One User Has Spent Millions Buying 26 Split-Window Corvettes on BaT
Do you like 1963 Split Window Corvettes? Of course. Who doesn’t? But maybe not quite as much as Bring a Trailer user “DDSEOE“, who has plunked down $5.26M on 26 different 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupes on the auction platform since 2023. In other words, this buyer doesn’t like Split Windows. They love ’em. The latest acquisition happened this week, and if you need any further evidence that this person is putting the heart before the head, the sale price of $352,000 for the example seen here was 60 percent over the #1-condition value for the model. (Such #1-condition, or Concours, cars are considered virtually flawless and representative of the best examples in the world.)
The car itself has a thoroughly documented restoration, a matching engine, a four-speed manual, and an overall clean presentation. But it’s worth adding some Corvette context here. The 1963 model year was, of course, the first for the second-generation (C2, 1963-67) Corvette, as well as the only year for the famous split rear window. That treatment looks great but also harms rear visibility—a classic tale of the friction between styling departments and engineering departments.
Being a one-year-only feature makes it relatively rare in Corvette circles, but this was still a mass-produced product from a giant corporation. Chevrolet built 21,513 Corvettes for 1963, divided almost evenly between coupe and convertible. This one’s 327-cubic-inch, 300-hp L75 engine represents the second-lowest output available in the 1963 Corvette, and valuable options like power windows, factory air conditioning, and knock-off wheels were not fitted to it. A $352,000 price for it, then, is beyond steep. The maximum average value for a Split Window with this powertrain in the Hagerty Price Guide, according to our data, is $217,000.
As for DDSEOE’s little Sting Ray shopping spree, the user has been buying lots on BaT since 2021 and has been the top bidder on 92 of the site’s auctions in that time. The majority of them are vintage Corvettes, but there have been a few Thunderbirds, some Packards and other prewar cars, a handful of Hummers, and a few Cadillac-themed sofas in there as well. Of the 26(!) different Split Windows he’s bought, there have been a few 327/360-hp fuel-injected cars as well as several 327/340-hp L76 cars, but nothing super-rare like a Z06.
It isn’t clear whether DDSEOE is opening a museum, orflipping cars to overseas buyers, or simply building a big collection for personal enjoyment. What is clear is there is cash to spend and a clear sense of taste.
Split windows are cool. I had two- 1948 VW with the split rear window and a 1961 Corvette with a custom made fiberglass top molded off a 1963 Split. Do I wish I still had both?–You bet
Jeff
Those of us who were teens when these were new saw them become average used cars over time. I purchased a 63′ convert in 1971 from a used car lot for 1995! In 1973, I was the parts mgr. at a Datsun dealer and we took a 64 convert in trade on a new, ordered Datsun 610 wagon. Wow! I could have bought it for 1100 but got tired of waiting for the new 610 to arrive and bought a 63″ Riviera instead for 2100. Ah…The good old days.
Lessee – $2,100 in 1973 would be over $15,000 today. I happen to be looking at ten year old cars at the moment, and the prices seem to be around $15,000. Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.
Some will remember that in 1964 or ’65 you could buy a kit (mail order) to remove the middle bar from the ’63 rear window to make your car look more “modern”. You would unknowingly remove half of the collector value. Remember that Papa ZORA wanted the split window – so that is the way it should stay !
Got that right about Dora, or was it Mitchell? I’ve had one for 25 years and never a visibility issue. May seem it would be, maybe if backing a trailer, but usually looking to the left or right vs the center for hazards. Could be wrong, just my experience.
Sorry, Zora Duntov
Zora did not want the split window, Bill Mitchell wanted it. They got into a hell of an argument and Mitchell agreed 63 would be the only year for the split window.
