1963 Corvette Fact Sheet
Corvette –
All New Everywhere
for 1963
The Corvette received a complete and total restyle in 1963. The chassis was also all new – including independent rear suspension!
The only holdover from 1962 was the engine lineup.
General Year Information
The Corvette received a complete restyle in 1963. Also, the chassis was changed from a “live” rear axle to independent suspension. Although the rear deck treatment resembled that of the 1962 model, the rest of the car was totally new. A rare option in 1963 Corvettes is air conditioning. Only 1.3 percent of the cars were so-equipped.
Corvette Production almost doubled this year, with over 20 thousand made. 83.5 percent of all Corvettes came with four-speed manual transmission. A Fuel Injected Corvette could go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.9 seconds; from 0 to 100 miles per hour in 16.5 seconds.
Models Offered
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The headlights were hidden in an electrically operated fascia panel. This was more than a styling gimmick, as it added to the car’s basic aerodynamic design. The recessed false hood louvers were no real. Front fenders louvers, vents on the roof side panels of this fastback sport coupe and ribbed rocker panel molding were styling features used. The interior had circular gauges with black faces. There was storage space under the seats of early models. Among the standard equipment was: windshield washer; carpeting; outside rear view mirror; dual exhaust; tachometer; electric clock; heater and defroster; cigarette lighter and safety belts. Seven exterior colors were offered: Black; White; Silver; Silver Blue; Daytona Blue; Red; and Tan.
The headlights were hidden in an electrically operated fascia panel. This was more than a styling gimmick, as it added to the car’s basic aerodynamic design. The recessed false hood louvers were not, real. The front fenders louvers, and ribbed rocker panel molding were styling features used. For the first time since 1957, a beige soft top was available.
The interior had circular gauges with black faces. There was storage space under the seats of early models. Among the standard equipment was: windshield washer; carpeting; outside rear view mirror; dual exhaust; tachometer; electric clock; heater and defroster; cigarette lighter and safety belts. Seven exterior colors were offered: Black; White; Silver; Silver Blue; Daytona Blue; Red; and Tan.
Engines
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Base V-8. (Code “RC” & “SC”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 327 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.25 inches. Compression ratio:10.50:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 350 @ 2800 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 300 degrees, Exhaust: 300 degrees (includes hydraulic cam ramps), Lift: 0.3987″. Overlap 28 degrees. Carburetor: Carter AFB #3826003.
Four Barrel V-8 Option L75. (Code “RD” & “SD”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 327 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.25 inches. Compression ratio:10.50:1. Horsepower: 300 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 360 @ 3200 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 300 degrees, Exhaust: 300 degrees (includes hydraulic cam ramps), Lift: 0.3987″. Overlap 28 degrees. Carburetor: (Auto Trans) Carter AFB #3826006 (Manual Trans) Carter AFB #3826004.
Option L76 340 HP V-8. (Code “RE”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 327 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.25 inches. Compression ratio: 11.25:1. Horsepower: 340 @ 6000 RPM. Torque: 344 @ 4000 RPM Five main bearings. Solid lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. Overlap 66 degrees. 4-barrel Carburetor: Carter AFB #3826004.
NOTE: Not available with automatic transmission.
360 HP Fuel Injection V-8 Option L84. (Code “RF”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 327 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.25 inches. Compression ratio: 11.25:1. Horsepower: 360 @ 6000 RPM. Torque: 352 @ 4000 RPM Five main bearings. Solid lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. Overlap 66 degrees. Fuel Injected: Rochester# 7017375.
NOTE: A new Intake manifold was fitted #3826810.
Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 98.00″
- Overall length: 175.20″
- Front tread: 56.80″
- Rear tread: 57.60″
- Tires: 6.70 x 15 – tubeless
Significant Options
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- Air conditioning ($421.80).
- Aluminum knock-off wheels ($322.80).
- Blackwall Nylon tires ($15.70).
- Detachable hardtop ($236.75).
- Electric windows ($59.20).
