Dial the Wayback Machine to 1974 or thereabouts. This authentic ’70s masterpiece began life as a 1965 Corvette convertible, then sometime in the early ’70s took a hard right turn into Awesomeland with this wild custom paint job, flared fenders, and meaty raised-white-letter tires on Cragar S/S wheels. After a long slumber, it’s for sale in Indiana, Pennsylvania and offered here on eBay Classifieds with a price of $59,900 or best offer.
The crazy paint shows some cracking and imperfections but still shines out nicely. Though inherently valuable as an original 396 Corvette convertible, this car has lost its original powerplant to the sands of time, and today this ‘Vette finds motivation from a 1968 model 327. Hopefully the deviant engine and custom paint render this car’s candidacy for restoration null and void. You’ll see factory-correct big block ’65 Corvettes at car shows, but when’s the last time you saw something like this?
The tidy black interior somehow dodged the Custom Wizard’s wand, though the Hurst T-handle shifter is a nice touch. This is a running, driving car that originally cruised the streets of Scranton, Pennsylvania where it likely heard plenty of conversations like “Hey man, what’s your sign? I dig your car; is it as fast as it looks?” – “Why don’t you get in, darling, and find out. My sign is ‘Slower Traffic Keep Right.'” The 1977 PA Inspection sticker and interior appear to validate the 77,000 miles on the odometer.
The listing is short on details but thankfully rich with pictures. The only description of anything relating to operating state consists of one sentence… “The engine runs strong and good,” which may be taken as the seller’s wish to engage in long phone conversations that would otherwise be unnecessary. This is truly a “1 of 1” as the value of its time-capsule state and the custom paint truly lie in the eye (and wallet) of the beholder. Cars like this are truly rare and I’d like to see it go to someone who wants just what you see here. What do you think of this crazy custom Corvette convertible?
I see a lot of rattle bomb on the chassis photos. And lacquer paint usually doesn’t lift like it is on the spoiler. While very cool and would make an interesting project to bring back to it’s former glory, I’d look very hard at the frame and inside the body for water intrusion and rust…
It always amazes me someone will take a good looking car and screw it up.
The paint can be overlooked for now but the missing front bumpers and the whale tail on that thing kills it for me. I can even tolerate the rear wheel wells but it’s just a turn off for me.
Overpriced, overdone, can’t say any more on it.
That’s not a whale tail spoiler.
This car is a bit over the top, but it represents a point in time. What helped Corvettes become popular was the fact they were modified when new.
Steve R
This, THIS is how these vettes need to be customized. Love the groovy paint, mags, and stance. Yes, I’m from the ’70’s.
The 327 is plenty of engine for drivability and tire squawking should the need arise. LOL!
And here I thought I was the last guy on planet earth that loved the 70s era…glad to know we still have warriors out there that aren’t afraid to go against the grain..be willing to take those so called old long & forgotten C3 Vettes…mix in a little sugar & spice…bring’em back to life…& regain there rightful status among the pack…My 82 C3…Reborn & raising Hell among the newer Vettes…just thought I’d give the C3 world a shout out there …Late
There once was a time when those body mods and that paint job were the cat’s azz. But that was a verrry long time ago. If someone could document who the painter was,there *may* be some value there.
I loved the 70’s…but this is a primal scream NOOoooooooo!
Hope the buyer does the right thing…and gets this puppy to some form of better than this.
It ain’t “value” that you’re looking for in this car, Mr. Amiano, it’s driving fun. And the fun of an iconoclast is worthless because it’s priceless to all except those who’d rather convert it into bits of colored rag paper.
not certain what the base price is for a ’65 conv with non-matching, smaller sized engine but i think it will be higher than i would estimate.
having said that i do not think that the current vehicle, as it sits, with a non-matching engine and as much customization as exists, and in the condition it exists, is worth the asking.
if it were mine (already) i would want to take it back closer to stock. solid color, ditch the sidepipes as they tend to burn legs upon exit, ditch the rear spoiler, go to smaller width tires, drop the flares, and the easiest fix, go to a white ball on top of the shifter. that’s a lot of work and a lot of money for me. as such this vehicle is a pass – it definitely not what i would want and it would cost too much to get it there.
hopefully, there is a buyer out there that can appreciate this car for what it is now – or modify it to suit their needs instead of taking a closer to stock vehicle out of circulation.
They only built 2157 396 corvettes in 1965 and that includes both coupes and roadster, one year engine option, 396-425 horse. Rare car that has been ruined in my opinion. I grew up in the late 60’s and 70’s, this was a common thing and I hated them even then.
Love this Vette! (For $20K.)
The car that Harley-Davidson built… no, thanks.
I am of the opinion that a Corvette should never be customized, but I do like this one.
