Summary

1963 Semon 'Bunkie' Knudsen, GM built styling car. Fuel injected, 4-speed, two tops, custom exhaust, two bar knock-offs, with extensive other GM modifications.

Details

This very early 1963 Corvette convertible, number 148, went to GM styling and engineering in preparation for presentation to the Chevrolet Motor Division President, Semon 'Bunkie' Knudsen. It was patterned after the famous 1963 Sting Ray convertible, built by GM for retired Styling Chief Harley Earl. Finished in Crimson Firefrost Metallic lacquer to match his other unique Chevrolet products, this rare convertible was completed with a full-length white racing stripe. The interior includes equally unique upholstery, grated foot-well plates and custom color scheme. Knudsen's personalized Corvette is distinguished by its intricately constructed side exhaust, powered by a 360hp fuel injected engine. Chevrolet Engineering also went to work under the hood, substituting chrome plating and crinkle-finish black in place of the cast aluminum surfaces on the fuel injected 327 Chevrolet small block. The engine bay was modified to accommodate the special exhaust system, which included trimming the heater box for clearance and relocating the battery to the area behind the passenger seat. The exterior paint combination is reflected in the extensively modified interior, where a unique custom shift console assembly was flanked by 1964-type seats upholstered with white Naugahyde and maroon accent stripes. The exquisitely finished door panels were covered with white Naugahyde trimmed with unique chrome-plated brass trim plates and crossed-flag emblems, and slotted stainless steel floor grille plates, a common feature in GM styling cars of the era, replaced the stock floor mats. The distinctive twin-spoke steering wheel featured two types of wood on the rim, behind which 1964 instrumentation was used in the color-matching dash. The interior was later upgraded with changes to the instrumentation and the addition of 1967 seat belts. The restoration project was unusually complex, needing special attention to recreate the custom interior and stainless steel exhaust system, the latter requiring the skills of eight different machine and fabrication facilities and at least a dozen expert craftsmen. An authentic factory special, accompanied by extensive ownership history.