Barrett-Jackson Auction At Palm Beach Features Unique Corvette

Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach auction lot #700. A custom 1963 Corvette Coupe. Photos from Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Autction

1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM COUPE

Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach auction is scheduled for Thursday, April 5 through April 7, 2012. Everyone has become accustomed to seeing the best specimens in automotive history roll across the auction floor at the premiere auction house, but once in a while, something really special hits the floor. We found one of those unique, once-in-a-lifetime cars listed as lot #700: 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe.

’63 Vette’s are always dear to collectors and easily identified by car aficionados by the distinctive split rear window which led to almost everyone referring to the ’63 C2 ‘Vette by its common nickname “the split window Vette.”

The interior and exterior are designed to represent the finest in styling.

What most auto enthusiasts don’t realize is that the 1963 Vette body style was a departure from previously models by virtue of design work that began two years earlier in 1960. The split window Vette was the first Corvette whose body design was refined with information gathered during wind tunnel testing at the Cal Tech wind tunnel facility.

The ’63 model retained fiberglass exterior panels, but designers added twice as much steel support in the interior structure of the car, making the cockpit of the car stronger and safer while the finished product actually weighed less than the previous models.

The ’63 coupe also sported a fastback design and quad headlights that were mounted in rotating sections that hid the lamps during daylight. The hidden headlights continued to be a part of Corvette body design until the C6 model debuted in 2005. It’s fair to say that the “Split Window” ‘Vettes made their mark in automotive history.

WHAT’S IN STORE

If that’s not enough, the auction is selling off 126 Chevys in total. If this Corvette doesn’t interest you, we’re sure many more will. To view all of the Chevys currently up for acution, click here. With a built-in search function, browsing is easy. Each vehicle is listed with its perspective lot number, year, make, model, description and availability.

Make sure to check out the auction on Speed Channel!

SPEED Hours:

Thursday, April 5 : 2PM-8PM EST
Friday, April 6: 2PM-8PM EST
Saturday, April 7: 11AM-8PM EST

MORE ON THE ‘VETTE…

Barrett-Jackson’s Lot 700 lists the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette as a Custom Coupe that has a black exterior and black interior color scheme. The summary posted about the lot contains a real intriguing eye-opener, “Introducing the one and only V7 twin turbo mid-engine Corvette. A stunning reinvention or vision of the future. Winner of the automotive industries coveted GM Design Award. Features a 1,000hp twin turbo motor.”

Called “the best of the best” by Kip Wasenko, GM performance design director. Initially Zora Arkus-Duntov had intended to make the coupe a mid-engine vehicle. This custom build took Duntov’s idea to the finish line. We will let you judge how the custom car turned out.

The distinctive split window is retained in this custom built 'Vette.

Here are the details as listed by Barrett-Jackson:
Mr. Duntov’s heartfelt desire for a mid-engine Corvette concept is exquisitely captured in the hand crafted V7 twin turbo. Purpose built to shame the Ferrari’s, Porsche’s and Ford GT40’s of the era. Brilliantly conceived the iconic 1963 split window coupe has been passionately re-sculpted and shaped with swooping lines and breathtaking style. The new cab forward design allows the motor to be viewed through the original rear windows openings. Ala Enzo, simply stunning architecture. Stretching the rear quarters logically forms sensuous air intakes, aiding cooling and ground effects.

Pure in form, real in function. Entering the cockpit is handled by an industry 1st “suislide” articulating door system. Absolutely jaw dropping geometry. Leather wraps the original Stingray dash humps equipped with Autometer gauges. The cabin is fitted with race style seating from Cobra with full Crow harness system. Conveniences include power windows and HVAC. Audio system delete, the twin Turbos spooling up is all you need. The technical side of the V7 is equally amazing. The custom tube dual ladder frame forms the base. Penske Racing supplied the fully adjustable suspension.

This one is going to have the auction house buzzing when it hits the stage.

Completing the chassis are gigantic 6-piston Baer brakes with cross-drilled rotors. All this magic rolls on custom HRE wheels clad with Michelin’s widest. Featuring a Hot Rod Magazine project motor literally blueprinted to the max.

The Chevrolet LS twin turbo V8 dynos at 1,000hp and 915lbs/ft of torque. Mated to a custom built Mendeola transaxle and Master Shift paddles. Trips to the corner store or man cave happen fast. The V7 prototype launches 0 to 60 in the sub 3-second club. Brutally fast, sexy and artistically engineered.

Welcome to the American super car world. Winner of the automotive industry’s coveted GM Design Award. The V7 has attained the credentials of 21st century automotive art. Museum level quality and endless details make the V7 Twin Turbo one of the most collectable Corvettes in the world. Rarely does a car move so many human beings emotionally. Rarely does a car have this much soul. GM’s Design Director said it best. “The Corvette Duntov would have built to win LeMans, exquisite execution, sensuous lines, amazing details. The V7 is the finest I have ever seen…the best of the best.”