1963 Split Window Corvette Roadster

The 1963 split window Corvette was considered to be a premium Corvette. They were determined to dial that "something" into the equation and set the sportscar squarely on the path to perfection.

  They started by shortening the wheelbase four inches. But the most significant change was the incorporation of an independent rear suspension to replace the solid rear axle design. While the IRS proved to be the most fundamental engineering upgrade to the new Corvette, the most noticeable change was in the fiberglass shell. Larry Shinoda, who styled the striking Mako Shark for Mitchell in 1961, modified that one off design to create the new 1963 Corvette bodystyle. Thinner, trimmer, and just plain svelte in comparison to the earlier Corvettes, the Sting Ray, as the new model was dubbed, begged no apologies from any European designs. One interesting design element, in addition to the welcome retractable headlights, was the "split window" concept found in the coupes. Mitchell and Duntov debated the configuration, Mitchell liked it, Duntov didn't. Mitchell won out at first, but in the end criticism of the split window led to its demise for the 1964 model year.

  Inside, the '63 Corvette continued the sleek roadster theme. A new cockpit-style interior, enhanced with such Corvette firsts as leather seats, air conditioning, and power steering, helped make the Sting Ray an honest to goodness luxury sports coupe, the likes of which had never been seen on the American road. For buyers who wanted the ultimate in performance, the RPO Z06 performance package, which included the 360-horsepower L84 fuel-injected V8, Muncie four-speed tranny, Posi traction rearend, heavy duty brake system, and equally beefed suspension,it was the ticket.

     Whether Corvette enthusiasts had grown weary of the first-generation cars and were simply eager to embrace the new design, or whether the new design itself finally opened the door for otherwise reluctant consumers to take the Corvette plunge, the 1963 Sting Ray proved to be a screaming success right out of the gate. Production could not keep up with demand in spite of an extra shift being added at the St. Louis assembly plant. Sales spiked by 50 percent that year, bringing the total to a new record of 21,513 units.