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The famous split window Corvette was first offered in 1963 |
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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 |
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 |
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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 |
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Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence |
Started at 100001 |
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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 |

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938 - Adobe Beige
Lucite® Code - 4256L
Dulux® Code - 93-95186 |
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920 - Fawn Beige Metallic
Lucite® Code - 4257L
Dulux® Code - 181-95187 |
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940 - Sateen Silver Metallic
Lucite® Code - 4247L
Dulux® Code - 181-95176 |
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923 - Roman Red
Lucite® Code - 2931LH
Dulux® Code - 93-93037H |
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948 - Honduras Maroon Metallic
Lucite® Code - 4389LM
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936 - Ermine White
Lucite® Code - 4024L
Dulux® Code - 93-93774 |
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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) |
 |
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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 |
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CC |
3.55 |
12 Bolt |
CX |
CD |
3.70 |
12 Bolt |
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CE |
4.11 |
12 Bolt |
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CF |
4.56 |
12 Bolt |