That’s right, this C3 left the factory with a 390 horsepower 427 V8 paired to a 4 speed. After accumulating just 51k miles, it was put into storage and that’s where it stayed until just recently. It looks to be in decent shape, with a clean interior and an engine that’s said to run nicely. It isn’t all sunshine and rainbows though, as the original 427 was removed back in the ’80s and a 350 installed in it’s place. If you just happen to have an L36 sitting around, you could return it to it’s original state and have one heck of a Corvette! Find this project here on eBay in Scottsville, New York with a current bid of $13,700.
The engine situation is a bit of a bummer, but on the upside the 350 is a great little engine and this one is already running. One idea would be to make this Corvette a nice driver with the 350, so you could start enjoying it right away. Then when a date code correct 427 is found, you could swap the engines and have it back to factory condition. Or you could just leave the 350 and add some performance parts to make up the power difference. Which would it be for you?
While the interior definitely needs a good cleaning, it isn’t in too of bad shape. The seller has new carpets for it that they are including. Install the carpets, clean everything really well, treat the upholstery, get any damaged seams stitched up and it should be ready to hit the street!
The lack of the original 427 definitely hurts the value, but the current bid seems realistic all things considered. Those that want a collectors piece/investment may want to skip over this one, but if you just want a C3 project that doesn’t need a ton of work to be a driver, this one is worth a closer look!
The second they hit the key on firing up that 350 after the swap, a lightening bolt came down out of the sky and danced in Junior’s coconut until he was vanquished back to the Land of Tards from which he had escaped. Though shalt NOT challenge the BIG BLOCK GODS!
Amen to that!!!!
well thats no fun
Just a note: The chrome in the gills was 1969 only. Other than that, there might be some corrosion lurking, especially in the doghouse. The good news is, that corrosion on Corvettes is rarely the traumatizing experience it is on a unibody (for instance). Except for the lack of A/C, this is a potential jewel. Thumbs up.
Birdcage?
@steve dycha – Potato, potatto, tomato, tomatto.
Weren’t two people on another thread just now arguing about the difference between ‘cutting cookies’ and ‘making doughnuts” in a lawn?
I gave you a thumbs up, because you obviously know something about the subject matter.
This is getting irritating.
The reason I left the “Stingray” insignia alone, is because there is some difference of opinion about whether there might have been a few very late-production 1968s with the scrip on the fenders. I have owned 1968 and 1969s, (all were Tri-Powers), and the 1968s had no script, where the 1969s had the script. Just my experience, though.
Engines are out there if you want to go back to stock. Your choice if you want to build or buy built.
https://nh.craigslist.org/pts/d/rebuilt-1969-corvette-427/6400290139.html
https://nwct.craigslist.org/pts/d/chevy-427-big-block-v8/6387692903.html
I’ve driven a couple of BBC C3’s in the past along with a small block. IMO the BBC are great straight line cars but wallow badly on those curvy roads. In fact I once had a BBC Vette follow me on a very curvy road behind my 10th gen T-Bird. Doesn’t have the motor the Vette did but it does have an IRS and loves curvy roads. I was able to take the curves considerably faster than the Vette and it was only when we finally got to a straightaway that he was finally able to catch up to me and pass.
Personally if I was buying it for myself, I’d either leave it with the SBC in it or consider converting it to an LS if I wanted more power. Better weight distribution and handling than a BBC IMO.
Of course if I was buying for an investment, it would go back to being a BBC.
My thoughts.
Maybe aluminum heads? That’ll lighten the front; Or bust the bank and go ALL aluminum big block if ya don’t go LS?
As an SBC, this car is way overpriced. Really, you can find gorgeous examples for just a few $K’s more. Which begs the question, what’s it worth with a period correct 427? Enough to justify the asking price given the amount of restoration required? I’ll bet this is a 30 footer given that interior pic. Am I missing something here?
With 31 bids so far, it’s worth what people will pay for it.
Kudos to the seller for providing photos of C3 problem areas! I wish more sellers would do that.
Around here, people either go crazy over C3’s or think they’re worth a bar of gold. I agree it’s overpriced but every one I’ve looked at was overpriced IMO.
That’s why I have a C4, people aren’t beating down the doors on them so you can get a good car for reasonable $$.
It will be interesting to see what the high bid ends up at.
So if I were to look for a C-4, is 86 the year to have?
Mike W H
I would go for a 92 or newer C4 as the HP was upped to 300 from 245.
Look for low mileage and colors you really like.
