Car nerds like to talk about ‘provenance’ whilst nattering ad nauseum in reference to some sort of classic vehicle. Previous owners can add a lot to the history (and selling price) of a vehicle, assuming it’s a notable butt which has occupied the driver’s seat or at least had their name on the title. Hollywood royalty tends to fit the bill nicely.
That’s why this particular 1969 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, previously owned by Nicolas Cage, is expected to trade for an inflated sum. Offered for sale on the auction site Bring a Trailer, this shark-like whip is equipped with a 427 cubic inch L36 V8 engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Part of the so-called (and long-lived) C3 generation of Corvette, it was factory finished in Cortez Silver and picked up a refinishing job about 30 years ago. Two tops are included: a black ragtop and a black vinyl-covered hardtop, the latter of which is likely to take your face off if not installed properly. Hey, it was the 1960s.
Our own Clayton Seams, a walking font knowledge about classic and collector cars, tells us this particular Corvette is desirable for a couple of reasons – in addition to the Cage connection. First, silver-on-silver is a very rare colour combination, one which was infrequently selected by Corvette shoppers in the 1969 model year and could help make this one a national treasure. Then there’s the presence of (con) air conditioning, an option which was not installed on many Corvette convertibles back in the day. A/C will definitely help the owner and their ghost rider with a feeling of being trapped in paradise whilst behind the wheel of this Vette. Knowing this is important.
The car previously appeared on the auction site in July 2021 when it hammered away for $62,500. This time around, bidding is already well over half that amount despite there being six days left in the auction. A mix of Hollywood history and a desirable options spec are likely to command a decent premium during this sale as well, especially since the listing describes a yaffle of work done to the car since its last sale. A person could take a honeymoon in Vegas using this car quite easily.
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