Mention “split window” to car junkies, and they immediately know that you’re talking about the venerable 1963 Corvette. Enthusiasts believe the two distinct rear windows—separated by an uninterrupted roofline running down to the tail—is arguably the most beautiful design to come from GM design studios.
When car #10,594 rolled off the line, its fate was sealed as the last split-window Corvette ever produced. The last-of-its-kind ‘Vette was offered on eBay in early August. Given its place in automotive history, the Corvette came with a hefty Buy-It-Now price of $424,900.
Inspired by a Mako Shark
The stunning split-window coupe was developed by Bill Mitchell, vice-president of design for GM, and his Research Studio B team. Mitchell said that his goal was to create “a complete breakaway from what we’ve seen around here in the past.”
Mitchell took cues from Italian sports coupes of the era—and from the profile of the fierce, predatory Shortfin Mako Shark. Nineteen-year-old Peter Brock, the youngest member of the team, penned the first sketches that were later refined by Larry Shinoda, the legendary GM designer.
The 1963 Corvette didn’t disappoint—selling more than 20,000 that year, including 10,594 copies of the split-window version. While the design was a hit, some owners complained about limited visibility. Chevrolet responded by eliminating the split and returning to a more conservative single rear window starting in 1964.
Buy It Now on eBay
An Extra Touch of Style
The saddle tan leather interior matches the Corvette’s exterior paint.
John Garofalo, the seller from Jackson, N.J., describes the last split-window car as perhaps “the most desirable and sought-after Corvette ever produced.” He confirms that the car is a numbers-matching model with a rare 4:11 Posi-traction rear gear, Muncie 4-speed, and solid-lifter 340-horsepower cubic-inch engine.
Performance was (and remains) the main draw for Corvettes. But this special ’63 coupe adds style and comfort in the form of a rare leather interior and wood-grained steering wheel. It also has power brakes and is one of only 318 Corvettes with a backup light option that year.
One of a Kind
The original trim tag tells the story of this Corvette’s build history. Th style is 1963 coupe (837) and 10594 is the production number.
The car clocked only 100 miles since a complete restoration, according to the seller. “The paint was just finished this year and is flawless,” said Garofalo. He encourages serious buyers to see the car for themselves or send a third-party inspector.
Corvette coupe #10,594 is one of about a half-dozen split-window models offered now on eBay. All of them feature the iconic rear-window design. But only one has the unique distinction of being the last one ever produced.
Also see: “Eight Generations of the Chevrolet Corvette.”
