Fourty-five years in a barn has rarely treated a valuable classic so kindly as this 1963 Corvette convertible. A reader suggested we highlight the incredible barn find story of this little red Corvette originally told here on superchevy.com. As many legends begin, the story of a Corvette that had sat in one place for decades reached the ear of someone who cared enough to contact the owner. A deal was struck, and this triple-red ‘Vette from Michigan changed hands. Today it’s scheduled to receive a partial restoration and refurbishment sometime markedly sooner than another 45 years from now.
Thankfully the barn where this car rested for so long turned out to be climate-controlled. While many parts had been removed for a “someday” restoration, they were mostly original and located in the vicinity of the vehicle.
After covering fewer than 70,000 miles, and thanks to favorable storage conditions, much of the interior can be preserved. The Riverside Red paint is original as well.
The 340 HP L76 327 cid V8 sat along side the car and retains many original parts (thanks to superchevy.com for breaking this story and for the pictures and details). The owner intended to restore the car and, as so often happens, never got around to it. Many stories begin like this one; a beautiful car, perhaps sidelined by a simple mechanical failure, languishes. Decades later rust and rodents have done their worst, and the dream becomes pure fantasy. Thankfully what should be a happy ending for this specimen of “America’s Sports Car” should inspire others to either a. Take action with your own long-idled vehicle, or b. Release it to someone who will act before it’s too late. How would you finish this long-forgotten beauty?
Three points:
1. Restore to original specifications,
2. Drive till it needs restoring again,
3. Watch reruns of Route 66.
What He Said!
Hmmmm . . .I think I would give it a sympathetic refurbishment concentrating on the engine/engine compartment and suspension. Looks like a good cleaning and a 303 treatment to the interior and plastic/rubber bits would make it pretty serviceable. Cut and buff the original paint, there’s history there. Drive it and turn it over to solmebody else when you tire of it and let them take it to the next step. Being a 327 is killer. Great motor. The wheel covers are butt ugly.
I have to wonder why the body is on a roller cart?
Apparently the former owner had planned and set up for a full restoration, but it never happened.
The hubcaps are missing the bars that bolt on where the screws are.
Then the deal is off!!
The body is on a cart because the frame is lot under it
Honestly, I see no frame anywhere. Perhaps this is the super secret monocoque Corvette — very rare. I wonder what the motor bolts to. Anyone have the part number for a Frame? How much does one cost – and suspension, and hubs and, and,….?
But I still want it.
Oops — it does have a frame sitting beside it. I apologize. I presume that the suspension must also be there somewhere.