chevrolet introduced the first hard top Corvette, and instead of going the conservative route, Chevy gave it the iconic split rear window — for one year, anyway. Studebaker, al- ready on the ropes as an automaker, attempted a Hail Mary pass with the introduction of the Avanti, a different take on a luxury sports car, with room for four.


While the Riviera and Avanti continue to populate affordable classics lists, the Corvette straddles several price ranges, depending on equipment and condition. These recent sales caught our eye.


62 HAGERTY.COM


Following a three-year restoration, this California car had the “go” to match its gold-over-saddle looks. It also had power windows and brakes and Soft Ray tinted glass, along with a 4.11 Positraction rear. Like many first-year cars, some options — notably air conditioning — weren’t available until later in production, but it did have rare leather seats. This was a great example that sold right in the middle of the price range for its condition.


1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 327-CID, 250-HP V-8, 3-SPEED MANUAL


SOLD AT $68,200 | MARCH 16, 2012 AUCTIONS AMERICA, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | LOT 530


This Daytona Blue-over-dark-blue coupe showed great paint and excel- lent brightwork. Inside was just as nice. The engine compartment had the proper look, too. You could drive this car to a local show and expect to come home with a ribbon. That said, base cars like this one were pretty much devoid of frills, except for an AM/FM radio. The good news is that no one fakes a base car, so you won’t have to worry about someone ques- tioning the originality of the options.


1963 CORVETTE STING RAY


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