Description
This very rare Fuel Injected C2 Corvette Convertible dates from 1963, the first year of C2 production, the year the iconic and highly collectable "split-window" came out. This is the "Fuelie", equipped with the rare fuel-injected 327ci engine developping 360 bhp, much more than the 250-bhp base version, hence the former being much sought after by collectors.
Only about 1300 examples of the C2 convertible were equipped with this fabulous engine variant that year.
This particular example came out of the St Louis, Missouri factory during the second week of February 1963 in Mason's Black with Red interior trim.
Little is known of its early history but it had a respray in the current shade of metallic bronze colour in 1974 before being acquired by a Virginia-based father & son team the following year, the father using the car for the occasional car show and the son for the occasional trip to his University in Pennsylvania.
After coming out of college, the son joined the US Navy and got based in Guam, hence the car was put into storage only to be taken out of storage again in the mid-nineties upon the son's return as a Navy veteran. The Vette kept being used sparingly in the nineties and early noughties until it was spotted & acquired by a British Motor engineer in 2004 and subsequently exported to England for the next chapter of its life.
Our motor engineer, recently retired but very active since the early 70's in Formula 3000 (Lola, Ligier), F3 (Brabham) and later F1 (Red bull Racing, Simtek, Jaguar Racing, Toyota) teams, fettled the car's mechanicals to perfection hence the perfect driving condition the car is in today with a fabulous exhaust tone thanks to its side-mounted exhaust system (hookers).
On the road, the car is a pleasure to drive thanks to its wide BF Goodrich performance tyres mounted on American Racing Magnesium wheels for better road-holding.
This example is also equipped with the all-essential 4-speed manual gearbox and has retained its original horizontal signal-seeking AM radio.
Bar a respray 51 years ago (the black strips on the bonnet are still the original paint), its wide mag wheels, tyres and hookers, the car remains in a highly original unrestored condition. It would appear that it has only had 3 owners from new and the odometer is only showing an unwarranted but believed genuine 24, 000 miles from new.
The panel gaps are all good, the beige hood is in great condition, the car starts and drives well and is ready for a new chapter with a new enthusiast owner.
The car is supplied with a thick history file to include its books and manuals, technical guide etc, and also its "historic vehicle" American license plate from its time in Virginia.
Noteworthy is that this car was involved in filmwork, filming for a remake of the upcoming blockbuster "The Running Man" to be released later this year. Numerous photos and related memorabilia are included in the file.
Whilst exempt, its last MOT expired in December 2024 when it had no advisories. The car was last serviced in January 2024, some 250 miles ago.
Viewings by appointment only in Smarden near Ashford, Kent.
For overseas clients, we are very happy to help in shipping this vehicle worldwide.
P/ x considered. High-performance version of an early C2 (360 bhp vs the 250 bhp base model)
Rare fuel-injected model, rare as hen's teeth in the UK
Highly original, unrestored example ready to enjoy
Fitted with the desirable 4-speed manual transmission.
