Some classics must be seen to be appreciated. Such is the case with this 1964 Chevrolet Corvette. It presents beautifully as a survivor in one of the rarest paint shades offered that year. It is original and unmolested, and its beautiful body hides one of the most potent drivetrain combinations money could buy in 1964. It appears to need nothing but a new home and could represent an excellent long-term investment opportunity. The ‘Vette is listed here on eBay in Tucson, Arizona. The bidding has reached $57,500, and if you aren’t already sorely tempted, the seller’s decision to offer this classic with No Reserve could make it irresistible.
Chevrolet offered 1964 Corvette buyers seven shades on the color palette, with the Tuxedo Black gracing this car’s panels the second rarest. Saddle Tan was less common, but only 1,897 buyers selected the darker shade. The Trim Tag confirms this car wears its original color, with the seller stating it has never undergone restoration. A close inspection will probably reveal flaws and marks, but the overall presentation is impressive for a garage-kept car with six decades behind it. The paint retains a deep shine, while the fiberglass exhibits no evidence of cracks or imperfections. This is a dry-climate classic, and although the seller doesn’t mention the presence (or otherwise) of rust in the frame or birdcage, the lack of visible surface corrosion across the entire vehicle suggests it should be structurally sound. The sparkling chrome and trim perfectly contrast the dark paint, and there are no visible glass issues.
This numbers-matching Corvette is about far more than good looks, with its mechanical specifications enough to gladden the heart of any performance enthusiast. The engine bay houses a 327ci V8, and it isn’t any old motor. It is the L76 that churns out 365hp and 350 ft/lbs of torque. That power feeds to a 3.55 Posi rear end via a four-speed manual transmission. The L76 represented exceptional “bang for your buck” in 1964. It added a mere $107.60 to the Corvette’s sticker price, which was barely 20% of the cost of the “Fuelie” option. The pair were inseparable against the stopwatch, with a ¼-mile ET of 14.1 seconds and a top speed of 144mph. The engine bay presentation is impressive for a survivor of this vintage and doesn’t flatter to deceive. The seller states the Corvette runs and drives perfectly and is ready to plaster a mile-wide smile on the face of its new owner the moment they turn the key.
The theme of unmolested originality continues inside this Corvette, with its interior containing no aftermarket additions. It isn’t brimming with factory options, although the original owner splashed a considerable sum on the AM/FM radio. This deserves placing into perspective because it provides clear insight into the impact of evolving technology. It added $176.50 to the sticker price, which is eye-watering compared to what that L76 V8 cost the original owner. That situation would be unthinkable today, but it clearly demonstrates how the world has changed since 1964. This interior isn’t just original; it ticks the boxes for those seeking excellent presentation. The Black vinyl upholstered surfaces are free from wear or other issues. The carpet looks surprisingly good for its age, while the lack of dash deterioration and crumbling plastic indicates it hasn’t experienced long-term UV exposure. The seller confirms there are no functional issues, with everything working as it should.
The term “investment grade” is one of the most overused in the classic world, and some cars don’t deserve that tag. That isn’t the case with this 1964 Corvette. Values for C2 Corvettes have continued climbing over the past year, and the biggest surprise with this car is that it has only received one bid. I expected stronger buyer interest, but some factors may have influenced the situation. The first is that it isn’t what many might consider affordable. It is undeniably desirable, but justifying the outlay required on what is a luxury may be difficult for some. It may also be that many interested parties are playing their cards close to their chest and may only show their hand during the final minutes of this auction. The lack of a reserve means this Corvette is guaranteed to find a new home, but could it be yours?
I’d buy this absolute gem in a heartbeat if I didn’t already have a gorgeous Vette. This one is a beauty.
Had to be interesting driving a black on black coupe with that huge back glass in Tucson during the summer with no a/c. True diehard!
Take a look at the last eBay picture, shouldn’t the vin plate also have rivets?
NO, the VIN on the 64 was spot welded to the birdcage, they didn’t start using rivets until 1965.
In 1964 these were consistently faster than “fuelies”, at least at the drag strip. One of the car mags of the era questioned why anyone would spend so much more money for less power.
Wonder what this cost new when it sat on the show room floor ?
Around $5K, and don’t forget that they discounted these things.
To keep that in perspective, an impala was $2500.
Only a few things to say, one: beautiful, original Corvette….(it still should be carefully observed in person)…..two: 116,000 miles……not for me, thank you…..complete drivetrain rebuild……
The only thing better would be finding my Uncle’s 1964 black with white seats coupe he bought new off the dealer lot….
Hard time believing that paint is original.
I remember a friend of my dad bought a 1964 with this powertrain. My dad thought he was crazy spending that much money on a car. He let my dad take me for a ride in it. We were both sporting ear to ear smiles.
I had the opportunity to speak with the sellers partner on the Corvette. I would be very cautious if anyone is also serious interested in purchasing it. He did not show the VIN in his andds, and did not want to share a picture of it, the title, registration, or the registered owners ID to match.
My radar is going off and he only has a Ebay feedback from 3 sellers and none from buyers that I can tell. He told me to look at his facebook page which IMO does not make me feel any better. Says that they are not a dealer but claims to have sold over 100 vehicles. Just does not add up. Asked if a compression test was performed and danced around the answer saying fluids were replaced as needed. Could be real but every car, or truck that I’ve bought out of state the sellers have had no issues sharing a picture of a title, vin tag, registration, and a valid drivers license that matches the vehicle.
My 64 L76 coupe came from right here at barn finds via fleabay in August 22.
It is one of the first with 63 doors. I may have over paid at the time but time is catching up and how much are smiles worth? Mine happens to be from the town next to my hometown with license plate frames from a dealer I had never heard of though I bought in Oregon.
Old paperwork led me to a 50 year owner and he explained that the dealer where he bought it in 1967 was going out of business. Being born in 65 is obviously why I did not recognize the dealer. He also went on to explain how it was the fastest car in the Santa Clara Valley as he was a Stanford student except one supercharged Camaro as he put it. It is a FAST car and those license frames are still on it.