1963 Chevrolet Corvette

Aerodynamic design, a fastback coupe, new passenger comfort and new independent suspension both front and rear. These were just a few of the exciting new features found in the 1963 Corvette. What a package Chevrolet's styling and engineering divisions had to offer in the 1963 Corvette! Everything was changed and there was nothing left over from the 1962 model, let alone the 1953 model. Starting at the bottom and working up, the frame was mostly box-section with side rails spread wide to the extreme width of the body between the wheels for lower floor pans and increased passenger protection from side blows. Five cross-members tied the side rails together into a rigid unit. The front cross-member was an integral part of the frame assembly instead of a bolt-on portion used on previous Corvettes. This front member was a husky stamping designed to anchor all front suspension components and at the same time dip low enough to give ample engine clearance. The front suspension, although not revolutionary in design, was all-new for the Corvette. Unequal length A-arms, coil springs and spindle assembly were quite similar to that used on the 1963 Chevy passenger cars and in fact, many parts were interchangeable between the two cars, This use of standard Chevy parts gave the 1963 Corvette ball joint suspension at both top and bottom pivot points on the spindle. The coils springs angled inward sharply from their pad in the lower control arm to the upper seat in the frame rail. A radical departure from previous years was employed in the 1963 Corvette rear suspension. It's fully independent, first time ever used in a late model American production automobile. Chevy called it a three-link independent suspension. The differential unit brackets directly to the frame with one point at the lower front and two points at the upper rear of the housing. Rubber insulators isolate running gear noise from the passengers.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Production Numbers

Model Number	Body/Style Number	Body Type & Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Total Production
Corvette
08	37	2 Dr Fastback Coupe	$4,257	3,150 lbs	10,594
08	67	2 Dr Convertible	$4,037	2,881 lbs	10,919

Chassis Data

Model	Wheelbase	Overall Lenght	Width	Front Tread	Rear Tread	Tires
Corvette	98 in	175.3 in	69.6 in	56.3 in	57 in	6.70 x 15

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Options

Code	Description	Price
898*	Genuine Leather Seats	$80.70
941	Sebring Silver Exterior Paint	$80.70
A01	Soft-Ray Tinted Windows (all glass)	$16.15
A02	Soft-Ray Tinted Windshield	$10.80
A31	Power Windows	$59.20
C07	Auxiliary Hardtop	$236.75
C48	Heater & Defroster Deletion (credit)	$100.00
C60	Air Conditioning	$421.80
G80	Positraction Rear Axle	$43.05
G91	Special Highway Axle 3.08:1 Ratio	$2.20
J50	Power Brakes	$43.05
J65	Sintered Metallic Brakes	$37.70
L75	327-cid/300-hp V8	$53.80
L76	327-cid/340-hp V8	$107.60
L84	327-cid/360-hp V8	$430.40
M20	4-Speed Manual Transmission	$188.30
M35	Powerglide Automatic Transmission	$199.10
N03	36-Gallon Fuel Tank	$202.30
N11	Off Road Exhaust System	$37.70
N34	Wood-Grained Plastic Steering Wheel	$16.15
N40	Power Steering	$75.35
P48*	Cast Aluminum Knock-Off Wheels	$322.80
P91	6.70 x 15 Nylon Black Sidewall Tires	$15.70
P92	6.70 x 15 Rayon White Sidewall Tires	$31.55
T86	Back-Up Lights	$10.80
U65	Signal Seeking AM Radio	$137.75
U69	AM-FM Radio	$174.35
Z06*	Special Performance Equipment	$1,818.45

Notes: (898) Leather Seats option came in Saddle Tan only. (P48) Cast Aluminum Knock-Off Wheels were listed as option but were never installed due to quality problems. (Z06) Coupes only with one convertible is known.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Engine Options

Location Of Engine Code: Stamped on the block in front of the right hand cylinder head.

