No Reserve: 1962 Chevrolet Corvette

Although buyers knew that a new model was waiting in the wings, ready for release the following year, it didn’t prevent the 1962 Corvette from setting a sales record. The sales increase from the previous year was significant, demonstrating that the Corvette had cemented its place in American motoring folklore. Our feature car is from that final production year and presents well for its age. It is a turnkey classic in excellent mechanical health, and the seller’s decision to offer it with No Reserve means it has generated a bidding frenzy. If you wish to join the party, the ‘Vette is listed here on eBay in Miami, Florida. The price has raced to $38,975, but there’s still time for you to stake your claim on this gem.

The 1962 model year was a success for the Corvette, with 14,531 buyers electing to park one in their garage. That figure represented a whopping 33% increase over the record-breaking 1961 total. It was more noteworthy, considering buyers knew that Chevrolet intended to release a new model for 1963. Our feature car comes from the final year of C1 production and is claimed to be a solid classic. That suggests there is no structural rust in the frame, which is an essential consideration for any vehicle in this price bracket. It is unclear whether the Tuxedo Black paint is the original shade, but I can’t see any obvious evidence of a color change. The seller admits to one repaint, but it is unclear when this occurred. The paint wears a selection of minor marks and scratches, but it remains presentable for a survivor-grade car. The same is true of the trim and glass, although there is no information regarding the presence and condition of a top. With the fiberglass showing no evidence of cracks or other problems, a repaint could have the car shining like a new penny without costing a fortune.

The Corvette’s interior continues the “tidy survivor” theme, although it has some shortcomings the buyer may consider addressing. The carpet has no appreciable wear, but it has faded. That is also true of the carpet on the lower door trims, but both might respond positively to a high-quality dye if the new owner has an eye on their budget. The driver’s seat upholstery is stretched, suggesting the foam may have compacted or collapsed. A reproduction foam kit for both seats retails for approximately $320, but disturbing the covers may open a can of worms. Therefore, adding an extra $460 for new covers may prove a wise investment. The dash and bright trim pieces look nice, and there are no cracks on the wheel.

Chevrolet upped the ante for 1962, increasing its engine capacity from 283ci to 327. Buyers could choose several versions, but this car’s original owner selected the Code 583 unit producing 300hp. Those ponies feed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, which gives the ‘Vette the ability to cover the ¼ mile in 14.6 seconds. The seller states the car is numbers-matching and has a genuine 56,000 miles on the clock. They don’t mention verifying evidence, making that a question worth asking. It is in sound mechanical health. It runs and drives well, everything works as it should, and the buyer could slip behind the wheel for a spot of immediate classic motoring pleasure.

Considering its overall condition, originality, and odometer reading, this 1962 Corvette seems to offer much to its new owner. They could keep it untouched to preserve its survivor status, although the photos suggest that returning it to showroom condition would not be difficult. That path could see it easily command a value of $65,000, although perfection could push that figure considerably higher. C2 values have softened recently, but trends suggest the tide is about to turn. If that is the case, now could be the ideal time to buy because that would increase the long-term investment potential. As always, I would advise potential buyers to do some research before committing to a considerable financial outlay. You never know, but doing your homework could reveal you have found the classic of your dreams.