Stored 30 Years! 1960 Chevrolet Corvette

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Freshly yoked from its 30-year resting place in Martinsville, Indiana, this 1960 Chevrolet Corvette proves that epic barn finds still exist. Until recently, the Ermine White Chevy knew only one owner since 1965, enjoying occasional exercise before three decades of slumber as shown above, according to the seller. Now it’s available for restoration here on eBay, where over 250 watchers testify to the power of a good barn story. At least 15 bidders have the Vette’s market value above $17,000.

Some parts went missing to scavengers, but the fiberglass body and metal look heavily weathered but undamaged by wrecks, collisions with farm equipment, or building collapse. My long-idled BMW 2002 was nearly perfect before its 20-some years as a lawn decoration, according to the seller, during which time it collected multiple scars from zealous operation of a zero-turn mower.

Good luck saving much from the interior, but it’s better than starting with nothing. Fortunately, a lively aftermarket stands ready to test your credit card limits. I recently rode in a never-restored ’60 Vette, a thrilling experience, though I’m certain I didn’t want to know the date code on the tires.

Space Age styling included flush brake lights and through-bumper thruster-style exhaust. The fast and flashy ‘Vette became the car of choice among America’s astronauts, as detailed here at Driving.

Vultures swiped induction parts from the poor Corvette’s small block V8, and the transmission’s gone as well. Credit the seller for including casting numbers and other details in the listing, though partial exposure to the elements has likely fused metal to metal over time.

Considering the Corvette’s storage location, its metal structure could be far worse. Enthusiasts can debate whether the world needs another perfectly-restored 1960 Corvette, or whether this body might drop onto a modern chassis and collect more miles as a highly capable tourer. How would you put this fiberglass classic back on the road?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. jeffschevelle

    I don’t know if “stored” is really the right word for that first picture! More like “abandoned”!

    Like 34
  2. Jeff

    Wow

    Helen :
    It was picked apart in the open rainy storage unit.

    Can we say 🪳 out.

    I hope it gets restored but its upside
    down .
    One can buy one together sooo much cheaper…

    No worries though as I would pass on serious issues with missing parts.

    Like 9
  3. Steve R

    At least it’s a no reserve auction. That might keep the “greedy seller” contingent quiet, the market will decide what its worth.

    Steve R

    Like 11
    • Frank Sumatra

      Lot of “contingents” on this page nowadays.

      Like 3
      • Steve R

        Yes there are. Unfortunately, it’s becoming all too common for people to take a simple difference of opinion personally.

        Steve R

        Like 8
  4. oilngas

    Someone should be arrested.

    Like 8
  5. Mark

    What a Shame!

    Like 5
  6. ruxvette

    Ol’ Helen was a heck of a gal. She bought herself a Corvette in 1965 *probably less than $2k) and, sometime during it’s on road career, she did some upholstery, added a passenger side rearview mirror, changed the trim panel behind the grab handle to one from a ’59 Corvette, added rally wheels, added lower rocker trim from a ’62 Corvette, and who knows what else. Or, maybe she bought it that way.
    It was a low HP car so there’s nothing special there.
    If ya got enuff beer, a big enuff garage, and some wrenching skills have at it.

    Like 9
  7. Nic69

    A real barn find! I love the pics of where it was before it was moved!
    This is why I read this forum daily!
    Cheers

    Like 9
  8. Edward Walsh

    I have seen many salvage flood vettes I wonder if it would be worth it to get one for 2k and use the drivetrain redo the electronics and put the glass on it.

    Like 1
  9. Lovin' 914s.

    Sacrilege!

    Like 0
  10. Steve

    Sacrilege!

    Like 1
  11. Russell Smith

    Ah, the rust bucket special. Better have deep pockets if you want to take on this project. But hey, it’s a Vette!

    Like 2
  12. Russell Ashley

    Just commenting to get updates. It’s up to $18K with five days to go on the auction so the old straight axle Vettes still have some attraction to us old folks who wanted one when we were younger. There’s no mention of any top in the ad. This will not be an inexpensive restoration, so good luck to whoever takes it on.

    Like 2
  13. JohnPMember

    Some scavenger surely picked at this old Vette. Took the trans? That wasn’t put in a pocket. The top end of the motor looks like a compost pile. I’m almost never surprised at the balls of someone helping themselves to parts.

    Like 2
  14. oldrodderMember

    I don’t know about this one. I love just about any year of Vette, (except ’53/’55 and all the c-4s except the Z-R1) but this kind of looks like a pretty substantial project for anyone except the very well-versed Corvette fan with deep pockets. I have no doubt that it will sell, and only the buyer will know if it was worth it. Good luck to all involved.

    Like 3
  15. william wallace stephan

    Too much $$$ Its also been retrofitted with an alternator so someone has been up that mouse hole. I have a NOS Cable drive tachometer Mallory dual point distributor to go with the OEM F.I. unit

    Like 0
  16. dennes mather

    restomode

    Like 1
  17. Lowell Peterson

    Its condition only allows full pro mod to maximize value at the end of very expensive but worthwhile effort! IMHO?

    Like 0

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