NSW Corvettes

General Discussion Area => Corvette Related Chat => Topic started by: Camo on October 25, 2011, 12:59:34 PM

Title: Barn Find Of The Century
Post by: Camo on October 25, 2011, 12:59:34 PM

From the pages of http://www.autoblog.com

1978 Chevrolet Corvette Indy 500 pace car found with just 13 miles

(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/1978-chevrolet-corvette-pace-car-barn-find-628.jpg)

Just when we thought the heyday of pristine barn finds had all but dried up, cars like this one bubble to the surface. Back in 1978, Chevrolet celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Corvette by pacing the Indianapolis 500 and releasing a handful of special-edition pace car replicas to the public. Just 6,502 of the black and silver Corvette models were ever produced, and the vehicles sold out quickly. Sensing a potential future collectible, the original owner of this 1978 Chevrolet Corvette pace car bought the car and tucked it away in his garage.

In 1995, the owner sold his house and had the Corvette pace car transferred to a Detroit-area storage facility, where it was locked away for good under a pile of boxes. Now the car is being offered for sale through Corvette Mike New England. According to the site, the original tires still hold air, and surprisingly enough, the engine still runs. We had to wince a little when we heard that the seller decided to run the original half-tank of gasoline through the engine. Dropping the fuel tank and draining the system surely couldn't have been that hard.

Head over to Corvette Mike New England to see a full gallery of the car and click past the jump for quick walk-around video. There's no word on exactly how much this macho '70s machine will set you back, but we're guessing it won't be cheap.

[youtube]sFjlhtAsrn0[/youtube]


Click this link to see more pics and information http://corvettemikenewengland.com/barn-find/

Title: Barn Find Of The Century
Post by: Camo on October 25, 2011, 01:03:40 PM

What do you all reckon it will sell for???????

Title: Barn Find Of The Century
Post by: StephenSLR on October 25, 2011, 01:49:11 PM

Quote from: Admin link=topic=8843.msg1045941313#msg1045941313

What do you all reckon it will sell for???????

Mike reckons @ $50,000

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/10/21/33-year-old-corvette-with-13-miles-on-it-for-sale-in-plymouth/ (http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/10/21/33-year-old-corvette-with-13-miles-on-it-for-sale-in-plymouth/)

s

Title: Barn Find Of The Century
Post by: bfit on October 26, 2011, 11:47:54 AM

With the mileage on it I would think  if a collector was  interested in this,
50k would be a starting point at Auction

Looking at the interior in the clip its hard to see that it has been stored for all that time untouched
But it is the habit in the US to bag  stored vehicles
If that is the case there would be no dust on it
I wonder
Bfit

Title: Barn Find Of The Century
Post by: StephenSLR on October 26, 2011, 11:59:04 AM

Quote from: Bfit link=topic=8843.msg1045941323#msg1045941323

With the mileage on it I would think  if a collector was  interested in this,
50k would be a starting point at Auction

It all depends who is bidding and what they're willing to pay.  

Right now with the US economy the way it is ....

There was an article a few months back, some guy auctioned a HRT Holden, it was struggling to get $400,000.  He bought it as an investment for $750,000 a few years ago. Clearly not the right time to sell.  This trend reflected in just about all the high end collectables right now.

s

Title: Barn Find Of The Century
Post by: gtc on October 26, 2011, 07:23:52 PM

"the seller decided to run the original half-tank of gasoline through the engine."

Two things hard to believe about that statement:

1) That they let the seller do it

2) That the 33 year old petrol actually ignited

Leaded petrol tended to keep longer than ULP, but in my experience it turns to a stinking goo after a few years.