Are we supposed to pretend that the 1975 Corvette custom shown here on craigslist is not just a bit ridiculous? Is tipster TJ just toying with us in presenting this car for our consideration? Why does the seller list the price as $123,456 when he really means $16,900? Is the car worth even that? Note that he is also open to a trade. You decide whether to swap or offer cash and make the deal. Then get an enclosed trailer to Bellingham, Washington, to collect your goody and keep it from prying eyes. After all, it’s one of one.
On the good side, the car looks to have been modified by someone with quality body-working skills. That’s a necessity when you change the profile of every panel on a car. Do you like the results, which square off the fenders, body character line, and front end? And what’s with that hood emblem—is it from a Lincoln? Same with the trunk. Is that a statement about what the Vette would be had it been produced by the folks at Ford, rather than GM? You also have to reckon with taillights that give the car the appearance of an AMC product. Or are they from a compact Chevrolet? The experts out there will surely set us straight on these matters, or at least proffer some interesting guesses. On the other hand, you’re not going to see the body lines of the car from behind the wheel, so you could ignore the looks altogether and just drive it for the mid-70s Corvette that it is. The engine looks relatively stock, after all. What’s here, inside, outside, and under the hood, looks like you could use it as-is.
If you’re pondering an offer, you could also take the approach that this is not a modified Corvette but a complete one-off. It doesn’t matter what’s under the skin or adorning the surface as far as identity goes. The car is, rather, the ride of a cartoon hero—you—who isn’t interested in origin-tracing exercises.
Ultimately, the question here is, does this person’s singular vision of what a Corvette could be, match yours? He’s hoping that there’s someone out there for whom this is true. This car cost a lot more to build—either in shop bills or sweat equity—than the asking price. That signals that this seller is aware that this Corvette is going to have to find just the right buyer, and that he’s thus not holding out hope for a miracle offer. Does it matter to you that this car is well known? That point seems to matter to the seller, but what if other people are shining him on with false compliments? The old saying about a custom is that everyone’s willing to buy it until it’s actually for sale. Perhaps there’s one person out there who will prove that statement untrue. If that’s you, what will your cruise-in buddies say when you arrive some Thursday night in this?
One mans opinion of what a Corvette Eldorado should look like. Maybe lay off the Shrooms, dude…
Price drop of $8,099 since it was last posted on BarnFinds September 27, 2023.
No side mirrors ? Obviously a Circus car for Rubber Neck Man !
Never noticed that. I was too blinded by its hideous appearance, I guess, to notice details!
Gremlin taillights! I think whoever buys this car should attend all the NCRS Corvette judging events. Just make sure there is a cardiac crash cart close by. The look on the purist faces would be priceless.
I am always curious about your NCRS comment, as it is the same comment everytime a custom Corvette is shown here. I have been an NCRS member since 1990. A majority of the folks I have met during that time have been very nice and interesting in preserving the history of the Corvette.
In fact, NCRS has added a new Judging category- “Concours judging” that would welcome the Corvette pictured here:
Here is the definition of NCRS Concours judging- Modified Division-
“Modified Corvettes includes all other Corvettes. These can have flared fenders, custom paint such as flames pin stripes or other custom touches. This modified class opens the field for a wide variety of Corvettes that were not previously considered candidates for Flight judging. Concours judging is an exciting new concept within the NCRS and is an exciting new way to open the field for a new generation of Corvette fanatics.”
I’m happy to hear that. My friend was recounting his bad experiences with the judges on his 63 fuelie. He has a pilot car with certain details that were not consistent with a regular production 63 and got tired arguing the point every time. He told me that was one of the reasons he sold it.
Sorry your friend had problems to the point of selling a car. I like to think there might have been a better solution. There are two sides to every story also. Did he have any documentation or information to support his case? Too late now but it is a shame it didn’t come to a satisfactory conclusion.
Posting one off customs, much less trying to sell them, is always risky business. How dare us, me included, with no more skills than pushing these buttons, make any kind of jokes, I think it’s really cool. Not your typical Corvette, of which there are a couple. Without question, THE most popular car at auction today. Now, would I lay out a years worth of SS payments for it? Of course not, but the person that created this, had a vision, and saw it through to the end. I can’t rip on someone for that.
Looks like a George Barris wannabe
This is why you don’t do drugs kids!
I realize they were going for a more upscale look with a Lincoln design…… But the Lincoln emblem is just too much!
From the pictures, which lack enough detail to draw a strong conclusion, the work appears to be pretty good. However, that can’t be said for the builders taste. More than a few people on this site like to sing the praises of orphaned land barges by saying they’d draw a crowd at coffee and cars, so would this, likely more than once. Based on that standard, it should be highly desirable.
I wonder what wheels were originally on the car, no way was it shod with Rally’s like it’s wearing today. I’d put my money on some sort of 15×10 wire wheel.
Steve R
A few people on this site also believe that only a very narrow range of cars with six/seven figure price tags on TV shows are relevant at all, so it sort of balances out.
I’d say it’s only weird if it doesn’t work; problem is it still doesn’t work for me
Death Race 2000 meets Corvette Summer!
I’ve seen this car before. It looks like the work of Les Dunham. This gentleman has morphed Eldorados and corvettes together and cam out with some ostentatious vehicles you have ever seen.
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2014/05/02/from-the-archives-cooper-markette
When I win the mega-millions I am going to build a collection of c3 customs from the 70’s.
Needs a metal flake paint job like the car in Corvette Summer. This red paint makes it seem almost reasonable.
The car is not street legal without a side mirror ! Maybe why theres no plate tags .
side mirrors and legal will depend on where you are
Should have made it Speed Racer’s Mach 5. The bidding would be off the chart.
