Tag: Kissimmee

Now in its eighth generation (C8), Chevrolet’s Corvette stands alone as being globally known as “America’s sports car.” Of course, we say that with all due respect to its Camaro sibling, and even Ford’s Mustang. 

But with the 1953 Corvette being the machine that got U.S. automakers started down the sports car path, and today’s twin-turbocharged 2025 ZR1 model that makes 1,064 horsepower and scorches the quarter-mile dragstrips in 9.6 seconds, it’s a car that has transcended all attempts by Chrysler and Ford to produce rivals that have the same broad impact across the entire sports car segment.  

Corvette’s performance, styling, and even its tenure have made it a hot-rodding icon. And today, ’Vettes of all generations—even less desirable models like the anemic 1980 (emissions-constrained V-8 engine), or sinfully ugly 1984 (the car looks like it had to be designed by blindfolded third graders)—are cars that can command handsome prices at auction, depending on their vintage, and, of course, their condition. 

With this being the case, consider the 1963 “split (rear) window” Corvette Sting Ray coupe. It’s the ’Vette that kicked off Generation 2 (C2/1963-1967) of the lineage, and as a one-year-only model, it’s heralded by enthusiasts and extremely coveted by collectors (and easily garners amounts that are deep in the six figures). So imagine a collection of eight relatively pristine ’63 Sting Rays being unloaded at the same time! 

That’s the way it’s going down on Friday, January 17, at Mecum Auctions’ 2025 kickoff bid at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. The Split Window Colorama II Collection is an assemblage of meticulously restored, highly pedigreed, red, black, white, saddle tan, and silver examples of the sleek, carbureted and fuel-injected (optional), 327ci (250 hp, 300 hp, 340 hp, 360 hp), V-8-powered, four-speed manual-transmission coupes. 

To be clear about this collection, one of the eight ’Vettes is an anomaly. The 1963/2008 split-window mashup built by Karl Kustoms of Des Moines, Iowa, is powered by the 6.2-liter V-8 engine and six-speed manual gearbox of a C6 model. 

HOT ROD senior editor KJ Jones will be on hand to witness this collection’s sale, but those who can’t get there can catch live gavel-to-gavel broadcasts on MotorTrend and streams on MAX: 

• Friday, January 10, and Saturday, January 11 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
• Wednesday January 15, and Thursday January 16 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
• Friday January 17, and Saturday January 18 from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Each car in the collection has qualities that give it its own uniqueness. Here are photos and highlights for everything in the group. 

Riverside Red 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Fuel-Injected Split Window Coupe 

• Numbers-matching, fuel-injected 327ci/360-hp V-8 engine 
• Muncie M20 four-speed manual transmission 
• Original body/trim tag affirmed by Classic Car Affirmation Service 
• CCAS/Grenning trim tag affirmation 
• Factory Riverside Red exterior/red interior car 
• Comprehensive body-off restoration 
• Bloomington Gold certified 
• Multiple National Corvette Restorers Society chapter, regional and national Top Flight awards  
• NCRS performance verification 
• Winner, NCRS Zora Arkus Duntov Mark of Excellence award 
• All accreditations are documented and compiled in a very well-organized three-ring binder 

Tuxedo Black 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Fuel-Injected Split Window Coupe 

• Production date: October 6, 1962 (VIN 1022) 
• Delivered new by Don Allen Midtown Chevrolet in Manhattan (dealer code 0 in Zone 27) per the official National Corvette Restorers Society/GM shipping data records 
• Numbers-matching, fuel-injected 327ci/360-hp V-8 engine 
• Original body/trim tag 
• Original Tuxedo Black exterior/Saddle Tan interior car 
• Grenning trim-tag affirmation by Classic Car Affirmation Service 
• Comprehensive professional body-off restoration 
• Bloomington Gold certified 
• Winner, NCRS Top Flight award 
• Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals Concours Gold and Triple Diamond 
• First prize, AACA National Senior award 
• Winner, AACA Senior Grand National 
• All accreditations and owner’s manual are documented and compiled in a very well-organized three-ring binder  

