Saved by YouTube’s “Dieseled Dragon Garage” from a sad life in a barn, this silver coupe has been sitting around since 1971. It’s exactly 50 years gone off the road after just four years of service. To make matters worse, the previous owner decided to remove the original 427 cubic inch (7.0 liter) big-block V8 under the hood.

This is a big deal because the 1967 Corvette was the most powerful iteration of the C2, thanks to the 427. Chevrolet not only offered a regular big block with 390 horsepower that year, but also introduced a Tri version. -Power with up to 435 horsepower. Unfortunately, the 427 was replaced by a much smaller 283 cubic inch (4.6 liter) V8.

The latter is a complete mystery, and it is certainly not an original Corvette C2 engine. That’s because Chevrolet didn’t offer a V8 of this size in the second-gen Vette, the smallest being the small block of 327 cubic inches (5.4 liters).

On the other hand, the C1 had a 283 V8, but there is no evidence that this mill came from a first generation Corvette. A 265 cubic inch unit bored to 283 in 1957, it remained in production until the 1960s and powered various GM cars, including the iconic Chevrolet Bel Air. Where does it come from? Well the current owner doesn’t know that so it will remain a mystery.

He’s obviously considering replacing the 283 with a more suitable V8, but we don’t know what that is yet. Meanwhile, he wants to get the old Chevrolet factory back up and running, an ambitious task given the 283 was stuck when he got the car. He ends up spinning it, and after a little work and a few new parts, the engine comes back to life.

And surprisingly enough, it turns out really well. However, it is rather loud and smoky, something you must expect from a mill that has not been operating for 50 years, so it is resting for now.

Engine aside, the Corvette appears to be in good shape, considering its age and handling. While the silver paintwork has seen better days, the body panels are straight and there are no signs of damage. The interior needs a good cleaning and a bit of work. And most importantly, there are no rust holes in the ground.

It’s great to see such a beautiful classic get the attention it deserves after so many decades, so check it all out in the video below. Hopefully the owner will document the restoration of this sports car. The restart of the engine occurs in the second video.