What's Moving In 2026: How Hot Are Mid-Year Corvettes On Bring a Trailer?

Welcome, and thanks for joining another exclusive and new CorvSport market feature, where we delve into the auction world to uncover what is actually moving in today’s Corvette marketplace. This time, we’re heading to the largest and fastest-growing online collector-car auction platform, Bring a Trailer, to break down second-generation Mid-Year Corvette sales. Which model years are leading the charge? Which ones are treading water? And what is the top sale from each Mid-Year?

A Market Pulse Nobody Else Is Tracking

This series is designed to do more than report sales results—it is built to reveal the trends hiding underneath them. By tracking what buyers are chasing, what sellers are achieving, and where the market is showing strength or weakness, we’re creating a real-time pulse check on the online auction world. Better yet, we’ll stack the Mid-Year Corvette numbers against every other Corvette generation sold on Bring a Trailer during 2026, giving you a broader view of where the C2 sits in today’s hierarchy of demand. Simply put, this is market intelligence you won’t find anywhere else.

Whether You’re Buying Or Just Watching

Not every Corvette enthusiast is actively shopping for their next car. Some simply enjoy following values, studying trends, and seeing which cars capture the attention of the market. Whether you’re preparing to buy, considering a future sale, or just love keeping a finger on the pulse of the hobby, this series was built with you in mind.

Why We Use Bring a Trailer

We turn to Bring a Trailer because few platforms offer a clearer window into today’s collector-car marketplace. The scale alone is remarkable. In April, the site recorded an 83% sell-through rate across 4,591 listings. Even more impressive, 1,960 vehicles changed hands without reserve, allowing buyers and sellers to meet at true market value. With thousands of transactions occurring in full public view, Bring a Trailer provides one of the most transparent and data-rich snapshots of collector-car demand available anywhere today.

The Battle Between Originality And Reinvention

Before we jump into the numbers, it’s worth revisiting a trend we explored earlier this year: the growing tug-of-war between factory-correct classics and heavily modified modern interpretations. For decades, originality has been the gold standard in the Corvette world. Yet a new wave of buyers has increasingly embraced custom-built machines that blend iconic Mid-Year styling with modern performance, technology, and drivability. The result has become one of the most fascinating market storylines in the hobby.

While countless builders have modified classic Corvettes over the years, few have influenced the Restomod movement quite like Jeff Hayes. Operating out of Bloomington, Indiana, Jeff Hayes Customs began challenging convention in the early 2000s, often drawing criticism from purists who believed the classics should remain untouched. Time, however, has a way of settling arguments. Hayes reached a new milestone in 2024 when his Vintage Champagne 1967 Corvette Restomod crossed the block at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale for an astonishing $1.1 million. Today, his signature creations—typically built around an Art Morrison sport chassis and LS3 power—have become some of the most sought-after Restomod Corvettes in the country, routinely commanding multi-six-figure prices.

So with the lines drawn between preservation and transformation, one question remains: how many of today’s biggest C2 sales followed the traditional purist formula, and how many embraced the Restomod revolution? And perhaps even more importantly, which Mid-Year model year will emerge as the king of the auction block? Let’s get after it.

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1963 To 1967: The Top Mid-Year Sales

Year 1: 1963

♦ The Top Sale: Jeff Hayes–Modified 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Coupe Hammered For $590,000

♦ Key Listing Details:

“This 1963 Chevrolet Corvette split-window coupe features a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 and a Mediterranean Sky-finished body mounted to a fabricated Art Morrison chassis. The custom build was completed by Jeff Hayes Customs in Indiana in 2025 and is further equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission, a reinforced solid rear axle, Schott 20″ wheels, Wilwood disc brakes, a coilover suspension with tubular control arms, and rack-and-pinion steering. Exterior elements include side-exit exhaust, a power-operated hood, and flip-up headlights. The cockpit is trimmed in Capri Sand and appointed with a teakwood steering wheel, Vintage Air climate control, Classic Instruments gauges, illuminated sill plates, carbon-fiber elements, and a retro-look radio. This C2 split-window coupe was purchased by the selling dealer in 2026 and is now offered in Arkansas with a clean Indiana title.”

♦ Date Sold: 3/26/2026

♦ Offered By: Dealer

♦ The Full BaT Listing

♦ The BaT Community Reaction:

Views: 45,492
Watchers: 2,484
Bids: 21
Comments: 169

Year 2: 1964

♦ The Top Sale: 565ci-Powered 1964 Chevrolet Corvette 5-Speed Hammered For $92,500

♦ Key Listing Details:

“This 1964 Chevrolet Corvette coupe underwent a rebuild and body-off refurbishment prior to being purchased by its current owner in 2025. Work included fitting an aluminum 565ci big-block V8, a Tremec five-speed manual transmission, carbon-fiber half shafts, C5 front and C4 rear suspension systems, C6 Z07-specification brakes, air conditioning, 18″ alloy wheels, and an Alpine stereo system. The body was refinished in green with a white center stripe and was also equipped with a 1967-style stinger hood, widened bodywork, third taillights, 18″ alloy wheels, deep-bucket seats, Simpson harnesses, side-exit exhaust pipes, and a built-in Passport radar detector. This modified C2 is now offered at no reserve in Canada by the seller on behalf of its owner with Ontario registration in the current owner’s name.”

