Written by: Steve Rarick, Owner (July 2024)
“Splitty” and I have been together for 54 years. During that period, I have given “Splitty” several upgrades, including a balanced and blue-printed rebuilt 327 engine, upgraded leather upholstery with new carpet, new dashboard and instrument gauges, new windshield and rear split-window glass, upgraded front disc brakes, unique magnesium slot wheels, custom removable stereo cabinet, re-chromed bumpers and, the most important upgrade that sets her apart from her peers, the perfect beautiful Tri-Coat Silver-White Pearl paint job by B & T Custom Rod & Restoration in Sparks, NV.
I first met “Splitty” in 1970, after being discharged from the Army, when she was 7 years old, and I saw a “For Sale by Owner” sign on her windshield in a UCLA parking lot. I met with the owner, who had a familiar story: his wife told him to sell all his classic sports cars before they moved to Las Vegas. This man had great taste buds, as witnessed by his car collection.
At the time, I lived on the “Strand” in a Hermosa Beach “Animal House” with three other guys. One of those guys, Randy, had a 164 Corvette, and when I got home and told Randy that I saw a car, just like his, but with a split window in the back, for sale, and I was contemplating either buying it or the 1964 Jaguar XKE. Randy gave me an ultimatum: either buy “Splitty” in the next 5 minutes, or he would buy “Splitty.” If Randy hadn’t forced my hand to buy “Splitty” in the next 5 minutes, I may have missed out on buying “The most beautiful modern American car made,” “Many collectors consider the 1963 Corvette Stingray to be the most beautiful American sports car ever made” and “An homage to the most beautiful Vette ever built,” plus “Splitty’s” numerous Atlantis Casino Hot August Nights awards, including “People’s Choice Award”, plus winning the “Conservative Sports Car Class Award” in every AL Lockett’s Auto Rama show she entered, all attest to “Splitty’s” uncontested style and beauty! The fact that B & T Custom Rod & Restoration would like to feature “Splitty” on their website is a huge accolade to “Splitty.”
As great of an honor as that is, the most gratifying feeling “Splitty” gets is when several people travel from different states to Hot August Nights each year to see her. So, I make sure that I park her in the same spot at the Atlantis Casino parking lot so they can easily find her parked under light pole 5F, parking space 30, and look for the license plate “HLYGRAL”! So, if you want to witness absolute perfection, I never said “Splitty was modest, in both car style and perfect paint; visit “Splitty” at the Atlantis Casino parking lot after 8:30 P.M. during Hot August Nights so you can witness what many expert’s refer to as “The most beautiful American sports car ever made.”
