Modifying a classic car can sometimes alienate purists who subscribe to the “they are only original once” mantra. However, most will accept changes if they are sympathetic. That brings us to this 1964 Corvette Convertible. The seller describes it as an excellent daily driver, and we must delve deep to identify the changes made during its life. It is ideal for a buyer who can’t tackle a project build because it appears to need nothing. The seller has listed the Convertible here on eBay in Lynnwood, Washington. Bidding sits below the reserve at $40,001, although a BIN option of $55,950 is available for those who view it as a “must-have” classic.
Examining the Trim Tag exposes the first and most profound change to this Corvette. It confirms it is 1-of-2,785 cars ordered in 1964 finished in Satin Silver. It underwent a change to Code 912 Silver Blue at some point, although it is unclear when this occurred. Faulting its presentation is almost impossible, with the paint retaining a warm shine and the panels showing no evidence of stress cracks or prior repairs. The Black soft-top fits tightly, while the color-matched hardtop adds all-weather versatility. The seller doesn’t mention existing or previous rust issues, and the lack of visible surface corrosion is a positive sign. The chrome looks easily acceptable for a driver-grade classic, and there are no glass issues. The Corvette rolls on its 15″ steel wheels, with the Michelin narrow whitewalls and spotless original hubcaps rounding out the exterior.
This Corvette’s interior is as tidy as its exterior, with no glaring faults or defects. The carpet might be slightly patchy, but this could also be how the light hit it in the supplied photos. The driver’s seatcover has typical stretching. However, with no rips or tears, only focusing on perfection would justify a retrim. The dash is excellent, the gauges are crisp and clean, and there is no wheel wear. The Hurst shifter is the only visible aftermarket addition, and I would probably swap back to a genuine or reproduction unit if the Convertible were parked in my garage. It isn’t loaded with factory options, although the power windows and AM/FM radio are desirable.
Powering this Corvette is a 327ci V8, and since it is the L75 version, it would have delivered 300hp and 360 ft/lbs of torque when the original owner drove it off the lot. However, the seller’s decision to fit an updated aluminum intake and carburetor may have liberated a few additional horses. They feed to the road via a four-speed manual transmission, with power steering making light work of the driving experience. This ‘Vette would have blasted through the ¼-mile in 14.6 seconds on its way to 129mph in 1964, but the upgrades may see it improve on both figures. It is unclear whether this classic is numbers-matching, but the seller confirms it features a correct “870” engine block. This beauty is a turnkey proposition that is in excellent health. They include an embedded video in their listing, allowing us to hear the small-block running. It sounds as sweet as a nut, with no apparent issues or problems.
Chevrolet hit a sweet spot with the 1964 Corvette, enjoying a record sales total of 22,229 cars. The Convertible remained the popular choice, with 13,925 buyers taking one home. This one is a gem, and while it isn’t totally original, it is an exceptionally tidy-driver-grade vehicle. The only surprise is the subdued bidding because the action is often intense when these cars hit the market. It has attracted a mere three bids, although there is time for the situation to change. Do you think it will, or are the changes too significant to entice purists searching for a Corvette to park in their garage? Monitoring this auction might be worthwhile because it could provide a window into how the classic market might evolve in 2024
I’m thinking your 1/4 mile specs are maybe a second quick and 40 mph fast.
It’s as you say…a tidy driver. The car presents well and, if everything checks out, $55k is not a bad price.
The car was originally a soft top only car. Curious how they hold the hard top on with no rear bolts.
Barely visible in the pictures are ferrules on the top lid about shoulder high area where the hardtop is fastened down, but adding the rear hold downs wouldn’t be a bad idea. I like this ’64 an awful lot and if it were mine I would have to change the soft top color to White, lose the “Tee” handle, keep the Hurst shifter and change things around under the hood like losing the crossed flags on the valve covers and finding a later model C 2 open element air cleaner lid, tidy up the wiring, Nice ’64 I hope it goes to a good home, wish it were mine. I think the speed that’s mentioned is top speed, not 1/4 mile speed and probably a consistent high 14 second car, low 15s 1/4 miler.
I had s 66 almost identical to this and some 327s could pull low to mid 14s and in the upper 90s mph. This was certainly the top speed not the 1/4 mile speed.
Clips to hold the hard top on are on the rear roof cover area.. Stock set up that holds soft top and hard top..
Moosie…’Barely visible in the pictures are ferrules on the top lid about shoulder high area where the hardtop is fastened down’. Willy, just no.
To both of you I say balderdash. Everything else aside, I agree with the horizontal bolts/fasteners on the ‘tonneau cover. However, there are two 1/4 in holes behind the soft top latch that accept vertical bolts on the top so the top can be bolted down.
I say yes please!!!!
Automatic!
Wow, this brings back the good old days of 1964. It was a good time in my life car wise, when I bought my 1964 Sport fury convertible with 426/ 4spd. Three of my friends who lived in my apt complex bought new Corvettes equipped like this one, 327 300hp, 4spd, from Nally Chev in Atlanta for about the same price as my Spt Fury at $4K. I loved the Corvettes but at the time I had to have something with more than two seats. Regarding this Corvette, I don’t like that it’s had a color change, but if I were to buy it I would junk that shifter and get an original style like it came with. That Hurst T-Handle looks totally out of place to me. Four years later I had a wife, a house with a safe place to park it, and bought a 64 Corvette for half of that original cost. Mine would have cost a good bit more because it had the 365 HP engine/ close ratio 4spd, and 370 posi. I paid $2.1K for it in 68. It was totally numbers-matching but we didn’t care about that back then. Good times and GLWTS to seller and buyer.
I would leave the Hurst shifter in place because they work well, but the shift handle can be changed to a stock looking unit. The engine compartment is clean but I don’t like the look of the sloppy wiring, hopefully that’s not an indication of hidden problems. This car is probably not numbers matching or they would have included pictures of the block stamp. That said, this Corvette certainly is a nice car, meant to be driven and enjoyed.
There is a reason there was a shifter swap, the Muncie was not bad, just the Hurst was better. Not long ago I would budget to swap out the engine with the ubiquitous LS, at 76 years old the little 327 would do just fine. I might add headers when time to replace the exhaust.
I have never understood the attraction of originality when there are better performance parts for less money. To me, cars are a poor investment, but great to drive.
Clean Nice car
I would paint the intake engine color and put true corvette valve covers on
Nice car. It would look a lot better if the exhaust manifolds were not so ugly.
I can understand why because I wouldn’t want to touch the exhaust manifolds either. On a car this old, removing the manifolds is unlikely to stop there.
Working on an old exhaust system seldom stops with just removing the manifolds. I agree with Acton Thomas on the shifter. That t-handle looks out of place and I’ve never liked the look or the feel of them. In my experience, a ball shifter is easier to use because it gives more flexibility for your grip.
Surface rust doesn’t happen to fiberglass, I’d want to see frame pics before bidding. Pretty car, but 60 years of unknown history, paint change, not so particular drivetrain swap, $40k? IDK.