I had to look that up, I didn’t remember what that car looked like. And you’re right. That would have been the way to go.
No comment.
C’mon Bob! you have a comment on everything
Hey I don’t think it’s going to win an NCRS Top Flight Award but it is definitely one of a kind. Don’t know why but I like it.
“The Durango-95 purred away real horror show……”
It appears to be well done…as far as the workmanship.
I’d drive it to the Super-Hero hideout and put it on the carousel.
If I had a dog that ugly I’d shave it’s butt and teach it to walk backwards.
I remember Burt Reynolds using that line in one of his movies. Was it Hooper?
Both websites corvetteblogger and corvetteforum report this is a build by George Barris for John Belushi…
Looks like something that Elvis would have drove.
My stomach just churned.
Ah yes, the 70’s, the decade of psychedelic drugs. From the pics, it looks like the quality of work was good, but wow, I cannot say that I personally like any of the mods. Maybe someone will.
I am not interested unless it comes with Super Fly headlights.
Looks like somebody really wanted a Grand Prix. Instead, they beat this poor Corvette with an ugly stick!
I have vague memories of a ’70s ‘concept built’ limited run of Corvettes called ‘Mark-ette’ or something similar. Maybe from an article in Car & Driver?
Nothing like destroying a perfectly good Corvette. I wouldn’t pay $1000 for this turd.
Cooper Corvettes out of Knoxville TN Markette body Kit.
Designed and sold by Byron Cooper in the late 1970’s.
Unique? YES!
Desirable? NO not yet!
Bull, thanks for the info. I had to look it up and found this: https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2014/05/02/from-the-archives-cooper-markette
Thanks for the link. This “original ” Markette is slightly different from this custom for one, the original has rear view mirrors, side marker lights, not sure where the taillights come from and a rear bumper.
Original or custom? Hard decision.
Oooo, they made a split window version! That should make the prices soar!
https://www.lsxmag.com/news/corvette-customization-is-there-life-after-corvette/
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… …and we’ll just leave it there.
The fiberglass work looks pretty nice, I don’t see cracks or body problems, nice work. Even though this car is not my cup of tea, I can appreciate all the custom work that went into it. Somebody will like it enough to buy it, and make space in their garage for this car.
I’d drive it. Have you seen the stupid looking cars that hot wheels is marketing to our Grand-kids these days? I think it’s pretty cheap also, but I have toooo many cars now to start buying things on a whim.
Looks like something I’d hook to catch catfish.
I think I’m going to be sick.
It looks like an early Cabalista
What the HECK !! Absolutely terrible thing to do to an otherwise perfectly good Corvette. What were they thinking ?
If you ever owned or driven a C3 mid 70ish Chevrolet dropped the ball on these anemic fiberglass sleds. They really had nothing going for them look or performance wise.
I could outrun one of these things on foot and I’m not a runner. So I don’t fault anyone for using them for donor cars to experiment with. Not much invested and not much to lose.
Are you really going to call a mid 70s vette “perfectly good”
Pretty good, leaving aside the boring black interior. What is with people that they are so fond of black.
Like Howard, I would have no clue how to create this so hats off to the builder.
However, does it have a roof?
I prefer black interior over white or lighter colors for many reasons. Specifically speaking white interior doesn’t age well and shows dirt stains etc and is higher maintenance.
It may be more appealing when fresh and new but try wearing a new pair of blue jeans on it and watch the dye transfer itself into it then try getting it out. When I buy cars white or light colored interiors are a deal breaker for me.
Same goes for convertible tops. I’m not interested in working myself to death anymore or spending copious amounts of time cleaning and detailing cars. Don’t get me wrong I do clean and maintain my vehicles but the reward for me is time savings.
Fair point about light interiors, although I had a TR6 with a cream interior, and that was pretty easy to keep clean which is more than I can say about the whitewall tyres arrgh.
However, there’s also red, or blue, or green, or… doesn’t have to be black.
And if you’ve ever sat on a black seat that’s been in the sun, when you’re wearing shorts… lol
Three possible explanations:
1. An early April Fool’s
2. An overzealous use of Photoshop
3. From the lower end of the gene pool
Whatever happened to “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”?
It got tossed out the window
with the baby and bath water.
Are you new?
I think the bodywork and paint is done very well but the body stile is ugly
Everyone is going to give their expertise opinion so I’ll give mine as well.
In the front, I have no clue where that grill came from but to me it looks nice. Those front “fins” need to be rounded down into the body, just above the headlights to give it a more cohesive look.
I love the roofline and rear window. Reminiscent of a 73-77 Monte Carlo.
The taillights are obviously Gremlin (could have done better with those) the the Mark lll, lV, V, etc., Continental hump really isn’t that bad.
All in all, good craftsmanship and paint, IMO it just needs a little tweeking.
Let me try and dial it in more. The haunches front and rear looks like it’s off a 76-78 olds tornado the continental kit from a late 70s mercury cougar, rear window 70s grand prix grill? Hines 57 is a fitting description here.
Where are all these fugly Vettes coming from? I saw one on the internet yesterday that made this one look pretty nice.
I just did !!!
Only ONE word describes this WHY???????????
Your Title description nailed it. I saw the picture first and said …”What the ….”
I could not live with this car, but hey each to his/ her own. I remember going to see Corvette Summer when it came out and thought that Corvette was pretty cool.
But times changed and I prefer Corvettes how they left the plant – Thank you very much. I can appreciate the work that went into this car, as I used to customize vans in the ’70’s. hard pass.
I second the motion it’s a George Barris-ish custom. I think his had side pipes ala MB SSK/Auburn Speedster. Not totally ugly but I don’t have enough money to look good driving one – even this convertible version
https://silodrome.com/barrister-custom-car/