Restoration Opportunity: Can Anyone Revive this Flood-Damaged 1960 Corvette?

 Manual-equipped C1’s fiberglass body should be fine and it looks like its running one of the optional high-performance 283 V8s.

Last year’s Florida floods resulted in some high profile car wrecks, including a Dodge Charger Daytona, Plymouth Superbird and McLaren P1.

The Chrysler muscle cars are currently being restored and YouTuber Tavarish has necked an entire lifetime’s worth of brave pills and is now embarking on a rebuild program for the McLaren, having paid out almost $575k for the totalled hypercar.

But there are plenty of other collectible cars that need some TLC after going for an unintended swim, and they won’t cost you anywhere near as much as the world’s most famous yellow P1.

This 1960 Corvette currently being auctioned by IAAI in Fort Myers is a case in point. Dressed in a classic combination of Roman Red with white coving and a white top, its got the tougher quad-headlamp look that arrived a couple of years earlier and, if you hadn’t read the mention of flood damage would say it looks very presentable.

The Corvette is plastic anyway, so what’s the worry over a little water? The trouble is, while the body might be made of fiberglass, the ladder chassis is steel, and we also don’t know what effect the flood water has had on the interior trim, engine, gearbox and driveline.

But there are at least a couple of reasons why this classic Corvette needs saving beyond that C1s just look cool. The first is that despite what the auction listing says, this car appears to be equipped with the optional Borg Warner T-10 four-speed manual transmission instead of the base three-speed manual or two-speed Powerglide automatic.

And from the look of the engine and the healthy 6,500 rpm redline on the rev counter, it seems the original owner threw a few more bucks at his dealer to upgrade from the 230 hp (233 PS) base motor, too.

Obviously it’s possible that some of these goodies could have been added over time, but we can spot aluminium valve covers and what appears to be an air cleaner for a dual four-barrel carb setup rather than the single four barrel fitted to base versions of the Chevrolet 283 cu-in (4.6-liter) V8. So even if it’s not packing the fuel Rochester fuel injection setup, around 245-270 hp (248-274 PS) should make it fairly brisk.

If you like a challenge and want to save this old Corvette you better act fast. The auction is live now and then you’ve only got a couple of months of wrenching time to get it ready for summer. You up for it?

1962 Chevy Impala SS, Parked Since 1996, Impresses with Near-Perfect Elegance at 9/10 Conditio

 The 1962 Impala was one of the model years that paved the way for the record sales the nameplate achieved in 1965. As such, it didn't come with too many massive changes, as Chevrolet was rather focused on further polishing and refinements to boost the car's customer appeal.

Bigger changes happened in the engine department, where the GM brand finally dropped the famous 348 (5.7-liter). On the other hand, because the Impala SS still needed a big-block option (though the car could be ordered with any engine in the lineup, including even the lazy six-cylinder), Chevrolet offered the 409 in two separate configurations.

First of all, it was the single four-barrel carburetor option that produced 380 horsepower and was marketed as the more affordable version of the two. The almighty choice was the 409-horsepower engine, this time equipped with two four-barrel carburetors.

The Impala SS that you see in these pictures is powered by the most popular engine choice in 1962 – a 327 (5.3-liter) now paired with an M22 four-speed transmission.

As you probably figured out already, the Impala is no longer entirely original, as it already received a series of aftermarket upgrades here and there, but otherwise, it's a beautifully preserved SS that's hard to find these days.

Parked in storage since 1996, the car received a second chance following an estate sale, and it's now looking for a new owner as part of an auction on eBay.

The vehicle looks mesmerizing, there's no doubt about it, but the closer you get to it (or the more you zoom in), the more problems you discover. The paint is 30 years old, so it comes with scratches and dings that any diehard Chevy fan would want to resolve ASAP.

The metal is entirely original, seller mismay-39 claims, but the interior looks like it has already been refreshed at some point in the car's life. It looks incredible, though, so make sure you closely inspect the cabin, especially if you're interested in the original factor.

