UPDATE 02/02/2022 – If there is an award for persistence, it has to fall to the owner of this original Tri-Power 1968 Chevrolet Corvette. It seems that he has previously fallen foul of a non-paying bidder on his first attempt to sell this big-block classic, and his second listing failed to meet the reserve. Maybe it will be a case of “third time lucky,” and if sheer determination counts for anything, we have to wish him success this time. You can find it here on eBay in Minneapolis, Minnesota with bidding starting at $10,000. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this returning classic for us.
FROM 8/23/2021 – There were fewer than 5,000 “tri-carb” Corvettes built during 1968, so the 400hp (L68) or 435hp (L71) horsepower cars are quite rare and desirable today. This particular one has seen better days and is now listed for sale. The owner has set his listing to open at $10,000, but there have been no bids at the time of writing. If you’re the high bidder, you’ll have to get the car to your home from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
While the engine and four-speed are two points favoring this car, the body condition is a big negative. There are bond line separations and damage all over the fiberglass body, and the metal frame is rusted in some spots. The story goes that the current owner of the Corvette purchased it with the intention of rebuilding and driving the car — but the person that sold it to them overstated the condition of the car and there’s too much work remaining for the owner’s taste.
The listing includes many close-up photos of the damage to the vehicle. I’ve never done any major fiberglass repair myself but I understand there’s quite an art to it. The rust on the bumpers and cast exhaust exit ducts also worry me a bit although replacement parts are certainly available, and you can certainly buy any body parts you need.
This is not a pretty picture, but kudos to the seller for including it. Honestly, I would look at a replacement frame; as the seller notes, they aren’t that difficult to find, although I don’t know if there are any differences between the first C3 model year like this and later ones. It’s a little ironic to be concerned about rust when you are looking at a Corvette, but that’s the reality of a car that’s now 53 years old.
Here’s the magic that brought both power and economy — okay, that last one is relative — to the 427-cubic-inch V-8. The three two-barrel carburetors were expensive compared to a single four-barrel, but reports are that the extra dollars were worth it. I just don’t know if the extensive restoration necessary on this car would be worth it to me. What do you think? Have any of you owned a tri-carb car?
To rough for me now, I would have problems just getting the linkage together. It will be sweet when done. Best of luck to the buyer and seller, who seems fairly up front with whats here.
Same comment as the Chevelle convertible but I’d ask the question about both of them as to how long do you plan on living and how big is your bank balance?
I will stick with my 1986 Ford Escort Pony, White hatch back, 4 Speed and no radio.
Weeeeeak!
You do that, it sounds like it’s your speed.
Your car rocks. Keep up the good work. Perhaps it could be made into a low rider.
Chuck! You still got that Pony ?????? Giddy Up!!!!!!
And I bet you’re an excellent driver, aren’t you, Rain Man?
That’s northern state car looks like not good
I guess that if you have to say something nice, you could say that the bond lines most likely indicate that it is a no hit body.
The double VIN stamping on the engine block is interesting. That probably didn’t happen much.
Over the last 50+ years I’ve been playing around with old cars, I’ve actually seen probably 12 to 15 double struck GM blocks, each one was struck the second time because the human who had the job of lining up the stamp/hammer didn’t do it correctly, and only a portion of the digits were readable.
The federal regulation basically says the digits must be complete and readable, and any second strike must be done in a way that none of the digits touch the first strike. It also says the first strike digits cannot be erased or voided, and must be “as stamped”, and of course both numbers must match! With this block, it’s clear that this is a factory double strike.
With a the folks resto-moding C3 Corvettes there are plenty of NICE ROLLING FRAMES available for the picking at very attractive prices.
Not difficult at all to roll a good frame under this car to start with and go from there. A buyer would be foolish to try and fix or repair the original frame of this Yankee car!
When the local Corvette club members found out we could repair the 1968 Corvette windshields without removing the windshield [on most of them anyway] we had plenty of the cars come in for the work.
It seems that when built in KY, the early 1968 cars not only didn’t get sprayed with a top coat of paint, but they didn’t even get primed, so when the stainless windshield cover was installed, it trapped the water inside, and the bare metal rusted terribly.
