Mecum Hosts a 1963 Chevy Corvette Cache That Could Sell for More Than a Million

 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: