When this 2009 sixth-generation Split Window retro-conversion popped up on Facebook the other week, my first thought was, no way somebody is going to pay $160,000 for a clone when they can get the real deal for less. Well, boy, was I wrong because by the time I came back to check on the listing, it was marked as sold within two weeks!
Have these Split Window clones/retro-conversions grown in popularity? Back in the day on the forums, I seem to recall they usually got lambasted.
Here’s a good snapshot of three authentic Split Window Coupes that recently sold at Mecum Kissimmee (where 527 Corvettes were offered!).
And here is a comp for a similar Split Window retro-conversion, another recent Mecum sale that we featured in our piece titled, “The Ten Wildest Custom Corvettes From The King Of Collector Car Auctions.” You’ll notice this conversion is based on a 2006 Z06, and the whopping $203,500 hammer price landed it first in our ten wildest list. That $159,995 price from our feature retro-conversion is starting to look like a decent deal!
Now, it’s worth mentioning that not every authentic 1963 Split Window Coupe is in the $160,000 neighborhood. The average selling price from Mecum’s Split Window Colorama Collection (where one of every color produced was offered) was $259,875. We did a full feature on that amazing collection here.
I must admit that they have the rear window cloning dialed in.
Would you prefer a sweet modern LS3 or an old-school 327ci V8?
My favorite angle.
If this was coming down the road, I could see it fooling me.
Does this modern interior look out of place, or is it just me?
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What’s your verdict? If you had $160,000 to spend, would it be on a retro-conversion like this one or the real deal? Are you surprised by the popularity and prices? We have the fastest-growing Corvette community on our Facebook page, with over 171,000 followers (52,000 since January 2023!). Come join other hardcore enthusiasts and say hello, Douglas B.
Video of Featured Retro-Conversion
