The buying public was eagerly awaiting the release of the 1968 Corvette because they knew that its styling would signal a radical departure from its predecessors. This would prove accurate, and today, these early C3 Corvettes are as highly-coveted as they were when they were new. This 1968 model is a tidy survivor, but lifting its presentation to the next level would not appear to be complicated or expensive. That is something for the next owner to consider because the car has just been listed for sale here on eBay. It is located in Medina, Ohio, and while the bidding sits at $15,100, it is yet to reach the reserve.

If a buyer is looking for a tidy driver that they can enjoy immediately, this Rally Red Corvette would seem to fit that description. Its paint holds a good shine, with no significant issues. I’ve checked the photos searching for flaws in the fiberglass, and it all appears to be encouragingly sound. There are no apparent cracks or problems, suggesting that this Corvette has not been abused during its life. The White soft-top has a few dirty marks, but I agree with the owner’s assessment that some careful cleaning could address at least the worst of these. The Corvette also comes with a factory hardtop, although the buyer will need to treat that to a repaint. The trim and chrome show no real problems, nor do the Rally wheels. There is a small crack in the corner of the windshield, but the remaining glass is in good condition. When we delve below the surface, the news remains positive. The frame is dirty, but it appears that most of the factory undercoat is intact. If the birdcage is in a similar state, it means that the Corvette would appear to be structurally sound.

The drivetrain on offer in this Corvette is not the most powerful available in 1968, but the car could never be described as an automotive wimp. What the buyer will get for their money are a 327ci V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission. The first piece of positive news is that the Corvette is numbers-matching. The second is that this 327 is the L79 version. Nearly ⅓ of all buyers in 1968 chose that motor, and for a good reason. It added a mere $105.35 to the purchase price but gave the driver 350hp at their disposal. Point this baby at a ¼-mile, and the journey is over in 14.3 seconds. If the driver is brave enough, keeping the foot to the floor would see the Corvette run out of breath at 147mph. The owner claims that the Convertible has 74,000 original miles on the clock. He doesn’t indicate whether he holds verifying evidence, but he makes it clear that the car is in sound mechanical health. He says that it runs and drives exceptionally well and that everything works as it should. This Corvette is a turn-key proposition for prospective buyers.

If I were to buy this Corvette, my first port of call would be to give the interior a refresh. It presents acceptably for a survivor, but new seat covers and a fresh carpet set would lift its presentation enormously. One interesting sidebar here is what appears to be overspray on the outer edge of the driver’s seat. I’m not sure if this is a fault in the supplied photo or if it results from some sloppy repainting work. If it is the latter, I would be investigating it further to ensure that it isn’t evidence of some low-quality paint or repair work. Beyond that concern, the interior needs a deep clean. There will undoubtedly be other trim pieces that the buyer will need to replace to achieve perfection, but I wouldn’t spend a cent until I cleaned everything.

The 1967 model year had not been the most successful in Corvette history. Only 22,940 buyers chose to park one in their driveway. For the 1968 model year, that number swelled to 28,566, and the C3 Corvette was well on the way to securing its spot in American automotive history. Today, the earlier versions of the C3 with the chrome bumpers continue to command some exceptional prices in the market. A car like our feature one in pristine condition can readily achieve a sale price of $40,000, although higher figures are possible on a good day. Apart from that one potential paint overspray issue that I’ve identified, it seems to have a lot to offer potential buyers. When you look at what would be required to push this car’s presentation to the next level, it is a project that deserves serious consideration.