Chevrolet Corvette C1
Description
When restoration becomes an art form, the result is a vehicle like this 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 - almost flawless and more precisely built than any production car ever was. Over 1000 hours of restoration work, including engine, transmission and rear axle overhaul, new interior and every screw replacement, leave no doubt: this C1 is one of the best examples in Switzerland.
The original 327ci V8 has been completely overhauled and performs at least as well today as it did when it was delivered. It runs silky smooth, revs up happily and delivers a rich torque pattern. The manual 4-speed gearbox has been completely overhauled, as have the differentials - for a drive unit that is precise, direct and resilient.
Although it can do it very well, this C1 is not a cozy US cruiser, but a thoroughbred sports car that also has a say on today's roads. The sound, the power, the manual gearbox, the direct steering (without servo) - driving experience in its purest form.
Visually, the Corvette impresses with its classic red and white paintwork, which was rebuilt under professional conditions. The chrome parts are immaculate, the gap dimensions are better than ex works and the signs of wear, after the almost 2,700 kilometers driven, are modest. The interior features new seats, carpets, trim and the typical instruments in concours-worthy condition.
The restoration was carried out between 2021 and 2024 by a Swiss professional who documented his work with around 300 restoration photos and numerous invoices for parts, plumbing and paintwork. Two valuation reports (for the insurance during the restoration) are also available.
This C1 is no show-and-shine statistician - it is ready to ride, technically flawless and built to the highest standards. If you are looking for perfection, you will find it here. Unique in terms of condition, effort and authenticity.
If you are looking for not just one, but THE Corvette, you will find it here.
You can find a video about the Corvette at the bottom of this page.
Sales price: CHF 150,000
Model history
The Chevrolet Corvette C1 was America's answer to the European sports cars of the post-war era - and it quickly became a legend. Introduced in 1953 as a futuristic two-seater with a fiberglass body, the C1 developed steadily over nine years - from a beautifully designed cruiser to a serious sports machine.
The last of the four expansion stages - including the 1962 Corvette - was a highlight. For the first time, it combined the sporty new engine of the upcoming C2 with the classic design of the C1. The 327ci small block V8 replaced the previous 283ci engine. This made the C1 not only visually elegant, but also on a par with top-class European sports cars.
Designers such as Harley Earl, who created the basic concept, and later Bill Mitchell, who refined the line, turned the Corvette into a US sports car original with its own style. The C1 became a symbol of the new beginnings, optimism and freedom of the 1950s and 1960s - with twin exhausts, shark-mouth grille and dramatic side lines.
The 1962 vintage was a special model year: no more chrome on the tail fins, smooth fenders without two-tone separation for the first time (stylishly reconstructed on this example), a clearer, sleeker look. The car had a manual 3-speed gearbox as standard, many buyers chose the optional 4-speed manual or the Powerglide automatic. With just under 14,500 units built, it was a solid sales year - but the value of these vehicles would only really increase decades later.
The C1 already had many technical advantages: Independent front suspension, transverse leaf springs at the rear, a solid box frame and the first attempts at aerodynamic optimization. The handling was direct, the straight-line stability good - even excellent for a car of this era.
Today, the '62 C1 is considered the most sought-after model year of the first Corvette generation. It combines classic styling with the most powerful engine and best driving performance of the series. Its history, striking lines, fiberglass chassis and close proximity to motorsport make it a true milestone in American automotive engineering.
Details
- 2’700 km
- 1. inv. 01.06.1962
- Veterans MFK 19.08.2022
- 5,358 cc V8 engine
- 340 HP
- Type certificate X
- Master number 428.044.599
- Chassis 208 67S 109 802
- Unladen weight 1,330 kg
- Payload 170 kg
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