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April 15, 2025 – When the team from WD Detailing swung open the sagging barn doors in rural Ohio, they didn’t expect to find a legend. The dust-covered shape under decades of bird droppings and mouse nests belonged to a 1963 Corvette split-window coupe—one of the most iconic American sports cars ever built. It had been abandoned for 20 years, but the story behind it was what made this rescue truly special.
The 1963 model year is the only one Chevrolet produced the split rear window, making it a holy grail for collectors. The design was stunning but limited rear visibility, so Chevy dropped it for ’64. This particular car, originally Tuxedo Black with a red interior, had been repainted burgundy and fitted with a 1967-style hood, side exhausts, and later wheels. It wasn’t a numbers-matching trailer queen, but it had a soul.
The previous owner, Rick, had parked it in the barn more than two decades ago and never driven it again. When WD Detailing arrived, the Corvette was buried under thick grime, animal droppings, and even paper clips holding the rear rock-chip guards in place. Inside, two mice had made a home behind the seats, and years of urine and feces had destroyed the carpet. The team safely evicted the rodents but had to discard the carpet entirely.
The emotional weight of the car hit harder than any mechanical issue. Rick had been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and initially planned to sell the Corvette to fund chemotherapy. When doctors told him further treatment wouldn’t help, he decided against selling—he couldn’t bear to watch his baby go to someone who would tear it apart. Instead, he chose Ken, a friend who offered half of what another buyer bid, because Ken promised to preserve the car exactly as Rick had built it.
Rick had swapped the original engine for a balanced and blueprinted 327-cubic-inch small-block, paired with Edelbrock aluminum heads and intake. That combo saved about 150 pounds compared to the big-block that had been in it earlier. The car was his personal statement, and Ken honored that.
WD Detailing started with a pressure wash to remove two decades of filth. Then came the surprise: mice had chewed through wiring, forcing the team to call an electrician before even spraying the engine bay. Once the wiring was fixed, the crew washed the exterior, used iron remover, clay bar, and heavy compound to cut through scratches and oxidation. A lighter polish brought back the deep burgundy shine.
Inside, they removed the ruined carpet, scrubbed the red seats, dashboard, gauges, and every crevice. They changed the oil, added fresh fuel, checked fluids, and repaired a stubborn pop-up headlight. The finished Corvette was presented to Rick’s close friend Lorie, who had cared for him in his final months. Her reaction was priceless: she said Rick would have told everyone to move aside so he could climb in and drive.
The final test came when the 327 fired up after a few cranks—the small-block rumble filled the shop. The restoration wasn’t just about uncovering a rare car; it was about keeping Rick’s memory alive every time the V8 roars.
Exclusive context: According to Hagerty’s 2025 valuation guide, a 1963 split-window coupe in #2 condition (excellent) is worth over $150,000, with a strong upward trend driven by boomer nostalgia and limited supply. This car, with its modified but period-correct upgrades, likely falls in the $80,000–$100,000 range. The barn find story adds a provenance premium that could push it even higher. Ken’s decision to preserve Rick’s vision rather than flip it for profit is a rare example of automotive legacy over money.
