This 1967 Corvette had been sitting hidden away in a garage for more than 30 years before the current owner took possession of the car. He has returned to a state where it now runs and drives, and is willing to sell it so that someone can appreciate and restore this classic. You will find it listed for sale here on eBay. Located in North Tazewell, Virginia, it comes with a clear title. The Corvette has sparked some interest because the auction has so far received 23 bids which has pushed the price to $37,000 at the time of writing.
The lady that the current owner bought the car from had inherited it when her father (the original owner) passed away. She drove it for a while and then parked it. The car originally started life finished in Elkhart Blue, but she decided to repaint it herself. It’s a pretty ordinary job, and the new owner is going to face some work to return it to its original state. Thankfully, it appears that the surface preparation for the repaint may not have been great, as the paint seems to be peeling in places. This may make the stripping process that little bit easier. Otherwise, the exterior trim all appears to be present, and the soft-top looks to be in good condition.
The seller provides a significant number of clear shots of the underside of the car, and while there is a fair coating of surface corrosion evident, the car looks to be structurally strong. The seller states that the car will require a full restoration, so cleaning the frame and making sure that the dreaded rust doesn’t get a hold on it will undoubtedly be part of that process.
The interior is largely intact, but it has a story that is just as sad as that of the exterior paint. The interior was originally Teal Blue with leather seats. The seats remain original but will need new covers. The lady didn’t like the interior color, so had her boyfriend at the time replace the carpet, and then repaint all of the interior trim. That means that like the rest of the car, the new owner will be faced with a full restoration of the interior if they intend to return the car to its original glory.
Now we get to the part of the story that will make you swallow hard. Originally residing under the hood was a 427ci big-block. This was backed by a manual transmission, and the car also featured side-pipes. The original engine developed a problem, so the lady took the car to a workshop where they replaced the 427 with a small-block. She then left the original engine with the workshop when she collected the car after repair! She also had the same shop remove the side-pipes, as she was sick of burning her leg getting in and out of the car. The current owner has revived the car and has been driving it daily for a few weeks. He has only been using the car locally and suggests that the new owner brings a trailer, as it may be unwise to take the car on a long trip at this stage. The seller does also supply this YouTube video that demonstrates the fact that the car runs and drives.
As stories go, this is a sad one about a highly desirable car, and how ignorance can so easily undermine its value. However, while this Corvette will never again be a numbers matching car, it is a solid candidate for a full restoration to its original specification. When that is done, it will be one really awesome piece of machinery.
The story associated with this Corvette proves there is no afterlife. Her father would have come back and haunted his daughter if he could for what she did to his elkhart blue 427 Corvette
Wow! The lady who owned it should hang her head in shame. From leaving the 427 at the shop when she had a small block installed, to the red paint job that looks like it was applied with a whisk broom. If cars were sentient this one would have been screaming “Please kill me!” when she owned it.
wow–ended–ad says it was up to 37 Large. Worth that much with the original mill gone? I’m not up on the Corvette values but that seems like a lot? Guess its worth what the person will pay, but with all the fraud around you will never know, Fun and educational watching this stuff go and the comments. I love Barnfinds.com!!! Learning a lot also!!
Cheers
GPC
From the pictures it has the single fuel line, which would make it a 400 HP Tri Power convertible. It has the correct “original” colors. High demand for this car in configuration and colors for collectors and investors. It will be redone and at the auctions soon.
Mr. Barnum called it correctly when he said,
“there is one born every minute!”
Not a surprising result.Date coded 427 not too difficult to find,numbers are easy to replicate.Plenty of upside here.A good Vette expert,will have this project in show shape by mid January.Buyer is on the phone booking his spot in Scottsdale ,as we speak !
