The Chevy Corvette got off to a rocky start in 1953, but General Motors would eventually prove there was a market for a U.S.-built sports car. The first-generation ‘Vettes would wrap up in 1962, so the changes that year would be largely cosmetic. If you wanted a performance bump, you ordered the 327 cubic inch V8 with fuel injection as they did with this example. It’s been in the same family since new and was restored about nine years ago. Located in Orange, California, this sharp Chevy is available here on craigslist where the seller must be fielding offers as no asking price is specified. Our thanks to T.J. for another cool tip!
Corvette production in 1962 totaled 14,531 units of which 1,918 or 13% had the optional Rochester Ram-Jet fuel injection that pushed the horsepower output of the 327 to 360 hp. That made it one of the few domestic cars sold to that point that achieved more than one horse per cube. After 10 years, the original design of the Corvette was retired and an all-new car would arrive in 1963, dubbed the “Stingray”
This rare ‘Vette, which comes with both removable hard and soft tops, has only had one home in the past 60 years. We’re told it’s never been in an accident and the family restored the automobile around 2013. The Honduras Maroon paint still looks quite nice as does the black vinyl interior with bucket seats. Passengers are treated to a tachometer, an analog clock, and a Wonder Bar AM/FM radio.
A plus is that everything under the hood is numbers-matching, and the hot motor is flanked by a 4-speed manual transmission and a posi-traction rear end. The seller says this ‘Vette runs and drives great, so the car may only need a new home that will take equally diligent care of this classic vehicle. The odometer reading is 41,000 miles, but no reference is made as to whether that’s accurate or a rollover. We wish we had an inkling as to what the seller is hoping to get for this Chevrolet.
Was at our NAPA store yesterday when two brothers pulled up in a beautiful bright red ’62. Said it was was a daily driver, non-numbers matching car. Really great to see one out on the road and not hidden in a garage or museum. The two I spent some time with were fun to drive. Certainly a nice example here.
Free to a good home?
The ad says it’s $1, haha.
I like and appreciate Corvettes as much as the next guy and any non-owner can.
That said we’ve seen a lot of them here, many of them unremarkable. The FI and matching numbers set this apart but what else ?
Rehashing the beginning and history of the mark becomes tiresome…
Then don’t read it.
So does whining…
I think a car as nice as this one appears to be, always makes you wonder why it is on C/L with no price. I assume the seller is aware of what it is so why market it on C/L. The first thing you think is, that this is some sort of a scam.
Ya this is on SF Craigslist but is located in Orange County? Two different locations.
Yup. It really should be at Mecum. I don’t think there’s anyone on C’list looking for something of this value. I have listed cars for almost giveaway prices and gotten lowballed.
Where else can you sell a car, if you don’t want to pay a commission to eBay or Bring a Trailer? Is craigslist that much different than Hemmings, Carsforsale.com, Autotrader, etc.? Besides, this doesn’t feel like a scam to me, it’s fairly well written, and most scams have an unrealistically low price.
This looks like a nice 62 to me. If you want to nitpick, it should have a silver fuel filter, not black, and the air cleaner hose is missing it’s clamps. It’s a shame it’s had snaps added to the stainless trim and deck lid for a tonneau cover, but at the same time it’s a neat, old school 60’s kind of accessory, and it’s nice to see tonneau’s still in the trunk. Also the carpet looks faded, but that’s pretty typical for black 62 “salt & pepper” carpet. I’m not a big fan of “best offer” ads, or ones without prices, but I like this car.
You can list your cars right here on Barn Finds!
Whenever I see a 62 Corvette, The TV show Route 66 always springs to mind. Probably showing my age.