Although many enthusiasts focus on originality with their potential classic purchase, sometimes a car that ignores those rules will appear on the market. Such is the case with this 1960 Corvette. Its presentation is hard to fault, but a later engine hides under the hood. That hasn’t prevented five potential owners from submitting twenty-seven bids on this driver-quality gem. It is listed here on eBay in Denver, Colorado. The frantic action has pushed the price beyond the reserve to $54,101, with time remaining in the auction.

It would be interesting to take a peek at the Tag for this Corvette to determine whether its color combination is original. Chevrolet offered buyers seven paint shades in 1960 and the same number of two-tone combinations. The most popular two-tone was Code 440 Roman Red with White coves, with 779 buyers ticking that box on their Order Form. That is what graces the panels of this ‘Vette, and the overall presentation is excellent for a driver-grade vehicle. There are no major flaws or defects, although the seller suggests the successful bidder may elect to restore it to achieve perfection. The fiberglass looks good, and there is no mention of frame rust. The buyer will receive a matching factory hardtop and a soft-top that is in good condition. The glass and chrome are spotless, and the narrow whitewalls suit this car’s character perfectly.

One aspect of this Corvette needing nothing is its interior. Its Black vinyl upholstered surfaces show no evidence of wear or other problems, with the same story for the carpet. The dash and gauges are excellent, and the aluminum trim sparkles impressively. The original owner splashed a cool $137.75 on a factory radio, and like the gauges and lights, this works as it should. All the new owner needs to do is slip behind the wheel and revel in the classic car ownership experience.

Lifting the hood reveals what sets this Corvette apart from its siblings. The engine bay originally housed a 283ci V8, but that is long gone. The seller indicates the ‘Vette derives its power from a 327ci unit, although it is unclear where it started life. However, they say it produces 300hp, an output only available by spending plenty of cash on the Fuelie option in 1960. Bolted to that sweet V8 is a four-speed manual transmission, allowing this classic to storm the ¼ mile in around 15 seconds. Although the seller is not specific about the car’s mechanical health, their description of it as a presentable driver suggests there are no mechanical issues. The seller is approachable, so it could be worth asking a few questions before dropping a bid on this beauty.

After the trauma of the early years, Chevrolet must have felt justified in choosing not to cancel the Corvette program when they examined the 1960 sales figures. It marked the first year they leaped into five-figure territory, with 10,261 giving a Corvette a new home. This one isn’t original, but it is evident that people like what they see. It seems to have no immediate needs and would suit a buyer focused on owning a tidy driver-grade classic. I won’t be surprised if the bidding hits $60,000 before the hammer falls. However, I found a virtually identical car that sold earlier this year for over $70,000. So, even if this gem is beyond your financial means, watching the last few hours of the auction could be worth the effort.