Flashback: 1964 White Coupe - March 2020 Auction
Always interesting to compare prices from the past to today
There was a lot to like about this Ermine White ‘64 Corvette coupe that was apparently kept in a California storage unit since 1991. But the auction listing contained some contradictions that might give one pause about the running/driving condition. The seller claimed that this “original untouched, never restored car “was currently running and driving excellent,” had no rust, and had never been damaged.
Those were some pretty bold claims for what was at that time a 56 year old vehicle. This seller provided storage unit pictures that showed a very dirty car with cobwebs hanging from various places. It didn’t look like it had been driven in quite a while which made it a little hard to believe the claim about running and driving well. A personal inspection would clearly have been necessary to verify the claims in the listing.
The car had been through two rounds of auctions. It had been originally listed around the middle of March 2020 and then removed on March 19th by the seller because the item was “no longer available”. It was then relisted on April 9th, and bidding ended on April 19th with the reserve not met at $38,201.
Here are some of the things that could be ascertained by the pictures provided:
Judging by the cobwebs, which might have been hard to fake, it looked like it has been sitting in the storage unit for quite a while.
Although hard to tell from the dirt obscuring the paint, the exterior looked to be in pretty decent condition.
Judging by the 6500 rpm tachometer redline, it did appear to be the solid-lifter, higher compression 365 horsepower engine, which was the top non-fuel injected engine in ‘64. This engine was a $107.20 option. (The 375 horsepower fuelie was a $538. option.)
The black California plates lend credence to the claim that this had always been a California car.
It had the correct original wheel covers.
It had the correct original shifter.
The engine looked original and unmolested, and it even still had the original ignition shielding.
Some of the things that couldn’t be verified by the photos were: the mileage (it was very easy in those days to disconnect or roll back the odometer); the one owner claim; and the running condition of the engine.
But I must say that it was intriguing enough that if I had lived near Sacramento, I would have been tempted to go have a look at this car, because the little things I noticed in the photos do seem to indicate a car that hadn’t been monkeyed with.
If this Corvette had really been what the seller said it was, it would have been worth more than the last bid of $38,201. You couldn’t buy a decent second generation driver-quality Corvette five years ago that would pass a motor vehicle inspection for under $50,000.
In the current market, what do you think this C2 coupe would sell for?
For anyone interested in reading a first-hand account of owning a second-generation Corvette, I recommend this Kindle eBook that you can find here. I think you’ll find it an entertaining and informative read.