I think I just cried a little…
Let us change the name of this site from Barn Finds to Flippers Used car page. All that is ever on here are flippers trying to make big bucks on cars that were bought for less than half of asking,selling price. Just must .02 cents. Rick
Victim of circumstance, dad didn’t impart the potential value of car or she just treated for what it was, a car with sentimental value. She still had it, things got fixed, not right, but she still had it. Gets said car, wants a little red corvette, gets an estimate, gets a brush. And things went down hill from there. Told motor is done, cost to replace too much, shop offers alternative small block for better price. So she has dear old dads car running again and who cares about what it took. Gets sidepipes lopped off too. Does more butchering till it gets parked then sold. And now it’s blasphemy. To her she kept dads car and that’s what mattered, not the slimy mechanic that could have sat her down and explained hey it will cost more now, but down the road itwill most likely pay off. Probably went something like this, motor is no good, and ma’am, with the condition it’s in with the paint, interior and now the motor, it’s not worth fixing. I would suggest replacing it. I’ll give you a thousand for it. No, no it was my dads can you put another engine that won’t cost as much? Sure I’ll get you a price, looks at old shop truck, calls her back, sells her reconditioned motor. After motor installed, shop calls says needs more money to connect side pipes or less money and we can put pipes under the car. Oh yes second option please. Always burning my legs. And the rest is history….
Why does everyone assume every owner should have known these cars were going to skyrocket in value. These were cool cars and many were used as intended, with no thought of keeping them original. It’s ironic that original owners of cars such as 1978 pace car Corvettes and 86-87 Grand Nationals who rat holed their cars in climate controlled garages since new are subject to the same amount of disrespect as those that modified their Muscle cars when new.
Steve R
To remember how the manager of the local big boy restaurant treated his 66 gto tripower still makes me cry….never washed, never changed oil, wrong gas, bad knock, smoked like crazy, and this was in 69
Unpopular opinon warning:
I like it just the way it is.
The missing pipes. The wrong, smaller engine. The crappy paint. The way too big tires. This whole, big, hot mess speaks of fun and a person who ran out of f***s to give.
This one can be driven. I would have loved to buy it and drive it for a while, THEN restore and flip.
She probably ruined too many nylons with the side pipes
I’ve restored 2 C2’s powder-coated frame’s-off for clients whom each ended up underwater…full resto is more work than I would attempt as an owner. Getting this one up as a driver would be my goal with the intent of selling. Let who ever does the full resto take the hit. As an aside, it seems to me that the market is roll’n slow…not all 57 chevy’s and 69 camaros are selling right away as seller’s have been accustomed.
im familiar with the authors feelings. if only there were a real time machine. or if only there was someone in the owners life to have made educated suggestions. maybe fate will find the original engine at the least. its like you want to cry but you know fool well it will not help. mirror mirror on the wall wheres the 427 for us all. hopefully dad is looking down on her and saying , i was in the passenger seat with you the whole time. fond memories are what counts. bless the dad and the daughter…
I think this happens a lot more often than we would think. My uncle had a beautiful 69 Vette with a 350, maybe 325 hp and a 4 speed, my uncle got tired of always having to look for hi octane fuel had a mechanic offer him a brand new Target rebuilt 350 and the guy would even do all the labor to switch motors out. I couldn’t believe it when my uncle told about this GREAT DEAL in a new engine he got.
anybody that belives that story, i have some land in……………………..
Yes it’s a story believe it or not….
LOL!!!!! Ended: Oct 24, 2018 , 11:33PM
Starting bid:US $1,967.00
Reserve not met
[ 0 bids ]
Not exactly…
“This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available.”
https://www.ebay.com/bfl/viewbids/153228994732?item=153228994732&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2565
So the highest canceled bid was $40K. Wonder what was the offer that could not be refused?
Personally I think it sucks some greasy skeezeball mechanic convinced her that the 427 needed replaced and did it with a small block as opposed to sitting her down and explaining to her the importance of that engine with that car The Butchery with the paint is a whole nother story for another time. It even makes me angry or I just realized I’m sure the skis ball mechanic was told that it was her father’s car initially and she ended up with it and he still goes ahead and Rob’s her out of the engine,sad