“In accordance with multiple 1963 Corvette authorities as well as having conducted many hours of inspection and authentication of this specific vehicle, I would consider this the most perfectly intact and preserved exemplar of the entire 1963 - 1967 production run. As founder of Bloomington Gold, I have been exposed to thousands of C2 Corvettes and fortunate enough to inspect almost all of the top twenty unrestored, preserved C1 and C2 Corvettes over the past fifty years. Although there are several that come close, I know of none more perfectly preserved than this exemplar. This is not to mention the iconic 1963 design, extremely rare color combination, rare Z06 heavy duty brake option, iconic fuel injected engine, and nearly sixty years of meticulous custodial care.”

• David Burroughs

For 1963, Chevrolet debuted the all-new Corvette Stingray, which featured a major redesign overseen by Bill Mitchell and, for the first time, included fully independent suspension. That year, General Motors also introduced the first official competition package for the Corvette: Regular Production Option Z06, described in factory literature as “Special Performance Equipment.” This package, which cost nearly 25% of the base price of a split-window coupe, transformed the Corvette into a thoroughbred racer.

Included in the Z06 package was the 360 hp fuel-injected engine, a close-ratio four-speed gearbox, and heavy-duty suspension with upgraded coil springs, shock absorbers, and front stabilizer bar. One of the most important upgrades was the braking system, which was completely different from what was used on production Corvettes. To improve cooling and eliminate fade, General Motors engineers developed special brake drums that incorporated impressive cooling fins and fans, ventilated backing plates, metallic linings, and “elephant ear” scoops. This system also employed a dual-circuit master cylinder and vacuum power booster for improved operation under hard use.

The one-year-only Split-Window Corvette remains one of the most enduring and iconic designs in the history of the American automobile. As such, any one of the 10,594 Corvette Coupes built for 1963 remains highly desirable, but the 199 factory-built Z06s are simply in a league of their own.

The Z06 presented here is quite possibly the finest example in existence – a one-off car with just three documented owners and less than 5,400 miles from new.

This car’s first owner was James Serio, a young sports car enthusiast from Ithaca, New York, whose well-to-do father held patents with Corning and General Motors. He purchased the Corvette from the local agent, Jack Townsend Chevrolet, on February 25, 1963, as documented on the original dealer invoice. Thanks to his father’s connections, Mr. Serio was able to order the car in Sebring Silver with Saddle Tan leather, making it the only Z06 known to have been built in this attractive combination. Optioned with a radio and blackwall tires, this car originally retailed for $5,949.25.

The Z06 remained in the hands of its first owner until the late 1960s, when it was sold to Michael Raczkowski, a resident of nearby Elmira, New York. In the early 1970s, this Corvette, which at the time had a little over 4,000 miles on it, was entered in a car show in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, where Robert Lojewski first laid eyes on it. Impressed with its untouched, original condition, Mr. Lojewski purchased it in 1975 and trailered it home to Chicago. Remarkably, it has remained in his family’s ownership ever since.

A well-known and much-admired car in the Corvette community, this beautifully preserved Z06 has earned some of the most prestigious accolades, including Bloomington Gold Certification and NCRS Top Flight Awards. It has also been invited to take part in several Bloomington Gold special collections, culminating in 2009, when it was exhibited in Special Collection XXV: The Grand Finale, a display showcasing 60 of the most historically significant Corvettes.

In June 2010, the Z06 was inducted into Bloomington Gold’s Great Hall, a salute to the people, organizations, and cars that helped build the Corvette hobby we know today. A placard displayed alongside this car perfectly summarizes its unique story:

“…this Z06 saw two years of light use and was then meticulously stored thereafter. At age 47, it appears as it left St. Louis, including engine, paint, interior, chassis and all related components, with three miles added in the past thirty years. This pristine 5,353-mile example provides a historical benchmark for past, present, and future generations and has inspired noted collectors and everyday people who all recognize the distinctive design of the ’63 Split Window Coupe.”

Beyond its awards and inclusion in special exhibits, this unique Z06 has been featured in numerous books on the marque and model, including Automobile Quarterly, The Complete Book of Corvette, Classic Corvette, American Legends, Corvette Milestones, and The Definitive 1963 Corvette RPO Z06. It is also accompanied by important documentation including its original dealer sales invoice, glove box paperwork, and other records that confirm its exceptional provenance and mileage.

In the consignor’s ownership for over 45 years, this one-of-a-kind, museum-quality Z06 is, quite simply, one of the finest and most collectible Corvettes in existence.