David Damore | 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray ‘Split Window’
Q&A with the Collector
I’ve owned the Corvette for over 25 years. Since I’m a defense attorney, there were occasions I’d trade for my services. This was one of those. The car was in need of restoration and it had always been a dream of mine to own a 63 Split window. It was then and still is one of the most beautiful cars ever built. Its beauty is timeless in my humble opinion. It took me 10 years and three different body shops to get it fully restored. I’ve tried to bring it back to as close to original as I could. Frankly, I enjoy just sitting in it. I love the old gauges, wonder bar radio and side vent windows and that I can change a spark plug on it. September 2012 will be the 50th anniversary of the 1st 63 Split window rolling off the production line.
Car Collector | David Damore
First drive?
I was 15 when I got behind the wheel of my first car. It was my Moms, a Toyota four door with a bench seat and a three speed manual transmission on the column. I ran it into a post the first day I drove it... It looked even worse with a crunched-in front bumper.
Most memorable drive?
From Munich to Austria and then to Switzerland. The scenery is amazing and the speeds... imagine doing 160 kilometers and being passed like you are standing still by a Porsche or Lamborghini. As they pass you their exhaust tips are red hot.
Daily driver?
I own a 2012 Audi A7, I finally have a cool car.
Favorite road?
The German autobahn is my favorite road. It a starting point for my most memorable drive.
Favorite car?
My favorite car of all time was a 1960 Austin Healey 3000 convertible. I paid $950 for it and painted it Porsche yellow. That wasn’t very bright of me, but it was so cool to drive when it wasn’t broken down. I sold it a few years later for $1400. I’ve seen some restored models for over $75000 and more. Harrison Ford owns one.
Last car purchased?
I just purchased a 2005 Porsche Carrera S. it has 12000 miles. It’s an amazing car to drive but its potential is wasted on our roads. It has a sport mode which can only be described as epic -but too harsh for normal driving.
