The seller understates a lot when the ad here on eBay for this C3 Corvette states “not original.” However, if you are looking for a “driver” and don’t care about originality, the price on this car might appeal — the buy it now is only $4,875 and the seller is willing to look at offers below that. This pretty assembly of various model year parts is located in Dale, Indiana.
Okay, you don’t even have to be an expert to tell there’s something unusual in this picture. The greenhouse of the car seems to be correct for a 1968 since the seller tells us it does have the rear removable window. However, I’m pretty sure that rear bumper cover is from an 80’s C3 due to the font on the nameplate and the integrated spoiler. It does work together, though, as long as you accept that it didn’t come that way from St. Louis (or Bowling Green for the rear cap)!
I think this is a closeup of the very front of the car. It’s pretty scary that someone decided to just paint over this damage. The seller mentions that it looks okay from 10 feet.
The interior actually doesn’t look bad at all. I’m not sure what year it’s from. The seller is good about listing some things that do and don’t work: “The lights work but one is lazy. The tach works but jumps around. The speedometer, fuel, temp and oil pressure gauge and clock work. The am/fm radio does not work. The heater controls are not correct or hooked up and do not work.”
We’re told that this is a 350 cubic inch V8 with a four-barrel carburetor and a set of headers and it’s attached to an automatic transmission. Although the car starts, runs and drives, the seller states they haven’t had it on the road in a while and the last time they did the brakes pulled hard to the right. I appreciate that this is an honest project — do you mind that a lot of the car isn’t original? What about the “assigned” serial number title?
I don’t see anything about that car that indicates it’s a ’68.
Forget the checkered flags, this one has red flags all over it.
The cabin is a 68-72 due to the removable rear window. Other than that, it’s a Johnny Cash special…”one piece at a time…”
How could anybody think the later body panels look better than the 1968?
He probably wasn’t thinking that they looked better, just cheaper at the time. Looks like a low budget special.
Something a workin’ man can afford! Hey, I’m not gonna knock it and as long as it’s kept away from the prying eyes of the purists somebody could end up with their new pride and joy without living on a steady diet of Top Ramen and Hot Dogs for six months in order to buy it.
I seem to recall that the VIN or some type of identifier is stamped on the frame…and I betcha if someone did the work, they could find it…and I betcha it would come back stolen…
I think it’s just fine. I’d like to have it.
If there ever was an example of “buyer beware”, this car is it. There is nothing on that car from 1968. 68’s have many one year only parts, and none of them are present on that car.
The nose, hood, air cleaner, the rear clip, front and rear bumpers, rocker panels, and doors, are all 69 or later parts. Likewise, the dash, steering column and wheel, console, gas pedal, door panels and seats are later parts also.
Even the latches for the removable rear window, aren’t from a 68. 68 latches are rectangular, while the 69-72 latches are rounded on top.
The biggest red flag though, is the VIN number. It has a state issued VIN, with a 68 VIN number on it, but the VIN is for a 68 CONVERTIBLE! If the VIN was for a couple, the 4th digit would be a “3”, not a “6”. The “6” in the 4th position indicates that the VIN was originally issued to a 68 convertible, NOT a coupe!
Great info as always GB, thank you for the heads up. Never knew the 68 rear glass latches are one year only. I do know 68 had a lot of one year only stuff. My buddy owns a tripower 68, nice rig. Wonderful work on the Vin! Thank you, Mike.
Actually, the VIN might explain a lot. If the 68 convertible were converted to a coup (for whatever reason), you could easily end up with a cobbled collection of parts like this. Especially if it were done with minimal cash and with parts available.
just a heads up, VIN stands for “vehicle identification NUMBER” So you are being redundant. Just say VIN
Everybody does it “Vin Number-Number”, its kind of funny!
What gbvette62 said. Frankenstein.
For sure a Johnny cash special.
Or as Garth used to say, a POS.
Main body is 74 up to make it easy to add the front and rear soft bumpers. Mirrors also later. Not hard to add a removable rear window compared to making the rear bumper fit. VIN for a convert means run to me.
If the VIN on the car matched the one on the title AND if the seller would accompany me to a cooperative Police or Sheriff department and they would be willing to look for various ID numbers on whatever parts of the car that may have them and if it raises no red flags with authorities I would chance it. Truthfully a reasonable priced Vette that you could just drive and enjoy without any concerns about collectable value is completely up my alley! I love restored cars but sometimes it’s just nice to have something completely for the fun factor.
This Vette is not a ’68. the doors on a 68 have a thumb push buttom to open them. Also the interior is not a 68. this appears to be a 69 to 73 with a newer front end and a rear spoiler from something newer up to 1982. The spoiler and front end are probably from the same car.