Saddle 1963 Chevrolet Corvette A/C Split Window Coupe 

• Production date: May 13, 1963 
• Delivered new by Ed Rinke Chevrolet in Centerline, Michigan, dealer code 384 in Zone 44 per the official National Corvette Restorers Society shipping data report 
• Documented with the Tom Christman A/C inspection and validation report dated March 17, 2017 (prior to restoration). Tom is the custodian and author of the 1963 Air Conditioning Registry 
• Classic Car Affirmation Service–affirmed, numbers-matching original, carbureted 327ci/300-hp V-8 engine 
• Original body/trim tag affirmed by CCAS 
• Comprehensive nut-and-bolt rotisserie restoration completed in 2018 
• Saddle Tan exterior/Saddle Tan interior 
• 1 of only 278 produced with factory air conditioning 
• The first-year production A/C Corvettes are quite unique in comparison to the 1964-1967 A/C Corvettes as there are over 25 items unique to the 1963 A/C Corvettes 

Ermine White 1963 Chevrolet Corvette A/C Split Window Coupe 

• Production date: June 8, 1963 
• Delivered new by Rancho Chevrolet in Reseda, California (dealer 419 in Zone 20) per the official National Corvette Restorers Society/GM shipping data records 
• Numbers-matching, carbureted 327ci/300-hp V-8 engine and rearend 
• Original body/trim tag 
• Body-on restored recently including paint, interior, chrome, engine, and mechanicals by California-based specialists 
• Ermine White exterior/Tuxedo Black interior 
• 1 of 278 produced with factory air conditioning 

Sebring Silver 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe 

• Production date: March 1, 1963 
• Delivered new by Kardon Chevrolet in Mt. Holly, New Jersey (dealer code 343 in Zone 15) per the official National Corvette Restorers Society/GM shipping data records 
• Numbers-matching, original, carbureted, 327ci/340-hp V-8 engine, four-speed manual transmission, and rearend. Engine stamp is affirmed by Classic Car Affirmation Service 
• Original body/trim tag 
• Sebring Silver exterior/Tuxedo Black interior 
• Winner, NCRS Top Flight award 
• All accreditations, history, and owner’s manual are documented and compiled in a very well-organized three-ring binder 

Riverside Red 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe 

• Production date: July 17, 1963 
• Delivered new by King Braeger Chevrolet in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (dealer code 355 in Zone 61) per the official National Corvette Restorers Society/GM shipping data records 
• Classic Car Affirmation Service–affirmed, numbers-matching, original, carbureted 327ci/250-hp V-8 engine, transmission, and rear end 
• Original body/trim tag 
• Riverside Red exterior/red interior 
• All accreditations, history, and owner’s manual are documented and compiled in a very well-organized three-ring binder 

Riverside Red 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe  

• Production date: July 15, 1963 
• Delivered new by Todd Chevrolet in Perth Amboy, New Jersey (dealer code 317 in Zone 35) per the official National Corvette Restorers Society/GM shipping data records 
• Classic Car Affirmation Service–affirmed, numbers-matching, original, carbureted 327ci/250-hp V-8 engine 
• Original body/trim tag with CCAS affirmation 
• Body-on restoration 
• Original Daytona Blue exterior/red interior car, now painted Riverside Red. Estimated at 1 of less than 10 
• All accreditations, history, and owner’s manual are documented and compiled in a very well-organized three-ring binder 

Riverside Red 1963/2008 Chevrolet Corvette Karl Kustoms Split Window Coupe 

• Car number 004C of 10 produced 
• 6.2-liter V-8 engine 
• Six-speed manual transmission 
• Riverside Red exterior/red interior 
• Targa top 
• Performance, drivability, and safety features of the sixth-generation Corvette 
• Includes owner’s manual, Corvette DVD, clean CarFax, GM window sticker, build sheet, Certificate of Origin, dealer invoice and Karl Kustom build invoices