Recent Restoration: 1964 Chevrolet Corvette
There are few better ways to photograph any Corvette than the “low-¾” angle. That approach typically accentuates the low and aggressive stance of these classics, which is one of the factors that immediately attracted me to this 1964 Coupe. Other factors are at play, including the spotless presentation following its recent restoration, and the potent L76 small-block hiding under the hood. It isn’t a numbers-matching classic, but can be considered a high-end driver. The only thing this classic needs is a new home, with the seller listing the Corvette here on eBay in Cincinnati, Ohio. Spirited bidding has pushed the price to $57,700, which is below the reserve.
The 1964 model year was the second for the C2 Corvette. Chevrolet’s changes were largely evolutionary, although many buyers appreciated the elimination of the split rear window that was a hallmark of the previous year’s Coupe variant. Our feature car is deceptive because some photos convey the impression that it wears Tuxedo Black paint. However, the seller confirms that it recently underwent a restoration in its original shade of Daytona Blue. The paint shines like a mirror, and with only around 2,000 miles under its belt since work ended, there hasn’t been a chance for it to accumulate chips or marks. The fiberglass looks perfect, and the seller states that there are no rust issues with the frame or birdcage. The chrome sparkles impressively, offering a striking contrast to the dark paint. The glass is crystal clear, while the reproduction side exhaust provides a hint that this Coupe might be more than a pretty face.
Chevrolet offered ’64 Corvette owners a choice of engines to power their new purchase, but one of the most desirable was the L76 version of the 327ci V8. Adding $107.60 to the sticker price, it generates 365hp and 350 ft/lbs of torque. When teamed with the four-speed manual transmission found in our feature car, it allows the Coupe to storm the ¼-mile in 14.1 seconds on its way to 144mph. That makes this a genuinely fast sports car demanding respect. The listing indicates that although this classic isn’t numbers-matching, the V8 is a genuine L76 that wears some correct peripheral components like the intake and carburetor. It received a rebuild during the restoration, leaving the car in excellent mechanical health. It runs and drives perfectly, ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel.
The Corvette’s interior is very tidy and meets the criteria for a high-end driver. There is slight stretching on the seatcovers, which seems to be the only item worth noting. There is no visible wear or evidence of abuse, the carpet is clean, and the remaining upholstered surfaces are excellent. The gauges are crisp and easily read, the dash hasn’t succumbed to age, and there are no visible aftermarket additions. It isn’t loaded with factory options, although the first owner splashed $176.50 on an AM/FM radio.
Some classics slip under the radar, barely creating a ripple when they hit the market. That isn’t the case with this 1964 Corvette Coupe, which has received forty bids at the time of writing. The auction is heading into the home stretch, which is usually the point where the action intensifies. What do you think the sale price will be when the hammer falls? More importantly, would you like to be the enthusiast who submits the winning bid? I see many years of motoring pleasure ahead if you are.
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Comments
It’s a nice looking car. This is being sold by the same dealer as the red 1967 Chevelle SS featured yesterday and the silver 1970 Corvette featured the day before that.
Steve R
My turn to join the “Cosmetics Commentator” team. The first-generation side-pipes would look better on a wood-burning stove. They don’t do anything to enhance the profile of the car. IMO, they detract from the flowing lines of the car that have made it such a classic look.
and you get to experience the excitement of trying to avoid 3rd degree burns when you get in or out of your car
Like many aging “car guys”, I severely regret (or a better term would be “kick myself for”) the many times I chose to sell a beloved car to move on to another to satiate my insatiable automotive lusts. Of course most of these relationships started and ended long, long ago when I wore a much younger man’s clothes. But a more recent (though 25-yrs ago) time saw me relinquishing ownership of a pristine red-on-red version of this posted beauty, albeit mine had the rare factory AC, and not cool enough AT. I almost immediately regretted the decision to part with it, and since then the realization of the enormous increase in their value compared to the mere pittance I collected for the sale has had me calling myself not very nice names.
I recently walked around one roped off in a Chevy showroom where it was parked next to a new one. I visually compared the antique to the new kid while thinking of my reaction to my cousin’s new ’64, it was futuristic, aggressive, and beautiful to my eight year old self. But now, by comparison (not criticism) to the new large “super-car” hard creased origami design, the C2 has a tidier, softer contoured, more classic “sports car” look, much less aggressive than it seemed back then, and certainly now.
@Spearfish- Great post. Go easy on yourself. You did what was right for you back then. On the plus side, you got to enjoy some of the things that make life worth living. Congrats.
Thanks Frank, and I agree. I was very fortunate to have enjoyed numerous fast lovely things in my youth, and I must of had decent taste (luck?) as several of my cars would later end up as desirable classics. It is better that I got to enjoy them then, when it really “counted”, as a young buck chasing the dream, versus now when I’d be just another old dude with an overpriced toy collection.
Wow. What a beautiful car! I was shocked at the price of the AM/FM option – is that correct? At US$176.50 in 1964, that would be………US$1,795 today ??????
best,
bt
I agree with you questioning the stated option cost of the radio (the engine option was only $107.) Other than that, this is a very nice car. Super desirable engine option, (even if it is non-numbers matching) and in reasonably good condition. I happen to love the side pipes, (put a pair on my very first Corvette, a ’65 L-79 roadster.) Not a $60,000 car because it isn’t original, but 30 to 40K isn’t out of the question.
Color me embarrassed. I just did what I should have done before I got all high and mighty, I checked what that radio option was on a new one, and the author is exactly right. Seems crazy to me, but that’s what the original sticker from 1964 says.
Sorry Frank your opinion means nothing the side pipes are part of the C2 corvette design and sound( nice car)
Beautiful car. The purists will cringe at the chromed windshield and B pillar vents, the distributor/lack of ignition shielding, the ‘wood-burning stove’ (seriously?) side pipes, and the non-numbers matching engine.
With proper inspection, this should be a $60-65k car.
A great cars and coffee car.
OK Big Doggy and rux-ro. Have a great day.
Since it has side pipes it should have rally wheels too those hub caps always were so cheap looking!
Pretty sure it’s been posted on here before and before that too….
Corvette Black Book also lists 176.50 for the AM-FM radio. Maybe GM got them surplus from the Project Mercury Space program.
Spearfish, I was very fortunate to have enjoyed numerous fast, lovely things in my youth, also…not all of them cars.
My attempt at the fine art of subtlety and innuendo appears to have escaped you sir. =:l
The fine art of subtlety and innuendo is alive and well, just not always here.