Seven second-generation Chevrolet Corvettes forming a collection known as ‘Split Window Colorama’ will cross the auction block in the USA on January 12. All cars are 1963MY, but their exterior finishes and engines are different. They will be sold separately, and the most precious example is estimated at up to $500,000.
For those of you who didn’t know, ‘Split Window’ refers to the rear glass of a sports car divided in two. There were a few cars like this in history, but the Corvette series only had a Split Window variant in 1963. After just one year on the market, the manufacturer found that it reduced road visibility for drivers and took it out of production.
Nonetheless, around 10,000 Split Window ‘Vettes have been made by that time, and the surviving examples are widely considered collection-worthy.
All seven examples in the collection heading to the auction feature the same four-speed manual transmission and 5.36-liter V8 engine. The output ranges from 300 to 360 horsepower, though. Some of the cars are used with the most-driven example having roughly 115,000 km (71,500 miles) on the counter.
Price-wise, the auction estimates the cheapest ‘Vette at $225,000 and the most expensive one at $500,000. The latter is a rare Z06 spec from a total production batch of just 199 units, in authentic condition with just 36,600 km (22,750 miles) under its belt. Originally made for the Australian market, it is a right-hand-drive car.