1963 Chevrolet

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Screen ''Fuelie'' Coupe. 360 bhp, 327 cu. in. L84 V-8 engine with Rochester Ramjet mechanical fuel injection, four-speed Muncie manual transmission, four-wheel independent suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 98 inches. Few Corvettes have achieved such notoriety as the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, which launched the second generation of America's Sports Car with a sexy aerodynamic design by Bill Mitchell and Larry Shinoda, riding a thoroughly redesigned chassis with Corvette's first four-wheel independent suspension, developed by Zora Arkus Duntov. Also new was the first-ever production Corvette Coupe, immediately recognized by its split rear window. While the basic design of the coupe would last until 1967, the ''split-window'' would not, and it is the signature identifying feature of closed 1963 Corvettes today. The all-new Corvette generated immediate acclaim, with Motor Trend testers remarking, ''We thought the old model cornered darn well, but there's no comparing it to this new one.'' Road & Track stated that the 1963 Corvette ''will know few peers.'' The model has become something of a design classic, renowned for its combination of European-inspired high style and American brawn, and it remains coveted by Corvette collectors as a landmark in the history of what may be Chevrolet's most important model. Of the four 327 V-8 engines available, the top mill was the 360-horsepower L84 with Rochester Ramjet mechanical fuel injection, propelling the Corvette to 60 mph in under six secondsperformance that remains exhilarating, even today. This original numbers matching ''Fuelie'' engine car was painted in one of only seven colours offered by Chevrolet in 1963, that being Sebring Silver metallic with optional Black Leather interior, exactly as it was built in February 1963, In fact, this car received a complete frame-off restoration from an undamaged original car. The car is equipped with an AM/FM radio, clock, heater, and manual windows, as well as the four-speed manual transmission, 3.36 positraction rear axle, and five original, date-coded Kelsey-Hayes knock-off style hubcaps. Thanks to its thorough restoration, it is clean, tidy, and in very correct condition, showing 491 miles covered sine its restoration, very recently the whole of the fuel injection system has been removed and sent to America and has been fully rebuilt by Jack Podell ''Mr Fuelie'' then returned to the UK and fitted to the car, its running perfectly, (small video accompanying with this advert) all finishes throughout appearing as they should and being in fine shape. The 1963 Corvette is a car that every enthusiast of American performance cars needs to own. £199,995.