We’ve seen owners over the years here at Barn Finds that have made some bold claims about their classic, but the one for this 1968 Corvette comes with verifying evidence. The owner claims that the vehicle is a former factory racecar that the company rebodied, and he holds the documentary evidence that confirms this. It is a stunning classic, but the good news is that its swooping body is wrapped around a drivetrain combination that should more than satisfy the needs of most performance enthusiasts. The owner has decided to part with the Corvette, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in New Baltimore, Michigan, and while spirited bidding has pushed the price to $32,001, this remains shy of the reserve.
There’s a bit to consider with this Rally Red Corvette. The owner makes his claim about its history but leaves us dangling on the details. That’s frustrating because I would love to know some of the stories of its former competition history. The ‘Vette presents well, with the seller admitting that it was treated to a repaint around eight years ago using a clear-over-base process. He says that there are now a few minor blemishes, but these aren’t bad enough to show in the supplied photos. It holds an impressive depth of shine and would turn heads wherever it goes. The fiberglass is in good order, with no crack or other nasties. Diving under the car reveals floors and a frame that are spotlessly clean. There’s no evidence of rust or prior accident damage. The chrome is in generally good order, although the owner once again mentions some imperfections. However, if considered purely as a survivor, taking it out in its current state would cause no feelings of shame. The glass and Rally wheels appear flawless, while the side exhaust hints that there could be more to this classic than meets the eye.
If you scroll through the performance figures for 1968, Chevrolet didn’t produce a slow Corvette. However, some cars were more equal than others. It isn’t clear whether this car is numbers-matching, but it houses a drivetrain that should offer blistering performance. The engine bay features an L71 version of the 427ci big-block. This Tri-Power treat should be churning out 425hp and an incredible 460 ft/lbs of torque. Point this baby down the strip, and the journey will be over in 13.4 seconds. The engine bay presents well, although the ignition shield is absent. Many enthusiasts wouldn’t be too fussed about that omission but want to know how well this ground-bound jet runs and drives. The answer to both questions appears to be “very well.” The owner says that the 427 sounds excellent, the clutch bites well, the transmission shifts smoothly, and the car tracks straight and true. It sounds like it’s ready for some fun with a new owner behind the wheel.
There isn’t a lot to say about this Corvette’s interior. It is complete, unmolested, and in excellent condition. There are no signs of wear or physical damage with the upholstered surfaces, the dash and plastic are spotless, and the carpet shows no evidence of typical fading. I would rate its condition as a rung above driver-quality. There are some faults for the buyer to consider, as some of the gauges don’t function correctly. It sounds like the faults might require some detective work, but I wouldn’t rule out a faulty earth as the culprit. It isn’t loaded with luxury extras, but it does feature a factory radio.
This 1968 Corvette is a stunning car, and its overall condition makes it easy to understand why it has already attracted thirty bids. I suspect that it will receive a few more before the hammer falls. I can’t pin down where it might reach, so it’s time for our readers to share their opinions. What do you think the sale price will be?
Where is the “letter”?
James427
You will find the letter In the comments below. Thanks.
Was rebodied with a 69 body it seems. Has 69 doors, Stingray emblems and reverse lamps in the inner taillamps. Why no photo of the so called letter. Also N14 N/A in 68. Car sits too high in the rear. But who doesn’t like an L71?
He added that letter on ebay specifically to answer the ‘barn find’ inquery lol.
This is not a 1968. Look at the column-mounted ignition, and the Stingray badging on the fenders. This is a 1969.
Chevrolet introduced its L71 427 with three two-barrel carburetors to generate 435 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
Well besides the fact there were no “Factory Racing” teams in 1968 or 1969 like there are today, it is a nice looking car. The 1965 Grand Sports were the closest thing to a Factory Racing program before that got shut down.
The racing program ended in 1972.
What Racing Program? I have never seen an image of a GM racing program Corvette from that period at Sebring, Daytona, Watkins Glen, Le Mans, etc. Plenty of privateers driving them, but no “Factory” drivers and I don’t remember ever seeing or reading about a Factory Racing Program Corvette other than the renegade Grand Sports during that period Do you have any images or magazine articles you can share??
Even the Grand Sports were built and raced with no factory support.
The Grand Sport was conceived in 63 by Chevrolet boss Bunkie Knudsen and Zora Arkus-Duntov, as a way to beat Ford’s Cobra’s. This was done without the approval of the GM brass, who were still abiding by the AMA racing ban. Duntov planned to build the 50 required to make them legal to race as production cars, but GM corporate found out after only 5 coupes were built, and put a stop to it.