Letter Code	Engine	Horsepower	Torque	Transmission	Carburetor
RC	8-327	250	350	3 & 4-Speed Manual	4 BC
RD	8-327 *	300	360	3 & 4-Speed Manual	4 BC
RE	8-327 + #	340	344	3 & 4-Speed Manual	4 BC
RF	8-327 +	360	352	3 & 4-Speed Manual	Fuel Injection
SC	8-327	250	350	Powerglide	4 BC
SD	8-327 *	300	360	Powerglide	4 BC

+ High Lift Camshaft * High Performance # Special High Performance

Transmission Codes

Transmission	Location
3-Speed Manual	Stamped on rear face of upper right corner
4-Speed Manual	Stamped on cover side rear flange (Warner), stamped on cover side of case (Muncie).
Powerglide	Stamped on the bottom of oil pan

Plant and Type Designation Prefix	Plant	Transmission Type
W	Warner Gear	3-Speed
S	Saginaw	3-Speed
M	Muncie	3-Speed, Overdrive*
C	Cleveland	Powerglide
T	Toledo	Powerglide
D	Saginaw	Overdrive
K	McKinnon	3-Speed
E	McKinnon	Powerglide
O	Saginaw	Overdrive
A	Cleveland	2-Speed, Manual Powerglide

*Overdrive distinguished from 3-Speed by physical appearance only. The above transmissions (exc. Warner Gear) will carry a production code number such as: C1116N (C = Cleveland Powerglide, 11 = November, 16 = 16th, N = Night Shift). The Warner Gear transmissions will carry a production code number such as: WG1031 (W = Warner Gear 4-Spd., G = July, 10 = 10th, 7 = 1967, 1 = First Shift).

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Exterior Paint Codes

Color Name / Code	Color Image	Color Name / Code	Color Image
900 - Tuxedo Black Lucite® Code - 88 Dulux® Code - 93-005		938 - Adobe Beige Lucite® Code - 4256L Dulux® Code - 93-95186
920 - Fawn Beige Metallic Lucite® Code - 4257L Dulux® Code - 181-95187		940 - Sateen Silver Metallic Lucite® Code - 4247L Dulux® Code - 181-95176
923 - Roman Red Lucite® Code - 2931LH Dulux® Code - 93-93037H		948 - Honduras Maroon Metallic Lucite® Code - 4389LM
936 - Ermine White Lucite® Code - 4024L Dulux® Code - 93-93774
NOTES: General Motors paint code plate for all models except Corvair and Corvette is located under the hood at the top of the firewall on the left or right of the upper shroud. Corvair paint code plate is on the left rear wheel housing. Corvette paint code plate is under the dash, below the glove compartment.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Interior Paint Codes

Color Name / Code	Color Image	Color Name / Code	Color Image
Ivory Lucite® Code - (semi-gloss)		Dark Green Metallic Lucite® Code - (semi-gloss) Lucite® Code - (flat)
Medium Fawn Metallic Lucite® Code - (semi-gloss)		Medium Aqua Metallic Lucite® Code - (semi-gloss)
Dark Fawn Metallic Lucite® Code - (semi-gloss) Lucite® Code - (flat)		Dark Aqua Metallic Lucite® Code - (semi-gloss) Lucite® Code - (flat)
Medium Saddle Metallic Lucite® Code - (semi-gloss) Lucite® Code - (flat)		Light Red Lucite® Code - (flat)
Medium Saddle Lucite® Code - (flat)		Medium Red Lucite® Code - (semi-gloss)
Medium Blue Metallic Lucite® Code - (semi-gloss) Lucite® Code - (flat)		Medium Red Metallic Lucite® Code - (flat)
Dark Blue Metallic Lucite® Code - (semi-gloss) Lucite® Code - (flat)		Black Lucite® Code - (flat)
Medium Green Metallic Lucite® Code - (semi-gloss)
NOTE: Unrubbed LUCITE® will generally produce a gloss comparable to original unrubbed interior semi-gloss finishes. If lower gloss is required, use DuPont #4528 flattening compound to reduce gloss.

Trunk Colors (spatter finish)

Gray 389-195

Axle Codes

Location Of Axle Codes: The axles for Chevrolet will be built by Chevrolet Buffalo, Chevrolet Gear and Axle, Buick, Oldsmobile, and McKinnon. Divisional Manufacturer code letters will be metal stamped on the axle tube adjacent to the carrier for identification. Metal stamp on left rear axle tube on the rear side, letters and numerals 3/16 in. high, 3 in. outboard of carrier.

Codes - Non-Locking	Codes - Locking	Ratio	Inspection Cover
CZ	CJ	3.08	10 Bolt
CA	CB	3.36	10 Bolt
	CC	3.55	12 Bolt
CX	CD	3.70	12 Bolt
	CE	4.11	12 Bolt
	CF	4.56	12 Bolt