Needless to say, this Impala SS runs and drives, and this isn't necessarily surprising, given the overall condition. The seller says they believe this isn't the matching-numbers powertrain (and I do too, but I could be wrong), so don't forget to have a thorough look under the hood as well.

Unsurprisingly, the car has already attracted the attention of many people online, as the auction received close to 30 bids in just a few hours online.

The top bid is currently at $20,000, but the reserve is yet to be triggered. If you want to buy the car without a fight, you must be ready to pay $38,000 for it, and you'll then be able to take it home.

1955 Olds 98 Starfire Convertible

 

Completely restored from the ground up, this Oldsmobile 98 Starfire convertible is a gorgeous auto equipped with many factory options. The car is powered by a 324ci Rocket V8 dual-exhaust engine with a 4-barrel carburetor that is completely overhauled and mated to a 4-speed Hydramatic transmission. The optional equipment includes factory padded dash, parking brake light, tinted EZ Eye glass, Wonder Bar radio, and power windows, seat, antenna, steering and brakes. The interior features new, original pattern material and the convertible top also has new material. This beautiful convertible has been kept in a climate-controlled environment. From the John Staluppi Cars of Dreams Collection.

Convertible 1961 Studebaker Lark VIII

 

The 1948 Cadillac Series 62 in Convertible Form

 

The 1948 Cadillac Series 62 marked the first year for redesigned post-war Cadillacs. The fresh Series 62 featured tail fins, a styling trait that would stick with Cadillac for years to come. The wheelbase was slightly shorter than the previous generation, but a wider track equated to increased interior room. The 346 cubic-inch V8 continued as the only engine option, as new power wouldn’t be introduced until the following year. Cadillac sold 34,213 Series 62s for the ’48 model year, accounting for almost 70 percent of total production, despite not hitting showroom floors until February of that year.

Our feature car is a highly original 1948 Cadillac Series 62 convertible is finished in its original hue of French Gray with a maroon leather interior and black cloth top. It has covered just over 55,000 miles from new. The Series 62 is propelled by a 346 cubic-inch flathead V8 fed by a single two-barrel carb, and producing 150 horsepower. A Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission moves the power to the rear wheels. The electrical system has been converted to twelve volts.

The exterior finish on this Cadillac Series 62 retains excellent shine. The chrome bumpers and trim show no signs of pitting or patina, and the stainless is well polished. A black Haartz-style convertible top fits snugly, showing only minor wrinkling. Painted steel wheels are shod in wide whitewall radial tires, and topped with polished full hubcaps. The glass is free from cracking or delamination, and the lenses are free from fading or haze.

Inside, the Cadillac Series 62 is trimmed in maroon leather with lush maroon carpet. The front bench seat shows only slight signs of ingress/egress on the driver’s side seatback. The balance of the front seat and the rear bench appear nearly new. The luxuriant carpet is deep and plush, free from fading or wear. The Cadillac is equipped with a pushbutton AM radio, power convertible top, and power widows.

Under the hood of the Series 62 resides the 346 cube V8. The engine bay is reasonably clean, but would really pop with an afternoon’s worth of detailing. The 346 looks to be fairly original, with only minor changes noted.

The 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Receiving Its First Wash in Years

 It's been almost 20 years (as of 2023) since GM discontinued Oldsmobile, but the brand's legacy still lives on thanks to a long list of achievements and fantastic cars.

Founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897, Oldsmobile offered the first speedometer in 1901 and was the first carmaker to use chrome plating in 1926. It also produced the first turbocharged car in 1962 and introduced the first heads-up display system in 1988. And these are only four of more than 30 industry firsts.

Regarding cars, enthusiasts will never forget the 88, 90, Toronado, and Cutlass Supreme. But none of them is as iconic as the 442. Born in 1964, it became a legend of the golden muscle car era, and the second-generation version (1968-1972) is now a highly desirable classic. Of course, the Hurst/Olds version is the most popular.

Built in cooperation with Hurst Performance, fitted with high-performance V8 engines, and produced in limited numbers, it has everything it takes to draw crowds at classic car shows and make collectors spend big bucks at public auctions.

