The famous split window Corvette was first offered in 1963

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

Chassis Data

VIN Numbers

Serial Numbers were stamped on a plate on the left front door hinge pillar (center pillar on Corvair). The Fisher Body number plate on the right-hand side of the cowl gives additional information such as the body style number, the production sequence number, the trim (upholstery) number code and the paint number code.

First Symbol - Year 2 = 1962 3 = 1963 4 = 1964

Second & Third Symbol - Series 01 = Chevy II (4-cyl) 14 = Impala SS (V-8) 02 = Chevy II 15 = Bel Air 1500 Series (6-cyl) 04 = Chevy II Nova 16 = Bel Air 1600 Series (V-8) 05 = Corvair 500 Series (6-cyl) 17 = Impala 1700 Series (6-cyl) 06 = Corvair 600 Monza Spyder (6-cyl) 18 = Impala 1800 Series (V-8) 07 = Corvair Deluxe 700 Series (6-cyl) 53 = Chevelle & Std. El Camino (6-cyl) 08 = Corvette 54 = Chevelle & Std. El Camino (V-8) 09 = Corvair Monza/Spyder 900 Series (6-cyl) 55 = Chevelle Malibu & Custom El Camino (6-cyl) 11 = Biscayne 1100 Series (6-cyl) 56 = Chevelle Malibu & Custom El Camino (V-8) 12 = Biscayne 1200 Series (V-8) 57 = Chevelle Malibu SS (6-cyl) 13 = Impala SS (6-cyl) 58 = Chevelle Malibu SS (V-8)

Fourth & Fifth Symbol - Body Style 11 = 2dr Sedan 41 = 2dr Sedan 15 = 2 dr Station Wagon (6P) 45 = 4dr Station Wagon (9P) 19 = 4dr Sedan 47 = 2dr Sport Coupe 27 = 2dr Sedan 49 = 4dr Sedan 35 = 4dr Station Wagon (6P) 67 = 2dr Convertible 37 = 2dr Hardtop or Sport Coupe 69 = 4dr Sedan 39 = 4dr Hardtop or Sport Sedan 70 = Sedan Delivery

Sixth Symbol - Assembly Plant (A) Atlanta, Georgia (L) Los Angeles, California (B) Baltimore, Maryland (N) Norwood, Ohio (F) Flint, Michigan (O) Oakland, California (G) Framingham, Massachusetts (S) St. Louis, Missouri (J) Janesville, Wisconsin (T) Tarrytown, New York (K) Kansas City, Missouri (W) Willow Run, Michigan

Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence Started at 100001

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Options

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.

+ High Lift Camshaft
* High Performance
# Special High Performance

Transmission Codes

*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.

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.