Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

No Reserve 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

There are many recipes for generating high interest in an eBay listing. This 1964 Corvette Convertible has managed to do this better than most. Not only is it a tidy and clean survivor, but it is being offered for sale in a No Reserve auction. This has seen 42 bids submitted to this point, which is hardly surprising. Located in Gadsden, Alabama, you will find the Corvette listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding opened at $2,500 but has rapidly risen to $30,100.

Generally if a C2 Corvette appears in a No Reserve auction with such a low opening price, you would expect to be looking at a real dog with plenty of fleas. That isn’t the case here. This Riverside Red example isn’t perfect, but you wouldn’t feel any shame if it was parked in your driveway. When you look at its overall condition, it is hard to fathom that it has been sitting for 14-years. The paint shines beautifully, and the fiberglass shows no signs of stress cracks. The owner supplies photos of the Corvette’s underside, and there are no signs of anything beyond some occasional surface corrosion spots. The convertible top looks dirty, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it responded positively to a decent clean. The trim and chrome appear to be in good condition, while the same is true of the glass.

The Corvette is a numbers-matching classic and features a 327ci V8 that is backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. Even though this is the base V8, it still should provide 250hp. That sort of mumbo is enough to launch the car down the ¼ mile in 15.3 seconds. The engine bay’s presentation isn’t awe-inspiring, but that isn’t the end of the world. Some careful cleaning and some attention to detail should make a world of difference. More pressingly, the 327 doesn’t currently run. The car hasn’t fired a shot in anger since it was parked. That means that a thorough mechanical inspection and service will be required before the Corvette can be classed as roadworthy. At least the owner does state that the engine turns freely. With that in mind, it might not take a lot of work to get the engine purring once again. I did notice that the engine has been fitted with headers. I’m not sure whether they would stay or go. If the owner has the original manifolds, I would probably swap them back on.

One aspect of the Corvette that shines is the interior. It is upholstered in Red vinyl and presents extremely well. If the buyer is considering reviving the car and driving it as an original survivor, this will be fine. There are a few minute blemishes on a couple of the trim pieces, but nothing of any consequence. There are no rips or tears in the upholstery, while the dash and carpet are in good condition. One aftermarket addition is air conditioning. This leaves me torn because while I would prefer originality, this system doesn’t look out of place. There are not many optional extras, but an AM/FM radio is a nice touch.

There is no doubt that this 1964 Corvette would sparkle if it were treated to some restoration work, but I’m not sure that it needs it. If it could be revived and returned to a roadworthy state, it could ply our roads as an original survivor. The only thing that I would do would be to detail the engine bay and make it look as original as possible. Otherwise, I’d clean this car, polish it, and then hit the road. What about you?

Comments

  1. Avatar Mitchell Gildea Member

    Cue “Little Red Corvette” by Prince

    Like 2
  2. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    Good looking convertible, wonder what it will eventually go for?

    Like 1
  3. Avatar GERALD w WATKINS

    I had one exactly like this that I bought new for about $4,100. Now have a Jetstream Blue 2008 C6 coupe with about 445 HP due to some minor upgrades. No comparison between the two, but the ’64 was a fun car.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Joe Haska

    We are on the same page, I would do the same. Go through the engine ,freshen it up cosmetically, don’t over do it and drive it all the time.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Stan Marks

    What’s ugly about the engine bay is, clean the chrome air cleaner & change the filter. It would make a world of difference.

    The car is sitting in a dealership. Would it kill them to check the gas & give it a tune-up? They want big money. It would be nice if it ran.

    Like 5
  6. Avatar Macfly

    The engine bay has had some upgrades: intake manifold, headers, electric fan, electronic ignition… All good upgrades for a driver. If this goes for less than 40k it’s a nice deal.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Stan Marks

      Lots of new wiring, too.

      Like 1
  7. Avatar Steve

    Why won’t sellers get their cars running when they put them up for sale? Why make the buyer figure it out? I don’t get it.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Stan Marks

      Exactly, Steve & thank you.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar moosie

    I’m thinking in most cases the sellers wont try to start the car because if they do get it to run and issues crop up it would make it harder to sell or get all the available ca$h, its a gamble for both parties if no attempt is made to start the car, how lucky do ya feel. Myself, personally would not buy a pig in a poke for any kind of big money, dont get me wrong this Corvette presents itself very well, I like it. It just makes me think that the bids would be much higher if it was a running, driving car. No mention of a hardtop even tho there are provisions for one by seeing the chrome ferrules on the rear deck, a bit further back from where the soft top is latched. I like it a lot, if my situation were different I’d love to bid on it and win and the first thing I’d do is to put 4 wheel disc brakes on it provided I was buying a running driving car.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Stan Marks

      And give the headache to the buyer, who spent big bucks.
      No thanks.
      If I’m spending big $$$$$, it’s not worth the gamble.
      I like sure things…

      I would think, before the brakes, see if it would run, first. JMHO

      Like 1
  9. Avatar tony di mondi

    buy it with the knowledge you will need an engine rebuild $3000 or so at least, with u doing the istalation labor,

    Like 0

Leave a Reply to jose sosa Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.