No Reserve 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

Some classic cars can lead more adventurous lives than others, and it appears that this 1964 Corvette may have been up there with the best of them. It presents superbly, but the seller believes that it may have spent part of its life blazing the ¼ mile under the care of a previous owner. It retains a few hangovers from that past, and potential buyers will need to decide whether they wish to reverse those changes or are more interested in preserving the status quo. Located in Warwick, Rhode Island, you will find the Corvette listed for sale here on eBay. Respectable bidding has pushed the price to $31,150 in a No Reserve auction.

The photos that the seller supplies of this Riverside Red Corvette aren’t the greatest, but they tend to paint a pretty positive picture. The paint shines beautifully, while the factory hardtop is equally impressive. For those who prefer a bit more versatility, the owner has sourced a new Black soft-top that is still in the box. He is throwing that in as part of the deal. The fiberglass is in good order, with no significant flaws or issues. The hood isn’t original, but the rest of the panels appear correct for a ’64 model. Delving below the surface reveals a frame that is in good condition but also brings us to one of the changes that potential buyers may decide to reverse.

The seller believes that a previous owner slotted in a ’62 Corvette rear end as part of the drag car conversion. This setup remains in situ, although he admits that it does make the ride choppy. He says that if the car doesn’t sell, he intends to reverse this change to improve the ‘Vette’s road manners. Different springs may improve the situation if the buyer doesn’t want to spend that sort of cash. The chrome and glass are in excellent condition, while the Tru-Spoke wire wheels will probably divide opinions. I don’t mind them, but I would understand if the buyer swapped them to give the exterior a more stock appearance.

For purists, the news that this Corvette isn’t numbers-matching will probably come as a bit of a blow. There would originally have been a 327 occupying the engine bay, but this has made way for a later 350ci V8 that pumps out 350hp. Bolted to the small-block is a two-speed Powerglide transmission, while the car also features power steering and power brakes. The engine change makes it difficult to verify performance potential, but this classic should be capable of covering the ¼ mile in a touch under 15 seconds. It seems that the current owner has splashed some cash on this gem in recent times because he has renewed the entire braking and steering system. The engine bay presents well for a car of this age, but this car is about more than mere good looks. The owner says that the motor runs like new, the Powerglide shifts perfectly, and the car runs and drives extremely well. It seems that the buyer might be able to enjoy this vehicle without spending a dime beyond the purchase price.

The seller’s ability to spend cash on this Corvette was not solely confined to the drivetrain because the interior came in for its share of attention. He has installed new seat covers, a carpet set, sill plates, and inner door handles. The rest of the interior trim and upholstery seems free from wear or physical damage, apart from a crack in the gauge hood on the driver’s side. However, there are some aftermarket changes that the buyer will need to consider. A previous owner installed a tilt column, and while it isn’t original, it would improve driver comfort enough to justify its retention. The factory radio has made way for an aftermarket stereo, and I can’t say that I’m thrilled by the quality of the installation. I would either aim to tidy this, or I’d slot a factory radio back into its rightful spot. I’ve left the “best” to last, and that’s a term that I use with some hesitation. If the stereo doesn’t float my boat, the wheel sinks that boat like a stone. I believe that it looks entirely out of character with the rest of the interior, and if I were to buy the car, it would have to go. Beyond that, the only factory option of note is the original owner’s decision to equip the ‘Vette with power windows.

This 1964 Corvette Convertible is a tidy classic, and there’s no reason why a buyer couldn’t treat themselves to a spot of instant gratification once cash has changed hands. I’m not surprised that the reserve is already off because some of the previous owners’ changes will impact the car’s potential value. The biggie is likely to be the rear end, especially if the buyer contemplates reverting it to its original configuration. It isn’t clear how heavily the rear frame has been modified to accommodate the changes, but reversing them will hit the wallet pretty hard. If you were to buy this classic, would you refit the original rear end, or would you fiddle with springs in the existing setup in a bid to achieve a more affordable compromise? That’s a tough call to make.