Guide for the 1962 Corvette
The 1962 Corvette is a convertible and the first year with an auxiliary hardtop. It is considered one of the greatest C1 Corvettes made.
Written by Tiffany Leung
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The 1962 Corvettes were all convertibles and over half of the production had an auxiliary hardtop. It was the first year to incorporate a larger, 327-cubic-inch V8 engine, which marks a pivotal moment in the Corvette’s upcoming success. The power and torque from the new engine meant sustainably achieving speeds of over 100 mph!
The 1962 Corvette is the last of the C1 Corvette models. This was the first year that the 327-cubic-inch V8 engine replaced the smaller 283-cubic-inch engine. With this upgrade, the 1962 Corvette convertible was able to travel a quarter-mile in 15 seconds and reach speeds above 100 mph.
This model year was dubbed one of the greatest C1 Corvettes. However, the ‘62 Corvette brought to surface that many other changes needed to be incorporated to accommodate the increase in power and need for better airflow and fuel usage.
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is here to guide you through everything there is to know about the 1962 Corvette—including ownership costs, the pros and cons of the 1962 model, where to buy one, and other essential details. We'll even show you how to save on Corvette insurance costs
.
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Ownership costs for a 1962 Corvette
The 1962 Corvette is a standard convertible with RPO 580, RPO 396, and RPO 582 powertrain and engine options. The cost of owning a 1962 Corvette will vary depending on which one you get: a regular model or the Corvette
Stingray
. On ClassicCars.com, a used or restored 1962 Corvette can go for $65,000 to $187,000. The seller determines the price by how much work was done on the car, the engine it has (original rebuilt vs. third-party parts), and how much he/she perceives the value to be.
According to the J.D. Power and NADA Guide values, the average 1962 Corvette base prices are:
- Original MSRP: $4,038
- Current low retail value: $38,400
- Average retail: $58,800
- High retail value: $101,400
Where to buy a 1962 Corvette
If you want to buy a 1962 Corvette, you can use
ClassicCars.com
to find any available models at nearby dealerships. Another option is to buy the car from a fellow enthusiast on a Corvette forum
. The bonus of using Corvette forums is that you can ask questions and connect with other Corvette fans. 
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What does the 1962 Corvette bring to the table?
The 1962 Corvette is the last model year for the C1 Corvettes and served as a breakthrough for sustainable driving performance. Both of the engines sporting Duntov cams ran an 11.25:1 compression ratio, which was a step up from the lower-level 300-horsepower engines running a more conventional 10.5:1 compression.
It is also the last model year to include practical storage space, which didn’t reappear until the 1998 C5 Corvette was introduced.
Strengths and weaknesses of the 1962 Corvette
Before you start looking for a 1962 Corvette, here’s a breakdown of the good and bad of this classic car.
The good: speed
The 1962 Corvette was fast and could exceed 100 mph sustainably over long distances. It was recorded to travel a quarter-mile in 15 seconds.
The good: luggage space
The 1962 Corvette has practical rear luggage space, which is extremely useful for those who wish to have some item-transport capacity while driving this car.
The good: exterior design
More than half of the 1962 Corvette convertibles’ production came with an auxiliary hardtop, giving Corvette enthusiasts another way to show off their car.
The bad: price
While the 1962 Chevy Corvette had an MSRP of $4,038, its market value has increased to over $100,000. This price is high even to serious Corvette fans. Future owners need to have a large budget to own this car.
The bad: interior design
The 1962 Corvette falls short in the innovative design department. It’s similar to previous models but with the chrome accents removed. The interior also remained mostly unchanged from prior years.
The bottom line—which 1962 Corvette to buy
If you’re looking for a classic car that kickstarted the Corvette’s success, go with the Corvette RPO 583. This trim’s four-speed transmission option enables drivers to go from 0-60 mph in 143 seconds—the perfect way to experience a bit of Corvette history.
If you just want to get a classic car as your daily driver, the Corvette Standard is a great choice. However, if you don’t need all the bells and whistles, you could also consider another model year that is more budget-friendly.
How to save money on car insurance for the 1962 Corvette
Once you get your dream Corvette, you’ll need to insure it. However, classic car insurance can sometimes be more expensive when you have an abnormally expensive vehicle.
If you want to save money on insurance, the
Jerry
app is a good place to start. A licensed broker
, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.
By using Jerry, you can save an average of $887 a year on car insurance.
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