Sometimes a car becomes more than a possession. Many of us have, or had, a car that was with us for a long time, or was a constant for a turbulent time. Some even have a car that they swear will never be sold. Yet life sometimes doesn’t turn out the way we want, and never becomes today. Take for example this very original 1962 Corvette that is for sale on eBay with a current bid of $36,600. This car has been a part of the seller’s life for 42 years, and has been garaged throughout the term of ownership. Whoever the lucky bidder is that heads up to Metuchen, New Jersey to claim this amazing car will be driving away with more than a Corvette.
In 1976, America was celebrating its bicentennial, and the current owner of this Corvette was beginning a new part of their life. This car was 14 years old that year, and a used car to some. For Corvette lovers, it was something more. Solid axle Corvettes have always been something special. Looking more like a Motorama show car than a run of the mill sportscar, these fifties and early sixties standouts started an American love affair that carries on 65 years later.
So it is no wonder that the owner has kept this car for so long. The car is in unrestored condition, and still has the original engine under the hood backed by a four speed manual transmission. It appears that only routine maintenance has been performed and there are no apparent modifications. What is amazing is that only one mechanic has worked on this Corvette for the whole time the seller has owned the car.
The fawn beige paint is said to be original, and amazingly still holds a decent shine. This is a rather understated color for such a car. Interestingly, the recessed area on the door and front fenders, called the cove, lacks the surrounding chrome trim of earlier cars. The raised fiberglass lip was a 1962 only feature. This also did away with the Corvette tradition of offering a contrasting paint color in the cove. The rear end treatment was carried over from 1961, which consisted of four taillights and a look that foreshadowed the upcoming 1963 models.
Inside, the matching fawn beige interior still looks great. The vinyl seats show wear, but there appear to be no rips or holes. The same goes for the door panels. Even the seat belts appear fresh of the factory floor. The seller tells us that the car has been garaged since they began ownership, and this may have been a garaged car beforehand. Sunlight usually bleaches out seat belt nylon to an extent. We are told in the ad that the seats and carpet are original.
The odometer in the space age dash reads 86,240 miles. While not outright stating in the article that the figure is correct, it is not a stretch to say that it is implied. While definitely one of the most beautifully styled dashes in automotive history, designers did a good job in placing all of the vital information the driver needs in direct view. One could see that the Corvette was becoming a more purpose built sports car.
While the color makes this car look understated, the engine under the hood is anything but. You could only get a 1962 Corvette with a 327 inch small block V-8, the first year for this displacement. From there, your options were 250, 300, 340, or 360 horsepower. The finned aluminum valve covers and obvious lack of a fuel injection system indicates that this car is equipped with the 340 horsepower engine. Only the top two horsepower options came with these valve covers. These could have been added later, so a closer inspection would be prudent. However, I doubt that this car has been messed with that much. Everything else under the hood looks untouched from the factory. Even the generator is still in the car. 1962 would be the last year for a generator as well.
Corvettes like this one don’t come along often. Given what we know, I am surprised that the bidding is so low on this car. Other than the higher horsepower engine, the rest of the car is fairly plain. The paint color may be hurting the value. However, where are you going to find another unrestored 1962 Corvette in this condition? If I purchased the car, I would repair anything that prevented me from hitting the road and driving it for a day or two. Then, I would do just that. Why restore a car this nice?
I feel bad for the owner. Surely it will hurt to see it leave the driveway one last time. Still, I wish I was the one driving it away.
Could you part with a car like this?
Is that a red one peaked out in one of the pictures….
It is a red ’61 or ’62 parked in front of this one. Ad states that it is a 340hp engine – no reason to doubt it. Bidding is over $38,600 now, and there is a reserve. This car is certainly valuable but I think it would take an NCRS person to verify its authenticity and assist with a market value.
The story may not be as sad as it seems. The owner may like the red one better. And, really, he’s giving someone else the opportunity to drive and love this one – gotta appreciate that given all the great cars we see left to rot.
think you are right about the 340 horse 327 judging by the redline on the tachometer. nice 62, one year older than me!
Cars like this is what this site is all about – pure gold
agreed.
the unmolested condition, the ownership & maintenance history, the benign colors in & out, the best power-train option (for trouble-free driving at least).
damn. what a beauty!
it’s gotta be worth at least $75k due to originality, right?
Bad write-up. “…and never becomes today.”. What on earth does that sentence mean?
The guy says, “I’m NEVER gonna sell this car!” But somehow, some way, today I decided to sell it though I thought I never would.
I agree with you, it’s tricky. I had to read it three times. But when you think about it it’s pretty clever.
“When will ‘then’ be now?”
“Soon.”
—Spaceballs
When I read the headline, I thought someone was talking about my 62. I’ve owned mine for 42 years also, having bought it in February 76.