- Heavy-duty brakes with metallic facings ($37.70).
- Leather seat trim ($80.70).
- Power brakes ($43.05).
- Power steering ($73.35).
- Paint, Sebring Silver ($80.70).
- Radio, AM-FM ($174).
- Radio, Signal-seeking transistor ($137.75).
- Tinted glass ($16.15).
- Tinted windshield ($10.80).
- Whitewall tires ($31.55).
- Wood grain plastic steering wheel ($16.15).
The Corvette Grand Sport
The Corvette Grand Sport race car was constructed in 1963. A total of five were built before the program was canceled. They weighed 1,908 pounds, had 377 cubic inch versions of the small block V-8 equipped with aluminum cylinder block and aluminum hemi-head cylinder heads with twin ignition and port fuel injection.
Body Paint Color Codes
Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:
1963 Corvette:
| 900 Tuxedo Black | |
| 912 Silver Blue | |
| 916 Daytona Blue | |
| 920 Fawn Beige | |
| 923 Riverside Red | |
| 932 Saddle Tan | |
| 936 Ermine White | |
| 941 Sebring Silver |
Engine Options
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- L75 V-8 327 cubic inch 300 horsepower four-barrel carburator engine ($53.80).
- L76 V-8 327 cubic inch 340 horsepower four-barrel carburator engine ($107.60).
- L84 V-8 327 cubic inch 360 horsepower fuel-injection engine ( $430.40).
Power Train Options
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- Automatic transmission ($199.10).
- Manual floor-shift transmission – three-speed was standard.
- Manual floor shift transmission Four-speed ($188).
- Off-road exhaust system ($37 .70).
- Positive traction rear axle ($43.05).
- RPO Z06 Special performance package (coupe only): metallic power brake shoes; heavy-duty shocks; stabilizers; knock-off type aluminum wheels; Posi traction rear axle; four-speed manual gear box; 360 horsepower fuel injection V-8 ( $1,818). (See Page 19A of the AMA Specifications SHeets for more information).
- Sintered metallic brake shoes ($37.70).
Transmission Ratios
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- Three-Speed Manual Transmission Standard. First: 2.47:1, Second: 1.53:1, Third 1:1. Reverse: 2.80:1
- Four-Speed Manual Transmission – Optional. First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.66:1, Third 1.31:1, Fourth: 1:1. Reverse: 2.26:1
- Two-Speed Powerglide Transmission – Optional. Low: 3.82:1-1.82:1, Direct 1.82:1- 1:1. Reverse: 1.82:1.
Rear Axle
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- Manual Transmission. Three Speed: 3.36 (11-37) Four-speed: 3.70:1 (10-37)
- Powerglide Transmission: 3.36:1 (11-37)
- Available rear axle gear ratios: 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.
Related Documents
Files directly related to the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette will appear below:
Related Images
Related Images to the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Line will appear below
1963 Corvette Coupe
For the first time, Corvette had a coupe version. Only coupe bodies could be fitted with the Z06 race option. 10,954 were produced in 1963.
1963 Corvette Convertible
The 1963 Corvette Convertible retained the panache of the previous model with much more modern lines. 10,919 were produced.
1963 Corvette Coupe Cutaway
Rather than detail all the changes to the Corvette for 1963 (other than the drive train little was retained), we thought this cutaway would tell the story
1963 Corvette Fuel Injection Unit
The 1963 Corvette Fuel Injection unit and intake was all new and though the engine was rated at the same 360 HP, there was no doubt that this intake added a few ponies.
1963 Corvette Grand Sport
The 1963 Corvette Grand Sport was developed for serious sports car racing was even thought to be a LeMans entry. However the GM racing ban was enacted and the cars only raced sporadically in the US. 52 copies were made.
1963 Corvette Interior vs 1962
As you can see, the 1963 interior (left) was far more modern and not constrained by the original 1953 cockpit design. The result was far more in keeping with ’60s GM than the previous iteration.