Chrome-bumper C3 Corvettes have been a staple of the classic scene for decades, and pristine examples with the right drivetrain combination can command respectable prices. This 1969 example is far from perfect, requiring a frame-off restoration to reach that standard. It features a big-block under the hood that would provide excellent performance once it returns to our roads, but it appears that the seller has had trouble moving this classic to a new home. They have listed the ‘Vette here on eBay in Lutz, Florida. Their auction is set to open at $1,000, although they have received no bids at the time of writing.
Chevrolet’s C3 Corvette hit a sweet spot with buyers, and with sales topping 30,000 cars for the first time in 1969, there was no arguing that it was a success. The information supplied by the seller of our feature car is vague, leaving us begging for more. The tired Monza Red paint might respond to polish, but I suspect that any potential buyers will choose a frame-off process if restoration is their aim. That allows the opportunity to strip away the existing paint to achieve a high-end result. The fiberglass looks to be in generally good condition, although the rear fenders now sport larger flares to prevent stone chips behind the back wheels. Whether they stay or go will depend on personal preferences. The biggest question hanging over this Corvette is the presence of rust. The supplied images reveal problems at the top of the windshield frame, making me wonder whether that might be the tip of the iceberg. The seller states that the frame is solid, but I still feel that an in-person inspection is justified to remove any lingering doubts.
The seller admits that this Corvette is no longer numbers-matching. They continue their trend of providing limited information about the car’s history. However, if the hood badges are an accurate guide, the first owner ordered this car with a 427ci V8 under the hood. The most popular big-block option in 1969 was the L36, producing 390hp and 460 ft/lbs of torque. It was selected by 27% of buyers, meaning that cars with that engine aren’t rare. This car’s 427 has made way for a 454, bolted to a three-speed automatic transmission. We are flying blind about the engine’s origins, specifications, and health. The seller confirms that it doesn’t run, but doesn’t indicate whether it turns. It looks pretty clean, and while that is encouraging, it isn’t proof that this big-block is healthy.
The “total restoration” theme continues inside this Corvette, with the Black vinyl trim and carpet well beyond their best. As with many classics of this vintage, everything required to achieve a factory-fresh look is available from a wide selection of suppliers, and the prices are generally pretty reasonable. The factory radio has left the building in favor of a radio/cassette player, which appears to be the only addition. The lack of factory features like power windows and a tilt/telescopic wheel suggests that the original owner focused on performance when ordering this classic.
The lack of auction action on this 1969 Corvette is unsurprising because the listing is only a few hours old. However, this isn’t the seller’s first attempt to send the car packing. Thirty-two bids pushed the price to $7,100 in their previous auction, which fell short of the reserve. Do you think they will taste success this time, or will a lower reserve be required?
Buff it out, get the engine running, reupholster and drive it was my first thought. And then I saw the picture of the A pillar, what is that?
Looks like a vette, smells like a vette..so it must be a vette.
Maybe.
Maybe people won’t bid a project up to much not knowing what a total rebuild might cost. The seller might have to lower his reserve to move it unless he knows something that we should know.
Greg G, wouldn’t you think that the owner would be wanting everyone to know of all the high points of this vette?
I mean let’s face the facts. There’s not a bunch that we have to spend much time on at this point in time.
The poor car kinda reminds me of something my dad used to say about a car that he was going to trade in to my uncles dealership.
He would say, well son, the ashtray is dirty. Time for a new one. Dad never smoked.
Current and only bid now 8,000.00. No reserve or reserve met. Like the car but the rust, especially on a Corvette, scares me.
Adam, you said that there were 32 bids have pushed the price to $7,100.
When I look, it says there is 1 bid at 8K.
Strange.
If the top of the windshield pillar looks like that, guaranteed there are issues all the way down to the bottom. Removing the kick panels on both side will reveal much.
The engine “looks” okay, but there are no plug wires, distributor, or much else.
How far away is Lutz from Miami? This one smells a lot like one from our favorite Miami Corvette shyster.
Lutz is just north of Tampa. I had a 69 with a crusty birdcage. No, thanks.
Most likely one of those yard sale advertising leaders. Sitting on the front yard as a raffle.
Just a thought.
Don’t you love the ones that say deposits are refundable.?
The reserve is most likely $8001. There is only one bid for $8k.
Just another thought.
I like the vetts up to 1967 newer no thanks
It all depends on how much you like a vetted, it’s got the 427, could it be a 69 KING OF THE ROAD? WHO KNOWS, however, let’s accept that this is a Frame off restoration, no doubt, it’s definitely not Trash, to get a fine total restoration, about 25,000, but look at what you have, an ICON VETTE, better than paying out about 100,000, for what out now, which quite frankly, they don’t even look like vettes anymore