Classics like this 2000 Chevrolet Corvette pose a unique challenge. Chevrolet created this car to be driven and enjoyed, which is instinctively what anyone would want to do. However, this car has clocked only 50 miles since leaving the line, and there can’t be many similar Corvettes with an odometer reading this low. Its presentation is exactly what you’d expect from a classic of this caliber, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting it listed here on Bring A Trailer in Carthage, Missouri. Bidding sits at $22,000 as the auction heads into its final days.
After unplanned delays, Chevrolet released the C5 Corvette for the 1997 model year. Its styling wasn’t a radical departure from its predecessor, but significant changes lay beneath the surface. A new frame design improved torsional rigidity and safety, while the company incorporated a rear-mounted transaxle to improve weight distribution. Finished in Torch Red, our featured ‘Vette rolled off the line in 2000. Torch Red was easily the most popular shade that year, accounting for 20% of total sales. This classic’s presentation is all that you might expect from a car of this vintage with a two-digit odometer reading. The paint looks flawless, with no panel imperfections. The alloy wheels are spotless, and the glass is crystal clear. The first owner spent a few dollars more to personalize this classic, splashing $650 on a transparent roof panel. This Corvette would look at home on a dealership showroom floor.
Powering this Corvette is the LS1 version of the company’s 5.7-liter fuel-injected V8. This was a handy weapon, producing a healthy 345hp and 350 ft/lbs of torque. The first owner ordered the car in automatic form, bringing us to one of the C5’s most profound mechanical changes. Chevrolet focused on improved handling when developing these cars, knowing that better weight distribution would provide significant gains. So it abandoned a traditional transmission and adopted a rear-mounted transaxle with an integrated limited-slip differential. Power steering was standard equipment, as were four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. This car’s engine bay looks as you’d expect from a vehicle of this type, with no dust, dirt, or signs of fluid leaks. Everything sounds promising, but the seller leaves us hanging. They confirm it runs and drives and was serviced every two years. However, the rubber components and tires won’t have enjoyed the extended hibernation, and I would inspect the vehicle thoroughly before hitting the road in earnest.
Trimmed in Black leather, the Corvette’s interior is in as-new condition. The lack of use means no wear or deterioration and no aftermarket additions. It remains as it left the showroom floor, featuring airbags, dual-zone air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, six-way power seats, a tilt/power telescopic wheel, cruise control, traction control, a heads-up display, and a premium Bose CD stereo.
Classics like this 2000 Chevrolet Corvette effectively write their own rules. It is a desirable vehicle, but a percentage of its potential value rests in the extraordinary odometer reading. I doubt many examples remain with under 100 miles on the clock, and that’s the rub. Every mile added will hurt the Corvette’s future investment potential, which may mean this classic is destined to spend its life as a museum piece. Twenty-six years of inactivity will have affected some rubber components, including the tires. Therefore, if the winning bidder intends to use this Corvette as its creators intended, they could face the cost of recommissioning after they’ve handed over the cash to take it home. Do you think that will happen, or will this Corvette spend its life on a stand, viewed by admiring enthusiasts?
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