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This 1960 Ermine White with Red Vinyl interior, 4 Speed, 283ci / 270hp Corvette presents as a “Survivor”, an original un-restored vehicle. This Corvette is what in the collector car market is referred to as a “barn find,” having been retired from the road in 1968, with 91,1141 miles on the odometer and literally stored in a barn for the last forty-two years.
The car’s original exterior paint finish is aged but virtually intact, with the exception of a few minor areas; the original chrome work is quite good, but shows aging. The car’s white soft top is a replacement; however, the car comes with the original auxiliary hard top, as well as a spare hard top. The car stands nicely, with all the body panels lining up properly. The gaps between the hood and fenders and cowl, and doors and fenders are factory original. The car’s interior appears to be mostly original and un-restored, with the exception of the seats, which have been recovered and appear correct and in relatively good condition. The original interior door panels are in very good condition. The engine compartment is mostly original and aged. The undercarriage of the car appears to be in good condition, solid, with only evidence of minor surface corrosion. The undercarriage was examined from the ground, without the benefit of having the car on a lift to perform a thorough inspection; consequently, the true condition and integrity of the chassis is yet to be determined. The car presently is not running and at this time no attempt has been made to start the engine.
Overall, I would describe this car as an excellent candidate for a minor restoration, which would involve getting the car running, reinstalling the missing chrome work, replacing the few replacement mechanical components currently on the car, with correct and properly dated components. The emphasis would be on maintaining the originality of the car, with as little restoration work as possible and enjoying the car’s distinction as an highly original “Survivor Corvette.”
The significance of an original relatively un-restored vs. a completely restored vehicle is clearly articulated by Hemmings Editor in Chief, Richard Lentinello in his book: It’s Only Original Once, when he states: “Original cars…are our only glimpse into the past, thus affording us the wonderful opportunity to study first hand the way manufacturing techniques were carried out during all the different decades and periods of automobile production. We can see how the assembly line workers applied the paint and inspection marks; how the upholstery was stitched and carpet was bound;…and which types of fasteners were used for specific applications. Better than shop manuals, un-restored cars are existing proof of the way automobiles used to be built; they are the only true guidebook that restorers can use to ensure that the cars they are restoring are rebuilt to the factory correct standards.
Rare are the collector cars untouched by time or restorers—cars that still wear their original parts, paint, upholstery and trim. It’s their rarity and significance which make these cars stand out at collector-car auctions around the world and explains the high prices they command and the pride in ownership, which accompanies these cars. These cars are paid special attention at the most prestigious automobile shows, such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegence, Amelia Island Concours d’Elegence, Antique Automobile Club of America Shows, Bloomington Gold, and Mopar Nationals.
This 1960 Corvette would also be a perfect candidate for a complete body-off restoration, since the restoration would be of a one owner, documented, original, no hit body car. As such, the restoration would require a minimum of body work before repainting and the car’s original parts could be refurbished or rebuilt rather then painstakingly searched for and acquired at significant expense or replaced with reproduction parts. As a restored original Corvette, with photo documentation to establish the fact that the restored car started out as an original intact Corvette, will set it apart from the majority of restored 1953-1962 Corvettes, which have been put together with parts from various cars, as well as, replacement and reproduction body pieces and parts, including re-stamped engine blocks.
Further information will gladly be supplied upon request.
Price: $40,000.00 or Best Reasonable Offer
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