1963 Corvette Stingray Split-Window Coupe
Source: Wikimedia
While there have been some incredible Corvettes (and more will be on this list), this specific Corvette can often lay claim to not just the best looking car in America but has a large support group that considers it the best looking car of all time. There’s not a lot of cars that can be looked at and marveled from every single angle, but that’s what this split window coupe is.
The car came with a few engine options but the best version was designated as the Z06. The Z06 was an option package that brought out the best in the split-window coupe and there was just under 200 of them ever created. Incidentally, since this was the only year of the split window, that makes the car devilishly collectible.
Source: Shutterstock
Design At its Finest
The Stingray was named aptly and it was designed to look like the name of its predecessor. All of the features were created with a dash of the stingray in mind. Features like the vents and front fenders were meant to remind someone of the Stingrays tail and the large central spine that runs through the entire car is meant to invoke images of the aquatic namesake. All of the fenders have a gentle flare that looks like a stingray does when it moves through the way.
It’s the spine of the Stingray that led to the split windows. The designers considered it so important to the overall look of the car that they pushed very hard for its conclusion and the Chevrolet board gave way. However as soon as it was released, the split window design was causing some havoc. The split in the windows greatly decreased sightlines and it was directly in the middle of the rearview window area. This meant people struggled to know what was behind them even struggled to just reverse into parking spots or out of their home. The design also cost more. While oh so pretty, it was double labor and parts in that area to install two windows instead of one. Therefore the split window design was retired after only a single glorious year.
