Taking on someone’s unfinished restoration project can be a daunting task, and that is what awaits the buyer of this 1964 Corvette Convertible. However, it might not be as bad as it first seems. It appears to be mostly complete, and work has progressed a bit since this photo was taken. If a classic American convertible is high on your wish list, you will find the Corvette located in Miami, Florida, and listed for sale here on eBay. Fifty-three bids have already been submitted, and this has pushed the price along to $27,000 in this No Reserve auction.
Now, doesn’t that look better? The Corvette was dismantled back in 1985 for a frame-off restoration, and this as far as it has progressed. There is still some work ahead for the buyer, but there is plenty of good news to digest. The owner supplies photos of the vehicle’s underside, and it as clean as you might expect for a restoration of this type. The panels are finished in Saddle Tan, and while it generally has a nice shine, there are a few marks and chips that have accumulated over the years. These might be able to be repaired, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the buyer chooses to treat the car to a repaint. The frame for the convertible top is present, but the top itself is shredded beyond salvation. A few chrome pieces are missing, and it isn’t clear whether these are just unattached or whether replacements will need to be sourced.
Someone has “treated” the Corvette to a custom headlight look, and I use that word with some caution. I can’t say that I find the effect to be particularly thrilling, and it is something that I would change if I were to buy this classic. The other thing that I would swap is the aftermarket wheels. They don’t suit the vehicle’s style and character, and if I were going down the aftermarket path, I would probably plump for a set of reproduction aluminum knock-off wheels. Beyond that, the tinted glass appears to be in good condition, with no evidence of chips or flaws.
The Corvette isn’t a numbers-matching vehicle, but the engine bay houses a 1964-vintage L76 327ci V8. The buyer could expect this engine to pump out a very respectable 365hp, which would find its way to the road via a 4-speed manual transmission. Performance figures are all that you might expect, with this Corvette capable of demolishing the ¼ mile in 14.1 seconds. The news here is all quite positive. The engine was pulled and rebuilt during the restoration. It hasn’t been fired into life since the work was completed, so that’s a task for the buyer to tackle. However, during the recent reassembly it has been fitted with a host of new parts. These include a new exhaust, new clutch, and a new radiator. The entire fuel system has also been replaced, including the tank, lines, pump, and a Holley carburetor was fitted. There are still a few detailed items that will require attention, but it sounds like it won’t take much to have that mighty L76 roaring into life once again.
There’s undoubtedly some consistency with the Corvette because the interior is another area that is virtually complete, but it needs finishing. The dash looks good, and there are no aftermarket additions. However, most upholstered surfaces show their age, and a carpet set will also be required. A kit that includes new seat covers, door trims, kick panels, and a carpet set will cost somewhere around $1,900, and this would give the interior a shot in the arm. Some of the hard trim pieces like the console show the sort of edge wear and damage that can accumulate over time, so the buyer will need to assess these to decide what might require replacement.
Unfinished projects usually require a certain amount of rework if the buyer is to end up with a car that suits their tastes and standards. This 1964 Corvette is no exception, but it does seem that the foundations are there for something pretty special. It can never be a numbers-matching classic, so it will almost certainly never command a top-end value. However, if the bidding stays in its current region, it could be a great buy.
What was going on in the person’s mind when they did that to those iconic headlights. On a 1964 no less
The car is solid, has a lot of the hard to get expensive pieces that can break the DYI car restorer guy, and let’s not forget that very clean 327. BUT the coast to undo that custom headlight job can’t be underestimated.
Perhaps they were trying to capture the look of the Sting Ray on the cover of the Beach Boys’ “Little Deuce Coupe” album. They might have been influenced by the original Corvette Stingray Racer as well.
ls time
Why seal up those mechanical electric motor driven headlights.
Its now not only a nom motor but no grille cra cra look.
The price is reasonable and the headlights can be uncovered hopefully.
Amazing on routes people go to loose money on projects like this on a classic desirable car.
Okay wheres the next vette on a yoda frame with engine?
Maybe its time for a split window on a raised 4×4 knobby tires rock climbing to pop up to really get ones blood and heart pumping 😉😂👀😲🥃
Now there are just going to be more BUGS to clean off of the headlights.
As the old saying goes – “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!”
Even if I had the money, This would not be the Corvette I would buy, to many people may point and laugh, when you show up at the car meets. I know I would.
As a Corvette enthusiast once told me (he always had at least 3 or 4-a daily driver and a couple more undergoing various stages of restoration) never, EVER buy a mdified ‘vette-unless you love it enough to plan on keeping it. He had once lost his shirt on buying one that had been modified. When the time came to sell it to finance his next one, he could barely give it away. As he explained, you have to find that certain someone who not only likes the mod(s) but also has the $ to buy it from you… I wish the seller good luck-he will need it.
Probably an aftermarket one piece replacement front clip. Better make sure the frame isn’t bent, and did someone keep track of which body shims went where when the body and frame were separated?
he had better take that offer and run….stupid headlight customization… ugly color… never.. ever get your money back.. just buy one done
Looks like a great project for someone ,I would have the original headlight bucket installed you might need a pro to do that they tricky and you would have to replace some of the front nose price could be 3k parts and labor
Those horrible wire wheels and whitewalls really set it off.
Relocating the headlights into the grille was a pretty common custom touch back in the 60’s and early 70’s. Corvettes were one of the favorite cars to customize. I am surprised there isn’t a spoiler molded into the rear as well.I friend of mine had a 66 with a nasty small block, side-mount headers, flared wheel wells, Torque-Thrust’s and a custom molded in rear spoiler. It was quite the car in 1971. It was even gold, with some custom pin stripes. People today tend to freak out when they see a car modified like this… “what were they thinking?” “How could they” Back in the day, it’s what you did
very common and stupid modification in late 60s and very early 70s. By 1976, prices of stock, original C2s were climbing. In 1977, you could buy a 67 435 hp conv. for $8,000, a good one. This heap of crap was sold for $27,000 according to EvilBay. Good luck. You’re gonna need it and plenty of money.
I get a kick out of the comments belittling anyone who would buy the car being commented on, when – as in this case – there are already 53 bidders, not just one. So, to each his or her own.
A fool, and their money, are soon parted.
SOLD for $27,000.