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Here's What the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport is Worth Today

By Clarisa Mane on December 27, 2021

The Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport was originally a 1963 model built by American automaker Chevrolet to compete with rivals.

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Via: Flickr

The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport was the very first car ever to bear the name Grand Sport in its production, and it has been considered by many to be the best and most valuable model of Corvette that there ever was. The initial price for the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport model was $4,922, which would be over $38,000 today when adjusted for inflation.

The Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport was originally a 1963 model built by American automaker Chevrolet to compete with rivals. It featured a different body design than other Corvettes and was equipped with an L88 V8 engine.

However, after its success on race tracks, it became a production model for racing fans. In 1975, a convertible model was introduced to be purchased from dealerships alongside other models. Its popularity led to continued production until 1982. This was when GM decided to cease production due to rising gas prices, decreasing sales, and safety concerns about removable windows that prevented the use of seat belts for occupants who did not sit in their seats properly.

Numerous enthusiasts clamored for its return as late as 2005, but it never came back into regular production. Here is what the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport is worth today.

Its History And What Makes It Unique?

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The Grand Sport came at a pivotal time in America's car industry. Chevrolet paved the way for faster and more efficient vehicles that don't compromise luxury or comfort by offering a performance model.

The vehicle comes with a two-seater design and has options: power brakes, power steering, chrome engine trim, red racing seats with matching wheels. All vehicles come with air conditioning and power windows to ensure your driving experience is comfortable and seamless.

Engineers Dan Darnell created the car, John Stevenson & Zora Arkus-Duntov after they collaborated on an SS race car called the 4–4–2′′. The name refers to its final drive ratio – a feature that made it distinct from its predecessors. Together, they wanted to build something unique and different and offer customers something exclusive, which was a hybrid between sports and racing vehicles.

It wasn't long before they came up with an idea for building an affordable yet powerful model and brought it straight to GM's chief executive officer at the time: Bill Mitchell. He thought there was potential in such a concept but also believed that performance models don't sell well in general. Despite Mitchell's doubts, he allowed them to test their theory under one condition: They were not allowed any corporate support regarding funding or advertising. If anything went wrong, they would only be responsible for any losses incurred.

How Much Does The '63 Chevy Corvette Grand Sport Cost?

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In 1963, you could buy a Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport for $5,385 – or about $37,000 in today's dollars. That would be cheap by today's standards, but it was still pretty pricey considering that same year, you could buy a basic Ford Falcon for just over $2,500.

Even if you opt for an average-priced 2018 model, say, a Chevy Malibu, it costs around $25K after taxes and fees; it is nearly ten times more than its 50-year-old ancestor. The good news is that although those numbers tell us how much things have changed over time, they don't tell us anything about how much fun you can have behind the wheel.

In that respect, the value goes beyond money: what you get out of your car depends on what you put into it. Like so many older models, Vettes are very tunable, making them as much a hobby as transportation, which means that owning one is only as expensive as you want to make it or maybe not at all.

The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport is unlike other C2 Corvettes in that it came with a 327-cubic-inch V8, which was capable of generating over 300 horsepower. It also had a robust front stabilizer bar, rear shock absorbers and steering box, and close-ratio gears for improved curves and straight lines performance.

All these features were available thanks to its Le Mans-winning parts. In addition, all its factory-installed options were standard, including air conditioning and power windows. These models are highly sought after by collectors because only 602 units were made during that year. Collectors can expect to pay up to $800,000 in auctions or from private sellers for one in mint condition.

Most Expensive 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Ever Sold

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One of the most expensive 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport sold at the RM Auction in Monterey, California. The vehicle sold for $3,575,000 and the proceeds are being donated to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and the National Parkinson Foundation.

Another big sale was the car that brought legendary racing driver, John Fitch, victory in the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1963 was auctioned at Worldwide Auctioneers' Icons of Speed & Style Auction in Las Vegas for the princely sum of $5.5 million. This makes it the most expensive 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport ever sold and the most expensive Corvette ever to be sold at auction.


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