If you’re like me, you can see potential in almost any project car. In fact, I’d say I get more excited when I see that the car in question has clearly been neglected and forgotten, as it makes me want to revive it even more than if it was just suffering from some deferred maintenance. That’s why this forgotten 1985 Chevrolet Corvette listed here on craigslist in Pasadena, Maryland, caught my eye, as it looks like it was parked in a garage where the owner left one day and never came back. The asking price is dirt cheap, too, just $750 and the seller will even deliver it for free within 25 miles of Pasadena. Would you bring this forgotten C4 back to life?
Pictures don’t tell us much, and neither does the listing, other than noting this is an automatic transmission-equipped example and that it “needs work.” Well, that much was obvious. The color is not your typical black or red, but it also doesn’t appear in the online reference I use for GM factory paint colors offered in 1985. The standard-bearer of Corvette colors, Bright Red, is the closest shade to this seemingly maroon color, but when you see the front end of the Corvette, you’ll understand why the odds are good it was perhaps repainted in the past. It may even be a high-quality job, as they didn’t paint over the badges – a hallmark of cheap resprays.
What do we have here? It looks like this Corvette received a custom hood treatment at one point in time, and a previous owner began either repairing the headlights or replacing them entirely with, perhaps, fixed units to give the entire nose panel an overall refresh and more of a show-car theme. The top photo shows what looks like a pair of custom side skirts poking out underneath the door, so the evidence begins to pile up that this Corvette was indeed someone’s passion project back in the day, but the million-dollar question still lingers: where, and why, did they stop?
The drivetrain appears to be complete, and with four tires and wheels still bolted on and holding air, this Corvette should be fairly easy to move onto a trailer. The future of a car like this is uncertain, as the value of the parts alone likely exceeds what the seller is asking, so the next owner may only be yanking engine and suspension components off of it to transplant to another project. And honestly, that’s not the worst thing given the abundance of C4 Corvettes for sale at any given time and in far better condition than this, so why not use the cheap, tired example for parting out and keep the sunny day drivers on the road?
Typical Craigslist ad, where less is not more! The one good thing about this ad offering is the price. If it turned out that “needs work” required you to cash in a 401K, you could probably recoup your money by parting it out. If, on the other hand it could be easily brought back to life, then you’ll have a great story to tell. Feelin’ lucky?! :-)
Nail on the head! If you can get it running without great expense. You’ ll have to unscrew the body mods. Who in the hell would put that ridiculous looking hood scoop on it?
The listing owner of the car would put that crap on the hood…that’s who!
I’ve forgotten about this one already.
I smell a rat.
What do rats smell like?
The inside of this car.
Nope…..smells like s**t!
Good price for a parts car.
Normally I’m against lousy produced by lazy seller. However, when a car is cheap enough it doesn’t matter. This car meets that criteria, it’s cheap, it has a title, the price alone sells the car. I feel sorry for this seller, they are going to be inundated by idiots trying to scold them for their lousy ad and by equally stupid people playing 20 questions demanding to know what’s wrong with it.
Steve R
Sure, if there’s any parts on it worth saving! This thing has been run ragged. I can’t imagine what it would have that would be as good as it would be on a much nicer car that you could get for around five or six grand. Personally, I think it’s about time for the planet to say goodbye to this thing.
At least it’s cheap. A friend bought a 64 Corvette while we were in high school in 1973. He paid $750. He fixed it up. Drove it every day. It was light blue. 327 300 up 4 speed. Two tops. Stolen in 74 when he took it to that hell hole called New York for a concert. Never seen again. Today, you will pay twice this just for a hardtop.
If you’re looking for a track car, might be a good starting point. Hate to see a good car get in this condition.
I wonder if Callaway Engineering still works on Corvettes of this generation. They specialize in turning Corvettes into supercars.