Patrick and Valerie own a 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Split Window Coupe in Silver Blue.
Tina and I own a 2012 Corvette Grand Sport in Carlisle Blue.
This story starts back in 1964 when Valerie's dad bought his 1963 Sting Ray when it was only 6 months old.
I wonder if the first owner sold it because they did not like that "Split Window"!
What a mistake that was!
Her dad drove it for about 30 years until one day the engine seized up.
So, he parked it in a building in his back yard.
The other side of this story starts in 1974 in a barn in Indiana, when an old farmer in Tina's home town showed her his 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Split Window Coupe, in Silver Blue, stored in his barn.
Tina instantly fell in love with that car! A love affair that will last the rest of her life!
Then in 2012, Chevrolet Corvette came out with the Carlisle Blue color.
Tina said "That is the exact same color as the '63 Split Window I have loved since 1974!"
We did not want to pay full price for a new 2012 and decided to bide our time.
Then in late 2014, we saw a Carlisle Blue Grand Sport C6 coupe at our local Safeway and were once again captivated by its beauty and graceful lines.
We went home and checked prices for a 2012 Carlisle Blue Corvette on the internet and found our "Carl" in Santa Rosa, CA.
Story picks back up again 3 years ago when Valerie's dad died. She and her siblings inherited all of "Grandpa's" stuff. As she and Patrick went thorough Grandpa's various back yard buildings they found this '63 and also an XK-E, along with a few other cars. Her brother got the XK-E, but she and Patrick took the '63 Coupe and started their restoration project .
The following photos show the similarities between these two beautiful Corvette coupes:
1963 meets 2012 - also be sure to check out the performance and dimension comparisons below.
Video of Patrick and Valerie going home after our meeting:
"Tale of the Tape" Comparing 1963 to 2012
Data from "Corvette Black Book" TM by Mike Antonick, 1953-2015
1963 Performance Data from: Road & Track of 1963
2012 Performance Data from: Motor Trend of 2012
Criteria 1963 2012
----------------------- ---------- ------------
Base Price ($) $4,257 $59,525
Length (inches) 175.1" 175.2"
Width (inches) 69.6" 75.9"
Height (inches) 49.8" 48.7"
Curb Weight (lbs) 3,015 lbs 3,333 lbs
Wheelbase (inches) 98" 105.7"
Tire size 6.70x15" P285/30ZR19" Front; P335/35ZR20" Rear
Front Track 56.25" 63.5"
Rear Track 57" 62.5"
Fuel Tank 20 gal 18 gal
Displacement (c.i.) 327 ci 376 ci
Horsepower (hp) 300 hp 430 hp
Build Quantities:
Coupes 10,594 7,876
Convertibles 10,919 2,889
ZR1 n/a 404
Total 21,513 11,647
Paint Colors 7 10
0 to 60 mph (sec) 5.9 4.1
1/4 mile (sec/mph) 14.9@95 12.5@115
Top Speed (mph) 142 186
Braking 60 to 0 mph (ft) ??? 101 ft.
Lateral Acceleration (g) ??? 1.09 g
Corvette Black Book is available from many sellers on the web, here is one:
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-12690-1953-2018-corvette-black-book.aspx
Link to 1963 Corvette Production Facts and Statistics:
http://www.vettefacts.com/C2/1963.aspx
Schematics for 1963 Corvette
