A chance to own the first Corvette Sting Ray and the earliest-known C2 Corvette!
Are you looking for the opportunity of a lifetime to be the first? If so, you don’t want to miss the Mecum Kissimmee 2023 auction! This is your chance to own the First Corvette Sting Ray ever offered to the general public, VIN 30867S100003. And it is the earliest-known second-generation Corvette in existence!
What is the Mecum Kissimmee 2023 Auction?
Mecum is a world-renowned collector car auction company and will be holding their annual auction from January 4-15, 2023, at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida.
The auction has a massive selection of classic cars for sale and is the largest collector car auction in the world. The collector car auction spans 12 days and features more than 4,000 vehicles, including rare Corvettes.
This year’s auction features an exciting opportunity for Corvette enthusiasts, with the largest selection ever available at one auction at one time – check out our complete list of Corvettes going across the block.
LOT S136 1963 Corvette Convertible: The First Corvette Sting Ray
The car we are looking at is a 1963 Corvette convertible. This particular Corvette is the first-ever Corvette Sting Ray offered to the public and the earliest-known second-generation Corvette in existence. It will be among the docket of Corvettes at the Mecum Kissimmee 2023 auction.
This 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is VIN 30867S100003 and is an iconic piece of American history and a truly unique collector’s item.
With its sleek design, the ’63 Vette is sure to draw attention at the auction. Anyone lucky enough to get their hands on this historic Corvette will be getting an extremely valuable piece of automotive history! So let’s take a look.
Some of its highlights
When buying a Corvette for historical value, documentation is a must!
And this ’63 sports car is officially documented by noted Corvette historian and Corvette expert Noland Adams to be the earliest known second-generation Corvette in existence.
According to the National Corvette Restorers, the vehicle was shipped to the selling dealer on August 29, 1962.
this historic 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray is featured in the book Corvette: 1963–1967 by Larry Galloway and is accompanied by an extensive array of historical photographs.
Brian Richardson
Identical twin brothers Brian and Bruce Richardson bought and sold Corvettes to fund their college educations. Their mother worked at a California DMV office, so they were able to place a search for the first twenty 1963 Corvette VINs.
In 1975, Brian Richardson purchased this Corvette, which remained in his possession until he passed away in 2022.
Beyond his many patents, Brian Richardson also acted as a bobsledder for the US Olympic team and competed in the 1992 Olympic games in Albertville, France.
First Corvette Sting Ray Unique Features
“Given its early production status, this Sting Ray features a number of characteristic items, beginning with the car’s one-off, sand-cast, and manually machined headlight mechanisms. Unique outer door panels display top rear cut-outs. A shortened stainless-steel trim bead runs along the tops of the door trim panels in contrast to later models, and windshield reveal moldings are handmade. Rounding out the tell-tale early features, it was also equipped with holes in the body to accommodate power windows and a passenger-side rearview mirror, but they were filled with a factory bonding adhesive. Additionally, the carpeting used for the luggage compartment was similar to that of 1962 models, and the inner front fenders are of a unique design.” Source – Mecum Auction Listing
Features & Options
- LOT S136 1963 Chevrolet Corvette has a comprehensive restoration.
- This 1st Corvette Sting Ray is powered by a 327/360 HP fuel-injected RPO L84 V-8 engine and has a 4-speed manual transmission.
- It is finished in Riverside Red and is set off by a white soft top and has the original and unrestored body-color hardtop.
- The car also sports a red interior with new custom-fabricated upholstery to match the original early production pieces.
- It comes with options like an AM radio, a heater, a defroster, and a tachometer, plus knock-off aluminum alloy wheels that are painted 1960s-style whitewalls.
- There are several desirable original items with the Corvette 003: seat covers, seat foam, door panels, and carpets.
HIGHLIGHTS
- This car, VIN 30867S100003, is the earliest-known second-generation Corvette in existence.
- The first Corvette Sting Ray offered to the general public.
- In the 1970s, Brian Richardson and his identical twin brother, Bruce bought and sold Corvettes to finance their college education
- Purchased by Brian Richardson in Los Angeles in 1975
- In Brian Richardson’s possession until he passed away in 2022
- Brian Richardson was an Olympic bobsledder at the Albertville, France games in 1992
- NCRS confirms this car was shipped on August 29, 1962, with a dealer code
- Documented by Corvette author and historian Noland Adams as the earliest known Corvette Sting Ray
- Comprehensive restoration
- 327/360 HP fuel-injected L84 V-8 engine
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Riverside Red exterior
- White soft top
- Original and unrestored body-color hardtop
- Red interior
- New upholstery was custom fabricated to match the original early production parts.
- Bucket seats
- AM radio
- Tachometer
- Heater/defroster
- Unique front inside the fender
- One-off manually machined sand-cast headlight mechanisms
- Unique outer door panels with top rear cutout
- Shortened stainless-steel trim bead along the top of the door trim panel compared to later models.
- Handmade windshield reveal moldings.
- Holes in the body for power windows and passenger side rearview mirror filled with factory bonding adhesive
- The luggage compartment rear carpet was similar to the 1962 models
- Positraction
- Aluminum alloy knock-off wheels
- Whitewall tires
- Original parts included such as seat covers, seat foam, door panels, and carpets.
- Featured in the book, “Corvette: 1963–1967” by Larry Galloway
- Extensive historical photos
ESTIMATED VALUE $600,000 – $800,000
Conclusion
The 1962 Fuel Injected Corvette made Vete Vues Top Ten Most Desirable PERFORMANCE Corvettes. Check out our article.
Whether it’s the first Corvette Sting Ray or any other Corvette, there is something for everyone at the Kissimmee auction. In addition to the 1963 Corvette Convertible with VIN 30867S100003, there are many other Corvettes for sale that would complete any classic car collection. With a selection ranging from roadsters, coupes, and convertibles, you’ll be able to find the perfect car that meets your specific needs or interest at Mecum Kissimmee 2023. Act fast before it’s too late—your dream car awaits!
You will find articles about Corvettes that have been and will be auctioned at this auction and other auctions on our blog. Check out this link for those articles: Corvettes at Auctions category on our blog.
Are you in the market for a classic 1991 Corvette? If so, you’re in luck! Five 1991 Chevrolet Corvettes are up for sale at the Mecum Kissimmee Auction (2023). Read about their options in our review of the 1991 Corvettes for sale
You might enjoy reading about last year (2022) when the 1963 Corvette ZO6 Gulf One with the 327/360 engine went to the Mecum Kissimmee auction and bid up to $2,400,000 but did not sell.
Check out the article Legendary Design: 1963 Corvette Specifications, History, and Photos
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