Back in the day, it wasn’t unusual to see a Corvette set up for drag racing. Knowing what a ‘Vette was designed to do, it always seemed like a peculiar, if popular choice for modification. This 1964 Chevrolet Corvette has undergone some noteworthy changes under its hood, so let’s review further. This car can be found in Brighton, Colorado and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $34,100, reserve not yet met.
Claimed to have been in storage since 1977 but only owned by its current caretaker since January of this year, the most obvious feature of this Chevy is the dual carbureted blower sticking up through the hood. Originally powered by a 327 CI V8, this ‘Vette is now sporting a heavily modified 350. The seller mentions that it has forged internals and, “Car runs and drives perfectly…I can’t stress how nice this car drives, runs 180 degrees on the money“. A close look at the underside will reveal that this Corvette isn’t really a racecar, it’s missing a lot of the mandated requirements but it does appear to be a pretty stout street performer. A wide-ratio Muncie M-20 four-speed transmission facilitates the hook-up.
The body of this car is showing some wear, particularly on the nose piece, driver’s side fender, and top of the rear deck – it’s referred to as great patina but it looks more like scrapes and scratches in its code 912 silver blue finish. The front-bumperless body seems to be all together, however, and minus signs of any significant crash damage. The frame is referenced as “very nice” and there is a claim of “NO RUST EVER” which I guess means the frame and birdcage. The Cragar S/S wheels and chrome side pipes complete the period look. Of note, there is no folding convertible top. Be sure to check out the fast few listing images, they show this Corvette as it looked in the late ’70s, complete with its Ansen Sprint wheels.
The interior is stock appearing and described as, “New Carpet and seat covers, original door panels and dash, perfect condition“. The seats are referred to as leather and leather upholstery was an option in ’64 though the standard get-up was referenced as “leather grained” vinyl so it’s possible that these current covers could be either (though they look like vinyl). That said, the trim tag states that this Corvette’s interior was originally coded 490BB which is blue vinyl upholstery so the interior has been changed entirely. The instrument panel has a nice clean look about it as it doesn’t appear that any auxiliary gauges have been added. Curiously, there’s no gear shifter evident in either of the interior images.
So, the original Corvette ambiance has been altered, and serious racing doesn’t appear to be this ‘Vette forte so what is it really? I’d say an old-school-style street machine and a car-show curiosity at this point. And while it’s pretty cool, listening to the whine of that blower and having your field of vision constantly obscured by it would take some of the enjoyment out of periodic use, wouldn’t you agree?
“listening to the whine of that blower” take some enjoyment out of it? No disrespect but really? The blower whine is what.makes this car cool IMHO. Seriously, I’ve seen enough restored vetted to last a lifetime. Love and respect them. But to me anyway, modified is usually way more fun.
Wondering how it “runs 180 degrees on the money” without a shifter as seen in the photos…
Stored since 1977. Damn, who knew billet valve covers went back that far. Insert head shake.
Belt and fuel lines look pretty good too for sitting more than 40 years!
Way2nuts, you are right, this engine was installed by the seller. A 327 with some vintage speed parts and the dish mags show in the last few pictures of the ad would be more fitting. As it currently sits, it’s flashy, but a mismatch of eras, it might draw eyes at a show but I’d rather go with an understated look that appeals to people that know what they are looking at.
Steve R
Anyone that would complain about blower whine needs to hand in his man card. This thing looks like a ton of fun, especially if they did put a transmission back in it lol.
I’m thinking it’s a Powerglide with a push button conversion package from a ’63 Dart.
Did you read the ebay ad? Everybody jumps to conclusions. Or they can’t read I haven’t figured it out yet
Either everybody jumps to conclusions or nobody knows how to read
I think most of them can’t read. Just like to look at the pretty pictures.
Thought I saw this car at Kool Deadwood nights and I did recognize after reading his add. I did see it on display and cruise, it sounded awesome. If you read the Ebay add, lotsa new stuff to include a 350 engine. So maybe car was stored since 1977 but in front of firewall much has not been stored. It is a nice car, but is it really worth that for thenew chrome in and out of the hood? IMHO, not.
vettes were never built yo drag race!! thier suspension was designed for road racing only!! just be look at the all the u joints!! the mechanics of the design’was not made to drag race!
Right, and bumblebees can’t fly. There have always been Vettes on the drag strip. This one just needs a new owner with big enough cajones to cut the rear wheel wells open for some nice drag slicks. And add a roll bar while you’re at it. That’ll get it.
It would be worth a lot more if they kept the 327 and hoped it up instead of going with a 350. Personally I am tired of seeing everyone going with the stupid 350 it is in half of the trucks and cars that Chevy builds. Why not be different and stick with the original engine and hop that up once in a while. The 327 can produce the same power as the 350 I bet.
Blower specific steel crank, shot peeled steel rods and forged pistons are needed for a blower setup. It will grenade a 327 very quickly.
Keep the original 327 for original resto.
..and it is gone! Someone got a smoking deal for $40k; finish this car and it is a six figure car!