I'm sure this will start a lively discussion.

Don't PM or email me as I don't know where this car is, just trying to help Bruce out. He posted in the for sale section about a non-advertised split window.

I've got a question. What is heck is that bell looking thing by the windshield wiper water?

"I found an unadvertised 63 SWC for sale and wanted to know what it was worth. I have the details along with some pictures. Just wanted to know who could help me out.
Thanks"

*1963 Corvette
* Coupe Split Window
*327cu inch/300 HP
*2-speed Power glide Automatic Transmission
* Black Interior
* Leather Bucket Seats
*Original Gauges
*Solid Frame
* Ermine White Paint (NOT original)
*Chrome Trim
*Owners Manual
*Car Jack
*BF Goodrich Tires
*Stock Hubcaps
*AM/FM Stereo
*Leather Interior
*Power Brakes
*Power Locks
*Power Steering
*Power Windows

I am the 3rd owner. I inherited it in 2009 from my god father, who was the 2nd owner and had it for 35 yrs. He did the changes you see in the photos...steering wheel, automatic transmission and fire extinguisher. I keep it covered in my garage, it is not left outside.















Here is what I told Bruce:

These cars are a black hole of spending. So far on my car from memory as I'm intentionally not keeping track and tossing all the receipts from Corvette Central I've spent $36k+ so far on top of the $42k I paid for my 63 verte. Heh, $1k just for new wiring harnesses which all of them need if they haven't been replaced! My 63 verte might be worth $50k to the right buyer.

The powerglide is definitely a negative. It takes all the acceleration out it should have. Sidepipes will definitely be noisy and didn't come on the car in 1963.
From what I can see in pictures MC is replaced and shifter not original. **** carpet on seats looks ridiculous.
Doesn't have air for sure. Doesn't have power brakes. Non original steering wheel. I see a power steering pump and I see electric window buttons on the console.
Not a 63 glove box. Valve covers not original. Looks like 300hp speedo. You need to get a picture of the VIN tag under the glove box to see what the car originally was. I think the current owner doesn't know what she has.

Look on passenger side in front of the head to see if VIN is on block. Look at front of heads to see if double hump or not.
How concerned are you about originality?

"What should I offer?"

Condition, condition, condition! You can't tell from 20 foot pictures. If you aren't experienced with mid-years find someone that is to figure out what the thing needs to determine offers if it matters to you.
Could be in restored condition or need everything.

The biggest question and hardest to answer at least for me is what do you want to do with it? Best financially is to leave it alone or find one
in the final condition you want it in. How about originality? Does it matter to you or not? This one is not original. I don't care about original myself but that is just me. Can you live with the faded threadbare carpet? Like black interior? Like loud sidepipes? Like no air-conditioning? Radio works? Overheats? What is the motor compression? Rusty frame?

63s gave lots of expensive one year only parts if originality matters to you and I would expect this one to have lots of them replaced with later model stuff like the glove box already is.

 

That bell looking this is a bell. It does not belong there. Must be an old alarm system.

 

If Bruce decides not to buy it I would sure like to have a shot at it.

 

My '64 coupe has the bell too, located closer to the washer bottle. Its a super old school alarm, they must have been all the rage in the day !

 

Looks loike an old gas station bell .Run across air line and the bell goes off

 

check for a toggle switch in the wheel well. could be an alarm, i think there was an hobbiest circuit going around in the 60's to build your own. my father did this, but he used the horn as the alarm.