This 1962 Corvette has been part of a private collection since 1985, but recently emerged to find its way to a new home. It ticks many of the most crucial boxes for those seeking a classic, from its tidy presentation to its numbers-matching drivetrain. Those features make it a tempting proposition, although the seller’s decision to list it with No Reserve may lift it from tempting to irresistible. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting the Corvette listed here on eBay in Miami, Florida. Bidding has stormed to $39,762 as the auction heads into the home stretch.
The 1962 model year was significant in the production life of the Chevrolet Corvette. The badge scored a new sales record of 14,531 vehicles that year, cementing its place in the American market as its replacement waited in the wings for release the following year. The first owner ordered this ‘Vette in Fawn Beige, and its presentation is extremely tidy. The paint shines nicely, with no significant flaws in it or the fiberglass it cloaks. The seller confirms the absence of frame rust, meaning that this classic is as solid as the day it left the lot. The White soft-top fits as tight as a drum, with no rips and a clear back window. The remaining glass is excellent, and the trim sparkles under the Florida sun.
Possibly the biggest news for the 1962 Corvette range could be found under the hood. Chevrolet increased the capacity of its small-block V8 from 283ci to 327ci for that model year, with that motor remaining available in various forms until 1968. The seller confirms that this Corvette features its numbers-matching 327 and four-speed manual transmission, although it is unclear which version of the small-block it is. However, it will place at least 250hp at the driver’s disposal, and with the Corvette tipping the scales at barely more than 3,000 lbs, these were genuinely fast cars in even their most basic guise. This motor features a few aftermarket cosmetic enhancements that could be reversed for the sake of originality. Otherwise, it runs and drives perfectly, and has a claimed 49,000 original miles on the clock.
Ordering a ’62 Corvette in Fawn Beige brought a choice between Red or Beige interior trim. This car’s first owner chose the latter, giving the vehicle what I consider to be a more integrated look. The presentation is almost as tidy as the exterior, with slight seatcover stretching being the most obvious issue. However, with no rips, tears, or other problems, it can be considered comfortably acceptable for a survivor-grade classic. The seller states that the radio and wipers are inoperative, but everything else works as it should.
There is a lot to like about this 1962 Corvette, and little justifying criticism. It presents nicely and has avoided most of the aftermarket additions that often find their way onto these classics. That may help to explain the auction statistics, with Listing View, Watch List, and bid tallies of 349, 132, and 25, respectively, at the time of writing. Of course, the seller’s decision to list it with No Reserve will have helped it cause, although it hardly needs that type of boost due to its inherent desirability. It will head to a new home in a few days, and I would love to think that it will be with one of our loyal readers. That way, it is guaranteed to continue receiving the respect and TLC it richly deserves.
Great your kicks on Route 66,,,
Tod and Buz…..Wasn’t one of the ones they used this color?
Yes. Fawn Beige. According to Rt.66 TV show historian, Doug Dawson, the Fawn Beige recorded best for the cameras used at that time.
Hey…where’s whizzin Willie? I miss him.
This has to be the best car I’ve seen from the dead-end Fla sales lot. The panel fit is fair to poor, the interior is serviceable (even has the garbage bin under the grab bar), the frame looks solid, and the motor (with it’s fresh Krylon rebuild) is, well, a motor. Is it the right motor for the car? It says numbers matching but doesn’t show the numbers matching.
All the gauges work…even the temp gauge? 49k original miles? I think not.
$40,000 is a decent number…and after a thorough inspection/drive.
Buyer beware.
Can you tell me exactly which panels are not fitting so well. .
Certainly. Understand ’62 Corvettes did not have the best panel fit at birth, let alone 63 years later but…
In the first photo look at the line of the bumper and the chunk of body missing where the grille surround comes down. In the second photo look at the entire grille surround and how it fits. The hood fit is wonky but most of it ‘could’ be adjusted out. The trunk fit is the same as the hood…wonky.
The car has been apart and repainted. That’s not a bad thing if it was done right.
FROM THE PHOTOS the car appears to have good bones and could be a decent buy at $40k.
Numbers matching??? Take some lacquer thinner and a rag and wipe of the fresh paint on the engine pad and verify the numbers. Something the seller should have done and photo’d.
