Very Early 1963 Corvette Split-Window Was Originally Owned by GM Exec

One of the first 30 built, this 1963 Corvette split-window coupe was coated in petroleum jelly to preserve it.

The 1963 Corvette split-window coupe is one of the most iconic designs in automotive history, and one that – in spite of its early controversy – has become a highly sought-after collectible. But while all 1963 Corvette split-window coupes are special in their own right, this Ermine White example headed to Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in January is certainly more special than most, thanks to the fact that it’s a very early car, and it was originally owned by a General Motors executive.

Built on September 7, 1962 – the first week of 1963 Corvette production – this C2 bears the serial number 00049, and is the 30th ’63 Corvette ever built. Out of those 30, only around six are believed to have survived to this day, making it an even rarer offering than it already was. As was the case with most early production cars like this, the split-window coupe was delivered to a Chevrolet Zone Office – this time in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – and assigned to a GM exec.

That exec reportedly kept the car until 1970, when he sold it to a collector for a whopping $1,500. The second owner obviously knew that this was a special machine and went to extremes to preserve it all these years, even coating the car in petroleum jelly to curb potential corrosion. It sat in a climate-controlled storage building with a host of other special cars until 2018 when it emerged to score a Second Flight Award at the National Corvette Restorers Society’s Southeast Chapter Spring Meet.

Today, this early ’63 Corvette is still in original, unrestored condition, with all of its original bits and pieces intact, including its numbers-matching L75 327/300 horsepower engine and four-speed manual transmission. It has been driven quite a bit, showing 87,500 miles on the odometer, but this classic Corvette still qualifies as a time capsule of the highest degree.

The seller has replaced the tires, which is understandable given the fact that the originals were far too dangerous to drive around on at this point. But in all honesty, we doubt the new owner will be cruising around in their finely preserved gem that much, as now, it’s more of a prized-collectible and museum piece than an enjoyable driver.

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Photos:Mecum Auctions

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