Considering that the C2 Corvette of 1963 to 1967 is generally considered to be the most desirable, it’s a little hard to imagine that people were eagerly anticipating its replacement. Once the Mako Shark II concept was unveiled in 1965, however, it’s easy to see why everyone was excited. The ’68 Corvette is a beautiful, dramatic design, and that first year might have been its purest. Sure, people will grumble a little about the push buttons on the doors, but there’s no denying that the Mako Shark and its production equivalent did their namesake proud. Along with show car looks came the same basic small- and big-block Chevy engines that were featured in the C2, including the tri-power 427 cubic-inch, 435-horsepower version. The seller is very clear that this ’68 doesn’t have its original engine, but it appears to have the original intake manifold, and that makes it worth a look. It’s on eBay in Foxboro, Massachusetts, with a Buy It Now price of $29,995 and a high bid of $24,500 (as of Thursday evening).
That sounds like an eminently reasonable price for a reasonably clean 427 car, regardless of its numbers-matching status, but I do know that the Corvette world is particular about originality and cars are valued accordingly. The seller says that the engine has “expensive racer components” that make the 427 sound as if it “has a supercharger on it.” Those components include a gear drive and roller rocker arms, so not surprisingly, there “are no warranties on the engine, paint, drivetrain, etc.” I think I might want to hear it run before buying it.
The interior is in good driver shape as well, and a little detailing would have it looking spiffy in no time. A few problems: the headlights don’t pop up, a couple gauges aren’t working, and there’s a hole where the radio should be (but an AM radio comes with the car!). The bright side? It has a 6500-rpm redline on the tachometer and a four speed, so there’s a chance that it is truly a tri-power car.
The few problems that are obvious are outweighed by the fact that it has nice (but not perfect) paint, a solid frame, and a solid birdcage (according to the ad). Money is, of course, relative, and $29,995 is a lot for most of us to be spending on an old car. But considering that this is a big-block ’68 Corvette, it seems like a decent value. And that styling has really held up, hasn’t it.
Nice car. Got to drive a friend’s car right after he bought it new and was impressed to say the least. I’m still on another friend’s list as first buyer of his ’73. Don’t think that’s going to happen as he really loves it.
In the ebay pictures its shows a fm/am radio. A very nice priced corvette even with the little concerns.
Compared to a lot of “muscle cars” Corvettes are cheap. Granted they have limitations such as 2 seats and no trunk, but a lot of cars from this era aren’t used for anything other than a an occasional trip to a local show. The idea that every Corvette must be restored to 100% stock is silly, especially for those that have non-original drivetrains or certain other modifications. If this is close to the condition the seller suggests it could be a lot of fun for the money.
Steve R
when they were new, no one cared about matching numbers. engine blew up, throw another one in
I agree with you about your “fun for the money” comment. I think that it’s a bit overpriced and if you ever driven or even heard a car with gear drive timing you would know that it creates a hell of a racket. Other than that, this is a good-looking car that with minimal work could be a pretty nice little summer run-about.
I hate gear drive, it’s obnoxious. The one place you never hear it, is a race track. A friend used to say it’s for “street weenie’s looking for attention, he hated it more than I do.
Steve R
Auction ended at $27,205. Reserve Not Met.
2 thoughts came to mind:
The ending bid was so close to the BIN that the seller should have just posted the car at $29,995 because that is obviously what they want for the car.
Compared to what we see here for $29,995, this Corvette, with its few small issues, sure seems like a reasonable deal.
Speaking of what else we’ve seen here, compare this car to the ’69 Camaro roller that was listed yesterday for the same money. Which one would you choose?
For a long time, these were the’ forgotten’ Corvettes and at one time they could be had for cheap. This looks to be in nice shape, it’s a big block and a 4 speed! While never being a Corvette person, but knowing it as a sports car; I could never understand an automatic trans in one of these. I know it’s preference but this raw power (for me) needs to be shifted!!
A college had one of these with the original 427/435 mill. I was not a fan when the C3 body came out……………..but his car was SCARY fast……….and I burned my legs on the side pipes more than once!
Got to put some nice looking valve pans on!
I assume that you mean valve or rocker covers.
An electrician I knew pulled his late sons ‘68 Corvette out of storage about 5 years ago. He had put it away for his grandson who was only 17 and wasn’t really a car guy. Jerry, the electrician, health was failing and I think that’s why he got the car out so the grandson could at least get to it easily. Jerry wasn’t really into cars either, but on further questioning we determined that the car was a L71 427 tri power, 4 speed, and had 48k miles on it. Jerry passed away suddenly one weekend, so I don’t know what became of the car after his passing. His grandson should have been a lucky man, because Jerry left him a large chunk of money, properties that I’m not sure anyone was aware he even owned, and a 68 Corvette that was like new. Jerry was an interesting character, two tours in Vietnam in 68-69, corrections officer, NCSHP retired after 15 years after being hit by a drunk driver while investigating another drunk driver, and successful electrical contractor until his death. RIP Jerry
My 3rd time through. I keep coming back, great color.
I imagine a smaller steering wheel with power steering would improve ergonomics immensely.
Ya know, I’m not really big on the 68. It is the heaviest of all the Vettes up through the C4 series years. It was a transition premiere off from undoubtedly the finest looking era of Stingrays.
This one appears to be well, okay.
I, personally will hold all my cards until the “one” pokes it’s head out from under the bunch grass.
It is just not this one.
Wow. A 3×2 435-horse solid lifter 427/4-speed? Hoo-wee! Couldn’t have been a whole bunch of these. Looks like leather interior. The ’68 wheel was larger than later years but am I just not seeing a turn indicator stalk?