This thing is stunningly awesome. It’s a perfect representation of a custom of that period. I love it and would love to own it!
Don’t spill the Bong.
The guy who did this didnt have a bong. He looked like Squiggy in Sha Na Na
If you want to customize, why destroy a classic?
It wasn’t considered a classic when it was modified.
Steve R
You’re probably right, bugs me none the less.
Totally diggin’ it! Lemme grab my Frye boots and my jean jacket and go for a drive!
I miss my 396 Convertible. I just made an eBAy offer on the car… we shall see…
Good luck TPV! This thing is awesome! It is a perfect representation of an era. A lot of work went into that paint.
I agree it’s over the top and potentially sacrilegious to modify a 396 ‘vette like this, but that’s when viewed through today’s lense. I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, maybe go back to a big block.
– John
I can dig it, my wallet just can’t.
We used to go to the Auto Rama in the 70s when I was a kid and I loved it. This would’ve looked good beside the Boot Hill Express and Bathtub Buggy….
I remember the Boot Hill Express. Thumbs up!
ruined (
I think this is a cool Vette, as well. Certainly different than the run of the mill, and period correct. I built Corvette models with decals like this from the same era, and it’s got that 359 Peterbilt dash [sic] In case people don’t know what I mean by that, 359 Peterbilts had a round dash like this, only one hump in front of the driver and everyone called them “Corvette dash”. http://www.timstrucks.com/1978dashofclass.jpg
Love it just the way it is, a time capsule. ” light em up”
For that kind of money, only a original stock Corvette please!
Lose the paint & the duck tail, find the correct motor and I’d have it !
The serial number on this car is #3842, which is WAY TOO EARLY to be a factory 396 corvette. The 396’ers weren’t produced until much later in the production run. The tail spoiler isn’t factory either just in case he claims that too… but cool vette, just not a factory 396….
Hopper… is that you? If the serial number you stated is correct, then of course it is too early to be a 396. In that case, I will withdraw my offer.
Of course… you are correct. I just cancelled the Offer. I’m a moron.
I worked in a corvette shop 69-70’s… This was a show car in that time frame..We had many vette’s that were in Clark Marshall’s shows in Seattle.. so many were not there and have no idea how many trophy’s we won.. I really enjoyed that time..Also had an original Cheeta in our shop.. GREAT TIMES…
+skibum2 – That’s what I’m talking about.
This thing rips. If I had the cash to drop on one of these, I would find a period-correct hot-rodded version just like this. There are always gonna be over-restored trailer queen C2s around. Why not have something wild and different? This thing makes a statement, and I think that statement is one that Jeff Spicoli also made: “Hey bud! Let’s party!”
For this money, you can find a numbers matching, big block, fully equipped 66 or 67 which is much more desirable. The seller will be fortunate get half of his asking price.
It just needs an “Ass, Grass, or Gas – nobody rides free” bumper sticker to make it period correct.
I wonder if the St.Christopher medal on the dash ever did any good? How would you like him staring at you when you are getting ready to make your move on Betty Sue? Creepy.
In the 70s this was the cool factor!!! I had a friend that had a 71 z-28 and he put a ton of money into it and was very well done. Same wild paint(similar in color and style as this vette) even had wheel flares that all fit in with thefront and rear hand made spoilers. Same style side pipes and crager ss. Heck the last thing done was a t-top roof grafted in. I hated to see all that done to a real z-28,but It won first place at a autoshow in seattle around 1978 or 79. I wonder if it is still around?
That was what was done back then-They weren’t classics then.
If you were 16 years old in 1969 this would have been the car you lusted after. Very cool and still lust-worthy.
First off, I am a very big ford fan! I wanted to get that out of the way! However this is a car that brings back teen age good times to me! It’s a gorgeous example of a 70’s vette! Beautiful car, I had my Mustang my best friend had one very similar to this one! Back then it was pretty much drive up places and drive in movies to escape with a pretty young lady! We had a lot of fun together as friends, even so far as to go to other towns and stage races then meet and split the money! LOL, what memories!
Damn….what Steve R said waaaayyy back in this post…….
Same place that I bought my ’63, almost nine years ago!
I do understand the work it takes to do that paint job, it was cool in the 70’s.
but that said might be better to go back to stock could up the value down the road.
love it, I too remembered the car shows and vehicles like this, I knew a guy who had a 69 Firebird with every hot rod accy you can think of painted very similar to this.
All those kinda customs seemingly disapeared overnight sometime in late 1980s.
While the stock rivet counters cringe, this sort of thing is so cool I vote keep it the way it is. Find some chock who looks like Lonnie Anderson or Farrah Fawcett,, to ride along.
Check under the seats for Sno-Seals.
Crank up the Ted Nugent and Doobie Brothers and rock on!