This 1964 Chevrolet Corvette convertible listed on eBay is a project car with some fascinating history behind it. Modified decades ago with a Mako Shark–style body kit, it represents a slice of 1970s custom car culture, a time when enthusiasts were eager to give their Corvettes the look of Chevrolet’s futuristic show cars. Thanks for the tip Curvette!
The seller describes the car as a project vehicle that does not currently run, though the motor turns freely by hand. It originally left the factory as a 365-horsepower Corvette, but the original engine is no longer with the car. Today, it’s powered by another 327 cubic-inch V8, which could serve as the base for a restoration or restomod project.
A few encouraging details make this one stand out among long-term projects. The seller notes that the numbers-matching transmission remains in place, and the frame looks good, which is an important foundation for anyone planning a rebuild. There’s also a very nice dash pad and a 6500 redline dash cluster still installed. Even the spare tire carrier is still there—an uncommon sight on older project cars.
This Corvette carries a clean title and is being sold from Manahawkin, New Jersey (08050). The brown exterior gives it a distinct look under that Mako Shark bodywork—a style that draws heavily from GM’s experimental show cars of the era. While it’s not a running, driving car at the moment, the fundamentals are present: a solid base, key components intact, and that unique blend of mid-year Corvette and ’70s flair that always turns heads.
The seller mentions that starting the car was never attempted, as the plan was to install a modern LS engine instead. For someone seeking a project with both originality and custom potential, this Corvette could head in either direction—restore it to period-correct condition or finish it as a one-of-a-kind tribute to the era of wild fiberglass kits and street-show creativity.
Would you return this 1964 Corvette to factory form or keep its Mako Shark personality alive as a piece of ’70s custom history?
Shark 🦈 attack ⛱️
Very cool!!
This is what we did to C2 corvettes in the 70’s when they were $2500 cars.
Jimmy Durante approves of this car!
Are front clips available for these years of Corvette? Seems like one would turn up occasionally.
Corvette suppliers offer front clips priced from $2,500 to $8,500 (depending on quality & construction) plus shipping. If you want to return the car to original style, that is just the beginning…. You will also need: complete headlight assemblies($3,500), with motors ($1,000 for aftermarket at least double for original), linkage, wiring, switches, wiring harness, grill, hood, bumpers, brackets, parking lights ++++. Then there is the rear clip + flared fenders to deal with… Oh, and seat$ top and paint. And wheels & tires. The engine, brakes, suspension, and transmission will all need an overhaul/replacement . Even doing most of it yourself, buying & returning this ride to even kinda original will likely cost double it’s finished value.
Very cool but,needs some metal flake….
Needs a big block and at least 15 colors of layered big flake lacquer.
Where could you drive it, if you even could? The first parker that parks by feel will turn that nose into chips. The rear spoiler and 3d brake light would have to go too IMO. I lived through that era, if you wanted a custom show car, this one might be a candidate. If you want a driver, I’d pass on it. My 2 cents.
The word “FUGLY” comes to mind
Longtime fan of Mako Sharks, but the overbite on this one just doesn’t look right.
OMG what did they do to that poor car?
This C2 is just morally wrong. The Cragars and factory side pipes is about all I can stomach.
With that high, undercut nose creating a high pressure area under the front of the car, it will probably be a handful at highway speed. It would probably look a lot better finished in the same dark blue to white fade Chevrolet used on the Mako Shark show cars.
Man, yeah, parking and aerodynamics aside, I would get this running mechanically sound and drive it as is. As much of a freak show it is, it has a certain appeal to it!
Well Toto, if this thing is worth anything even approaching 32K, then we ain’t in Kansas anymore, As Curvette mentioned, this is the kind of thing that we did to C2s when they were $2500, (my cousin took a sawz-all to the fender wells on his 4 year old ’65 so he could put some big old Mickey Thompsons on it) Not all Corvettes are created equal.
When these cars were 10 years old, most of them were turned into customs just like this one. I’m surprised that it doesn’t have a metal flake paint job and 6 tail lights.
Most of these have been “restored” back to the normal look or turned into restomods because of the value. This one somehow escaped that fate, for now.
$32,000.00 REALLY ?
Exactly! — I doubt the final bid will come anywhere close to that. And if it does, that proves the ole adage; ‘a fool and their money are soon parted.’
If you had a huge hangar to drive it around in, that may be one thing, but this nose is so ridiculously vulnerable to any thing hitting and destroying it – like a bird or a big moth. Parking it in any lot would be an exercise in anxiety, and at high speeds, it’s front end would float like crazy. I simply do not understand this kind of mod at all.
Cuvette you are right on I did the same thing to my first 64 I paid $800.00 for it