A 1963 Chevrolet Corvette split-window coupe was stolen from a car show in Howell, Michigan, and the automotive community is being asked to keep an eye out for it.
The 1963 split-window Corvette is one of the most recognizable American classics. The distinctive rear window divided by a central spine was controversial when it launched — even Zora Arkus-Duntov, the engineer most closely associated with the Corvette’s performance character, reportedly disliked it — but it was only used for a single model year before being replaced by a conventional rear window. That one-year-only design quirk is precisely what makes the split-window so prized today. Prices for well-preserved examples have been strong for years, making them a target for theft in a way that more common classics aren’t.
The theft occurred during The Armor Great Pumpkin Classic Car Show on October 1st. Car show thefts are particularly frustrating events for the classic car community because they happen at gatherings explicitly organized around appreciation for these vehicles. The perpetrators are targeting the very events where owners share their cars publicly, which creates a tension that has made some collectors more cautious about showing vehicles that are particularly valuable.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the vehicle is encouraged to contact Michigan law enforcement. Classic cars of this profile are occasionally recovered when they surface at auction or through collector networks — the community’s awareness matters. Spread the word.
