1962
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 30
From: Alberta/Missouri....... depending when.
1962 Inspection Advice?
I'm in the process of buying a 62 340 horse car. I've looked at the car, frame looks fine, but prior to handing over the payment, I'd like to do one final inspection. What areas on the frame/car should I check for deal breaking rust/issues?
Thanks in advance.
Allan
Thanks in advance.
Allan
Last edited by Al T; Nov 16, 2012 at 07:57 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,482
Likes: 27
From: Plum Boro, Pa. USA Pennsylvania
Every year - from 1976 until the "final" (1989) - I attended the July 4th "Corvette Erie" show. One year I received a sample tabloid-size Corvette magazine (I forget the name; never saw one afterwards) and the cover story was "Restoring the C1 Corvette". I'm sure the first paragraph said: "Kneel behind the rear bumper; NOW...push your finger through the rear crossmember"; I DID...and they were right!
The crossmember at the local Chevy dealership - my next door neighbor was the parts man there - cost me $35...
The crossmember at the local Chevy dealership - my next door neighbor was the parts man there - cost me $35...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
that about sums it up, kicks and rear c-members go first. Good luck with the sale and make sure you post up pics if you do. I've owned my 62 since 76!! What color is it? 
:
:
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,365
Likes: 5,244
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
I have seen 62's with significant rust issues on the rails under the doors as well. As others have noted, the kickups and over the rear wheels are prone to rust. Also the rear cross member is prone to rust. A 62, 340 horse is a great car. Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
One of the causes of frame rust is the open rail section at the very end of the longitudinal frame rails. Water, pine straw, leaves and other crud over the years could get inside the frame and eventually slide down the front of the 'kick-ups'. The forward motion of the car on launches would keep this gunk positioned rearward against the frame incline in front of the rear tires where condensation, moisture, decomposition worked its magic and pretty soon the kick ups were rotting from the inside out.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 30
From: Alberta/Missouri....... depending when.
The car is Roman Red, black interior, black soft top, red hardtop. Heading off in a couple hours to do a final inspection and hopefully drive it home. Pictures to follow.
One additional question; the car is numbers matching (I'll post the stamp pad once I own it..... It looks good) but has a Jim Meyer racing products front suspension installed. From what I understand it's a bolt in upgrade?
How much does the non-stock front suspension impact the value of the car? From a drivability stand point, I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks in advance.
Allan
One additional question; the car is numbers matching (I'll post the stamp pad once I own it..... It looks good) but has a Jim Meyer racing products front suspension installed. From what I understand it's a bolt in upgrade?
How much does the non-stock front suspension impact the value of the car? From a drivability stand point, I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks in advance.
Allan
Last edited by Al T; Nov 17, 2012 at 08:11 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,365
Likes: 5,244
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C8 of the Year Finalist Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
The car is Roman Red, black interior, black soft top, red hardtop. Heading off in a couple hours to do a final inspection and hopefully drive it home. Pictures to follow.
One additional question, the car is numbers matching (I'll post the stamp pad once I own it..... It looks good) but has a Jim Meyer racing products front suspension installed. From what I understand it's a bolt in upgrade?
How much does the non-stock front suspension impact the value of the car? From a drivability stand point, I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks in advance.
Allan
One additional question, the car is numbers matching (I'll post the stamp pad once I own it..... It looks good) but has a Jim Meyer racing products front suspension installed. From what I understand it's a bolt in upgrade?
How much does the non-stock front suspension impact the value of the car? From a drivability stand point, I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks in advance.
Allan
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 229
Likes: 159
From: Pacific Northwest WA
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
The car is Roman Red, black interior, black soft top, red hardtop. Heading off in a couple hours to do a final inspection and hopefully drive it home. Pictures to follow.
One additional question, the car is numbers matching (I'll post the stamp pad once I own it..... It looks good) but has a Jim Meyer racing products front suspension installed. From what I understand it's a bolt in upgrade?
How much does the non-stock front suspension impact the value of the car? From a drivability stand point, I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks in advance.
Allan
One additional question, the car is numbers matching (I'll post the stamp pad once I own it..... It looks good) but has a Jim Meyer racing products front suspension installed. From what I understand it's a bolt in upgrade?
How much does the non-stock front suspension impact the value of the car? From a drivability stand point, I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks in advance.
Allan
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 30
From: Alberta/Missouri....... depending when.
Update
Well, the frame looked awesome. Thanks for all the advice on where to look. Paid and drove it home about 30 miles. Car runs really strong. It will take a little bit to get used to the sound of solid lifters......
One more question, the steering wheel is red but has been painted black which you can see is coming off. Would the steering wheel have been red with a black interior? I have seen a couple of photos of Roman red/black interior cars with red steering wheels so?
Anyways, here are some photos as promised.
Thanks again for all the pointers.
Allan
One more question, the steering wheel is red but has been painted black which you can see is coming off. Would the steering wheel have been red with a black interior? I have seen a couple of photos of Roman red/black interior cars with red steering wheels so?
Anyways, here are some photos as promised.
Thanks again for all the pointers.
Allan
Last edited by Al T; Nov 17, 2012 at 07:29 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
A black interior would have a black steering wheel. It's possible someone changed the interior from red to black over the years. Look for evidence of red paint under the black on the instrument cluster, the kick panels, and the painted dash parts.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 30
From: Alberta/Missouri....... depending when.
Allan
Last edited by Al T; Nov 17, 2012 at 10:41 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Then your car would be a twin to mine
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...62Corvette.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k.../VetteInt2.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k.../VetteEng1.jpg
Post more pictures of yours please. Does it have a convertible top as well?
Bruce
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 30
From: Alberta/Missouri....... depending when.
Beautiful car. The red on red is incredible. I'm guessing my car originally was configured like yours.
It does have a soft top. Black.
Here are some more photos. The first photos is the only one I have of the top. The coil overs have been changed since that one was taken to fix the rake.
Can anyone explain why there is a hole in the inner fender in this photo?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 798
Likes: 30
From: Alberta/Missouri....... depending when.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
Likes: 4,592
From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
That motor looks like it's almost all original the way it came. That 76K milage may be the correct number. Or else it was restored years ago and that's just the patina from driving it. Does it still have drums on the rear?
Very cool find.
Very cool find.