Top Tier Original Condition ’67 Corvette Has a Story to Tell

Clocking in over 250,000 documented miles, this Corvette Coupe has not just stood the test of time, but thrived throughout its long life.

The amazing thing about cars some non-enthusiasts seem to fail to recognize is that their value is much greater than just the machine itself. This ’67 Corvette Coupe is exactly the embodiment of that idea.

Although every car may have a story, this classic Corvette’s story is definitely a standout. Thanks to a recent MotorTrend feature on this particular beauty, we get to learn some details about its life and its owner.

“It’s just a worn-out car with a good story”

This base-model ’67 Coupe was purchased by its current owner, James Henry, back in early 2010 for the sum of $32k. At the time of purchase, the car already had 220k miles registered, but its life was far from over.

Henry discovered the aged Corvette from an estate sale of a doctor from Mobile, Alabama via an eBay posting. His initial interest in the car had sparked due to the fact Henry has been a Corvette man for longer than you’d expect.

I’ve always had two or three Corvettes. I even got married in a ’67 coupe. I’ve been a Corvette guy all my life, and I probably enjoy this car more than any Corvette I’ve ever owned, and that’s since 1969.

We truly believe Henry’s enthusiasm and attraction to the car, because he has proven it through his many miles and adventures behind the wheel.

One of the rarest highest mileage original-condition Corvettes anywhere

Henry’s journey with the car has brought him throughout the entire country in the driver’s seat. This year was the fourth running of the National Corvette Restorer’s Society (NCRS) national convention, held this year in Palm Springs, California.

Henry drove the Corvette from his Atlanta home over 2,000 miles through the unforgiving environment of the Southwestern United States in July. Although this Corvette did come with factory-equipped A/C, it was non-functional during this drive.

I have a heat gun that I use to check tire temperatures with. When I aimed it at the console, it was 130 degrees. That’s because I stopped fixing the A/C when it needed to be serviced every two weeks.

You can begin to understand why this Corvette and Henry go hand in hand: they are both troopers. Henry has taken the ‘Vette to four consecutive NCRS conventions across the country to cities such as Las Vegas, San Antonio, and Greenville, NC.

“Bowtie” – the highest quality rating for any as-manufactured Corvette

Originally Henry did not realize how large of a part the NCRS would play in his and the Corvette’s life. However, by chance one day he would bring the ’67 to a regional NCRS event.

Quickly the car would get recognized and members would inform Henry that his car was a serious candidate for Bowtie quality. Although Henry knew it was all original, he was unaware of the extent of the documentation the car had come with.

For a Corvette to recieve certification, each car must pass a judging panel. Levels of quality are as follows: Second Flight, Top Flight, and Bowtie at the top.

By 2010 when Henry answered the ad for the Mobile-based ‘Vette, it wouldn’t drive or even run. “I did only enough to get it running and didn’t change anything out on it. I started taking it to NCRS events, and unbelievably it got Second Flight, and I hadn’t done anything to the car,” says Henry. When Henry started putting more correct parts and tires on it, it became a Bowtie candidate.

In a curious case of fate, the NCRS national event for next year will take place in Mobile, Alabama, the place were the car was originally purchased back in 2010. Henry hopes to get a chance to meet with the family of the previous owner while he is there.

Considering the fact Henry had shown no issue to regularly drive his Corvette a couple thousand miles to attend the annual events, a couple hours from home sounds like a walk in the park. One thing is for sure, there isn’t any Corvette like his anywhere in the world.

Thanks Henry, we appreciate Corvette owners like you and we hope you cherish the car for many more years to come!

Photos: MotorTrend