Everyone has their own idea of their “perfect dream car” but it seems that mine changes every single day. Feast your eyes on what may very well be the nicest surviving L71 Corvette convertible. Having 3 owners in its past, it is believed and “verified” that this big block ‘Vette has covered only 24,604 miles in its lifetime! Packing a 427 Tri-Power set up with a stick shift, does it get any better than this?! Although high on the dream car wish list, many of us need to consider playing the lottery to capture this $97,500 Corvette. Check out this beauty here on craigslist out of Mundelein, Illinois.
Awe inspiring with its beauty and character, this 427 cubic inch V8 is “hardly” broken in. Meticulously cared for, and mostly original, the seller has documented what parts have been replaced from the April 6, 1968 scheduled build date. Few things bring joy like a well-functioning and beautiful Tri-Power Carb set up. With 435 horsepower and a 4 speed gear box, it is easy to imagine that this Corvette is an absolute thrill to pilot. Beyond the thrilling experience, the engine bay is quite tidy with only a few very minor signs of age, but nothing that is out of place, or cause for alarm.
Inside of this powerful American sports car is an interior that has been beautifully maintained, and shows little in the way of age. Plush, and wrinkle free, the seats are like new. The steering wheel and dash and crisp and clean, and the door panels have no sun fade, and no signs of elbow wear. The only issue that can be pointed out is that the center console has some very paint chips.
“Corvette Bronze” really sets this ‘Vette apart as the paint reflects the lines beautifully and captures the sun in about a million different ways. A factory hardtop is included with the car, and the convertible top is white. For the asking price, the photos could have a little higher resolution, but also for the price, many would have to see this beauty in person. With that being said, there are no obvious signs of damage or wear to the body or paint. The chrome and trim is all in place and everything looks as nice as it did in 1968. Absolutely stunning, where does this Corvette rank on your “dream car” wish list?
Good one Brian ! Dream list is correct, high on my list for sure. Happy to see the steel bumper cars here today. Funny, a lot of people do not consider Corvettes muscle cars. Maybe this will change some minds.
“Muscle car is an American term used to refer to a variety of high-performance automobiles. A large V8 engine is fitted in a 2-door, rear wheel drive, family-style compact, mid-size or full-size car designed for four or more passengers. Sold at an affordable price, muscle cars are intended for street use and occasional drag racing.They are distinct from two-seat sports cars and expensive 2+2 GTs intended for high-speed touring and road racing.”
But whom are you quoting?
I believe they called all these cars “super cars” back then.
Nope, and they didn’t call them muscle cars either, Cudas, Goats, Geetos, Vettes, 396, that’s what we called em, I know I owned them.
I wii be surprised if this car isn’t bought quickly. Curious why owner did CL and wasn’t on EB or online auction site where it could go potentially higher.
Somebody knew what they were doing when they ordered this baby from the factory.
I’d like to see a car with these claims run through the NCRS Flight and Bowtie judging. Since that would validate the car, I’m always curious when people don’t do this. Hmmm.
Corvette Friday. Keep it going!
Awesome car. The L89 aluminum head option would make it even more rare, and worth about twice as much…
When I was in junior high school in the early 80’s, my brothers had a friend whose older brother had a wrecked 69 L89 roadster in their barn. He tried to outrun a train (!) and tied (lost). THe front clip was torn up pretty badly, but the car was feasible to be fixed, even if it wasn’t an L89 car. He wouldn’t sell it but it eventually disappeared. It was a medium green color (extremely popular at the time).
I would like to think tha tit is still out there somewhere, repaired and restored back like new and not parted of its’ unique drivetrain.
One like the one I remember as a kid…
You say they have all the receipts from day one. With all the stories about the quality of a 68 it would be interesting to see what was done in the first two years. Great looking car. Do I see an air pump on the engine, does that make it a California car?
Air pumps were standard equipment on all the Chevy manual shifts..I took my new ’69 small block to the speed shop and he took it off, and set up the engine.
1968’s were just so much badly built…..drove several…..hit a bump and everything rattled……crappy builds…..would never have one, L-71 or not….tightened them up in 1969 of which I have had several….but drive a ’68 and see for yourself……no thanks….
I owned a 64 coupe, and will always like the styling of the older Vettes more then the later iterations. However, I would love to get my hands on the running gear. I am a big block fan, and that is one fantastic engine.
All the money in the world + some for the year, even with the low mileage. Most of the production of the 68’s & 9’s were big blocks so not really rare. Maybe, maybe, if it had the L89 option (aluminum heads), but even then.
I’ve been looking for an early C3 big block for a couple of years. Like Dan mentions, the 68’s are from all reviews (owners & articles) pretty bad cars and the one to skip. The tri-power is cool, but with many of them replaced by a four barrel, I think it says something about driveability. Lately, I’ve been looking for an LT1. Sound more fun.
“Most” of the 68’s and 69’s built were not big blocks. In round numbers, there were 28,500 68’s built, about 11,700 were 427’s. Of the 37,700 69’s, 15,200 of them were 427’s.
GM built plenty of 427’s, but they weren’t even close to half the total 68-69 production, and the vast majority of 427’s were the milder 427/390 (7,700 68’s, 10,500 69’s). 435’s were just one percent of the 68’s built, and well less than one percent of the 69’s.
I love LT-1’s, but from a driveability and reliability standpoint, the 427/390 and 400 are much more trouble free than the high revving, solid lifter LT-1.
Personally, I think the best all around engine available, was also the most popular engine, the 69-70 350/350 small block.
Then add to the list, non hardened valve seats (from what I remember) meaning it needs a lead additive in all likelyhood, high compression engine and the need for high octane fuel. Had a friend with something close, IIRC he said he got about 10 mpg on the highway and that was in the days before OPEC. I’d hate to try driving something that thirsty across country today.
Aluminum heads do have seats and run cooler. I would run an upper cylinder additive in any engine to keep the valves lubricated and keep carbon from building up on the valves.
Modern gasoline is garbage, but you can find stations that sell the higher octane fuels. It is inconvenient, but are you really going to use this car as a daily driver?
Mileage? Who would buy a 435 horse high performance car and think they were buying it because they want an economy cruiser.
I have a high performance 454 in one of my vehicles, and with the overdrive, the mileage is quite reasonable.
Beautiful car with a great drivetrain, but as mentioned above since it is a ’68 I think they might have a hard time selling for the asking price.
That tri power 427 has more attitude than dirty harry! Killer street engine back in the day.
Corvette Friday
Pontiac Banshee, ohc straight 6, 1965 prototype
Pontiac didn’t want to steal the Mako’s thunder so this car was never built.
The banshee concept car had a 326 from a lemans/tempest not tho ohc 6 and GM didnt want it stealing the vettes lime light/sales so GM brass pulled the plug…..and i believe they built 3 but only one survives….
I heard the story, I don’t know a whole lot about it. A lot more Banshee’s out there than I thought.
I’m the proud owner of a C3 and C4 Corvette both in Immaculate condition low mileage I got to MIT that also is beautiful
Cool, wouldn’t mind looking for a tripower,i think the 400 HP tri made 400 lbs of torque at 4,000 compared to 400 lbs at 5,000 for the 435 HP tri , something like that