When the first 1968 Corvette came into the shop, the owner warned us that the simple act of removing the windshield on the convertible ‘Vettes, could result in the rusted windshield frame moving out of place.
So we created a simple 22 gauge sheet metal piece that covered the entire windshield. My guys used a set of rollers and an English wheel to make it so it covered the windshield glass from edge to edge. Held down with a couple of sandbags, it prevented any welding spatter from damaging the glass. We cut and shaped 2 smaller sheet metal masks to fit on the inside area as well, again held in place with sandbags.
The rear bumper and exhaust bezel rust, aren’t a big deal. The bumper rust is typical for these cars, and the bezels are pot metal and started pitting when new.
Good used frames can be found, and new frames are available for $6500. Other than a couple braces that were added in 69, 68-74 frames are basically the same, and 75-79 frames are similar enough that they’re easy to convert. 63-67 frames are also very close. My concern wouldn’t be the frame though, the rust in the cowl, that can be seen in the picture of the trim tag, indicates there’s probably serious issues with the birdcage. The rusted out doors the seller mentions are pretty common for 68’s, but good used replacements are hard to find.
The seller says he set a “reasonable” reserve, but at the current bid of $12,200 the reserve still hasn’t been met. All I see is an overpriced parts car.
I Agree the car is only worth what is at the time of sale and this car needs way to much work and parts . Overpriced is the key word here , If anyone give more than 10-11k they must have money to waste . What it once was isn’t what it is now . Lots of rust issues and wiring problems are sure to be there , plus the frame , I’d pass .
SOLD for $18,201.
If rusty early C3s keep selling for this type of money, we could start seeing decent ones enter the lower C2 territory.
Wow Dennis, seems like big money to me. Take care.
Same here, Mike.
The tri-card setup is worth something, but the rest of that car is scary.
Any rust? Nah, just a bit around the holes in the frame…
I own a 68 that I learned the hard way, the 68 has a lot of one year only year parts that are rare and expensive to find. That frame is shot, it will need to be replaced. Its not the damage I see, it the damage you can’t see that will cause you to toss it. Anyone notice the center carb is a different color? The driver front fender bonding strip is coming apart, meaning the rest are shortly behind it. Car will need a frame off restoration to bring it back to glory. But what a glorious ride when completed. Good luck to the deep pocketed person that buys this.
“Only 5000” tri-powers made? And that’s considered rare? I owned a new ’68 L68, and the first thing to be replaced was the vacuum linkage on the carbs for a mechanical version.
One word! Parts
One word,Junk!
Oops, landed here by mistake. From the thumbnail photo I thought I was looking at an Opel GT. But when I opened the article I saw the cracks in the fiberglass and knew that it just another big clone. No ill intent, just balancing the mini-vette comments, that give me indigestion. Barnfinds is pretty cool, please don’t ask them to ban me.
I was wondering why I’d never seen this one around town. Then I noticed all the missing parts and knew why. Then I saw it has a Connecticut title and all the rust and body issues. No way regardless of the drivetrain would I pay that much for a car in this condition. Too much money and work needed to make this thing right and that does not even consider the potential birdcage issues.
Around here people put their Vettes away for the winter, so that has to be Connecticut salt damage IMO.
Ended:
Aug 29, 2021
Winning bid:
US $15,300.00
[ 41 bids ]
Located in:
Minneapolis, Minnesota,
Winning bid X 2.5 = Final price of admission. We will see this car again soon and I doubt it will look much different.
Another one pictured right after it was rolled off the trailer. At least they waited until it was unloaded. That spindly ratchet strap hanging from the front end is a nice touch, but I sure as heck hope that’s not what they used to tie the car to the trailer with!!
Judging by the looks of the frame picture someone is in for a lot of hard work with this one…
Another one pictured right after it was rolled off the trailer. At least they waited until it was unloaded. That spindly ratchet strap hanging from the front end is a nice touch, but I sure as heck hope that’s not what they used to tie the car to the trailer with!!
Judging by the looks of the frame picture someone is in for a lot of hard work with this one…
Simply too much money to get right.
Sold twice? Smells like a fishy scam to me! Run very far away from this one!