The end of the line was near in 1962 but that didn’t stop Corvette buyers from enthusiastically buying up the last of the solid-axle ‘Vettes. With rear-end styling that previewed the all-new Sting Ray that would debut in 1963, the last of the C1s were extremely attractive automobiles that were shedding their pastel 1950s image. Horsepower was on the way up, braking performance improved steadily, and few cockpit designs of the era were more user-friendly. Add in a long list of options and features that would allow an individual to tailor a Corvette to his personal tastes and the result was one of the best V8-powered performance cars of the period.

This 1962 Corvette is actually a lot nicer than it looks in pictures, which is no small feat. Comprehensively restored about five years ago, it wasn’t destined to be an NCRS competitor or a finalist at Bloomington Gold, but rather a high-quality daily driver that could be enjoyed any time the mood struck. As a result, it’s nicely sorted and ready to enjoy without a second thought. The gorgeous Roman Red finish is what Corvettes are all about, brilliant, vivid, and glossy. The fiberglass bodywork was expertly restored and refinished, showing no signs of age and minimal evidence of use since it was completed. There were no contrasting side coves in 1962, no extra stainless trim, just a focus on performance and the clean, chiseled final iteration of America’s first true sports car. Paint quality is impressive, more so than we can show in photos, and the color is exactly right with no orange or purple in it, just a bright, vivid, solid red. Panel fit is about what you’d expect from a Corvette, good but not perfect, which is how restorers and enthusiasts seem to prefer it, and all of the chrome was restored and remains in first-class condition. The “gills” in the coves and ribbed rocker panels are in excellent shape with no pitting, the stainless has been polished, and the round Corvette emblems front and rear appear to be originals in good condition—too good to replace, but perhaps not as nice as the rest of the car.

The black interior is as fresh as the bodywork and ready to enjoy. Everything was replaced when the work was done, including seat covers, carpets, and door panels, with all of it using correct materials and patterns. The only notable issue might be a small hole in the driver’s seat cushion where it appears it was poked with a sharp object, but that’s the only possible demerit. The gauges are fully functional and possibly use original faces, again indicative of the car’s excellent original state prior to the restoration. A newer AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit was fitted in the dash, and you’ll surely appreciate that more than the original AM unit when you’re out cruising. The 4-speed shifter falls easily to hand and bangs through the gears like a bolt-action rifle thanks to a Hurst cue ball on top. The black canvas convertible top is brand new and has possibly never been used, thanks to a color-matched factory hardtop that has been on the car since it was completed. The trunk is also finished with a new red rubber mat and no surprises lurking underneath.

This was not some rare fuel injected, numbers-matching Corvette, so the 350 cubic inch crate motor under the hood is a perfectly acceptable replacement for the owner who wishes to drive and enjoy his Corvette. Fortified with the usual upgrades like a 4-barrel carburetor, HEI ignition system, and a few shiny chrome pieces, it looks right sitting under the forward-tilting hood of the ’62. Chevy Orange paint on the block, original-style “ram’s horn” exhaust manifolds with a permanent high-temperature coating, and that louvered air cleaner help retain a vintage look. The master cylinder has been upgraded , but it retains its original 12-volt generator and expansion tank for the cooling system, just to strengthen the OEM look. It starts quickly and easily, idles with a bit of a lope thanks to a slightly oversized camshaft, and drives superbly, as you’d expect. And thanks to this being one of the most reliable machines ever conceived by man, the idea of using a vintage Corvette as a daily driver seems a little less far-fetched now, doesn’t it?

The transmission is a 4-speed, just as any proper Corvette should have, and there are reasonable gears out back, so it’s comfortable around town and on the highway. It’s also shockingly clean, with virgin fiberglass floors, a frame that doesn’t show any erosion or rust from living in a northern climate, and a brand new exhaust system that sounds right for a performance car like this. Other details include recent shock absorbers, lots of new hardware including sway bar links, in addition to the shiny new engine and rebuilt transmission. The big American Racing Torque Thrust wheels and 225/70/15 Goodyear radials are a period look, but this car would be equally spiffy with a set of original wheels and hubcaps for a very stock look.

There’s more to this Corvette than is immediately apparent. It starts and runs beautifully, the interior is comfortable, and all the critical components are brand new. If you envision a road-ready early Corvette, this one delivers in a big way.