The Corvette, a symbol of American automotive prowess, has been captivating hearts and roads since its debut in 1953, over six decades ago. Born from a desire to compete with Europe’s sports car dominance, the Corvette has evolved from a humble fibreglass-bodied concept car into a global performance legend. With its sleek design, powerful engines, and unwavering spirit, the Corvette has cemented its status as an enduring icon.
Ownership of the Corvette, especially the classic models, is often associated with a deep sense of pride and brand loyalty. However, there are times when even these prized possessions fall through the cracks, dropping out of sight and remaining in obscurity for several years – decades even. These barn finds, as they are commonly known, are often connected to intriguing stories. Here, we check out ten of the most memorable Corvette barn finds.
The Entombed One – ’54 Chevrolet C1 Corvette
This 1954 Chevrolet Corvette, also known as the Entombed Corvette, is a classic car with a unique history. It was owned by Richard Sampson, a businessman from Brunswick, Maine, who, for some reason, decided to preserve his Corvette for future generations. After driving the car for four years, Sampson had it encased in a concrete tomb within one of his grocery stores. Yes, really.
He initially specified in his will that the car should not be removed until 2000 but later changed his mind. After Sampson died in 1969, the car remained untouched in its tomb until the early 1980s when the story became public. The building’s new owner eventually released the Corvette to Sampson’s daughter, Cynthia, who kept it in her living room for ten years before selling it.
Oh, Deer! – 1967 Chevrolet C2 Corvette
The 1967 Corvette featured here was once a race car, with a Big Block 427 cu-in V8 engine estimated to put out nothing less than 500 hp. However, all that power was of little help in an unfortunate collision with a deer. The accident caused significant front-end damage to the car’s fibreglass bodywork, rendering it undrivable.
Subsequently, the Corvette was stowed away in a barn and remained in that condition for twenty years. Fortunately, the team at Custom Classics Automobiles and Restoration discovered it. They recognized the Corvette’s potential and set about restoring it to its former glory. The restoration process involved replacing damaged body panels, a complete respray, and an engine rebuild.
Mega Find – Multiple Corvettes
It’s one thing to happen upon an old vehicle tucked away in some abandoned shed. Finding several classic models at the same time, however, is quite the occasion. That’s what happened when GiveMeTheVin.com (GMTV) founder and CEO John Clay Wolfe announced a 23-car ‘barn find’ in the southside of Birmingham, Alabama.
The car collection belonged to Earl Trammel, an avid car collector who saw the vehicles as investment assets. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2022, and his wife decided to sell the collection. It was a collection that included 9 Corvettes. They included a 1988 35th Anniversary ‘Vette with 25 miles and a 1971 Corvette Stingray with 1,600 miles on the odometer. More impressive are the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 and a 1979 Corvette Stingray classics, both extremely low-mileage models still wrapped in delivery plastic.
A Mouse Trap – 1962 Chevrolet C1 Corvette
The restoration experts at WD Detailing were expecting many things when they set out, responding to a call about a Corvette barn find somewhere out in New Hampshire. What they did not bargain for were the mouse droppings, and rodent remains that they found under the seats.
The Corvette was in bad shape, having been abandoned since 1989, the last time its owner drove it. However, there were other factors that made any restoration work worth the effort. First, it was a 1962 model, the last year of the facelifted C1 Corvette generation before the C2 was unveiled. It was also a low-mileage example, with only 11,282 miles on the odometer.
Diamond in the Rough – 1969 Chevrolet Corvette L88
Only 116 1969 Corvettes left the assembly line with Chevy’s formidable 427-cubic-inch L88 engine. That instantly made this Corvette barnfind an instant standout. However, that’s not all. This particular example also happened to be one of only 17 units fitted with an automatic transmission. It’s undoubtedly one of the rarest Corvette models ever made, making this Corvette barn find one of the most remarkable ever.
When discovered, it had been abandoned for over forty years and was in a sorry state of disrepair. Several parts were missing. Apparently, the car had been taken apart in preparation for a new paint job, but the owner had never gotten around to doing it.
