While the ’63 model may be the coolest styling design on record for the second-generation Chevrolet Corvette with its split rear window, other than the back glass becoming one piece and the elimination of the ornamental hood vents, not a whole lot else changed outwardly for the ’64 unless you’ve got a really keen eye and look down at the rocker moldings. So what’s up with the hood on this one, you might ask? It seems the component was swapped out for a ’66 big block hood by the first owner, but aside from that this one’s pretty much as it left the factory in 1964 in the appearance department. If you’ve been looking for an early C2 project, this 1964 Corvette Sting Ray here on eBay might be worth checking out. The coupe is located in Hermitage, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville, with bidding already up to $35,500 so far.
Barn Finds reader Dee Dee Gallagher spotted this one and brought it to our attention, and we’d like to say thanks very much for the tip! I didn’t quite catch from the ad if the seller is actually the person who purchased the car in 1975 or if he’s just listing it for them, but the story goes that it’s another Corvette that a man purchased primarily for his wife to drive. Yep, I’ve heard that one before, and it sort of reminds me of when I do something like buy a 6-pack of my favorite brew and tell my wife I brought it home because I thought she’d enjoy drinking it. Regardless of the mid-seventies acquisition circumstances, it seems about 10 years ago the car’s caretaker was now in their 70s and lost the needed energy to keep the ‘Vette going, and it happened to be in the middle of some headlight repairs, but fortunately, it looks like those pieces are still present along with a few other miscellaneous items. The car was originally Ermine White from the factory, then painted red, but ended up white again as we’re seeing it now.
The 250 horsepower version of the 327 was the least powerful Corvette you could buy in 1964, which is how this one is equipped and it’s still the original numbers-matching engine under the hood. This one’s been slightly bored and had some new rings installed sometime during the nineties, and while the car was running when parked the bad news is the motor hasn’t been started in a decade, so it may or may not need to be gone through again. Most Corvettes came with a manual transmission back in the day, but this one has an automatic, which is a bit of a rarity.
Inside, the red carpet and seat coverings are said to have been replaced once already, but that was a long time ago and some wear is starting to resurface here, with the door panels also needing attention. The instruments themselves look nicely preserved but the dash surfaces could use refurbishing, or at minimum a thorough cleaning. Down below, the undercarriage is said to be in good shape with nothing more than some surface rust present, plus the birdcage is stated as solid, so this one seems like it’s at a pretty decent starting point for the next owner to hopefully get back on the road again soon. Is this a C2 you’d be interested in taking to a higher level?
Just curious, has anyone thought to market a “split” for one-piece rear window coupes ?
The only market for that might be for any remaining ’63 cars that had their “split” foolishly removed back in the day. I don’t see where many people would be interested in adding a split to a post ’63 Vette. Most of these “Vette Guys” are pretty hardcore into authenticity.
So read on because someone with a ‘65, about 15 cars later than this posting, has done just that
Yes, I see that one. Everyone is ragging on the owner for doing that cheesy “upgrade.”
The aesthetic is there (like it or not). When combined with the side louvers/gills the design statement is complete. Authentic/original(?). I’m a purist at heart but the ‘65, listed here later, combines the design elements that, I’ll bet, harken back to the preliminary sketches/mockups that were in mind prior to production in 1963…
Yes, you can buy a pretty complete Split-Kit although it’s pretty expensive as I recall. Google will get you to the site.
Outside rear view mirror is profoundly stupid. Hood is 67-ish, not 66, as seller says. . . . Carefully avoided pics of where these frames rust. $35K is quite enough for this one.
your right about the hood it’s more 1967 not 65 or 66 did anyone take a good look at shift looks like a 4 speed
I took a good look at the eBay photos and it clearly shows the automatic shift gate plate. Maybe the seller added that photo recently.
Take a look at the picture above the drivers seat and expand the shifter portion: it’s an automatic.
The hood is an ecklers corvette after market hood. Have owned corvettes all my life an still do. Just sold a beautiful emaculate 60 conv with hard top over seas recently. Now I’m kicking myself. If you have plenty of money buy it. If not leave it alone. It will sit forever if you don’t have the funds.
So sir, Having owned a 1972 Vette, honestly would you say a ’65 is easier or harder to get out of ? — I had to get rid of my ’72 due to previous spinal surgery would flare up if I drove the car even over an hour or more.
35k+ project with a powerglide? Nahhh.Not for me at least .I really don’t care if only 12% came with them.Vette’s imo need a manual trans.glwts.