But the Hurst/Olds is not the only rare iteration of the 442. The W-32 you see here is actually much more challenging to find.

A one-year option offered in 1969, the W-32 bundled the 400-cubic-inch (6.6-liter) V8 engine with an automatic transmission. However, the said mill wasn't the entry-level version rated 290 horses. Olds used the Ram Air version that delivered 350 horsepower and a stunning 440 pound-feet (597 Nm) of torque.

This rating placed it only ten horses below the range-topping W-30 version in 1969. Compared to the Hurst/Olds, powered by the bigger 455-cubic-inch (7.5-liter) V8, the W-32 was down only 20 horses and 60 pound-feet (81 Nm) of twist.

But while it's not quite as quick as the Hurst/Olds, it's a much rarer rig. Specifically, while the Hurst-prepped muscle car moved 906 units, the W-32 found only 297 customers. And that's about 1.1% of the total 442 production for the 1969 model year.

The W-32 you see here is one of those cars. And because it's a Holiday Coupe, which was Oldsmobile talk for pillarless hardtops at the time, it's one of only 147 cars made. The Sport Coupe and the Convertible are the rarest at 25 examples each.

Moreover, this 442 is a mostly stock survivor of the relatively low-mileage variety. Showing only 60,000 miles (96,561 km) on the odometer, it spent its recent years in a barn. Come 2023, and the owner decided to drag it out into the light and give it a makeover at the folks over at WD Detailing.

And our hosts discovered a solid layer of green paint underneath all that barn dust. Once covered in mold, the interior also popped back to life after thorough detailing. And they also discovered the original build sheet under the rear seat, confirming that this 442 is indeed a W-32 and a rare gem.

Granted, the 400-cubic-inch V8 will need some work to fire up again, but this 442 is almost ready to hit the road. Check out its incredible makeover in the video below.

Virginia Barn Reveals Hidden Treasure: Matching-Numbers 1968 Chevrolet Impala SS Found

 Chevrolet sold over 1 million full-size cars back in 1968, and once again, Impala was the king of the castle, accounting for over 710,000 units. The next in the queue was the famous Chevelle, with close to 423,000 units, so it's not hard to imagine how popular the Impala continued to be in 1968.

The SS obviously attracted the love and money of customers particularly interested in the performance appetite of an Impala, especially as it included special goodies, such as wheel covers and Strato bucket seats.

On the other hand, the SS package could be ordered with any engine option, though it goes without saying that not too many people picked it for the lazy six-cylinder units.

The Impala SS that you're looking at here was born with a 396 (6.5-liter) under the hood, and the same unit is still in charge of putting the wheels in motion today. The engine starts and runs using a separate fuel source, so it comes in working condition despite spending way too many years in storage.

This Impala SS was recently found in a barn in Virginia, and the current owner says they immediately moved it into dry storage.

A car that's been sitting for years typically has metal issues, and this Impala is no exception. We have the usual rust suspects, and the floors and the trunk require particular attention. On the other hand, it doesn’t look like the rust went through, so regular patching should do it this time.

Of course, any potential buyer should inspect the vehicle thoroughly before committing to a purchase.

This car's only mission is a full restoration, and given it checks most essential boxes, it's likely to catch the attention of many people on this side of the automotive business. The working matching-numbers engine is a huge selling point, especially when mixed with decent metal.

On the other hand, we know nothing about how complete the car continues to be today. Old Impalas typically end up serving as donors for other projects, but given that this 1968 SS spent most of its time in hiding locked in a barn, chances are it escaped untouched.

Time will tell if the car eventually finds a new home, but the battle to buy it is already pretty fierce. This Impala received no more, no less than 13 bids in just a few hours online, and at the time of writing, the top offer is a little over $1,500.

Of course, eBay seller allaboutdaloot has also put a reserve in place, so unless someone is willing to bid more, the Impala will stay where it is.

Anyone who wants to secure the Impala SS without a fight can just pay $17,000 to buy it right now.