A 1963 split-window Corvette, modified for drag racing and hidden for decades, returns as a fascinating piece of C2 Corvette history.
A remarkable 1963 Chevrolet Corvette has emerged from decades of storage, revealing itself as an incredible drag-spec time capsule. Known for its distinct split rear window—a feature exclusive to the 1963 model year—this particular C2 Corvette has undergone extensive modifications that transformed it from a classic sports car into a drag racing machine.
The second-generation Corvette, produced from 1963 to 1967, is often celebrated as the most beautiful iteration of the model. While the split-window design was dropped in 1964 due to visibility concerns, the 1963 model has since become a highly desirable collector's item, with pristine examples fetching upwards of $500,000. However, this Corvette’s journey took a different path, prioritizing performance over preservation.
Originally built as a standard 1963 split-window coupe, this Corvette was converted into a quarter-mile drag racer in 1969 after a brief six-year stint on public roads. To optimize it for drag racing, the car was fitted with a rear window from a 1964-67 Corvette and a front end from a 1967 model. Under the hood, it housed a series of engines built by legendary tuner John Lingenfelter, including 292, 255, and 302 cubic-inch Chevy V8s. Lingenfelter, a renowned figure in the drag racing world, not only supplied the engines but also personally raced the car at the 1971 US Nationals.
After a successful drag racing career that lasted until 1976, the Corvette was stored away, preserving its drag-spec modifications and the nostalgic stickers from its racing days. Now owned by Tom Clary, the car still retains its 302 V8 engine and continues to make appearances at drag racing events, reviving memories of its glory days on the track.
Though it may not possess its original split-window or the factory features that make C2 Corvettes so collectible, this Corvette is a valuable piece of racing history. Its journey from a 1963 street car to a custom drag racer highlights a unique chapter in the life of the C2 Corvette—one that captures the spirit of automotive enthusiasts who sought to push the boundaries of performance long before the model became a classic collector’s dream.