♦ Date Sold: 1/19/2026

♦ Offered By: Private Party

♦ The Full BaT Listing

♦ The BaT Community Reaction:

Views: 17,934
Watchers: 1,372
Bids: 54
Comments: 99

Year 3: 1965

♦ The Top Sale: LS3-Powered 1965 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 5-Speed Hammered For $195,000

♦ Key Listing Details:

“This 1965 Chevrolet Corvette convertible was acquired by the seller in 2020 and then modified in 2023 with an LS3 V8, a Tremec five-speed manual transmission, and a Coffman 2C chassis. It rides on C7-spec suspension with coilovers, and additional equipment includes 19 & 20″ Schott wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, a CenterForce clutch, and a limited-slip differential. The car is refinished in silver over red leather and comes with hard and soft tops. The cabin was lined with Dynamat insulation and outfitted with Vintage Air air conditioning, Nu-Relic power windows, Dakota Digital gauges, and an aftermarket stereo with Bluetooth. This C2 is now offered with a North Carolina title in the seller’s name.”

♦ Date Sold: 5/04/2026

♦ Offered By: Private Party

♦ The Full BaT Listing

♦ The BaT Community Reaction:

Views: 14,871
Watchers: 1,273
Bids: 48
Comments: 45

Year 4: 1966

♦ The Top Sale: 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible L72 427/425 4-Speed Hammered For $173,500

♦ Key Listing Details:

“This 1966 Chevrolet Corvette convertible was refurbished in 1990 while part of the collection of Otis Chandler, and it was later relocated to Washington and awarded three NCRS awards in 2001 and 2002, including a Duntov Mark of Excellence accolade. Al Grenning of Classic Car Affirmation Service issued certificates for the trim tag and engine pad in 2015, while a report from Sinor Prestige Automobiles evaluating the car’s identification numbers and history was obtained in November 2025. Specified from the factory in Laguna Blue over blue vinyl upholstery, the car is powered by a 427ci L72 V8 that is backed by a four-speed manual transmission and a Positraction rear end. Additional details include a white soft top, 15″ steel wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, a cabin heater, an AM/FM radio, and retractable headlights. This C2 is now offered by the selling dealer with manufacturer’s literature, a Protect-o-Plate, service records, NCRS awards, Classic Car Affirmation Service documents, refurbishment photos, and a clean New Jersey title.”

♦ Date Sold: 3/18/2026

♦ Offered By: Dealer

♦ The Full BaT Listing

♦ The BaT Community Reaction:

Views: 17,501
Watchers: 1,560
Bids: 17
Comments: 61

Year 5: 1967

♦ The Top Sale: 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 427/400 L68 4-Speed Hammered For $168,000

♦ Key Listing Details:

“This 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible has been refinished in maroon and is powered by a 427ci L68 V8 paired with a four-speed manual transmission. It was optioned with side-exit exhaust pipes, lap and shoulder belts, black vinyl upholstery, a black convertible soft top, power windows, tinted glass, and air conditioning. Additional features include 15″ rally wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, an AM/FM radio, chrome bumpers, and retractable headlights. This C2 was acquired by the selling dealer in 2026 and is now offered in California with a tank sticker, NCRS and Al Grenning verification documents, an owner’s manual, and a clean Texas title.”

♦ Date Sold: 5/20/2026

♦ Offered By: Dealer

♦ The Full BaT Listing

♦ The BaT Community Reaction:

Views: 9,346
Watchers: 1,166
Bids: 41
Comments: 103

2026: 2nd-Generation Sales & Duds Data

♦ 1963:

Sold: 26
No-Sale: 14
Sell-Through Rate: 65%

♦ 1964:

Sold: 8
No-Sale: 5
Sell-Through Rate: 61.5%

♦ 1965:

Sold: 14
No-Sale: 4
Sell-Through Rate: 77.8%

♦ 1966:

Sold: 21
No-Sale: 9
Sell-Through Rate: 70%

♦ 1967:

Sold: 19
No-Sale: 12
Sell-Through Rate: 61.3%

♦ 2nd-Generation Totals:

Sold: 88
No-Sale: 44
Sell-Through Rate: 66.7%

2026 Performance: Mid-Years At A Glance

Rank	Year	Total Sold	Total No-Sales	Total Listings	Sell-Through Rate
5	1967	19	12	31	61.3%
4	1964	8	5	13	61.5%
3	1963	26	14	40	65.0%
2	1966	21	9	30	70.0%
1	1965	14	4	18	77.8%
—	2nd-Gen Totals	88	44	132	66.7%

BaT Heat Check: What’s Moving, From 1953 To 2026!