35K+ for a 250hp/glide that needs COMPLETE restoration and many correct parts located? No thanks
GM would have been smarter to skip the 1964 production year. They are stuck between the 1963 SWC hoopla and the 1965 four-wheel disc-brakes and 396 ci engine upgrades. You may have noticed I am a fan of most things Corvette, but I don’t think I would walk across the street to look at a free 1964.
I would.
Me too. 😀
For free? I would take a look
I wouldn’t walk across the street but I would RUN for a free ’64! I’m glad GM didn’t skip 1964 Corvette production.
best difference was 1964 did away with the dumb fake chrome inserts on the hood think they where supposed to be lovers
Lovers? But they never touched
My ‘64 was 100% stock and well kept. Of course, any Corvette owned by a US Navy Rear Admiral would be pristine. And, yes, it was Daytona blue on dark blue. This one needs some love.
A 63 maybe. A 64? Forget it at that price!
I have to ask what is the reality of buying a C-2, even a project for under 20g’s. I for one have never seen anything close to that, especially on barn finds. I owned 3 previously and would love to have one more before I leave this earth. What are the chances of finding even a rough project for a reasonable price these days and what do you think one could be had for?
Friend of the seller. Just as an FYI, all the headlight parts including motors in a box, the motors appear to have been rebuilt or replaced with OEM. All the trim pieces you see missing, also in a box, unbent and clean with no rust. Couple of pieces we have not unwrapped, appear to be pieces that were sent to be re-chromed and never unwrapped from the paper. A local Corvette guy came and took a look at it and his big takeaway was how complete it is and the straight lines, the seam between the door and the body for example “as straight and tight as I have ever seen”.
Sure wish I had the money to buy it, a C-2 is a C-2 as far as I am concerned. Owned 3 before but am now retired. I am in Canada so to buy anything stateside cost us another 35% minimum, a lot for a project car!!
G Sumatra The reason you wouldn’t walk across the street to look at a 64 is you couldn’t afforded to buy one. Also you might want to pick up all the beer cans around your chair.
having bought a 1967 vette convertible new because I never liked the coupe as much with that said the 64 was a much better looking vette than the 63 in the convertible did have all that dumb chrome on the hood
Had a 1972 Corvette T-Top but was forced to get rid of it due to spinal injuries, riding in the car would cause back pain after an hour of riding, but after two hours I could barely get out. Never mind walking away without issue’s. — — Recently sat in 2022 and had to “fall in” and the helpful man at the car show basically had to “lift me out” of it due to it being so low. —- HONESTLY, AM I JUST FOOLING MYSELF, OR ARE ’60’S CARS EASIER TO GET IN AND OUT OF ? — Please feel free to make honest comments if you have ever owned a ’65 convertible (with automatic if possible) before I spend anymore time chasing a “bucket list” dream. — Thank you.
Ingress and egress are by far best in a C2. My 63 Coupe was a world of difference from my 71 LT1 or my 02 Z06.
Have 65 and 67 Convs with autos. They are not bad to get in and out of with the top down/off. Top up or hardtop on and you’ll probably want to drive something else. Tele steering column probably wouldn’t hurt.
Thank you for your honest reply. — Please feel free to pass along any other pertinent information you feel I should consider in that series. — I know of the frame issues and have built five street rod’s (’37 Tudor Ford, ’32 3W, ’31 Victoria, ’31 Ford PU, ’46 Ford Club Coupe) since the ’72.
these comments really stuck home in 1967 bought a new vette convertible never had given any thought of not being able to get in or out easy I was 22 now at 78 wouldn’t even think about trying to get in one because if I did after riding for a hour I probably won’t be able to get out lol how we change
plus just adding in 1967 paid $4200 for my new vette
I “walked “across the street to look at a 64 convertible 4 speed with both tops minus the motor back in the mid seventies for $600. Super solid everywhere. Bought a 300 horse 327 out of a 63 split window that everybody said the motor was junk. No it wasn’t. Eventually a year or two later I decided I was going to restore the 64 that nobody wanted because I realized when I bought it that it was an.original 365 hp car.
I purchased a brand new short block 327-365 horse from Chevrolet one of the last ones available put everything under the hood back to stock. Friend of mine did Corvette repair. Brought it to his shop stripped the paint off,fixed a spot that was messed up on the front fender. It took a year of part time evening work.
Beautiful silver blue paint job, added 67 rally wheels. Owned it for 10 years, sold it for 3x my investment. Yeah I wish I was younger and could do it again on another 64 that nobody wants. Still miss that car.
Hood is not a 66, it is a 67.
Car is a prime candidate for an LS-3 engine swap and a modern 5 or 6 speed trans with hydraulic clutch no need for linkage or strong left leg.I’m 78 and still get out of my 67.