From memory this is one of the better (best?) Corvettes I have seen from this seller. Normally they are more of a lip stick on a pig vehicle.
I don’t mean to offend anyone, just giving my thoughts.
Can you point out exactly which panels fit poorly? Thanks
I restored a 62 with my father in the early 2000’s and immediately saw the poor fit on the panels of this vette. Could be it just came out of paint and installation and nobody has adjusted them yet. Still a 40k car but not a high end one.
Looking for reply from Ruxvette
Looking for reply from Ruxvette
What exactly do you mean by “ dead end FLA sales lot? Is it that bad? Lots of positive comments are here
What exactly do you mean by “ dead end FLA sales lot? Is it that bad? Lots of positive comments are here
Nice car, good color combination, and appears to be in pretty good shape. I do question the stated mileage though. That kind of mileage would suggest an owner, (or multiple owners) that considered it an investment, I seriously doubt that anyone thinking of the car as an investment would lose the ignition shielding and put on MT rocker covers. A youngster has owned this car at one time or another would be my guess. Still, as long as the bids don’t eclipse about 40K this definitely has potential.
My little brothers best friends family bought him an identical vette just like this one in 1967.It was his sixteenth birthday present.He and my brother were holy terrors with that car, he had added Cherry bomb mufflers, and added a second 4 bbl.setup with proper cam and heads.Fast car till he wrecked it running from CHP.Cali. in 60’s and70’s was a young man’s Dream, oh well old memories.Oh yeah his dad told me he bought car for $1,000, just compare then and now.
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Dad of a 7th grade classmate had this identical car; first time I rode in a ‘Vette. The ‘62 has remained a favorite. If only I had the $$$$’s and garage space.
My favorite Corvette, the 62 convertible. 327 and 4 speed, perfect. I don’t know why someone said that the fit and finish was poor. I examined the photos and the lines looked fine to me. I was surprised that the trunk (boot for those so inclined) didn’t seem to have weatherstripping or a rubber seal. I suspect that the engine was removed at some point. I doubt that Chevrolet painted the nuts and bolts at the factory (but what do I know). The valve covers look like add-ons and I don’t know about the air filter being original. Still looks great and I’d be happy with it in my garage….if there was room.
Eric_13cars: You are correct about the engine, it has had a Krylon rebuild, but the air filter is correct.
62 was a strike year for GM. I bought a grey 62 new for my 16th B-day I had to order it and the Fresno dealership found one in the Southeast and had it shipped out. In those years dealers had the option to do dealer installed options. Mine came with a 411 rear end, close ratio 4 speed, and TriPower which I was told was a 60 283 option added on by the dealer. 60 miles per hour was at 4000 rpm and about 7mpg. even though gas was cheap I couldn’t afford to feed it so 6 months later I sold it. Sure was fun to drive.
Yes, but a car this nice deserves to be original. I too noticed the missing ignition shield and non-factory valve covers. And I’m not a Corvette afficionado. Nice looking color combo that I have not seen before. My Dad had a ’58 so I have spent some time in these. They ride rough and only handle a little as they use early 1950s suspension.
My da had a ’58 too and I made one to look just like it .They do use early 50s suspension right out of a ’53 Chevy. There is nothing mechanically sophisticated in the C1s short of the FI introduced in ’57.
This one is the same colors the ’62 dealer pamphlet had on it. The duck tail rear never style wise combined well with the old front end IMHO.
Best color on a C1.
DRV my Dad’s was medium metallic blue with silver scallops. 4.10 posi and .030 over 283. Accelerated very well! When I turned 16 he sold it because a teenage kid in the house with a Corvette drove the insurance cost out of site. His comment to me when it left the driveway was ” too bad you never got to drive it”. My response was ” Bet Me”! Yes I snuck it out a couple of times. I had been driving since I was 9 y.o. And had my 1953 3100 Panel truck to drive on the fire roads behind our house. And a 1958 Renault 4CV also.
I think this is a good $40,000 car. It looks to me like it’s been kissed on the driver’s fender, but haven’t they all?
Dad took a twin to this car in 65at his dealership and brought it home one day. We had 6 neighbor hood kids crammed inside for a trip around the neighborhood! Great memories, probably why I’ve still got my c5 coupe. Agree with panel fitment comments.
Sold on 5/15/2025 with a high bid of $43,100.
Steve R