The fabled first generation of the Chevy Corvette (C1) enjoyed a 10-year run from 1953-62. Early reviews of the sports car were mixed, as were sales, and the program was in danger of cancellation early-on. We’re glad that Chevrolet decided to stay the course and the rest, as they say, is history. The 1962 Corvette, like this beautiful example, was the last Corvette to use a solid-rear-axle suspension, so big changes were coming in 1963. This example took first-place recently at a Corvette show and is located in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania (near Harrisburg) where it’s available here on craigslist for $69,000. Thanks again to our buddy, Ikey Heyman, for uncovering this tip for us!
Just 300 examples of the Corvette were produced during its first year (1953). It was a quick answer to a concept car that didn’t turn into an immediate sales success, perhaps because of its use of the “Blue Flame” cylinder powerplant in the beginning. Fortunately, some styling improvements and a V-8 engine would be on the way soon and by 1956 the car began to find its footing. The original platform survived through the 1962 model year, which would be the last before the car went to an independent rear suspension. The 327 V-8 appeared for the first time in 1962 and would be available in four horsepower displacements. The car would use exposed headlights for the last time for more than 40 years and it was the last with a trunk for more than 35.
The seller’s ‘Vette, which appears to be finished in Honduras Maroon, is said to carry its original paint – and it looks marvelous! The car has both hard and soft tops, with the latter having a small tear in the fabric, being about the only flaw you can find. It would be one of 14,531 produced in 1962, the car’s best sales year up to that point. With less than 45,000 miles accumulated in nearly 60 years, the car received a score of 98 points at the Corvettes of Carlisle show in 2019. That was good enough for first place. The Fawn colored interior shows as well as the rest of the car.
We’re not told which version of the 327 small-block this Corvette came with. It’s likely either the “4-barrel” at 250 hp or the “Large 4-barrel” at 300 hp. But if you got the latter with a “special cam”, you were treated to 340 hp and 360 if it had fuel injection. Regardless, the seller says it starts every time and runs very well. Corvettes like this can often go for upwards of $100,000. If you assume this one is in “excellent” condition, Hagerty suggests about $72,000, so the seller has priced this one in the right ballpark.
(Sources: CorvSport and Wikipedia)
What a knockout! My favorite year solid axle. Someone will have a super fun ride, regardless of which HP motor.
Great looking car but 70K is a little out of my budget!!
Looks like something out of Route 66, though from what I’ve read the cars were either blue or brown. This one looks good but a little rich for my wallet.
The aluminum intake, finned aluminum valve covers and 6500 redline indicate this one has the 340 horse version of the 327.
I can’t say I’ve ever seen a Roman Red 62, with a Fawn interior. The Fawn works with other colors, like Honduras Maroon and Tuxedo Black, but I’m not too sure that I like it with Roman Red. My Roman Red 62 has a black interior, but I wish it was red on red. A minor detail, but 62’s came with 1″ white walls, and I think I prefer them to the pinstripe whites on this car. The tear in the side of the top is pretty typical of these cars. When folded, the top it gets pinched between the bows, and eventually wears through or tears.
Overall it looks like a nice car, and a pretty honest example of a 62 Corvette.
Fawn interiors should only be in Fawn Beige cars…and then they should be burned. Ugly Color! Belongs on an old man’s Le Sabre or a Corvair.
Needs 1″ white walls. That’s the reddest Honduras maroon I’ve ever seen, probably just a photographic issue.
I agree with gbvette except it is Honduras Maroon. I agree the whitewalls are not right but I would flip the tires for blackwalls.
I think it is a beautiful car and, in my opinion, is worth more than $70k. If it was on ebay I would guess it would sell for $80-ish.
B a sacridledge but I’d treat it like my ’66 bronk (mod to ‘best of all yrs”). I luv the ’56 – ’60 for the great rear 1/4 (still hada Itiaian influence) but like the Blue Flame motor, this grill w/o the ‘teeth’ (a la how some do that) and this yr dash (both passenger’s & driver’s). But those 3 would go on any C1I’d own…
My fave years were ’59-’60. Then in ’61, they took away the rounded rear end & tail lights. I did not like that, at all. Of course I was 17 at the time. What did I know? Today, there isn’t a Vette I don’t like.
If I hit the lotto, tomorrow, I would still get a ’60.
https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A2KLfSJf9EtfaFUAzgtXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyODk4MmhiBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQzA2NzJfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=1960+corvette+pictures&fr=uh-mail-web
And yes.. It would be red.
To paraphrase a guy I met that worked on the Corvette Assembly Line: All Corvettes are red, everything else is a mistake ;-)
I love it…
This one has the 327-340hp version !
Had a numbers matching 62 same colour inside and out , sold to John scotti in Quebec . Worst decision ever .
If I could find it I would buy it back in a flash.