Out of Service For 30 Years: 1967 Corvette 427 Coupe
I don’t have a barn, but if I did I think I’d go out there and look around. Can’t ever tell, might uncover something I’d forgotten about years ago. Of course, folks never really forget about it when they have a cool old car like this stored away. I suppose priorities change and it becomes a situation of out of sight, out of mind. Then before you know it, the car has been sitting longer than ever anticipated. Thanks to our reader John F for sending in a tip about this fabulous 1967 Corvette coupe. It located in Onsted, MI and is listed for sale here on Craigslist for $80,000. Is anybody besides me wondering what’s under that other car cover?
This Corvette sports a host of optional equipment, most importantly the matching number 427 cu. in. 400 h.p. engine and 4-speed transmission. It also has air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, power windows, side pipes, transistor ignition, tinted windows, and shoulder harnesses. Looks like the antenna was broken off at some point. One of the headlight doors is askew indicating a problem with a motor or some part of the mechanism. These are minor, easily fixed problems. The only body damage I’ve seen is in the lower portion of the driver’s door. Something hit the door and punctured the fiberglass.
The interior appears to be in very good condition. The seller doesn’t state what parts of the car have been restored and what is in unrestored original condition. There are no pictures of the undercarriage. Potential buyers will want to check the frame for rust. Overall, the car only needs a few relatively minor problems rectified to bring it up to high-quality driver condition. The brakes need to be rebuilt. Early Corvette disc brake calipers are notorious for leaking fluid. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution. Corvette parts vendors are now selling replacement brake caliper pistons machined for o-ring seals, a vast improvement over the original style lip seals.
Looks great under the hood. I see nothing out of place here. It’s always good the see the original shielding, breather, and valve covers intact. Often parts like that are missing forcing one to source either repops or high dollar originals if they can be found. This original engine was rebuilt in 1982. Fortunately, the block wasn’t decked so all the numbers are intact and easily readable. If you’ve ever driven a C-2 with no air conditioning in the summertime, you know how hot they get inside. That’s what makes this my favorite version of the 1967 Corvette. It has air conditioning and the highest horsepower engine available with ac. The price seems in line with the market to me. What do the readers think?
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now2 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now2 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now2 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now4 days$10,500
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now6 days$200
Comments
The antenna’s not broken off. 67’s have a fixed mast antenna that threads into the antenna body. Many owners unscrew and remove them, when they put a cover on the car.
It’s an interesting car and pretty much loaded, with just about every option, except the tele column! In my opinion, the 400 engine is sort on an odd duck. It’s not the solid lifter, fire breathing hot rod that the 427/435 is, but at the same time, it’s not quite the happy cruiser that the single 4bbl 427/390 is.
I’m a little concerned that I don’t see any broach marks in the two pictures of the stamp pad, but it could just be the photo. If the stamp pad checks out, it could make a nice car for someone, at a price that seems about right.
Hi gbvette62, Can you explain the broach marks? Thanks for the help, Mike.
Leiniedude, it is highly common to falsefy vette engines by taking a machine tool, literally shaving down through the original numbers, then restamping to falsefy. When the engine was manufactured the location of the serial number was machined in a particular way that left “broach marks”. If these are missing or in the wrong direction, it raises flags. If you take coarse sand paper, or worse a file, to take off layers of surface rust and make the serial number more visible, you likely destroy the broach marks.
Besides broach marks , one needs to inspect all the numbers punched in, including angle and wear. There is an expert that will do this for a fee. He knows for example, that at a certain serial number, the punch for numeral 7 was changed, affecting the crispness.
In vette world, “matching numbers” therefore isn’t worth much. Rather you must ascertain it is the original engine via this process to be sure.
Thanks johnfromct ! I have owned my 1972 for 18 years now and have learned alot about them since. The 350 in mine was rebuilt before I got it. The block was shaved and there is no number at all there. The other numbers do fit the build date though. I have heard of restamping before and considered doing it to mine. It did seem to be a bit of dishonisty to me and I never have. Matching numbers is kicked around alot, so I just figured I lost a ton of cash when it comes time to let her go. Thanks again, take care, Mike.
Pretty sure the broach marks are visible in the second photo.. but as you say difficult to say with those photos. Car if described is a very good deal.
Take the tarp off and drag it out into the light, sir.
I’m always suspicious when I see a lead photo with a car cover partially removed. Such a cheesy staging tactic. Pretty car though.
Maybe the door gash was the result of the Kubota marking it’s territory? Better separate those two.
When you ask 80 thousand for a car you could at least take more then 2-3 pictures. So many post are like this. Do us and yourself a favor stop being to lazy to do a little work to sell something. Probably a great car at a decent price but who knows.
Nobody would pay $80K without a complete inspection. 1 picture or 500 pictures. The seller is wise to be “lazy” on this one as he will have to sort out the tire-kickers and the “Would you take $35K cash?” losers calling the owner right now.
I think you have the correct answer, sort out the tire kickers knowing no one will buy this with out several inspections by several NCRS experts. I suspect “proof of funds” might even be required before an inspection or finding out exctally where the “barn” is located.
When the owner dies & the offspring want their money, the price drops fast.
Engine stamp “JC” is a 427/400 and the 107227 matches the body tag.
Lots of people looking at Craigslist have 80 grand laying around for a car. probably gone by now! :)
Back when I was young and stupid (and had a car dealer in the family) This would have been close to my ultimate: 427 tripower with a 4 speed! Only way to make it better would be a convertible. Marina Blue with blue interior or Yellow with black interior. I had a chance to sit in a new convertible at that time, boy did you dream and drool a lot when that happened. I wouldn’t own one today set up that way, but at the time that was one of my bucket list cars.
Dash or gauge cluster whatever you call it was removed and not installed properly.Its clearly out at the lower left corner.Maybe they had the speedo zeroed out when the engine was rebuilt. No mileage is stated .
I bought a running 67 convertible in 1976 for $1,800. It had what I thought was a 390 go 427. I found JC on the engine pad. wow. it was. 400 horse 3×2. Goodwood green, black leather, black vinyl hardtop, Tele column, factory installed side exhaust and ps and pb. wish I still had it. If I go into my 401k I can buy this blue coupe, looks like Lynndale Blue. Beautiful.
Was shopping for a ’66-’67 big block Corvette in 1978. Preference was a ’67, liked the hood, but found this ’66 (that I could afford). 425 hp 427, transistor ignition, 3.70 gears, factory side pipes (still has original pipes, pretty loud), tele column, teak wheel, tinted glass. Life marriage, kids house, 55 Nomad, etc got in the way and it ended up in my granary for 36 years. Took it out 4 years ago, spent 2 years making sure everything was ok. Have been having a blast with it now for the last couple of years. Don’t let yourself get into the trap of thinking it’ll just be a short storage, the years roll by waaay too quickly.
Right colors on this one. I could dig this. Looks like a convertible something under the other cover