♦ This is our data from CorvSport’s recent macro-BaT 2026 analysis; read the full feature here!

Rank	Generation	Total Sold	Total No-Sale	Total Listings	Final Sell-Through Rate
1	C6 (6th Gen)	39	3	42	92.9%
2	C4 (4th Gen)	74	14	88	84.1%
3	C7 (7th Gen)	61	18	79	77.2%
4	C3 (3rd Gen)	66	21	87	75.9%
5	C5 (5th Gen)	31	12	43	72.1%
6	C8 (8th Gen)	49	23	72	68.1%
7	C2 (2nd Gen)	88	44	132	66.7%
8	C1 (1st Gen)	38	21	59	64.4%
–	GRAND TOTALS	434	150	584	74.3%

The CorvSport Takeaway

When we started this journey, we wondered whether originality or reinvention would dominate the Mid-Year Corvette market. After reviewing 132 attempted C2 sales on Bring a Trailer, the answer is surprisingly clear: buyers are rewarding both. The Mid-Year crowd produced the largest field of any Corvette generation in our study, with 88 successful sales and 44 no-sales. That 66.7% sell-through rate tells us sellers continue to have lofty expectations for America’s most iconic Corvette generation, often setting reserves higher than what the market is willing to support. Yet when the right cars hit the block, buyers showed up in force.

The Restomod Revolution Is No Longer Knocking

If there was one theme that jumped off the page, it was the strength of the Restomod movement. Three of the five highest-selling Mid-Years were heavily modified customs, exactly the trend we hinted at in our introduction. Leading the charge was the stunning Jeff Hayes–built 1963 Split-Window Coupe, which hammered for an incredible $590,000 and stood not only as the top-selling 1963 but the highest sale across all five Mid-Year model years. Even more impressive was the audience it attracted: 45,492 views, 2,484 watchers, 169 comments, and 21 bids. Those are superstar numbers by any standard. The 1964 custom coupe followed with a healthy $92,500 sale, while generating a staggering 54 bids—one of the highest bid totals we can recall seeing in any of our market studies. The LS3-powered 1965 convertible added another $195,000 result and attracted 48 bids of its own. At this point, calling Restomods a niche corner of the hobby feels outdated. These cars have become legitimate headline makers.

But The Big-Blocks Refused To Surrender

Before anyone starts writing the obituary for factory-correct Mid-Years, the big-block faithful reminded us why originality still matters. The 1966 L72 427/425 convertible brought $173,500, while the 1967 L68 427/400 convertible hammered for $168,000. Both represented highly documented, authentically preserved examples carrying the pedigree collectors crave. Interestingly, the numbers tell a different story than the Restomods. The NCRS-decorated 1966 attracted only 17 bids—the lowest among our top sales—despite its impressive credentials and Duntov Mark of Excellence recognition. Meanwhile, the 1967 generated 41 bids, proving buyers still have plenty of appetite for a genuine big-block Mid-Year. In the end, our final scorecard landed at three Restomods and two factory-original classics among the top sales. That’s not domination by either side; that’s a fascinating coexistence between two very different visions of Corvette passion.

Dealers, Private Sellers, And One Brave No-Reserve Gamble

Another interesting split emerged when we looked at who was selling these top performers. Three of the five top sales came from dealers, while two came from private-party sellers. Yet one of the boldest moves belonged to that private-party-owned 1964 custom coupe, which crossed the block with no reserve. In a market where many Mid-Year sellers appear hesitant to let the auction decide the outcome, this seller rolled the dice and let buyers determine the value. The result? Fifty-four bids, intense engagement, and a successful sale. It’s a reminder that confidence and transparency can still create magic on Bring a Trailer, particularly when a unique build captures bidders’ imagination.

The Mid-Year Market In Context

When we zoom out and compare the C2 against every Corvette generation sold on Bring a Trailer in 2026, the story becomes even more interesting. The Mid-Year Corvette generated the largest volume of listings at 132 total attempts, comfortably leading every generation in seller participation. However, it also posted one of the lower sell-through rates at 66.7%, significantly below Bring a Trailer’s overall platform average of 83% and well behind the Corvette leaderboard.

The C6 led all generations at an astonishing 92.9%, followed by the C4 at 84.1%. The C7 (77.2%), C3 (75.9%), C5 (72.1%), and C8 (68.1%) all outperformed the Mid-Year. Only the first-generation C1 finished lower at 64.4%. What does that tell us? Quite simply, Mid-Years remain among the most desirable Corvettes ever built, but they are also among the most aggressively priced by sellers. Enthusiasm is clearly abundant, as evidenced by the largest participation numbers of any generation, but buyers continue to demand realistic expectations before opening their wallets. In a way, that may be the ultimate compliment to the C2. Even more than sixty years later, these cars still generate enough excitement, debate, and passion to keep both buyers and sellers battling right up until the final seconds of the auction clock.

The CorvSport team gets the privilege to write about Corvettes nearly every day–thanks for being with us on this journey. Now, it’s time to join the CorvSport movement!