427/4-Speed! 1968 Chevrolet Corvette

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1968 was an important year for the Chevrolet Corvette, as it was the beginning of the third generation of Chevy’s sporty two-seater.  The car received a whole new body and interior for the ’68 model, which carried the Corvette all the way through 1982.  Buyers embraced the new design, and Chevrolet managed to sell 28,566 units for the 1968 model alone.  With so many examples produced, ’68s aren’t that hard to find these days, and in just about any condition a buyer may be looking for.  If you’ve been thinking about how much fun you’d have behind the wheel of a big block 4-Speed C3 in weekend cruiser condition, this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette might just fit that bill.  Located in Everett, Washington, it can be seen here on eBay with a current bid of $15,200.  There’s no reserve so the high bidder will be the car’s next owner.

The story behind this one is that the previous owner had the Corvette since 1979, but put the car into storage some 20 years ago when he moved out of the country.  Then the current owner came along and says he brought the car back to life but is very upfront about it not being in trailer queen condition, though he does state that it’s a solid car and has never been in any accidents.  The car has a downright mean-looking stance with that custom flared rear end and those chrome 5-spoke wheels.  Only a hardtop comes with the car, and the seller says he was told it was not ordered with the soft top.

Under the hood is a 427 cubic inch V8, which the owner thinks is non-numbers-matching but he is sure that the Corvette is a big block car.  Upon acquisition, the oil and coolant were changed, a new Holley carburetor and new battery were added, the gas tank was cleaned, fuel lines were replaced, then the car is said to have fired right up.  The motor is stated to run great with no smoke and no leaks, plus the compression seems to be great.  The 4-Speed transmission is also said to be good, with a nice tight clutch.

The birdcage is said to be very solid and the interior is stated to be nice and clean, with good upholstery and carpets.  The steering column has been changed to a tilt wheel, but the original column will also be included with the sale.  There’s also a video included, with a good walkaround and the car running and being driven.  This ‘Vette seems like a pretty good driver and possibly a big block 4-Speed that may not break the bank.  What are your thoughts on this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette?

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Comments

  1. leiniedude leiniedudeMember

    No more click to watch without comment?

    Like 0
    • PRA4SNW

      Hey Mike – I hope not!

      It keeps telling me that I have to become a member to add images, yet it says the word “Member” right next to my name.

      Like 1
      • leiniedude leiniedudeMember

        Some crazy stuff going on here Dennis, have a great day!

        Like 0
  2. Melton Mooney

    I really like it, but I’m not sure where it fits in. Vette guys will be turned off by the body mods and NOM, and investors will shy away from same. The big block sort of takes it out of the spring day cruiser category, which is a shame with a vert. Seems to me that it’s best suited for street brawls, which is okay, except that it’s getting harder to justify a one trick pony these days.

    Like 4
  3. CadmanlsMember

    Really nice in the pictures, price is reasonable. Sinister look, street breast.

    Like 5
    • Melton Mooney

      Heh heh heh…breast.

      Like 16
      • 370zpp 370zpp

        Thettle down, Bevith . .

        Like 6
  4. Frank D

    This is the year Corvette that the fiberglass peeled back around the headlight doors. No it was not from going Mach 1.0 either.

    Like 1
    • RC Graham

      @Frank D. – I had no such trouble with either of my C2’s.

      Like 1
      • Frank D

        A friend in the local NE Corvette club years ago had a 68 and took it back to the dealership where he purchased it new. The fiberglass started to lift on the area around the headlight doors. I guess his was not the only one. I had a 69 and never had that problem. I also think the best Corvettes were C1’s and C2’s. I owned a 65,73, 75 and 81. The 75 and 81 were terrible. I switched to Porsche and will never own another vette.

        Like 0
  5. gbvette62

    As modified Corvettes go, in my opinion it’s more attractive than most. With Cragars, that ugly old Hurst shifter and handle, and M/T valve covers, it does have that old school look, and does appear to have been built some time ago.

    The engine in this car is NOT a 427. The codes on the block stamp pad indicate it’s a 350 horse 402 out of a 70 Chevelle or Camaro (the VIN stamp is not clear enough to determine which). I didn’t read the posting (who really thinks bold type and no paragraphs is a good idea for an ad?), but from a quick glance it seems the seller is claiming it’s a 427.

    The VIN, 213, makes this is a very early 68, built the first week of production in September 67.

    Like 6
    • RC Graham

      @gbvette62 – Thank you. That is really good information.

      My 1968 was built the same week as my birthday, which was the same week I got my driver’s license.

