Vehicle Description
Believed to be 17,835 original miles. 3 owners from new. Correct RE
327/340 horsepower with stamping that matches the serial number.
4-speed manual. Beautiful color combination. Hardtop included. The
last of the C1 Corvettes with a strong pedigree and great colors.I
frequently describe C1 Corvettes as crude, loud, uncomfortable, and
sweaty but also the most fun you can have on four wheels. Nowhere
has that been more true than with this 1962 Chevrolet Corvette.
Packing what appears to be its original 327 cubic inch V8 with 340
horsepower, it's just a joy to drive?fast and reliable. Even
better, it looks awesome sitting still in its original Tuxedo Black
over red color combination. The fact that the repaint was finished
more than a few years ago seems irrelevant, because the finish is
deep and glossy with very few signs of use and certainly no damage
or other issues. Panel gaps are quite good and the deep shine
proves that nothing looks better than a shiny black car. Black also
means you can't hide shoddy bodywork, and the fiberglass substrate
on this car is arrow-straight, so someone took their time to get it
right. Nice chrome adds appropriate contrast to the inky black
paint, and it appears that all the brightwork was restored before
being bolted back on. Other details include correct T3 headlights,
anodized rocker panel trim, and a beautifully rendered gas cap. The
car still looks crisp and well-finished, a testament to the quality
of the work and care that it has received over the years.The red
vinyl interior is absolutely the right choice with Tuxedo Black.
Sure, it's flashy but isn't that the point of owning a vintage
Corvette? They're anything but subtle. Correct seat covers have
just enough wrinkles to show that this car was driven rather than
carried around in a trailer, and all the soft parts remain in
excellent condition. The big three-spoke steering wheel makes the
'Vette easy to handle and it frames a full array of instruments
that are all functional, including the tachometer which shows a
6500 RPM redline (correct for a 340 horse 327). The 4-speed manual
is topped by a big cue ball knob that makes it feel substantial in
your hands, although shift action is light so don't feel like you
have to abuse this car to get the most out of it. There's an AM
radio in the center of the dash and the Wonderbar works but we have
not been able to tune any stations. Overhead there's a replacement
white convertible top, and this Corvette does come with a removable
hardtop that just needs quarter windows to be complete. The trunk
is surprisingly spacious and is finished with a correct red mat and
cardboard bulkhead, plus a spare tire and complete jack assembly
underneath. The engine is the optional 340 horsepower 327 cubic
inch V8, which was a $107.60 option in 1962. It has a correct RE
suffix code, denoting a 340 horsepower V8 with a manual
transmission, and the stamping matches the serial number. Given the
mileage, we don't believe the engine has ever been rebuilt and it
runs the way only an original engine can?smooth, easy-going, and
lots of fun. Give it a pump or two on the accelerator and it lights
off easily and idles with a slightly lopey idle indicative of the
340 horse upgrades. Up top there's a familiar louvered air cleaner
and finned valve covers, an aluminum intake manifold, and correct
distributor. There's Chevy Orange paint on the block and heads and
familiar 'ram's horn' exhaust manifolds remain in excellent shape
with no leaks. The 4-speed manual transmission shifts easily with
well-defined gates, and there are few more enjoyable experiences
than running a high-winding solid axle Corvette through the gears.
3.70 gears out back make this car feel seriously fast around town,
and while primitive, ride quality is decent. Brakes are manual
drums, so you definitely need to pay attention, but they are
effective and in excellent working order. 15-inch wheels with
factory wheel covers are the right look, especially when combined
with a recent set of 205/75/15 whitewall radials.Documentation is
extensive, including a reproduction window sticker, manuals, and
decades of receipts and photographs.As beautiful to look at as it
is to drive, this is one of those all-around great early Corvettes.
It isn't an NCRS or Bloomington contender, but it's extremely nice
in every way that matters. It is joyous to drive, with a ripping
soundtrack and a transmission that's a pleasure to row through the
gears. It does everything you want an old car to do, and first and
foremost that's to put a big grin on your face. This is the one
you've been waiting for, call today!Harwood Motors always
recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any
vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.
