427/4-Speed: 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster

The accumulated cobwebs are a graphic indication that this American classic has not seen active service for many years. It is a highly desirable 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster with a big-block/4-speed drivetrain that should make it a potent vehicle capable of devouring the miles with ease. It has been dragged out of hiding, and the time has come for it to head to a new owner who is willing to return the Corvette to its rightful place on our roads. Located in Renton, Washington, this beauty has been listed for sale here on craigslist. When you look at what is on offer, the $12,000 OBO asking price seems pretty competitive. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder MattR for spotting this classic for us.

Once we step back and take a good look at this Corvette, it shows a lot of promise. Below the heavy layer of dust, the Black paint seems to hold a reasonable shine. I doubt it is of show quality, and I suspect that a more discerning buyer might decide that a repaint is on the cards. The body wears a few modifications, including enlarged fender flares, a small front spoiler that is difficult to spot in the supplied photos, and a subtle integrated rear lip spoiler. Whether these stay or go would be a matter of personal preference, but reversing them before applying fresh paint should not be difficult. The original hardtop is in good order, but there is no soft-top. If the Corvette has been in this garage for years, its dry appearance might have been a good thing for potential buyers. The underside shots are pretty limited, but the general lack of visible surface corrosion suggests that the frame and birdcage might be structurally sound. The trim and chrome look acceptable for a driver-quality car, while I can’t spot any issues with the glass.

The owner is a bit vague about the drivetrain combination, but I believe this car is fitted with the L36 version of the 427ci big-block V8. This monster would’ve churned out 390hp in its prime, which found its way to the 3.73 rear end via a 4-speed manual transmission. That is a combination that commanded respect, with the Corvette capable of blitzing the ¼ mile in 13.7 seconds. It isn’t clear whether the car is numbers-matching, but the owner admits it is a few years since this beast fired a shot in anger. It wears a few aftermarket additions, including headers, a Holley 780cfm carburetor, and a few cosmetic enhancements. After years of inactivity, the buyer will face a few tasks before they hit the key for the first time. The owner identifies a carburetor rebuild, a fuel system flush, and a new battery on the “to-do” list. I would also be inclined to perform a thorough inspection of every aspect of the drivetrain to ensure that there are no other issues that are hiding at present. The brakes will need to be checked, but the lack of visible corrosion gives the impression that getting the Corvette to a roadworthy state might not be a difficult undertaking.

The owner supplies this single interior shot, and the overall impression is that it is in desperate need of a deep clean. The only real flaw that I can spot is some fading on the carpet. Of course, an in-person inspection might identify a few other faults. Still, the upside is that interior trim and upholstery for the C3 Corvette are readily available and relatively affordable. I guess the thing that I find most encouraging is that it appears that there have been no aftermarket additions or changes. It seems that the original owner had a firm focus on the performance credentials of this car because interior options appear to be limited to an AM/FM radio and a telescopic wheel.

If this 1968 Corvette Roadster is as complete and structurally sound as the photos and listing suggest, it could make a fantastic restoration project. There’s no doubt that a fresh coat of paint would make a world of difference, and a competent buyer might consider tackling that task in a home workshop as a Winter project. Reversing the body modifications would be a matter of taste, but even that shouldn’t be that hard. Fully restored, it has the potential to command a value beyond $40,000. When you consider the owner’s asking price, that leaves a lot of room to move on any restoration work before the financial viability comes into question. With those thoughts in mind, maybe this is a classic that deserves more than a passing glance.