New to Hobby: Looking for advice to purchase a Corvette 5 Speed

[razinhellcustomz]

You might even look for a rarer Vette.The White Corvette.Make sure it has not been repainted.

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That's a RARE beauty Vince. What year is this one? RideOn. Mark.

 

[vincev]

That's a RARE beauty Vince. What year is this one? RideOn. Mark.

I could be wrong but I think 1959 was the only year...@GTs58 would have more info.

 

[razinhellcustomz]

Hi all,

I'm looking to purchase my first vintage bike and I've settled on a Schwinn Corvette. Upon my initial research, it seems like one of the safest buys to maintain value, desirability, and to still have fun would be to get a 5 speed.

I have a couple of questions:
1. Am I crazy? Is this a good first choice?
2. What should I be looking for on a bike like this? Super restored, super original? I plan cruise with it for fun, but nothing too crazy. (Price point is not an issue with either path)

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you!
Kevin

I have a couple of these Corvette frame bikes, but do believe they are of the 3 speed variety. Don't know alot about these bikes, but have seen just a few of these around these parts. Good luck with your search and welcome to the CABE.

 

[koolbikes]

Hi all,

I'm looking to purchase my first vintage bike and I've settled on a Schwinn Corvette. Upon my initial research, it seems like one of the safest buys to maintain value, desirability, and to still have fun would be to get a 5 speed.

I have a couple of questions:
1. Am I crazy? Is this a good first choice?
2. What should I be looking for on a bike like this? Super restored, super original? I plan cruise with it for fun, but nothing too crazy. (Price point is not an issue with either path)

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you!
Kevin

Kevin323, Welcome to theCabe! ... Here is a 1962 Schwinn 5-speed Corvette Ad with a good example what to look for on these bicycles.
Great choice of bicycle, very desirable by collectors, great rider, you will not be disappointed with the 5-speed model, look at many pictures and read many posts here to get familiar with their differences between the 1961 & 1962 models.
There are differences between the 1961 and 1962 models, most noted are the seat, pedals, headlight, cable stops on frame, as I'm sure a few other items.
The bicycle came in four different colors ... Blue, Red, Green & Black ... also something to think about if just choosing one.
Condition is everything with these bicycles.
If the price point is not an issue, as mentioned, find the best complete original condition example you can. You can find a restoration piece for $400. - $ 600. and dump a fair amount into it and it's a restored bicycle or pay up on a nice original for something that will hold or go up in value. I have seen nice originals from $750. to $3500. for an original Minty. Happy Hunting!

 

[GTs58]

Click on this link. I am the current owner of this one and purchased it from the original owner (woodshed) in 12/2023. It's a very early 1961 with the very early Huret Alvitt derailleur. The arrow on later changed to the pointed design. The bike is original other than the tires and cables. The bike shop installed the shifter backwards when they redid the cables. The carrier is missing the blue Schwinn approved tag and the rear reflector needs some help. Go to the last page on the Registry and looks at @COB 's original that he just posted.

• #358

 

[60sstuff]

Sold - For Sale: Schwinn Corvette 5 Speed Nice Original | Archive (sold or withdrawn)

Schwinn Corvette 5 speed serial number L151445 . Nov 1961. Very nice original untouched condition. Has goodyear eagle tires and will include an original set of schwinn westwinds. Good chrome and paint with some minor scratches. E-mail [email protected] or text Mark at 864-918-4095. Looking to get...

thecabe.com

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Boy …. I really like this ‘61 Black Corvette with great patina!

 

[GTs58]

Boy …. I really like this ‘61 Black Corvette with great patina!

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That is actually a 1962 with the L1 Nov. 27th serial number. The 62's had the U cable guides and the 61's had the barrel type. There's other changes but the cable guides is the quick way to date these at a glance.

 

[kevin323]

Thank you all for the very detailed information! Really appreciate all of your time and help.

I saw this pop up on Craigslist. The guys asking quite a bit... are any of these worth it? I'm having a hard time discerning which bike is which in the ad.

RARE SCHWINN CORVETTE 5 SPEED - bicycles - by owner - bike sale - craigslist

HI, THE SCHWINN CORVETTE 5 SPEED IS ONE OF THE RAREST AND SOUGHT AFTER USA 🇺🇸 MADE VINTAGE BICYCLES AS IT WAS ONLY MADE FOR 18 MONTHS DURING 1961 AND 1962. HAVE THREE BLUE 1962 SCHWINN CORVETTE 5...

sandiego.craigslist.org

 

[razinhellcustomz]

Thank you all for the very detailed information! Really appreciate all of your time and help.

I saw this pop up on Craigslist. The guys asking quite a bit... are any of these worth it? I'm having a hard time discerning which bike is which in the ad.

RARE SCHWINN CORVETTE 5 SPEED - bicycles - by owner - bike sale - craigslist

HI, THE SCHWINN CORVETTE 5 SPEED IS ONE OF THE RAREST AND SOUGHT AFTER USA 🇺🇸 MADE VINTAGE BICYCLES AS IT WAS ONLY MADE FOR 18 MONTHS DURING 1961 AND 1962. HAVE THREE BLUE 1962 SCHWINN CORVETTE 5...

sandiego.craigslist.org

Wow, that's WAY enough money for this bike(s) plus no pix of the 1962 frame/ forks. Sounds a little flakey to mind. Little too much for a whole lot of money. Good luck to this guy.

 

[GTs58]

Thank you all for the very detailed information! Really appreciate all of your time and help.

I saw this pop up on Craigslist. The guys asking quite a bit... are any of these worth it? I'm having a hard time discerning which bike is which in the ad.

RARE SCHWINN CORVETTE 5 SPEED - bicycles - by owner - bike sale - craigslist

HI, THE SCHWINN CORVETTE 5 SPEED IS ONE OF THE RAREST AND SOUGHT AFTER USA 🇺🇸 MADE VINTAGE BICYCLES AS IT WAS ONLY MADE FOR 18 MONTHS DURING 1961 AND 1962. HAVE THREE BLUE 1962 SCHWINN CORVETTE 5...

sandiego.craigslist.org

That Corvette has been for sale for well over 10 years with the same price. Seller is Joe Ramero. I may have misspelled the last name. It is on the Registry under name Blue Freak.
As far as sell prices go, I have only seen two that were sold for more than $1500. The seller of this one won an eBay auction for $1962 and the bike was a total none Corvette 5 speed, it was fake cloned piece with fake paperwork. He has been trying to sell that one over the years also. The other one was sold for $1800 on eBay and it was a decent "restored" but not perfect piece and the serial number was unknown since the paint or powder coat filled in the numbers. The person that owned purchased that one was selling it some years ago and had it for sale for a few years. It finally sold at just under $900. The only legit all original one owner in like new condition piece with the highest sell price that I know of was $1500. It's also on the Registry.

If you can find a nice all correct Corvette 5 speed for $800 you're getting a smoking deal! So grab it like you stole it!