INTRODUCTION: I just purchased this Corvette from a trusted, knowledgeable collector I've known for many years. He bought it in 1998 with 61,000 actual miles, still wearing its original paint. He treated it to a complete body-on restoration, including rebuilding the engine and transmission. Today, it has just 72,000 miles. This is a real sweetheart of a Corvette. It presents beautifully, and once you get behind the wheel, you'll appreciate just how well it drives!
EXTERIOR: The body is exceptionally clean, straight, and beautifully fitted. The previous owner is a professional body man who owned his own business and recently retired. When he purchased this Corvette in 1998, it was still wearing its original paint, and he believes it to be a no-hit body. He personally restored and painted the car in 1999, using single stage Ermine White, its original color. The paint was polished smooth as glass, and remarkably, it still looks like it was just done! It has a beautiful, deep gloss with only a few imperfections you'd have to look for. The body panels fit very nicely, the doors shut beautifully, and the headlights open and close properly. It features the big block bulge hood, giving it that unmistakable Corvette attitude. The owner went the extra mile during the restoration, using many genuine GM NOS parts rather than reproductions. In fact, the bumpers still have their GM stickers on the back! The chrome looks fantastic, including the bumpers, emblems, bezels, dual bowtie mirrors, door handles, gas cap, and taillights. The stainless trim was sent out and professionally polished. It also has the correct power antenna. The white convertible top was replaced and is in excellent condition. The windshield and weatherstrips were replaced. It's rolling on Goodyear tires with spinner hubcaps, completing that classic Corvette look.
INTERIOR: Wow, this interior looks practically brand new! Sitting inside, the vibrant red upholstery really pops, and all the sparkling chrome gives it an incredibly crisp, fresh appearance. Everything is exceptionally clean, tidy, and beautifully detailed. The seats have firm, supportive cushions with pristine upholstery. The door panels look like new, including the window cranks and hardware. The dash pads are mint, and all the knobs, switches, and original radio sparkle. The gauges were restored and the clock has been upgraded with a quartz movement. Fresh red carpeting extends front to back, protected by reproduction black floor mats. The center console is NOS and features the correct chrome shifter. There's also a removable center armrest with a convenient cup holder. It has red seat belts and an upgraded genuine wood steering wheel that looks fantastic. Even the glove box door is beautiful, and inside is a fresh liner. The interior lights are working throughout.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: Very clean, tidy, and authentic in appearance. It features a 396 big block motor that was completely rebuilt approximately 12,000 miles ago. The rebuild included a reground crankshaft, .030-over bore, and a slightly hotter camshaft, producing an estimated 370 horsepower. It's dressed to resemble the 425-horsepower version with the high-performance aluminum intake, orange valve covers, black air cleaner, and factory style ignition shielding. The Holley carburetor was recently replaced, and the alternator is new. Everything looks fresh, proper, and well maintained, including the clutch fan, shroud, radiator, voltage regulator, and surrounding components.
UNDERSIDE: The previous owner purposely chose a body-on-frame restoration to preserve the car's factory integrity. Sometimes taking a car completely apart can compromise what the factory got right, and this Corvette already drove amazingly well. The suspension bushings were in excellent condition then and still are today. This was the first year Corvette offered disc brakes and they came at all four wheels. The entire system was rebuilt with new rotors and calipers featuring stainless steel sleeves for long lasting reliability. The emergency brake is hooked up and functional. The dual exhaust remains in excellent condition, with the correct polished tips exiting through the rear valance. Looking up at the motor, it's clean, dry, and finished in Chevy Orange, with heat wrap protecting the starter. The original Muncie four-speed transmission was professionally rebuilt, and the clutch was replaced. Out back is its original 3.36 Positraction rear end, which has been serviced. The frame is rock solid, and the fiberglass floors are clean, undamaged, and painted black for a tidy presentation. Even the spare tire carrier is still in place.
SERVICE: We take pride in our cars and our reputation. Every vehicle goes through our service department where it is inspected, test driven, and we address the essentials before offering it for sale.
CONCLUSION: This is a Corvette that's going to treat its next owner very well, just as it has treated its previous owner for the past 27 years. Beautifully maintained, exceptionally well-sorted, and an absolute pleasure to drive. It's a car you can be proud to own and confident to enjoy!
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Power steering
4 wheel disc brakes
3.36 posi
Deluxe wheel
Reproduction mats
Center armrest
Quartz clock
Power antenna
