I’ve been sitting here trying to think of more enjoyable experiences than slipping behind the wheel of a classic convertible on a sunny day for a spot of top-down cruising. To be honest, not many options come to mind. Those are the opportunities that await some lucky individual if they decide that parking this 1969 Corvette Stingray Convertible in their driveway would be a smart move. This Convertible is finished in one of the rarest colors offered in 1969, and it features its original big-block nestled under the hood. All good things must come to an end, so the owner has decided to part with the Corvette. It is located in Gadsden, Alabama, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $32,875 in a No Reserve auction.

The owner claims that the Tuxedo Black paint that the Corvette wears is a rare color. While this claim would be easy to prove on any Corvette up until 1968, that sort of data is not available for the 1969 model. However, Black was the least popular shade with Corvette buyers up to that point, and the take-up rate generally hovered just below 3%. If this trend continued into the 1969 model year, then it is possible that as few as 1,000 cars wore this shade. When we look beyond the numbers, what we find is a classic that presents superbly. The Black paint shines beautifully, with no evidence of any significant flaws or problems. This covers a fiberglass body that doesn’t appear to have any issues. I can’t spot any cracks or crazing and no evidence of any problems around the bonding strips. The chrome bumpers sparkle magnificently against a Black background, while the remaining trim, the soft-top, and the glass all appear to be excellent. There’s a lot to like here, and the news is just as positive when we take a peek underneath the Stingray. There are the occasional light spots of surface corrosion on the frame, but these are the exception rather than the rule. There’s no penetrating rust to be seen, and if the birdcage is in a similar state, potential buyers could be onto a winner here.

Some people like to slip behind the wheel of a classic sports car, grab it by the scruff of the neck, and become deeply involved in the driving experience. That’s all well and good if you are in that mood, but what if you aren’t? That’s where a car like this Corvette can have a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality. With 390hp at the ready from its 427ci V8, there’s no doubt that the Stingray can provide blinding performance if an owner chooses to poke it with a stick. However, with that motor, a 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes, the option is available to sit back and undertake some effortless touring. That seems to be an excellent compromise, and that thought will attract many potential buyers. They can then choose to be relaxed and carefree, or in the blink of an eye, they could demolish the ¼ mile in 14 seconds. The owner says that the Corvette is a numbers-matching car and that it has a genuine 61,000 miles on the clock. He doesn’t indicate whether he holds evidence confirming the mileage claim, but he does say that the vehicle runs and drives extremely well.

When the original owner ordered this Convertible, it appears that they had their focus firmly set on comfort. That explains the drivetrain that should provide effortless motoring and helps to explain the choice of supple leather upholstery for the interior. The color of choice is Saddle Tan, and it provides a striking contrast against the Black exterior. It is also in excellent condition, with no significant wear or problems with any upholstered surfaces. It looks like there might be some wear on the wheel, but that is one of the few items that I would place a question mark over. The dash and console look excellent, as do the door trims and carpet. As well as the leather trim, the original owner chose to tick the boxes next to the tilt/telescopic wheel and the AM/FM radio.

I admit it. I would love to park this ’69 Corvette Stingray Convertible in my garage. The thought of cruising down some country road on a sunny day behind the wheel of this classic is hard to resist, and it seems that I’m not alone on this. An incredible 48 bids have already been submitted, and there’s plenty of time left on the listing. However, it helps that this is a chrome-bumper C3 Corvette, and they will always attract plenty of attention in the market. With all of those thoughts swimming around in your head, are you tempted to submit a bid? It’s a No Reserve auction, so today could be your lucky day.