This 1962 Chevrolet Corvette is less of a barn find and more of a yard find. It’s a sad and sorry sight, one that requires deep dedication if the new owner wishes to return this classic to its rightful place on our roads. It is a roller, but the deal includes an additional frame fitted with an entire suite of mechanical components. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this classic listed here on eBay in Lubbock, Texas. Bidding sits below the reserve at $3,450, and there’s plenty of time for interested parties to stake their claim.
The 1962 model year brought down the curtain on the C1 Corvette, with its successor waiting in the wings. The badge had come a long way since its stumbling early days, when Chevrolet contemplated shelving the vehicle due to poor sales. The C1 went out with a bang, setting a new sales record of 14,531 vehicles in 1962. Our featured ‘Vette is a sad sight, and appears to have spent years exposed to the harsh Texas sun. It is missing the front clip, and the remaining fiberglass exhibits significant deterioration. Few things are beyond salvation, meaning the buyer might be able to salvage the remaining original panels without needing to source replacements. The metal components carry a heavy coating of surface corrosion, but the climate that baked the fiberglass may have spared it from penetrating rust.
The Corvette is a roller, but it isn’t all bad news. The deal includes this frame, complete with a 327ci V8, a four-speed T-10 manual transmission, a rear end, steering, and suspension. The seller confirms the motor needs a rebuild, but I guess having a V8 that needs a refresh is better than having no motor at all. The deal also includes a set of camel hump cylinder heads, a pair of ram’s horn exhaust manifolds, an Edelbrock intake, a new carburetor, and a new fuel tank. The list isn’t long, but the winning bidder will undoubtedly welcome the parts.
Somebody stripped most of the Corvette’s interior, but it isn’t all bad news. The deal includes a complete gauge set, the dash pod, seats, and an original, restorable steering wheel. Once again, the buyer will need to source the items required to return the interior to its factory form, but the included components provide an excellent starting point.
If I were a betting man, I would wager that we have plenty of Barn Finds readers who will consider this 1962 Corvette beyond salvation, viewing it and the included components as little more than a parts cache. I respect your opinion if that is the case, but the undeniable fact is the interest it has generated. The 26 submitted bids are the tip of the iceberg. The Listing View and Watch List tallies of 755 and 119, respectively, prove that it has struck a chord. Can you see the attraction, or doesn’t this Corvette tick the boxes for you?
Lots of work!
I’m one of several people I know who restore cars who wouldn’t touch this one.
They might want to lower the reserve, take the money. The fiberglass, what little there is, seems to be nearly unusable. Basically buting two frames and questionable drivetrain parts.
Too far gone. Let it go.
Unless you are a person who has a deep love for these cars, the skills and determination to do the work, as well as the requisite funds, I would advise that you steer clear of this project.
Even at the current bid of $3900 I don’t know if you could break even parting it out? The only things of value I see are the rear bumpers and license bumperette, trans and new gas tank. Good solid frames were once in demand, but with all the restomod’s being built frames are easier to come by. Many already fully restored. If it was a Corvette hardtop the top would be worth the $3900, but Plasticon tops only bring a few hundred dollars…if you can find someone to buy it.
I believe the top on this car is one made by Parish, out of PA. Either way they are ugly.
When I was a teenager, way back in the 70’s. A ’62 Corvette was already a car you didn’t park in the weeds. This looks sadly like a project that got stopped and started over decades. While the car itself wasted away. I wonder how many people tried to buy this thing, back in the day, with the owner saying “nope, I’m gonna get to her, next year.”
If you buy this as a “father – son project”, you’ll be a grandfather before it’s finished.
Oh my my, that poor old girl.
Haul it to the junkyard, get $50.00 & leave!
start with cutting the tree down to get it out. the reserve i bet is between 10k-25k. you really got to have this to want to restore it. real shame to have let it get to this point.
I have restored a lot of corvette but this one is not worth it
So sad!
Junk
Beautiful – in its own strange way …
Anything can be saved & a 62 Vette with a 327/T10 is worth it. I’ve seen totaled out cars which were desirable expensive models recreated from just a VIN tag and labeled as restorations. This car needs someone to bring it back to life. That 327 needs rebuilt ~ it could become an L79 very easily.
So, you take it apart, every nut and bolt. Restore everything. And then put it back together, again? No problem!
That’s exactly what you do. Some guys do that simply for fun and the satisfaction. A ’62 Vette deserves to be saved.
All it takes is time and money. And not necessarily in that order.
Hard pass. Barely a parts car. Maybe worth 1500 in parts.
Not really. The frame and engine alone are worth more than that. Old Vettes aren’t cheap.
The gigantic amount of time needed for this kind of restoration is measured in years , since life always gets in the way !
If we had a 120 year life span , it would be different…
Turn it into a Corvette trailer!
Having restored 2 C1s in my younger days. I can see this one getting restored. But it has to be a labor of love. Financially it makes no sense. And that’s if you do most of the labor yourself. Iconic body style and fun to have as a toy. But I would not be able to do this restore in my lifetime. (I’ve gotten old and slow.)
I believe the top on this car is one made by Parish, out of PA. Either way they are ugly.
Is that an aftermarket hardtop? Doesn’t look GM.
Run Run Run Runaway ,Buy a nicer one then ride captain ride
No one said anything about the aftermarket hard top. Can anyone identify it?
Scroll up ~ 19sixty5 commented on it.
SOLD for $15,700.
55 bids.