The term “Fuelie” is sometimes used to identify a fuel-injected car or hot rod. And the most famous of them was perhaps the 1957-65 Chevy Corvettes that were so equipped. Overall Corvette sales hit another record in 1964 at 22,229 units of which 13,925 were convertibles. 1,325 Corvettes had the $538 fuel-injection option, split across both convertibles and coupes. This 1964 Corvette was once a “fuelie”, but it has been converted back to straight carburetion. It can be found in Manchester, Maryland (north of Baltimore) and is available here on craigslist for $29,900. A tip of the fedora to Mitchell G for this tip!
1964 was the second model year of the second generation of the Corvette (referred to as C2) which saw production from 1963-67. The car now had independent rear-suspension, a design feature implemented the year before. 1963 saw the cars renamed the Corvette Sting Ray and that was also when the iconic one-year wonder was made, the split-window coupe, the Holy Grail of Corvettes. 1964 cars only had evolutionary changes made and the drivetrain offerings were pretty much the same with both the carbureted and fuel-injected engines gaining about 15 horsepower.
The seller’s ‘Vette, while rare in that it’s a 56-year-old sports car, would perhaps be more in demand if the fuel-injection was still employed. We don’t know when or why it was removed, although I’ve read that the system could sometimes be problematic. Also gone is the original 327 V-8, having been replaced by a 350 of unknown vintage or output. The car is a four-speed and we’re assuming it’s the original, but the seller doesn’t say. It’s said to start and run but is going to need a new gas tank (rust?) and brakes before you could do much with it.
The wording in the ad and the paperwork photographed suggest the seller is the original owner. It was purchased new from a Chevy dealership in New Jersey, which seems to still be in business today but under another name. The interior in the car looks to have held up well, but the carpeting has turned to dust and will need replacing. This Corvette is strictly a convertible model; there’s no mention of what would have been an optional hardtop coming with the car.
The fiberglass body looks pretty good from what we can see, but there are some small, repairable rust spots on the frame that the seller says will need attention. As the he puts it, the car has a “nice birdcage.” The seller will accept no trades and plans to have the car at the Corvettes of Carlisle 2020 show in Pennsylvania if it hasn’t sold before. Hagerty suggests a top-shelf 1964 Corvette can bring $75,000. If this were a fuelie, probably more, and because of the incorrect motor, probably less. Fair condition sits at between $25-30,000, so the seller’s asking price is maybe at the high end of the market.
Sources: Wikipedia and VetteFacts
Nice car but with out the numbers matching I feel the price is a little ambitious!!
Did Chevy engines in 64 have the serial number on the block, or can you find a date coded 327 and be correct ?
64 Corvettes have a VIN derivative on the block. Chevrolet started adding the VIN derivative to all Corvette engines during the 1960 model year. Not long after, they started stamping VIN’s on some high performance engines (such as 327/350’s, 409’s, etc) installed in other Chevrolet’s, but how and how often it was done, seemed to vary from plant to plant. Federal law required all engines get a VIN stamp in 68.
Had a cousin marry the son of a car dealer in that era. It was a small town dealership and I heard of more than one FI Vette having the FI replaced with a carb because they couldn’t get them to work properly, so it was a common issue.
Personally I think if the car has a NOE and needs frame repairs that the price may be somewhat aggressive for the car in this condition. It will sell for what it sells for.
One of the most beautiful and collectible American cars, but this baby is tired. Needs a lot to get her anywhere near market value, and finding a replacement engine to bring it back near original still wouldn’t guarantee that price. His ask is rich for its needs.
No original motor and the Fuel Injection script emblem is on crooked
$30K is a lot of coin for this C2 considering its L84 long gone. For about twice the money a nice original ’64 convertible can be found. For half the money this car might be worth considering.
The seller is NOT the original owner, they just happen to have a lot of original paperwork. The seller is Rod Saboury, a well known builder of fantastic Corvette show and drag cars, including a split window claimed to be the world’s fastest street legal Corvette. Rod is also a flipper of early Corvettes. I think I saw this car at Carlisle, I wasn’t looking at cars for sale, but I recall seeing a white mid-year in the area where Rod’s spaces are.
It’s not surprising that this car was sold new by Malcolm Konner. For many years they were the number one Corvette dealer in the world.
It’s quite possible that this car started life as a fuelie. It does have the normal FI clues, a 6500 redline tach, FI core support, and holes in the left inner skirt where the air cleaner mounts.
Even with the wrong engine, I don’t think $30K is too far off for a mid-year, that with a little work, could be a running/driving car. Providing the frame rust isn’t too bad.
“repairable rust on frame but nice birdcage.” Words to make one shudder. If the seller is a Corvette shop it may be an honest assessment. I would do some serious poking around.
Like the C1 better (but ’56/60). The frnt & rear 1/4s, cove side, any w/the ’62 style dash (passenger’s & driver’s) & grill (w/o any ‘teeth’). Also the Blue Flame motor. I’d just ruin one I guess (OE by mishmash)…
Check out the red one a few pic up.
another overpriced 5 condition car
Rod knows Vettes . Damn good guy .
Then there’s one like this one,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/274476922003
might be questionable as to 327/365 ? CRS is kicking in.
That is an EXACT twin to the ’64 I bought in 1966. I need to empty the piggy bank.
With the glut of old Corvettes around the price seems beyond ambitious. That it used to be a “fuelie” is pretty much irrelevant. Living with a fuelie Corvette required constant tweaking and attendance and cultivating a love for the smell of unburned gasoline any way. Add the meh color (which could be changed) and it kind of a nothing burger. But with a vette there’s probably an old geezer out there that willing to tap into his retirement savings for a trip down memory lane. Better to buy one restored at his estate sale.
“OLD GEEZER”,,,,,,,,, only the lucky ones get here, will you ? Bite me !
There is a car for every fool with too much $$$$$$ burning a hole in his pocket.