1963 Corvette Convertible

When the new model of the Chevrolet corvette was introduced in 1963 many did not believe what they saw, it was a design so out of this world that even if a UFO landed next to it, it would still look strange. With its lines and split rear window the new corvette reminded of a rocket ship and although it look extremely aggressive it was not at all brutal in any way. To improve both the looks and the aerodynamics the 1963 corvette hade hide-away headlights, something rarely seen in these times. The new corvette also had fake air vents in the hood, it is said that they originally was functional but continuously let hot engine air into the passenger compartment. All in all the new model was a marvel of both design and comfort, no wonder it became a hit.

1963 corvette convertible – The hardtop

The reason why the new model was a hardtop was because the earlier models, with an entirely different and more traditional design, always had been convertibles. Although popular and very flashy Chevrolet thought they lacked a hardtop corvette and since they wanted to broaden their sales to areas where a convertible was not as functional it was settled that the new corvette would be a hardtop.

1963 corvette convertible – The convertible

Although the original hardtop model of the 1963 corvette was very popular the public soon demanded a convertible version. Acknowledging the demand Chevrolet rushed together the 1963 Corvette convertible that at the end of the year had sold more than the original 1963 model. The convertible version changed the design some since there was no possibility to create the equality of the original shape as a convertible roof. The convertible roof also lacked the split back window which with the different design did not have an artistic function on the 1963 corvette convertible. Although it still had a very impressive design the alien look of the original model was lost when it became a convertible.

1963 corvette convertible – Interior

On the inside the original 1963 corvette and the 1963 corvette convertible did not differ at all. Based on a cockpit design, as most other vehicles at the time, the corvette had a very distinct and sleek design with the form of the glove compartment identical to the dashboard on the driver’s side. The dashboard was simply covered by gadgets and in the rather large centrepiece was a radio, a clock and the buttons for controlling the ventilation built in. The telescoping steering wheel was large but still thin and featured power steering. Although not as magnificent as the outside design the interior was an enormous change from the older design and went in line with what most people asked for at that time.