The fifth generation (aka C5) of “America’s Sports Car”, the Chevrolet Corvette, debuted in 1997. It was a sleek evolution of the original concept, which dated back to 1953. If you had the open spaces to do it, the cars were capable of getting up to 175 mph (don’t try that at home, kids). This 2001 example, a convertible once finished in black, was probably a nice car at just 41,000. That is, until it got caught in a garage fire, and not much may be salvageable. Located outside now and collecting leaves in South Bend, Indiana, this toasty Corvette is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,000.

C5 Corvettes were an all-new design that continued to rely on fiberglass for their bodywork. Improvements from the C4s included a lower drag coefficient and a change in the weight distribution that was almost perfect. An aluminum block LS1 engine was now at work, and by 200,1 when this car was built, it would put out 350 horsepower. With all that power, you could still get decent gas mileage (up to the high 20s out on the interstates). Sales figures were solid at 35,627 units in 2001, of which 14,173 were convertibles like this one once was.

The Z06 Corvette returned in 2001 and is the most desirable of the bunch, but this Corvette is not one. We don’t know the specifics of this car in terms of options (which weren’t many). The seller says it was caught in a garage fire and apparently pushed outside and left to Mother Nature. Was not an insurance company involved? If one were, wouldn’t the car be gone, or did the seller buy it back once he/she got a settlement check?

With an automatic transmission, this Chevy still tries to “power up,” but it won’t turn over. From the photos provided, I’m surprised it will do that much. So perhaps the engine is still good, although the top half of the sports car is well torched. It’s hard to make out much of anything left in the interior. Would buying this ‘Vette be a reasonable risk and – if so – how much would you pay? Thanks for the “hot” tip, JimA!