This one almost made the list: 1976 Corvette Coupe.
Why? The color: Buckskin. Maybe this is proof that the C3 looks good in any hue.
Sold at $14,300.
Photography courtesy Mecum
Mecum has its big Indy sale coming up, and you know what that means: Corvettes, and lots of them. Out of the more than 250 expected to cross the block May 9-17, here are 10 that I’m watching. (Spoiler alert: The last one is a personal fave.)
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
For a lot of people, this is the top C3 aside from the Z06: a split-window coupe with the injected 327/360 engine. Something else to love here: the knock-off wheels. The estimate is $300,000 to $350,000. Hagerty lists a value close to $320,000, so let’s see what the room says.
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Rare is good, right? What if, as in this case, rare means the three-speed manual box? Would you rather have the extra cog or the rarer spec? This three-owner 1967 Corvette features the 327/300 engine. The listing notes about “$10,000 invested in sympathetic mechanical refurbishment to preserve originality.” Estimate is $110,000 to $130,000, so right at Hagerty’s No. 1 value for a ’67 Corvette with the 327/300 combo.
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Big Brake Airbox Convertible
Will it top half a million? Mecum lists an estimate of $350,000 to $400,000. What makes this 1957 Corvette so special? It’s one of 43 produced that year with the RPO 684 big-brake and suspension package plus the RPO 579E airbox–so, basically, the factory’s competition package. It’s an NCRS Top Flight winner following a ground-up restoration.
1957 Chevrolet Corvette Big Brake Airbox Convertible
1996 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Coupe
Said to be one of the five Grand Sports built with all of the available options. Chevrolet built a thousand Grand Sport Corvettes for 1996, each one wearing Admiral Blue paint and powered by the 330-horsepower LT4 engine. Other visual cues include the red hashmarks on the left-front fender, black wheels, a white center stripe and, on the coupes, the rear flares. (You kinda have to squint to see them.) Hagerty says one in No. 1 condition should bring $66,200.
1996 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Coupe
1962 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
It doesn’t get much better than Tuxedo Black paired with dog-dish hubcaps. Then add in the very desirable, numbers-matching 327/360 engine backed by the four-speed box and optional hardtop. According to the listing, the odometer only reads 8015 miles. The estimate is $125,000 to $150,000, but I wonder if it’ll fetch more.
1962 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
2023 Chevrolet Corvette 3LT 70th Anniversary Coupe
Can a current Corvette be collectible? It helps if it carries serial number 001. This 70th Anniversary Edition Corvette features the Z51 performance-tuned brakes, suspension and rear wing. The odometer reads 15 miles. Estimate is $100,000 to $125,000.
2023 Chevrolet Corvette 3LT 70th Anniversary Coupe
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
If you want a Corvette with all the options and all the accolades, this one would be up there. In addition to the 435-horsepower 427, it carries Bloomington Gold certification, NCRS Top Flight Awards and MCACN Triple Diamond status. The estimate is $275,000 to $300,000, but now we wait.
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
1975 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Why a Corvette from the so-called malaise era? Factory four-speed box plus the one-year-only color of Bright Green. Just 1664 Corvettes received this hue.
1972 Chevrolet Corvette LT1 Convertible
The only year you could get the high-winding, solid-lifter LT1 engine with a/c was 1972, and this car has both. Are you really going to cruise around in this one and enjoy the cold breeze blowing? Well, call this one for the die-hard collectors. Estimate is right around $100,000, which Hagerty says is about right.
1972 Chevrolet Corvette LT1 Convertible
1959 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
In a world of perfectly restored Corvettes, how about something a little different like this period drag racer? Hilborn injection, 427 engine, spindle-mount magnesium wheels and all the correct stickers and lettering. And you get cited just for looking at that stance. The estimate is $50,000 to $65,000, so kinda new minivan money. (This is a little cooler, though.)
1959 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
This one almost made the list: 1976 Corvette Coupe.
Why? The color: Buckskin. Maybe this is proof that the C3 looks good in any hue.
Sold at $14,300.
Just waiting for a few more cars to cross the block....
I am disappointed that I am not at the auction bidding on the 1963 fuel-injected silver coupe. I'm proud of GM for producing such an amazing sports car for over 70 years.
In reply to DrJ :
That ’63 does look good. I’m still stangely attracted to the beige one. Maybe I should have included it in the original 10.
If I’m correctly reading the calendar, the Grand Sport and green ’75 coupe cross the block today.
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