Outlawed – 1968 Chevrolet C3 Corvette
Junkyard Life, a popular YouTube channel that focuses on barn finds and automotive restorations documented the story of this ’68 C3 Corvette—and it is intriguing on so many levels. It all began in 1974 when it was purchased by the owner, affectionately known as ‘Big Block Mike.’ Then, he was a teenager, and the $2,900 purchase made him an instant star in the neighbourhood.
The car quickly became the talk of the town, earning Mike street cred and, unfortunately, the attention of the local police. After an ill-fated car chase, Mike decided to hide the Corvette in his garage. Unfortunately, in addition to simply being a memorable make and model, a botched repair job left it with a mismatched black quarter panel, making it even more distinctive. It effectively consigned the car to life in the shadows, where it remained for the next four decades. Junkyard Life decided to take on the challenging task of restoring the Corvette but it is unknown if Mike got the chance to slip behind the wheel one more time.
The Original – 1953 Chevrolet C1 Corvette
It’s not unlike finding a time capsule from the golden age of American automotive design. In 2003, this 1953 Corvette, chassis number 103 of just 300 produced, was discovered in a Pennsylvania estate. It had been put away in storage, untouched, by the now-deceased owner since it was purchased in 1961.
After spending half a century in storage, it was clear that restoring this Corvette would be a monumental task. Indeed, it took a dedicated team of specialists over 2,000 hours of meticulous labour to return the classic car to its former glory. The Corvette eventually sold at a Barrett Jackson auction for $550,000.
Google’s Unexpected Find – 1963 ‘Split-Window’ Corvette
Okay, so this entry wasn’t exactly tucked away in a barn; however, the circumstances surrounding its discovery are still worthy of a story. The 1963 ‘Split-Window’ Corvette was spotted purely by chance by a Google Street View drone. This forgotten classic had been languishing in the Pacific Northwest’s signature drizzle for decades.
After a brief 12-year life, the Corvette was parked and promptly forgotten, according to the owner, who claims it’s been ‘veggin’ on the spot since ’75.’ It’s one of the fuel-injected models, and the owner was willing to add a spare engine and a bunch of spare parts to sweeten the deal for anyone interested in purchasing the relic. It is not clear if there were any takers.
While the prospect of reviving this neglected beauty is enticing, it’s also a gamble; years of weathering could have taken a toll on the car. Still, for any Corvette enthusiast, this is a find that’s hard to ignore.
A Good Wash – 1982 Chevrolet C3 Corvette
Barn find vehicles are usually in a deplorable state, requiring significant investments of time and money to get them running again. So, the excitement surrounding this particular barn find was understandable. Unearthed by the guys at WD Detailing, this C3 Corvette had only 33 miles on the odometer and was in surprisingly great condition.
All it needed were some minor fixes and a really good wash; its first in 42 years. It seemed the owner had taken the car home from the dealership and just never drove it again. Considering that 1982 was the last year for the C3 Corvette, this decision was probably a smart move, one that should help boost the value of this classic Corvette.
A Holy Grail Find – 1967 Chevrolet C2 Corvette
This 1967 Corvette barn find stands out for a number of reasons. First, it’s a low-mileage example with all original parts. Clad in the eye-catching Sunfire Yellow hue, the convertible is powered by the potent 427 cubic-inch V8, the largest engine available for production Corvettes at the time.
22, 940 Corvettes rolled off the production line in 1967. This one was one of 4,209 with the ‘side pipe’ exhaust option. It also happened to be one of just 740 examples that year without a factory-fitted radio.
Shortly after purchase, the owner’s involvement in a street race resulted in minor rear-end damage. It was the last time the Corvette was driven. Instead of immediate repairs, the rare vehicle was put in storage, where it remained for many years until the owner died in 2014. The family subsequently decided to sell it, presenting a unique opportunity for a Corvette enthusiast to own a truly exceptional piece of automotive history.
