LITTLE RED CORVETTE

HOW MUCH FOR SECOND ‘VAULT-FIND’ CORVETTE?

Last month we featured the vault-find mint condition Marina Blue 1967 'Vette, owned by Vietnam Vet Keith Litavsky that achieved a staggering USD$675,000 (AUD$890k) at auction.

It seems the price has tempted another one out of the woodwork, also a 1967 model coupe; this one, a Rally Red Coupe with black trim will be a standout at the Mecum Auction in Monterey, California, next month.

And this Little Red Corvette can genuinely claim to be unique. One of a kind.

It is the only 1967 Chev Corvette with a big block 427 coupled to a Powergrlide transmission, featuring factory aircon and the radio delete option to roll off the Corvette production line.

This stunning example of late 60s American muscle had been stored for the past 35 years, is believed to have just 9523 miles on the clock and was offered in the same condition as the day it was parked in 1982.

Its authenticity was verified by the original tank sticker plus other factory documentation and, most importantly, the engine and transmission numbers match.

It underwent a show quality resto of the chassis in the late 70s and was repainted in lacquer by its second owner, who rarely drove it after buying it in 1973. Once the resto was done it was parked in a shed, until coming out of the woodwork just recently and being readied to be put under the hammer at Mecums.

The original owner was into creature comforts with the boxes marked power windows, power steer, power brakes, telescopic steering column, headrests and seatbelts all ticked.

In order to preserve its integrity, every aspect of it has been fastidiously adhered to.

There is no doubt this one-off, unique 1967 will attract loads of attention. Expect a spirited bidding war between Corvette enthusiasts hoping to land ‘the big one'.

The Corvette will be competing for buyer attention with more than 150 other stellar lots at Mecums Monterey auction, August 16-19.