Frame Up Restored Corvette Roadster 327/340 HP 4 Speed

1962 was a great year for Corvettes. As the last of the “C1” cars, they were the pinnacle of the first-generation styling and performance, with every refinement the engineers at GM could throw at them. An all-new Corvette was due in ’63, but pieces of it trickled out early, including the bigger 327 cubic-inch engine that powered the ‘62s. And The guys in the styling department didn’t just sit back and do nothing in ’62, either, amazing since Larry Shinoda’s spectacular Sting Ray was about to transform the Corvette’s looks forever. It would have been completely understandable if they had chosen to make the 1962 Corvette a warmed-over 1961.

But in 1962, that just wasn’t how the General rolled. Instead, they saved the best for last.

This ’62 roadster has received a recent frame-off restoration by an NCRS judge, and is in spectacular condition today. If you’re familiar with Corvettes and Corvette restoration, you know these guys are extremely detail-oriented, and it shows with the huge number of NOS parts that were used in the restoration of this piece. In person, this Corvette is positively STUNNING. With just 45,399 original miles, it is highly correct and extremely well finished in every regard, making it a true investment-grade automobile.

The brilliant Roman Red paint was applied over a properly prepped body and looks spectacular under the lights. It’s glossy and shiny, and because it’s single stage paint, it looks very authentic, which is something a lot of cars painted with modern paints can’t say. Most cars with 2-stage paint look too glossy for their age, but this car looks exactly right and totally vintage with a soft glow rather than a harsh shine. Hell, this one will even pass the compound rub test at NCRS events. Impressive.

In 1962, stylists modified a lot of the Corvette’s trim, replacing the stainless and chrome accents around the side cove with a simple cast aluminum insert that was painted black. The same goes for the grille, which is a simplified arrangement with black inserts. The only addition was a ribbed anodized aluminum rocker panel trim piece that was another step away from the glitz and glam of the 1950s. The trim that is on the car has been expertly restored and looks like new. The bumpers have clearly been rechromed, and all the stainless polished to a high shine so it’s ready to impress. All the lenses, latches, handles, and badges are either good originals or new reproductions, and the glass is nick and scratch free. All in all, a show-winning car that will wow the crowds wherever you take it.

Under the hood you’ll find the original, numbers matching 340-horsepower 327 cubic-inch V8. The cast aluminum “Corvette” valve covers, the finned air cleaner lid on top of the 4-barrel carburetor, the chrome shield around the date-code-correct distributor, they all give the engine compartment an authentic appearance. There are also correct exhaust manifolds, generator and overflow tank. The engine fires up instantly and settles into an easy idle, generally goes about its business with a minimum of fuss. Out on the open road, it pulls hard and moves this lightweight car with authority—being 50 years old doesn’t make this Corvette any less potent on the road and you’d be wise to not mess around with this vintage roadster.

The engine is backed by the correct 4-speed manual transmission that is a joy to operate, and slips through the gears easily. There are no noises from inside and the clutch is progressive and light—it’s actually surprising how easy this car is to drive. Corvettes have such a reputation as crude brutes, but this one is incredibly pleasant. Out back, there’s a set of highway-friendly 3.55 gears in place of the original 3.70s, but that’s an invisible change that you’ll appreciate every time you drive it. The brakes and suspension have been restored, and the frame stripped and repainted satin black, as original. A new exhaust system was installed before the body went back on the frame, and it’s all nicely detailed. The wheels are topped with standard Corvette wheelcovers with spinners. It rolls on a set of fresh whitewalls that look exactly right on the old body—modern tires never look correct, and the restorer wisely chose not to take that route.

Inside, the red leather interior is a delight. And hey, look at that! This roadster carries incredibly rare power windows, too! The door panels are beautifully made, and all the knobs, levers and stainless trim have been restored and reinstalled in the correct locations. The seats are new, the carpet is new, the sun visors are new—it’s just gorgeous all around. The hooded instrument panel features rebuilt gauges, including the prominent center-mounted tachometer, while a Hurst shifter rows the gears via a cue ball knob. Seat belts have been added for safety, and they are unobtrusive and well installed. The trunk is more of the same—well restored with correct red mat over a matching spare tire. There aren’t many cars that invite you to climb aboard and have fun like this red ‘Vette does.

If there’s a car that says “summertime” like this Corvette, I don’t know what it might be. Everything about this car will make you smile—how it looks, how it feels, how it accelerates, and how it draws appreciative glances from people on the street. Highly accurate and restored to win at the highest levels by an NCRS judge, this car is like buying the restoration and getting the Corvette for free. Call it an investment if you like—short of wrecking it or parking it outside every day, you just won’t lose money on this car. That’s what we call a win-win situation.