When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I didn't know there was one, and what is the reason for this cold war?
People decry the fact that the little piece of fiberglass between the rear windows is worth well into 5 digits over the price of a 63 convertible or even a coupe from later years, (there are exceptions) given today's mania over the split window....hard to swallow -- but there you have it...
It does not mean split windows are "better cars", just that the "mystique-fueled" value derangement is real, for now at least....
Ostensibly -- they aren't even that rare -- there were as many split windows produced as the entire 1961 production run of Corvettes.
Now, the few remaining cars with nicely restored or original bodies (regardless of engine size; fuelies being an exception) command a hefty premium...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 05-24-2018 at 07:54 AM.
Its like everything else Frank, first year cars, one off parts because of it being a first year car, there are those who will pay a premium for what is perceived to be rare or one off, and a SWC is perceived to be one off. I own a convertible, but I would be the first one to tell you that the coupe flows better then the vert, and it does not matter if its a 63 or 67, hell I love them all, no hate here.
It's iconic. Even those who know little about Corvettes usually know about these. I've had people ask me if my '64 convertible is a split window. I get that question less often than the "Is that a Sting Ray?" question, but it still happens.
Someone in a recent thread in this section used this terminology. Is there such a thing and why?
What I want to know is why Chevrolet sold more convertibles in 1963 than they did coupes?
If you look at vintage magazine write ups of 1963 Corvettes, you see the enthusiasm for the whole package. Not just one of the two available body styles.
Evidently, owners in recent years have put on a smoke and mirrors show to flim flam the unknowing public into believing there is something really special about them. The styling was a flop. Customer's complained about poor visibility out the back even though they liked the coupe body. Some customers even then didn't like the back window styling so they took a hatchet to the center rib and put in a one piece back window like the later Corvettes used.
That's why the design lasted one year only. Any other way you spin it is BS.
They got rid of those awful sheet metal hood inserts the next year, also. Those were universally panned in the auto magazines in 1963. They still look cheesy.
Doug
Originally Posted by MikeM
What I want to know is why Chevrolet sold more convertibles in 1963 than they did coupes?
If you look at vintage magazine write ups of 1963 Corvettes, you see the enthusiasm for the whole package. Not just one of the two available body styles.
Evidently, owners in recent years have put on a smoke and mirrors show to flim flam the unknowing public into believing there is something really special about them. The styling was a flop. Customer's complained about poor visibility out the back even though they liked the coupe body. Some customers even then didn't like the back window styling so they took a hatchet to the center rib and put in a one piece back window like the later Corvettes used.
That's why the design lasted one year only. Any other way you spin it is BS.
Ostensibly -- they aren't even that rare -- there were as many split windows produced as the entire 1961 production run of Corvettes.
.
I remember back when I had my first split window, the craze wasn’t like it is these days but they always generated a lot of attention and comment. I’d routinely hear that I was “lucky” to have found one because they were so “rare.”
I’d comment that I had a shopping list of possibilities that was pretty long when I bought that car and anyone that wanted a split window and could afford one could look at the Corvette Buyers Guide in any month and find a long list of candidates. They weren’t remotely “rare.” I found the biggest challenge was getting the color you wanted. I did get a lot of disbelief at the time.
It’s a different market these days of course with every speculator trying to make a buck like he’s seen on TV, but the fact is there was nothing difficult about finding and buying a decent one pre-2012.
What I want to know is why Chevrolet sold more convertibles in 1963 than they did coupes?
If you look at vintage magazine write ups of 1963 Corvettes, you see the enthusiasm for the whole package. Not just one of the two available body styles.
Evidently, owners in recent years have put on a smoke and mirrors show to flim flam the unknowing public into believing there is something really special about them. The styling was a flop. Customer's complained about poor visibility out the back even though they liked the coupe body. Some customers even then didn't like the back window styling so they took a hatchet to the center rib and put in a one piece back window like the later Corvettes used.
That's why the design lasted one year only. Any other way you spin it is BS.
The lady doth protest too much methinks......... It is fashionable to bitch about the visibility. I have never had a problem even without using the outside rear view mirror. As far as styling, when people get to talking about it, Larry Shinoda's classic design is often mentioned as the purest design ever created. Bill MItchell loved it; Zora Duntov hated it. Back in the day, the reason some took the bar out of the back was so it would look like the next (new) year model.
Last edited by vettsplit 63; 05-24-2018 at 11:09 AM.
Its like everything else Frank, first year cars, one off parts because of it being a first year car, there are those who will pay a premium for what is perceived to be rare or one off, and a SWC is perceived to be one off. I own a convertible, but I would be the first one to tell you that the coupe flows better then the vert, and it does not matter if its a 63 or 67, hell I love them all, no hate here.
The people that hate the cars hate them far more than just someone that prefers a coupe to a convertible or doesn’t care for the side gills on a 65-66, Gavin. There’s a number of reasons for that.
Personally, I hate the Yankees and the Montreal Canadiens. Such things develop in a passionate hobby.
I speced out a sebring silver Z06 but changed my mind because I had always wanted a convertible. Yeah, I know, bad financial decision based on today's prices. My son reminds me frequently. however, based on my fun factor for all those free spirited days of youth, I would never considered trading for a coupe. I think the lines of the SWC are unbeatable for that era, but for my personal fun factor, the free feeling of the convertible is still where I'm at. Coupes are for lookin, convertibles are for drivin. I love them both and wish I had a matching SWC.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c1-and-c2-corvettes/3276038-63-corvette-delivered-to-me-50-years-ago-today.html
Last edited by Ol Blue; 05-24-2018 at 11:25 AM.
Reason: Add info
05-24-2018, 06:50 AM
however, based on my fun factor for all those free spirited days of youth, I would never considered trading for a coupe. I think the lines of the SWC are unbeatable for that era, but for my personal fun factor, the free feeling of the convertible is still where I'm at. Coupes are for lookin, convertibles are for drivin. I love them both and wish I had a matching SWC.