1962 Chevrolet Corvette

1962 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster With the creative influences of such incredible engineering talents as Edward Cole, Zora Arkus-Duntov and Bill Mitchell behind it, the C1 Corvette had emerged as an American classic, but one that was ready to undergo a transformation into something completely new and exciting. The 1962 model year represents the end of an era for the Chevrolet Corvette. Over the course of ten years, the Corvette had evolved from Harley Earls conceptual two-seat sports car a car that was initially plagued with design and performance deficiencies into a vehicle that rivaled sports cars around the world with an unabashed reputation for performance and fun. Starting out life as a street racer, this 1962 Corvette came upon some misfortune by being wrecked during a race. The original owner fixed the body, and ran out of cash, so the car sat until 1975. Another Corvette aficionado purchased the car and all its parts and had intended to finish the job. Time passed, and fast forward to 2000, where our consigner struck a deal and again transferred all the parts to his garage where he set off to a 3 year restoration. An all original numbers matching car, color changed to silver, but all original interior and low low original miles (25,460). Exterior A change from Ermine White, to Sateen Silver now drapes the total fiberglass exterior of this car which up front looks like the past, and on back like the future. The fiberglass shows no sign of repair and is all buttoned up on the gap minding front. Chrome for the bumpers and trim remains mirror-like and shiny no dimples or rust. Dual headlights frame a long fiberglass front hinged hood, with all correct badging and crossed flags. A wrap around windshield is trimmed with beautiful chrome and above is a white canvas convertible top, which shows just a few smudges and wear, but the rear plastic is clear. Operation is smooth on the up and down, and it tucks neatly into a fiberglass molded cove behind the dual buckets. The Corvette cove is seen running from the front quarter, through the door panels, and has a chromed trim spear venting just behind the front wheel well. A nice anodized aluminum rocker cover complete with horizontal ribs stretches from wheel well to wheel well. The future is seen with the back of the car now taking on the Sting Ray look. This would be the last model with a trunk as such until a special edition in 1982, and a similar version showing back up on the C5 model in 1998. Knock off wheel covers are brightly presenting wrapped by thin white band Goodyear Club tires. Interior Simply gorgeous deep deep red floods the interior in vinyl and leather panels, coverings, and carpeting. Chrome trimmings for the doors and handles are near perfect and all functional. Seats are all original and bend with the curve of the interior shell, which has a central storage compartment and a button to open the rear cowl for the top storage. A big red 3 spoked drilled stainless steering wheel front a great dash that sports molded deep cowl red surrounding silver and black face round gauges, clustered around an arched speedometer as its star. Just a great looking dash, and when behind the wheel, youll feel like you are piloting the Millennium Falcon! For the passenger is a full on inwardly curved cove with a built on Jesus bar. A new digital radio emulating the original is in the center of the dash, and just above is the cool dash mounted rear view mirror. A central vertical panel dives downward from the dash and houses the airflow controls and a clock. The shifter is in a chromed panel complete with an ashtray, and stain free near showroom carpet covers the floors. Its red and has a peppering of black loops throughout. Drivetrain Though technically the same engine block as the 283, the smaller engine was bored and stroked to bring its cylinder dimensions to 4.00 x 3.25 inches and its displacement up to 327 cubic inches. Gone forever from the 1962 (and all future models) Corvette was the troublesome twin four-barrel Carter carburetors. These were replaced by a more powerful, single four-barrel Carter carburetor. A 4-speed manual transmission is strapped behind this engine, and reminder all are numbers matching. A 3.70:1 rear axle provides quick starting off the line and is also original to this car. Undercarriage Wonderfully preserved, all original suspension, steering and drum brakes all around, no rust seen, and just beautifully restored from the frame off. Drive-Ability Behind the wheel one feels like a touch of class is presenting to them with the long tasteful dual headlight front leading the way. This car started immediately, and after a short warm up, it was off to the test track. It handles very well, accelerates with plenty of power, and comes to a straight quick panic stop. All functions were working well, and it was an overall great experience and a pleasure to be behind this wheel. A low mileage numbers matching history of storage in pieces sums it up for this car, finally coming together in 2003 by a passionate restorer, who went to great lengths to keep all original. Silver was chosen because he does not like the white! A great driver, excellent condition example of the nicest year for the C1. And its a convertible!