Buy a copy of the Corvette Black Book and study the changes from year to year and dial in on what you think is important and you like. Look at the differences you are thinking about at Corvette shows. Paperwork from previous owners is always a plus as are new tires! My preference is ‘95 or ‘96 but then there is the ‘93 40th Anniversary Model. Tough decision for me. But the value in my estimation is in C4 ‘vettes right now and they are nice driving cars with a good stereo and A/C. Good luck with your search!
Or later. The 92-96’s were pretty good cars with 300 HP. Autocrossed a 93 for years and had very little trouble with it.
@Mike W H – With due respect to @86 Vette Convertible – NO.
In the bleakest of nights that was the American Automotive Dark Ages, 1986 represented the first rays of sunlight foretelling the New Dawn.
In 1986, Chevrolet decided that the quintessential American Sports Car needed to return to its roots, as they re-introduced the Corvette Convertible… its original, and best configuration.
I drove one, with the intention to buy. It had the manual transmission, and was frankly gorgeous. But Chevrolet still did not understand that Corvette has always been a performance car, and that handling is only half of that equation. It just could not get out of its own way! I had to pass.
The next year began Corvette’s vaulting back to its rightful place at the top of the performance heap, with the RPO B2K, the factory supported option: Callaway twin-turbo option.
From that point on, Corvette never looked back. In 1989, a version of RPO B2K went 254 MPH, making it the fastest road-driven car in the world. Also, in 1989, the 1990 ZR-1 Corvette was introduced. In 1992, Chevrolet introduced the LT-1, which made 300 naturally aspirated horses, and could put a smile on anyone’s face.
The final hurah for the C4 was 1996, where the Grand Sport version of the LT powerplant produced 330 Horsepower, was properly only available with the manual 6-speed transmission, and commands a premium in the resale market.
If you decide on one of the earlier cars, just remember: it’s a small block Chevy. ANY of them can be made to run strong.
I owned the 1995 pictured above, and LOVED it.
I had a ’68 coupe. An electrical nightmare.
Owning lots of Corvette converts I hate to break it to you but a Vette has the same vin on frame, trans, doors, dash tag, engine and many obscure places and to get your high dollar cost it’s needs to be the same !
Sure you can date it close but alas that’s not engine matching 100k pricing.
Even some clowns think acid burn off and repunching block fixes it but alas when you see all the other places like intake and others it’s done.
This car by the by is priced very well for nom car!
Now fords for instance call original if your engine is 90 or less to build or birthdate making forging easier but still hard to get it all on high dollar cars when you hire the pro to authenticate or laugh and say hell no. :-)
I guess playing games on engines is
why more hemi mopars are on the road than built !
I have that motor in my garage how ever I have two Corvette’s both with sbc this one came out of a wrecked 69 and one day I might swap but I have it in case anyone is interested.
The column looks like a wreck is that normal I know the 68 Column was weird
just a thought
Even with the numerous issues of the 68, I would much rather have this than that 59 from a few days ago.
Granted… the matching numbers engine is MIA but at $16,700 the auction winner won’t have to worry about being upside down on this after a frame off restoration and year specific 427 transplant. And this NADA value is for the ‘base’ 385HP 427.
http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/1968/Chevrolet/Corvette/2-Door-Convertible/Values
Doesn’t that just make you want to
puke? It the worst garbage motor in human existence, and they put it in a nice car like that. Maybe it’s got a 2 bolt Main.
I hope the little hamsters can get it off the starting line, with that 350cid.
I think you can take them out with a Relient K.
Winning bid:US $16,700.00
[ 41 bids ]
Having been a previous C3 owner, I think the selling price was too high for what you are getting.
I think that the seller is being a little misleading. When I think of a crate engine, I think of something newish, not the 40 year old lump that is in there. And overspray on the frame and engine bay never installs confidence.
I owned a ‘96 Grand Sport for ten years. I loved that car. The missus talked me into a vacation home and the Vette was history.
Now that I’m 63, have limited space, found out antique Harley’s take up a lot less space and reminisce about the early 70’s and late ‘60’s, a ‘68-‘69 Corvette big block car sounds really fun… they handled like a log wagon but for straight line and looks I would be getting a lot of smiles per mile.
The biggest reason I waited until ‘95-‘96 to buy a Corvette was being bummed by about two decades of Car & Driver comparisons with 911’s. Those writers punished GM every year but saw the light by the mid 1990’s.
If I could have hidden this car from my wife I could probably have only had to throw another $10k at it (doing most of the work myself) and not care about a replacement 427 not having matching numbers. I’d still smile myself silly every time I’d look at it. Especially for a $28k entry fee.
That first year 68 new body style is one of my favorites. Those shark style gills on the fenders. And my favorite rally wheels. Makes me drool.