Built from 1953 to 1962, the first-generation Chevrolet Corvette is the most desirable iteration of the nameplate. Because it’s the car that started it all, and the long production run spawned a few rare versions. But the second-gen ‘Vette is also highly desirable due to its short-lived life and higher performance engines.
All told, finding a C1 or a C2 in a barn is a big deal nowadays. These sports cars are valuable regardless of model year and powertrain. And given how classic car prices have gone up like crazy in recent years, they’re desirable regardless of condition too. Well, finding one of each in the same barn, like YouTube’s “Colture” did, is even more spectacular. And they’ve been in storage for more than 40 years!
Why would someone keep classic Corvettes locked up in a barn for decades? As sad as it may sound, some vehicles end up in long-term storage simply because they broke down and the owner didn’t get around to fixing them. Others are left unattended when their owner is too old to drive or passes away. I don’t know what happened here, but these Corvettes look like they haven’t been touched in a very long time.
Both are covered in a thick layer of dust, and the paint underneath is weathered to the point where you can see the fiberglass. They’re also missing components, which indicates they might have been prepared for restoration when parked. What exactly do we have here, you ask? The C1 is a 1958 version, while the C2 is a 1966 convertible.
1958 was a big year for the Corvette because that’s when it got its first significant redesign. The update included a quad-headlamp layout, a three-piece front grille, and more chrome than before. It also got a new tach and factory-installed seat belts. Priced from $3,591, the 1958 Corvette moved 9,168 units. It was the Corvette’s best-selling year at the time, but it’s a figure that makes the 1958 sports car a rare classic.
Unfortunately, I don’t know what’s under the hood (or if the car still has an engine), so it could be any of the 283-cubic-inch (4.6-liter) V8 Chevy offered that year. The options list was quite diverse, with various drivetrain setups ranging from 230 to 290 horsepower. The latter came with the now-iconic Ramjet fuel injection system.
The C2 parked behind the C1 in the barn saw daylight for the 1966 model year, the next to last for the second generation. The Corvette had become an increasingly popular rig at the time, moving more than 20,000 units yearly. In 1966, Chevrolet sold 27,720 cars, the best year for the C2.
While it did not bring important changes design-wise, 1966 was a big year for the Corvette in terms of performance. Specifically, it’s the year that welcomed the 427-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) big-block V8 to the lineup. And this Corvette is equipped with one such unit.
Chevrolet offered two 427 V8s that year: the L36 rated at 390 horsepower, and the L72, with 425 horses on tap. This one appears to sport the L36, which makes it one of 5,116 examples sold with this engine in 1966. But it’s actually rarer than that, thanks to its Laguna Blue exterior. Specifically, Chevrolet sold only 2,054 units in this color. If we factor in the engine, the color, and the drop-top layout, we’re probably looking at one of fewer than 500 vehicles made.
But the really good news is that our host freed both Corvettes from the barn. It’s unclear if they will get restored to their original specifications, but at least they will be returned to the road soon. See them getting rescued after more than 40 years in a barn in the videos below. The second one also includes first-wash footage for the C2 if you’re into that.