Unmolested Survivor: 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

Sometimes you only need to look as far as the bidding history of a classic car auction to determine its desirability. That is the case with this 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe. The auction opened at $1,000 and took less than two days to pass the reserve and rocket to $55,300. It is easy to understand because it is an unmolested survivor with some desirable options. The seller recently liberated it from its original elderly owner and has ensured it is in excellent health and is ready to find a new home. The Coupe is listed here on eBay in Clearwater, Florida. If you wish to stake your claim, there’s plenty of time remaining, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this desirable survivor.

The seller located this Corvette still in the care of its original elderly lady owner. It has been garage-kept since Day One, making its overall condition understandable. It is 1-of-1,897 ‘Vettes ordered in Tuxedo Black, with only Saddle Tan being rarer, with a total of 1,765. The car has never undergone any restoration work, and all the seller has done is hand wax the exterior to highlight the paint’s depth of shine. They are quick to point out it has a few chips and marks, but this is expected in any fifty-nine-year-old car that has been driven as its creators intended. However, there are no signs of fiberglass problems or previous repairs. The underside shots reveal a coating of surface corrosion on the frame, and treating this before it deteriorates further could be a wise strategy. The chrome sparkles impressively for a survivor-grade car of this vintage, while there are no visible glass issues.

Examining the interior shots uncovers the first signs that the original owner was willing to spend money on creature comforts. Her decision to outlay $59.20 for power windows and $176.50 for an AM/FM radio should make life pleasant for the new owner. She chose to tick the box on the Order Form for Black leather upholstery, adding a further $80.70 to the tally. The seats look nice, with no physical damage or wear. The carpet is heavily faded, including that on the lower door trims. It would seem like a no-brainer to replace it, but the buyer may choose to leave it to retain the car’s survivor credentials. The radio grille is faded, and the steering column paint shows its age. Otherwise, the interior doesn’t look bad. It will be fascinating to gauge reader feedback to determine how many would replace the carpet and who would leave this interior untouched.

This numbers-matching Corvette features the L75 version of the sweet 327ci V8 that sends 300hp to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. The L75 option also demonstrates how advancing technology has impacted pricing. It added $53.80 to the sticker price, which was less than ⅓ the cost of the radio. That difference would be unthinkable today when engine upgrades generally cost significantly more than upgraded stereos. The seller indicates this car has never been apart, and the engine fires into life at the first twist of the key. There are no signs of smoke or odd noises, with the car driving perfectly. For a winning bidder planning to fly in and drive home, that option sounds viable.

We see our share of restored C2 Corvettes at Barn Finds, but an original survivor like this 1964 Coupe is less common. This one is a gem, with its paint color and options helping increase its desirability. There is little doubt it will pass $60,000 before the auction’s conclusion, but with values softening recently, it will be fascinating to see where it ends. Will you join me watching, or are you joining the bidding war?