Lot 227: 1962 Chevrolette Corvette Roadster

Back in 1953, Chevrolet’s launch of a two-seater sportscar was a radical departure for a marque hitherto associated almost exclusively with sensible family transport. Based on Harley Earl’s EX-122 show car of 1952, the Corvette made use of existing GM running gear, suitably modified, and a shortened chassis frame around which was wrapped striking glassfibre coachwork. A novelty at the time, glassfibre construction kept tooling costs down to a level commensurate with low-volume production and enabled the ’Vette to go from design to introduction in less than two years. Motive power came from Chevrolet’s 235.5ci (3.8-litre) overhead-valve straight six, which in ‘Blue Flame’ (Corvette) specification produced 150 or 155bhp. Unusually for a sportscar there was automatic transmission: GM’s two-speed Powerglide.
The Corvette in its second (1956-onwards) incarnation evolved slowly, gaining a four-headlight front end for ’58 and a restyled ‘duck tail’ rear, before gaining a quartet of tail lights and an enlarged trunk, for ’61. The ’Vette was facelifted and improved annually, with more and more options becoming part of the car’s standard inventory in the process; in 1962 a stock Corvette came with electric clock, rev counter, heater/de-froster, seat belts, windshield washer and outside rear-view mirror. Major chassis engineering changes were few, but included a new rear anti-roll bar and aluminium radiator. The big news for ’62 was the introduction of a 327ci (5.4-litre) V8 engine as the Corvette powerplant with maximum outputs ranged from 250 to 360bhp on fuel injection. Equipped with the latter (RPO 582) unit, the Corvette was a 140mph car.
This 1962 Corvette roadster is offered with USA Certificate of Title, sales invoice, transport and insurance papers, photographs and instruction manual. Although offered from long term museum display, it is in good order throughout and reported to have much power and driving well.