Corvettes on Craigslist: Is this Burnt 1967 Corvette Big Block Worth Saving?

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Corvettes on Craigslist: Is this Burnt 1967 Corvette Big Block Worth Saving


The optimist in me wants to believe this numbers-matching big block 1967 Corvette can be saved.

The realist in me has some doubts.

We’re assuming that this classic Sting Ray – which was once a very sharp silver with a black stinger hood over a black interior – was the victim of a fire, though the ad doesn’t confirm that, only that it has been involved in “no accidents.” Are we to conclude that the fire wasn’t an accident?

Anyway, this shell of a once-proud Sting Ray is currently up for sale on Craig’s List in the San Francisco area for $17,500… or best offer.

Is this Burnt 1967 Corvette Big Block Worth Saving


A subsequent post about the car on barnfinds.com brought out plenty of naysayers, including one who summed up the situation by saying: “Things die, and this did in a big way. Why does everything have to be ‘saved?’ ”

Another comedian said the car would be more accurately described as “completely burnt out wreck of a formerly highly desirable car.”

Is this Burnt 1967 Corvette Big Block Worth Saving


And he’s right on both counts. This well-done Corvette was once highly desirable and may remain so to someone like the person who posted: “I would buy it in a heartbeat if it wasn’t 3000 miles away. Nice car even with a reconstructed title.”

This person obviously believes that the potential is there to make a very nice classic Corvette, since it retains its original 427/390 hp L36 engine and transmission, along with a “solid frame” that has already been sandblasted and coated.

Is this Burnt 1967 Corvette Big Block Worth Saving


How does the fact that very little of the original car – since it will require a completely new body and interior – will actually remain after restoration affect its future value, though? As one person posted on barnfinds.com, “I can’t help but think of George Washington and his proverbial ax. ‘Yes, it’s the original ax he chopped the cherry tree down with! The head has been replaced 3 times and the handle 6 but it’s still his ax!’ Yes, it may be numbers matching when it’s done but rebuilt is rebuilt is rebuilt.”

Another person says that he hates to see classic cars scrapped or deemed parts cars. “However, there are times when cars are beyond saving. If this is not one of those cases, I am not sure what is. Keep the motor and driveline (if they are even salvageable) and scrap the rest.”

Finally, there is the eternal optimist who posted that he once saw a burned, body replacement, matching numbers Hemi Cuda go for $1.4 million at Barrett-Jackson a few years ago. Could this Corvette enjoy a similar fate?

Is this Burnt 1967 Corvette Big Block Worth Saving


So what’s your opinion? Burnt toast or yummy omelet? Let us know in the comments below!


Source:
Craigslist via Barnfinds.com

Related:
One-Owner 1967 Corvette 427/390 With Less Than 3000 Miles Headed to Mecum Kissimmee
Corvettes on eBay: True 1967 Corvette Barn Find in Georgia
Corvettes on eBay: 1967 Corvette Convertible Test Car

 



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8 COMMENTS

  1. If it was a collectible Ferrari @ this price yes, a non L88 Vette, no. But who would list a Ferrari @17k? Some cars are just not worth it. You would be underwater forever!

  2. “Or Best Offer” ? Okay, I’m offering $1,000. If there have not been any other offers then that is the “best” one. SOLD.

  3. Basically what you are really paying for here is the serial number. Sometimes with valuable classic cars that is actually cut out and welded onto a whole new frame, so there is literally nothing “original” left at all. At least here the suggestion is that the frame and possibly engine are salvageable, so I suppose there’s that. But as s practical matter, what would be done here would more accurately be called a “recreation” than a “restoration.” But hey, if you pay $17,000 for the serial number, you can tell people you have an “origional” car.

  4. I’ve seen worse rebuilt. If you only knew what most midyear and early vetts went through when they went out of style .

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