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A LOVE OF CORVETTES
{ UnderTheHood }
1963 Split Window Coupe
Story and photos by Felicia Frazar
Billy and Sherry Dawson’s love of Corvettes has led them to a rare find — a 1963 Split Window Coupe.
This particular model was only on the assembly line for a year, leaving a limited number of them available.
“They were only built this one year,” he said. “You can’t see out of the back of them, so they quit after ’63 and in ’64 they wen’t back to a full back window.”
Due to the small amount of Split Window Coupes, finding one is a feat. Once the Dawsons discovered one, they couldn’t let it go, Billy said.
“It is a real rare car,” he said. “They’re just so hard to find. They’re getting eaten up everyday by people like me.”
Once Billy got his hands on the body, the work began. He installed an LS3 430 horse power engine, 4L65E automatic transmission.
He gave it the ’85-’96 Corvette suspension for the smooth ride, all new leather interior and fifth-generation Corvette seats.
The modernized classic currently sports power windows, power locks and a power hood, modern gauges, wheels and tires and a new windshield wiper system.
“It is a modern car. I built this one for me,” he said. “I just like to drive it. It is a smooth ride.”
