Many of us have been in the unenviable position of realizing we’re running out of time to finish a project. That, and the fact that we’d rather have the money in our bank account than sitting in a project car that doesn’t run and won’t run for some time. This 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray convertible has many needs, but at least this seller has the clarity to put it up for sale while there’s still time for someone else to save it. The Corvette is listed here on eBay with a factory hardtop and an asking price of $28,000 or best offer.
The seller makes mention of the fact he recently welcomed his third child into the world, and moments like those offer a jolt of reality when you’re sitting on a long-term project car. I have made a point, personally, of attempting to stagger moments of significant progress on project vehicles around the birth of my children; that’s why most of the gains made on my junkyard find Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 have occurred in the last 36 months, safely after the arrival of my son. The seller doesn’t talk much about the hardtop on this Corvette, but it’s a point of significant added value on this project. The front honeycomb wheels are not included, but he seller has two more to match the rears that will be installed for the next owner. The bumpers are said to be rough shape and he recommends replacement, but the originals are included.
The seller doesn’t talk about any major rust issues but does disclose there are some fiberglass concerns to work out. It’s a mixed bag of some major mechanical upgrades being made but still other work to sort out. The steering column is said to be in rough shape from a previous owner’s failed attempt at rebuilding it, and the throttle linkage is missing. The seller discloses he has not made it to investigating the condition of any electrical components, so that will be a surprise for the next owner to sort out. The instrument cluster is complete and the dash is in decent shape, but the mechanical tachometer cannot be used with the current distributor set-up; the seller had plans to upgrade to a digital setup.
The engine has seen some upgrades, and is a SBC 350 with a Summit street/strip top end kit. The seller notes given the matching numbers engine was long gone when he got it that his plans were always for a restomod build. Numerous upgrades have already been made, including a new high torques tarter, flywheel, and clutch. Some other new bits are included, such as headlight bezels, tires, weatherstripping, and body bushings. The price seems a bit high for the amount of work still needed, but a restomod convertible Sting Ray is a very cool project to envision.
Why restore it. If you do, it still won’t be original and will blend in with every other restored Corvette. I’d throw some late-60’s to early-70’s speed equipment, much of which is present in the ads pictures, then drive it. If someone wanted to take it to shows it would stand out in a crowd and wouldn’t be irreplaceable if damaged.
Steve R
Yeah and restoring it would cost more than it is worth not being numbers matching.
Definitely restomod. Build a reasonably respectable drive train and suspension. Restore the interior and exterior as best you can, drive and enjoy.
Maybe sell the engine/trans and use the proceeds to install a crate EV kit just to piss off the purists at the cars and coffee.
This is what my C2 barn-finds usually look like when I get them. I agree with Steve R’s suggestion on just building it as an early 70s-style driver. I went that way with my ’64 build last winter. BTW, a factory hard-top in this condition is not particularly valuable. My ’64 came with one in similar shape, and took me over a month to get $1,000 for it.
As for this car, I think it could be fun project. I actualIy have the missing parts on the shelf at my shop. I would price it at $20K….max.
“Restomod or Restore”? How bout “Recycle”
How about “Regurgitate” ?
28k is a good price for this car a hands on guy that knows fiberglass can have fun restoring it you would have about 30k getting it back on the road
How does anyone let a car degrade to such a point? If it were a four door Nova, I could understand, but a C2? Still, if I could find one like this for cheap, it would be a fun project/driver.
After about 10 yrs they were just old cars….
If only it was a coupe!
The correct answer for this car is get it street legal and tuned, spend several thousand on wheel/tire combinations and Nomex, then rattle-can a number on the side and race it; long track, short track, drags, auto X; anything that would let you in the door.
Old guy here, 73, back in the previous century, 1980’s when no one wanted a 64, I bought mine minus an engine with both tops, and some minor electrical problems for 600.00, bought a $200 engine out of a 63 SW that was supposed junk, carb, tuneup, and valve seals fixed everything, $800 for a decent running , looking Vette that I drove for years before putting it back to original. They’re out of my league today. Good memories though.
Fred is right. Corvette curse of the 4’s. 1954,64,74,84… 18K would be fair. Resto mod for sure . I have owned a 62, 72, and a 74. Could be nice !
I’ve had a number of Corvettes and other muscle cars, and have been going to car shows, meets, cruises, etc. since the mid 70’s. Through all of this, I’ve seen very few cars come in looking like this. And times where they did, I can’t ever remember hearing “what a cool car.” I understand that not everyone can afford to do a complete restoration, but to leave a car like this one, looking like this because you want to, well, it puzzles me. Just my feelings gents.
Asking ain’t getting. And this would probably be the last car a “tekkie” millionaire would want.
A high school friend bought a 64 convertible with a 327 four speed, hardtop and not much else in 1972 for $600. It burned oil unmercifully. He junked the original 327 and put one in from a Camaro. Who gave a crap about matching numbers, a term not even around then. It was silver blue. He drove it until we graduated in 1974, for I think $850. Before he did, we determined it was an original FI car, that someone had trashed the fuel unit. We didn’t know about that air cleaner set up. Oh well. This one here is a pile of garbage, not worth restoring to original. Put in a big block, Tremec, Holley Sniper and drive.
If you read all the way through the Ebay ad you see where the owner said he was going to resto-mod this because the original motor is long gone. Personally I would like to put it back together if I could get it for half the asking price.Just not worth it. If you could drive it home then maybe but not like this. GLWTS.
Is the front driver side wheel the Trans-Am snowflake wheel?