Can you spot the car in this photo? Under all that junk there is a 1975 Corvette which has been parked since 2000. It is far from perfect, but with the most powerful engine option and a manual gearbox, we think it is worth some consideration. The fact that it is offered here on eBay without a reserve is also nice. There are a few issues that need addressing though. Thanks goes to Chip Lamb for the submission!



We love unrestored cars and this Corvette is presented as such. Unfortunately, it has suffered a color change and stereo upgrade at some point so we wouldn’t consider it “unrestored” or original. Still, if you take it for what it actually is, we think it is a good find. This is the sort of vehicle we would buy if we actually wanted to drive it. You would feel guilty ringing out a survivor car, but this one can provide guilt-free fun.

Since this car has been parked for about 13 years, it obviously needs some attention. The seller was able to get it to fire up, but the brakes need an overhaul. The pedal drops to floor and the parking brake is stuck. A rebuilt master cylinder may fix the pedal problem, but we would also want to replace any consumables (rubber hoses, pads, rotors, etc.) while we were at it. The seller mentions that the fuel doesnt smell too bad, but we would go through the fuel system anyway to ensure the maximum performance possible.

By 1975 emissions control systems were stifling output. This Corvette may have the optional L82 engine, but it was only rated at 205 hp. Even so, this was one of the most powerful cars on the market at the time. Luckily, this one is equipped with a four-speed so it should be a little more lively than a comparable automatic.

The interior looks great. We would do a thorough detailing and call it a day. Later down the road we would probably source a more period looking head unit. I mean, who really needs a CD player when you have a V8 and a four-speed? A vintage CB would be a nice addition though for those long distance trips and low-budget rallies.

This was originally a dark red car, but we like the white over red look so we would leave the exterior alone. We would instead focus our attention on everything under that fiberglass skin. After repairing the brakes and cleaning up the fuel system, we would start driving it. We have found that once you put a car into daily driver duty, the problems preset themselves quickly and you are much more likely to get them fixed.