      Like 6
    • Melton Mooney

      Yes, good information. So the 402 would be an easy sale to make way for the kind of brawn that this car actually exudes. Interesting that there are no pics with the top off.

      Like 0
  6. Frank D

    Last year for ignition switch on dash and push button door latches.

    Like 3
    • gbvette62

      Interestingly, this car has a 69-75 Corvette tilt/tele column in it, so it now has two ignition switches! Since there’s a key in the switch on the dash, I’m assuming that the one on the column is inactive?

      Like 2
      • PRA4SNW

        Nice looking Frakenvette.

        Seller claims it has a 427 and thinks it came without a drop top – highly unlikely. I’m not sure that was even a thing you could do in ’68. gbvette, do you know?

        Like 0
      • gbvette62

        PRA4SNW, for some reason the site wouldn’t let me reply to your question, but it would let me reply to my own post????

        Chevrolet always offered Corvette convertible buyers the choice of soft top only, removable hardtop only, or both tops. There was no extra charge for the hardtop in place of the soft top, but ordering both tops did cost extra.

        Chevrolet still offers buyers a similar choice today. While Chevrolet no longer offers a removable hardtop, since 84 Corvette coupes have been available with a choice of a painted top, a see thru top, or both tops.

        Like 2
      • joenywf64

        Is it true if you swap in a later-than-’68 steering column, the steering wheel would be further from the driver’s chest? – maybe that’s the reason it’s there in this car? Would be amusing to cover up the live ignition switch on the dash & watch a thief try to start the car with the column switch, & then pulling it out to play with the wires behind it. lol

        Like 0
  7. erik johnston

    I really like this one even though its had a lot of body mods.The price seems great if it does not go ballaisc. The vette has all the right stuff for a fun-hang on tight ride.I had a 68 myself 7 or soyears ago. I got it with a 454/4spd that was a looker and scary to drive it also used to be original 327 car,but it had all the converson to big block done right.4:11 posi rear with big block spring, bigger radiator it had a B&M super charger.The last year i had it,i pulled the big block and went with a milder 350.Tamed the car down.If I had the space and the price dont go nuts i,d be a player.I like rhe look.

    Like 2
    • John S Dressler

      Wow! With a 411 rear posi I can only imagine what that big block was spinning on the tach! Had to pass everything but a gas station. My 454 SuperSport Monte has a 342 rear posi and tachs 3000 RPMs at just 70 mph.

      Like 1
  8. Chris

    “chrome 5-spoke wheels”? Otherwise known as Cragars! lol

    Like 6
  9. RC Graham

    My first Corvette was one I really didn’t own. My next door neighbor owned a 1969 350/350 4-speed, air coupe. And a station wagon. And a Lamborghini. He left the keys in all of them. His standing instructions were to “just come and get whichever one you want. If you see it’s there, it’s available.” He knew that he would get it back in better shape than when it left… with a full tank of gas, too. But I always seemed to have a Corvette for date night. I used it (and treated it) like it was mine.

    Then came the HemiCuda Convertible, and then the first Corvette that was really mine. It was a 1969 427 3X2 4-Speed factory A/C roadster (only a removable hard top, no soft top, same as the Corvette offered here). It also had one of those early car alarm systems, that made it look like it had a trunk, because the key to activate and deactivate was where you would expect the trunk key to go, if it had one.

    There is a whole story behind the customization, wreck, return to stock and sale of my first love. As well, there is an excellent story behind my acquisition of the 1968 convertible (soft top, no hard top), which was identical in spec to the 1969, except the year (and the ’68 had one of those funky Speed Warning speedometers). Both are stories for another day.

    These are HUGELY underappreciated cars, relative to the C2’s (used to be mid-years – I also had a 1965 396 convertible for about 14 years), and are beautiful, performance bargains. The subject of this placing seems to be a very desirable example, and may be a bargain, if it goes away at anything near the current bid. As always, factory A/C would be nice.

    Like 4
  10. Mike B

    What happened to the flames I painted on it? Oh yeah, that was a model.

    Like 3
  11. CCFisher

    The hardtop without a soft top has to be unusual. The ’68 brochure clearly indicates they were available that way, but I can’t imagine many were built. Seems very inconvenient to me.

    Like 2
    • PRA4SNW

      I guess that answers my earlier question.

      Like 1
  12. Rw

    Melton we finally again on sumpin,no topless pics..

    Like 0
  13. leiniedude leiniedudeMember

    Ended:May 08, 2022 , 9:24PM
    Winning bid:
    US $37,100.00
    [ 59 bids ]

    Like 0
  14. Ted Marks

    this car sold for $37100 on eBay

    Like 0

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