Cut to the chase, right? This 1959 Chevrolet Corvette is a roller, no telling what happened to the engine, but it is advertised as being, “PERFECT FOR ULTRA HIGH-END RESTO MOD OR REPLACE YOUR DAMAGED 58 TO 60 CORVETTE BODY“. OK, let’s see what’s here. This ‘Vette is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $32,500. Thanks to Larry D for this tip!
Apparently, back in ’71, this Corvette went deer hunting, bagged a buck, and has been sitting ever since. The seller adds, “FRONT LOWER FENDER SECTION WAS REPLACED CORRECTLY WITH A PRESS MOLDED SECTION. PICTURES SHOW SOME LIGHT REPAIR TO THE PASSENGERS INNER FENDER AND THE DRIVERS SIDE FENDER AND SURROUND“. OK, but what happened to the trim? There is none to be seen and no reference to it made – and that’s a lot of trim when you consider every aspect of badging, bumpers, handles, etc. Originally finished in silver, the body has been stripped to a state for refinishing. It is stated that all steel components and the frame are solid.
Power in ’59 was a 283 CI V8 with a gross horsepower range that started at 230 and ranged to a high of 290. Fuel induction included single and dual four-barrel carburetors or fuel injection. The hook up to the rear wheels occurred via a three-speed or four-speed manual transmission, or a Powerglide automatic, dependent upon the engine chosen. The VIN, unfortunately, is no help in the matter of determining the original drivetrain configuration. Building a period correct 283 is hardly an impossible task but the non-original engine will hurt ultimate value. Then again, if the intention is to try to put this ‘Vette back together in some form other than stock, it won’t matter.
Yes, there’s an inside, but no, there’s no interior. There is a steering wheel and at least a single window crank and that’s it. There is no instrument panel, gauges of any type, no wiring, no door panels, seats, kick panels, carpet, folding top, no nuffin’! Blank canvas? Sure, a lot of expensive work? You bet!
OK, what to do time. It would seem that $32,500 is a lot of scratch for a roller that is missing so much stuff. A 100 point restoration undertaking is going to be a very expensive project. And I don’t see using it as a replacement body for a wrecked ’58-’60 Corvette. Finishing this one out with a powertrain and interior seems more prudent than using it to fix a wrecked one. And then again there’s the hod-rod, or dare I say it, a restomod option…Directions abound, as expensive as they may be, which one do you suggest?
One too many zeros in the asking price.
That’s damn cheap! Seller should ask $3.5M for it.
WAY too much money being asked for just a roller. This “car” will need pretty much everything, yeah, even that / them too
Maybe a two person powered pedal car.
Hadn’t thought of that Dan but would be a good idea if you live in the flatlands. Pedal with a gearbox (think 10 speed bike)
I’m thinking of following the 27 day sale (!) just to give the buyer a Click and Clack dope slap.
Any buyer needs a dope slap. That is a ridiculous price.
Looks like it’s already been used as a parts car. That BIN price is crazy.
I just happen to have one of those 425 Buicks with a 4 speed looking for a home, HMMM!!!!!
Way over priced . Bought my 59 Vette all done ( not all stock – 327 in lieu of the 283 ) . Metal flake flint grey with black interior. 4 spd. With Hurst. Bought it 13 years ago – paid $32,000. Runs great – fun to drive . Looks all stock on the outside except for the Torque thrust D wheels which go beautifully with the paint.
According to the seller, Jesus loves you. So I guess that makes it okay to ask for ten times what is worth.
Nice tires.
Just needs a lower price with another $60K worth of work and you still don’t have a matching number C1. Looks like another Resto vehicle project. Stay tuned it will be back on Barn Find in another year.
Should be listed on Bring a stretcher
Back in the dark ages (1971) I had 2 of these, both exact duplicates of what this one is, I had visions of turning one of them into a track only 1/4 mile drag car and the other one just a street car. the only thing that stopped me was the purchase of a brand new Ontario Orange 2 top LT-1 Convertible. Eventually reality kicked in and I liked the feeling of having cash in my pocket so I sold them off to interested parties, $250.00 each. I wound up repo-ing 1 of them after a month of non payment. I lost track of them but often wondered what ever became of them. To my way of thinking $32,500.00 for this EBAY car is quite high for what you’d be getting.
With a little work it might make an OK addition to an auto history-themed restaurant
Not even a parts car. What’s left needs to come back apart – body off and start over again and maybe make a resto-rod out of it. As mentioned above, take off a zero and maybe it’s worth it for an experienced DIY’r.
It’s not just a roller, it’s an empty roller, I’ll give you a buck three eighty for it because that’s all about it’s worth!
I didn’t know that the Brooklyn Bridge could come in a shortened, compact version.
142 watchers on this auction. That’s 142 CAHRAZY Corvette fanatics watching for the CAHRAZIEST of them all to buy this skeleton.
WHAT???
😂🤣😂🤣 It’s just a SHELL!!!
My all time favorite early Corvettes. That sounds alittle steep though