Vehicle Description
From the Chevrolet Corvette's inception in 1953, serious sports car
fans and racers criticized its emphasis on style over outright
performance. Even as sales struggled and GM threatened to pull the
plug on the program, plans for a more focused, purposeful Corvette
were underway as early as 1957. It took some convincing of the
board by a passionate team of engineers led by Zora Arkus-Duntov,
but the Corvette was given a stay of execution. In 1963, Chevrolet
introduced the first all-new Corvette in a decade. Arkus-Duntov and
his team revolutionized the car by ditching its family sedan
underpinnings once and for all and finally giving GM a proper,
no-excuses sports car. Essential elements of the radical
experimental Q-Corvette and Bill Mitchell's Sting Ray dream car
combined to form the most advanced and focused production Corvette
yet. The new purpose-built chassis featured four-wheel independent
suspension, big drum brakes (discs followed soon after), and
various iterations of the 327 cubic-inch small-block V8 ranging
from 250 to 360 horsepower. Atop the advanced chassis sat a
stunning new body defined by its boat-tail fastback roofline, split
rear window, pronounced fender bulges, and an aggressive,
purposeful stance. To keep traditional Corvette buyers happy, a
convertible followed hot on the heels of the coupe, offering the
same levels of performance and style with a wind-in-the-hair
experience. For 1964, changes were evolutionary. Body styling
remained the same, excepting some minor details and the loss of the
split rear window on the coupe. The chassis was slightly refined to
improve the ride quality and handling, and the engine options were
tweaked. Customers could choose from one of four versions of the
327 cubic-inch V. Options range from the 250hp base, the 300hp
L-75, or the high-performance 365hp L-76, and 375hp fuel-injected
L-84. The carbureted L-76 was arguably more reliable of the two top
engines, and offered a heady 365 horsepower thanks to a
high-lift/long-duration camshaft, solid lifters, and a
deep-breathing Holley carb. Buyers loved this new, more purposeful
Corvette, and sales had fully recovered from their late-50s lull,
with an impressive 22,229 cars sold in 1964. Presented in its
original colors of Riverside Red over red upholstery and a white
top, this superb 1964 Corvette is a multiple award-winning example,
restored to exacting concours standards. This desirable 'Vette
features a numbers-matching high-performance L-76 327/365
horsepower V8 and a 4-speed manual T-10 gearbox. Equipment and
options include a woodgrain steering wheel, AM/FM radio, power
brakes, tinted glass, and spinner wheel covers with whitewall
tires. The "A" suffix on the trim tag indicates it was produced by
A.O. Smith of Ionia, Michigan, who was brought in as a
subcontractor to help Chevrolet meet the demand for Corvettes. The
body shells were molded, assembled, and painted by A.O. Smith, then
shipped to GM's St. Louis plant for final assembly. According to
the NCRS, this car was completed on May 25, 1964, and delivered to
Fort Donelson Motor Company of Dover, Tennessee. An impressive
roster of awards accompanies this Corvette, speaking volumes of the
restoration's quality. Since 2014, it has achieved multiple "Top
Flight" scores (over 97 points) and a Performance Verification
Award in NCRS competition, earning it the club's exclusive Duntov
Mark of Excellence. It has also been awarded Bloomington Gold
Certification and Concours Gold at the Muscle Car and Corvette
Nationals. In 2018, the car was awarded Triple Diamond
Certification and entered into the Muscle Car and Corvette
Nationals Triple Diamond Registry. Judging sheets, certificates,
and physical awards all accompany the car. Since the restoration,
this car has covered just 395 miles of careful use and remains
remarkably fresh and beautifully detailed. As expected of an award
winner like this, the paint and body are excellent, with
better-than-factory levels of fit and finish. Brightwork and
exterior trim are superb, and the car rides on correct original
steel wheels with the proper 1964-only wheel covers and
period-style Firestone 6.70-15 narrow whitewalls. The doors open
and shut with impressive precision, giving way to an impeccably
detailed red vinyl interior. Seats, carpets, and door cards feature
factory-correct materials and colors and are superbly fitted and
detailed. The details matter with any high-quality Corvette
restoration, and the original, numbers-matching 365hp RT-suffix
engine is adorned with correct decals, labels, hardware, and
accurately reproduced paint finishes. The chassis and suspension
components are faithfully restored and detailed with proper
assembly markings and hardware. An original owner's manual, AM/FM
radio guide, and warranty booklet are included. While many
Corvettes can boast high-quality restorations, few have earned
entry into the exclusive club of Triple Diamond winners. This
exquisite '64 Convertible is one of the finest we've encountered
and is equally fit to continue enjoying as a top-level concours
contender or as a clean-slate for open-air driving pleasure on
rallies and tours. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7291-1964-chevrolet-corvette-convertible/