I looked at a ‘63 coupe in 1977 for sale that had been used as a daily driver since new. Over 100,000 miles. Had winter tires on the rear. It was a base engine 4 speed in Daytona blue/blue. Crud so thick on the engine you couldn’t see any Chevy engine orange and except for some spider-webbing and 6 tail lights it was basically complete. It ran and drove but the clutch was shot, I could smell coolant and it missed under load. He wanted $1500 for it and I wasn’t ready to buy a fixer upper and wanted a convertible anyway. Never saw it again. Wonder what happened to it? If you still have it I’ll give you the $1500 for it.
As for speculating about who the bidder is, he made this comment on a C1 he was interested in; “this (the C1) will be the only 53 [sort of 53] in my collection. It, like my other acquisitions will likely stay in my collection until my candle goes out.”
FWIW, I took the DDS part of his handle to mean dentist. But who know?
The split rear window is of no worry when you need not care what’s fading into the distance behind you.
Unless it’s a cop…
Lmao, Cut out the rear post and install a ’64 rear window? Just buy a ’64. The only thing wrong with a ’63 Corvette was they didn’t offer a big block and those silly hood ornaments…ugh.
Family has a 1963 all original convertible for sale but at the right price. May possibly go to Barrett Jackson in a year or so if a good buyer is not found. The color is saddle tan with white soft top. Has an hard top too. Excellent shape and 53k miles.
As college students we purchased a 63 split window for $1500. It was so much fun that we found a 63 roadster for my wife for $1200. They were both above average drivers. Please understand that we didn’t have an extra buck for food, but we had a pair of Vettes in the driveway! You just have to have your priorities in order. When l graduated, l put a hitch on the split window and towed a small uhual box trailer 1200 miles home with all of our earthly belongings. Aah, those were the days.
My high school electronics teacher (I use the term loosely) had a new ‘63 convertible he used to tow his drag boat (I heard his wife had money). He had an older ‘vette before.
One balmy night my junior year of high school, we were spilling out of the Moose Lodge after a dance. There across the street sat a car transporter with a full load of split window Corvettes. It was parked under a streetlight and looked like something out of a dream. We encircled the rig and checked them out as best we could. There was a red one hanging over the cab of the semi and directly under the streetlight, so l decided to climb up for a closer look. Everyone was egging me on as l managed to crawl up next to this beautiful car. As l grabbed hold of the door handle to steady myself, l realized that the door was unlocked! I swung the door open and slipped into the driver’s seat. As l sat there studying the interior my eyes focused on the keys in the ignition. You guessed it, l depressed the clutch, checked the ebrake and fired it up. Here l am on Main Street revving the engine to the cheers of my peers. One of the highlights of my automotive life. Also, the beginning of a lifetime affair with Corvettes.
The split window coupe is back with the 2025 C8 ZR1 Corvette but this time it has function – louvers that provide colling to the twin turbos
In 1963, I bought a black 1957 Corvette “fuelie” with silver coves and red interior for $1400. The previous owner, an aircraft mechanic, had bored the 283 to 301 and added an aluminum fly wheel. Don’t miss a shift! Two years later I sold the “Vette” for $1700 and thought I made a killing. An orange 1958 Corvette was next, followed by a triple black 1962, for $2200. 61 years later my Corvettes are behind me, but I do enjoy driving my like new, all original, silver 5-speed 2004 Mustang GT. 1999-2004 Mustang GT’s are the best bang for your performance buck.
I owned a 63 convertible that had every option you could put on the car. Didn’t have air conditioning because it was not available with the fuel injected engine. Car listed for $5843.40.Dealer cost was $4122.72. The car was ordered by my grandfather. He would not allow me to get the coupe because of the visibility issue with the split window. The split window is a hazard to drive. Those cars did not have a passenger side mirror on door. I wish I had kept the car. There probably was not another ordered with every option available. Mine would be extremely rare today.
I’m actually looking for a 63 with fuel injection and leather seats, power brakes. I’ve found one for $139,000 that I’m going to go look at. Theres several 63 coupes with fuel injection and the cast aluminum wheels that you had to purchase from the dealer parts department in 63 for around $200,000 . He paid way too much money for that particular car. No major options and a 3272300 hp engine.