Other than some odds and ends under the hood (a couple missing pieces of ignition shielding, rubber fuel line, air cleaner wingnut, radiator cap, throttle return spring, what looks like an alarm system on the left inner fender, etc) it appears to be a very original 62. I’m pretty sure the price will continue to climb past it’s current $40K.
The closest I’ll ever get to this sweetie will be my AMT car kit ….I painted it candy apple red.
Only original once. Hello Bloomington.
gbvette saw what I saw and that intake color is that factory ?….this is not a virgin….most likely a little redo here and there with a seat that doesn’t look it’s age….proceed with caution….
Yes that’s the correct finish on the intake manifold. That’s how the aluminum ones looked from the factory.
Further demonstrating this car is a 340hp model is the thermostat housing. It’s unique to the 340hp (and FI) Vettes of ‘62
“…surprised that the bidding is so low…”
they all want the ’63.
It’s 2 yrs too new 4 me (I like the ol Itialian like rear end stylin).
I hear only 1 yr had the ‘vert top flip up trunk like storage section.
That seems like a good idea (’64?).
Hello
He can ask whatever he wants for it. Someone will be this beauty
Pretty car. Once again, a soft top car with no mention of the soft top. Carpets and seats may be original but the dash pad…well.
It is a great solid axle car. The price ($42) seems more than realistic.
This is worth triple of the ’60 shown here today. I wouldn’t change a thing on this if it is a true driver as is. Great year, color, and what I think is the most desirable condition.
I noticed right off that the valve covers are correct as opposed to the ’60. The script is shallow on this one and the ’60 has a deep script which is a repop.
The intake manifold is the best indicator. Same intake on the 327/350 L79.
Sure does seem to be short money for this. Understated color is…well, an understatement. I’ve never until now looked at an old ‘vette and had the thought “what a pedestrian looking car” pop into my head. I love this one without the banana tail lights, the color, quad headlights, the engine option…ticks off all the boxes
Pushes all the right buttons for me. No cash, no space, unfortunately no way.
How many cars do you see from this era in this condition and even have the generator still in place?
If this car has original paint, why are the side emblems missing and all the paint matches pretty well, except for the headlight bezzles? Also, the right side of the engine is not should, which would show if this was once a fuel injected car. The tachometer cable was driven off the back of the generator shaft, but if the car was fuel injected, the distributor drove the tachometer. There were two dives off the distributor, the front one drove the high pressure fuel pump for the fuel injection, while the rear one drove the tachometer. I do believe that this was a fuel injection car because the tachometer is red lined at 6500 RPM. If the cylinder heads were shown, it would be possible to see the double hump head castings, then they would be the 2.0 inch intake valves. Not putting this car down, I would be quite proud to be it’s owner. I wonder if it still has the soft top?
Where are the aluminum rocker panels, and the holes to attach them.
He says it has never been in the rain….always in his garage. How about the 14 years before he purchased it? This car looks all original, even the seats. The little fake bolstering lines are flattened a little. That’s what seats did.
This baby looks an awful lot like one of the early filming cars from ROUTE 66. I half expect to see Martin Milner (R.I.P.) at the wheel. Sigh…I must be getting old! 😉
And from what I read, brown showed up best for B&W TV. I thought the same thing the other day but didn’t want to push it. Actually I read where in the B&W they had several cars for the show and none of them were red, unlike what most people thought. Even in the final season where IIRC he married Barbara Eden, it wasn’t red and that I believe was a 63.
I also have a 62 that i have owned for 42 years, one day when i get ready to retire it will be sold.
Hey Bob, I’m wondering why you’d sell the car as you retire. If I could retire with a 62 Vette, I’d keep the car and spend more time driving it around. Just wondering….
Rex the time will come when i won’t have interest in it anymore, I’ve had fun with it and still work on it but let someone else enjoy it for awhile. I believe I’m the 3 owner and i brought it back from a gasser 42 years ago.
Currently bid up to 43,600. Still a smokin’ deal. Bloomington gold survivor status would do wonders for the value too.
If I were to stoop so low as to buy anything related to a bow tie ( God forbid! ) it would be this car! Very nice car! I had to struggle to get that part out! LOL
That’s great that you asked God. Even she likes Vette’s. HaHa out loud.
Are you sure that God is a she?
There is nothing more frustrating while looking at a car for sale than having to discover misrepresentations on your own. This is a perfect example, such a turn off on people’s honesty and yet he mentions go old fashion handshakes amd gentleman and gentlewomen.
No longer on eBay. Anyone know what it went for?
Ended: Jul 24, 2018 , 9:00PM
Winning bid:US $46,322.00
[ 59 bids ]
Fair price for the seller and the buyer! I hope whoever purchased this Vette, will just keep it as a driver. Don’t try to restore it.