427/4-Speed: 1968 Chevrolet Corvette

From a “bang for your bucks” perspective, it’s easy to see why 7,717 buyers in 1968 chose to equip their new Corvette with the L36 version of the 427ci big-block V8. It represented a minimal outlay and endowed the ‘Vette with enough performance to satisfy most enthusiasts. Our feature car is one of those vehicles and is in excellent condition for its age. It is a classic that needs little more than a new owner craving the effortless performance that can only come from a large-capacity V8. Located in Jupiter, Florida, the owner has listed this gem for sale here on eBay. Frantic bidding action has pushed the price to $35,100, although this remains short of the reserve.

The seller indicates that they purchased the Polar White Corvette from an estate, and the deceased former owner purchased it new in 1968. The previous owner treated it to a repaint in its original shade, and it still presents well. The seller says that the new owner could enjoy the car as-is, although it would make an excellent foundation for a Concours restoration. Either option seems viable, but only an in-person inspection would determine which path is most appropriate. If the supplied photos prove an accurate representation, the paint and panels present well enough for the car to remain untouched. There are no glaring paint flaws, while the fiberglass exhibits no signs of cracks, fatigue, or other issues.  The seller doesn’t mention any rust problems, and there is nothing in the supplied photos that raises red flags. Most of the tinted glass is original, although the windshield is new due to a crack in the original. The exterior trim is excellent for a survivor, and the original owner’s decision to order the car with full wheel covers helps it stand out in a crowd.

The Corvette is a numbers-matching car with a desirable drivetrain combination. The L36 version of Chevrolet’s big-block V8 churns out 390hp that finds its way through a four-speed manual transmission to a 3.70 Posi rear end. This combination wasn’t the most potent in the Corvette’s armory, but it still offered neck-snapping performance. If the driver pointed this classic down a ¼ mile, the journey would be a distant memory in 13.7 seconds. Given its head, the motor would run out of breath with the needle nudging 150mph. The seller indicates that a few peripheral parts like the front calipers, rotors, master cylinder, and exhaust are new. Most of the removed parts are included if the buyer wants to perform restoration work. The remaining suspension components and drivetrain are original, with no modifications or additions. They hold the Tank Sticker that verifies this, along with the original Owner’s Manual and other relevant documentation. They claim the car has a genuine 30,000 miles showing on the odometer but fails to mention supporting evidence. The ‘Vette runs and drives well and is a turnkey proposition awaiting a new owner.

The seller indicates that the Corvette’s interior recently received a new carpet set but that the remaining trim and upholstery is original. Its overall presentation is as impressive as every other aspect of this classic. The original owner selected Saddle vinyl upholstery, which shows no wear or physical damage. The dash and console look excellent, with the console section near the HVAC controls worthy of special mention. That is one aspect of the interior particularly prone to wear and damage, but it looks close to perfect on this car. Luxury appointments are limited to a factory radio, but the lack of equipment like power windows and a tilt/telescopic wheel wouldn’t cause the interior to receive any negative comments from enthusiasts.

The sticker price on a new 1968 Corvette Coupe was around $4,663, with the L36 engine option adding a further $200.15 to that price. The company offered buyers other big-block options, but the starting point for those was 50% higher than the L36. The only optional engine more popular than the L36 was the L79 version of the 327ci small-block, which 9,440 buyers selected. But with less power and torque, it couldn’t live with the 427 when it came to outright acceleration. That is one of the reasons why cars like this 1968 Corvette remain desirable and why the bidding action can prove frantic when they hit the market. I would expect the price to top $40,000 before the auction ends, although, given its overall condition and originality, I wouldn’t rule out $45,000 as a closing figure. I’m going to watch this auction to see whether this classic finds a new home.