Though it looks nothing like it did when it left the factory, this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette is still a desirable example due to its original configuration and some remaining numbers-matching components. The Corvette left the assembly line wearing Silverstone Silver paint and with a 427/435hp mill under the hood, paired to a M21 four-speed manual transmission. The engine is sadly gone, replaced with a 396, but the numbers-matching transmission remains in place. Find it here on eBay where it’s described as a barn find that runs and drives but has been off the road for many years.
Bidding has reached $10,500 for the Corvette with no reserve and the auction ending Thursday night. The car is located in Rochester, New York, which can be considered an epicenter of the snow belt, but the seller says the frame is solid. It may help that the Corvette was sold new in Winter Park, Florida, which I’m sure is where the car would still reside if it had the choice. The paint job was done many years ago and shows signs of chipping and cracking, and really, it should be re-done anyway for a Corvette as ideally equipped as this one is.
Whoever did the custom paint took it all the way, with the door jambs getting done at the same time and the interior receiving a custom upholstery job with red piping. The seller notes that the original tank sticker is still with the Corvette, as well as the NCRS shipping report, so there’s plenty of documentation to justify investing in a stock color scheme and interior trimmings. Other desirable features include a rare telescopic steering column, and the seller notes the original TI distributor remains in place. If you zoom out of this picture, you’ll see massive side-exit exhaust pipes.
It’s a shame the original engine is no longer with the Corvette, but at least the transmission remains with the car. While I am not an expert in Corvette restoration, I have to believe the smart play is to find a correct date-coded 427, drop it in, repaint the body, and sell off the big block to recoup some of the costs. I personally like seeing Corvettes of this era in sedate colors like silver, as so many either left the factory wearing red paint or were later repainted, like this car. If the condition is truly rust-free, the strong documentation and original specs make it worthy of a factory-correct restoration.
I’d leave it as it sits, with the exception of the engine. I’d either destroke a 454 (making a 427) or install a 454. Modified cars, such as this, were the norm when I was growing up. Stock cars did not get featured in the enthusiast magazines or turn your head on cruise night. Even though the interior is somewhat tacky, the car as a whole represents a point in time and does it well. This will never be matching numbers, so why does it need to be restored like so many other cars of that era, thus losing much of its personality in the process.
Steve R
True. But it takes an even ‘specialer’ kind of buyer to write the check. But what do I know, I never thought the tacky home furnishings of the 50s/60s would come back in style with a foofoo moniker “Mid-century Modern”.
I disagree, I believe these are a less desire-able due to to the first year body and some one-year only production parts. Sure, they are rare, cool, and they are a little quirky, but the rarity doesn’t necessarily help the collectibility at this point. Sort of like the 64’s, they languished at the bottom of the C2 collectibility list, but are finally starting to come into their own now. If this 68 still had the 435 motor, there would certainly be more value
Nice hot rod NOM car. Corvette’s is one of the most stamped car from frame to engine to drive train. This car is not a matching car and just a modified HR.
It would clean up on paint and interior but since its devalued why not leave it alone.
A partially numbers match documented car is like saying original almost new (baby) to a mid twenties tatted up heavy rocker alcoholic person. The same person also Smoking two packs a day with a tongue-and nose ring 👀😜😂
🎹🎸. It never rolling back to stock baby
but just drive it like you stoke it and enjoy it at a good price stating it is what it is …..👶😏😂
Not a Corvette fan, but got to admit, this is one sharp looking car. Stuff kids dreams were made of. Of course, maybe, someone thought, those 2 Honda 50’s in a crate could be a better deal,,,
No such thing as an “NCRS” shipping report. I live in Rochester and I doubt very much this would have ever been drive during the winter.
If the seller has an NCRS Shipping Report they have the only one in existence.
Google NCRS shipping report. It does exits, the problem is, it doesn’t really document the car other than date of production and other shipping information such as the GM zone and dealer number but not name.
Steve R
As a 30-year member of NCRS, I should have known that. As you state, it is not a big selling point.
Paint it, replace seat covers with original
and look for some decent looking wheels. If the 396 runs good and no plans to go to any big car shows leave it where it sits and enjoy it.
This is the type of Corvette to enjoy. No stupid matching #, correct paint on rear housing type of car. Just a car to enjoy and not worry about scratching the paint!
This car looks identical to one that Danny from Counting Cars was driving in an episode about burouts this morning. The interior looks like something he would have also.
Amen jerry z
I would of changed the engine to a date code correct tri power 435 hp 427 if the original engine blew up or what ever happened to it instead of the 396.