Duntov was ordered to destroy them, but managed to get 3 into the hands of racers, and hid the last 2. In 65, Duntov pulled the last 2 out and turned them into roadsters, in an effort to lighten them, and make them more competitive. The 2 roadsters were “sold” them to Roger Penske.
While it is true that Duntov and other Chevrolet engineers often accompanied the Grand Sports to races, they were supposedly all doing it on their own time, and were not being paid at least directly by Chevrolet. Because they never built the 50 required to be considered “production” cars, the Grand Sports couldn’t race against the Cobra’s as Duntov planned, but instead ran in modified classes.
The racing program ended in 1972.
The dealer selling the car should know to put any documentation in the ad. That’s how you maximize interest and price. The 427 doesn’t add much value unless it’s matching numbers, which would be prominently stated in the ad if it was. There are lots of holes in this ad which should have been addressed by showing documentation, if that documentation exists, the dealer will pay the price for its omission.
Steve R
This is the letter from General Motors dated from Jan 4, 1973
This should clear up any confusion for your Barnfind.com subscribers/readers.
It is a very rare car.
The seller’s claims are somewhat questionable. To start with, there were no “factory GM race car”(s) in the 60’s. At the time, GM was still adhering to the AMA racing ban, and frowned upon their divisions being involved in racing. In the 60’s, cars, parts and engineering help was slipping out the “back door” of Chevrolet to some prominent racers, but there were no factory race teams, or direct financial support of any teams.
Also, I’m not aware of any series that would require replacing a convertible body, to remain eligible to race, and I’ve around racing 45 years. Every sanctioning body I can think of always treated Corvette convertibles with hardtops, the same as T-tops cars. Finally, neither GM or Chevrolet, have much in the way of records to identify a specific car’s history.
Even if it was previously some sort of a race car, unless it was connected with a famous driver or team, being a previous race car doesn’t have much bearing on the value or desirability of a car.
The “no factory teams” idea is only correct in the sense that the cars were not painted to reflect that image, and the relevant teams presented themselves as independent. The Trans Am series being the most obvious. AMC paid Ronnie Kaplan, Ford paid Shelby and Holman Moody, GM paid Penske, Chrysler paid AAR and Dynacorn, and so on.
Well, I’m no expert on GM or Corvette history and there are always small niches in big companies where things, like a test race car, can hide I guess…
However my problem with “the evidence” is that the letter presented is dated from 1974 but appears to be printed from a laser printer at a time when, well, they hadn’t been invented yet.
The letter would be expected to have been typed on a typewriter (the laser printer of it’s day😁) not on modern equipment available only another 10-15 years after it was written
The 437 area code is for Toronto. From what I have found through Google the area code for Detroit is 313.
The only muscle car I own is a 1968 Vette and have done a frame off restoration on it. One thing I can tell you, the car listed above is a very nice example of the 1969 model year. Reverse lights in the back panel, door opening button to push that was dropped at the end of 68, and the biggest clue is where the key to start it goes. On the 68, its on the dash, in 69, it got placed on the steering column.
Also, on that letter, if it started out as a convertible, shouldn’t it go back to being one?
Nice car, but its not a 68.
This is a bad place to represent a so called race car regardless if its a 68 or 69. We have very knowledgeable Corvette fans here.
So is this the only history? Just a letter, no pictures, no results, no trophies, No drivers names?
That is a very nice looking car! However it not a 68. What concerns me even more is the vin number ! The correct vin number for a 1968 should be 194378S40001- 194378S428566
The vin in the ad is 194678S426716 I would like to see the vin as well as the trim tag
I will correct myself just realized the 4 digit being a 6 denotes a convertible.
So this just adds more questions obviously not a convertible but now a coupe!
Larry, It’s been mentioned that the car started as a 68 convertible and then rebodied in 69 with a then current coupe body in order to adhere to the racing rules that it now had to be a coupe.
It seems like a ton of work for what amounts to a stock racing series. Nothing about this car indicates that it has any modifications for racing.
It’s a Frankenstein for sure, with questionable roots.
Roger L. Trent, SR.VP GM Racing Division. No luck in identifying Roger L Trent.
No mention either of Mr.Trent in the Zora Duntov biography by Jerry Burton, “Corvette From The Inside” by Dave McLellan, “California Screamin’, The Glory Days of Corvette Road Racing by Mike Antonick, “Corvette Grand Sport” by Lowell Paddock, or “Corvette, America’s Star-Spangled Sports Car” by Karl Ludvigsen.
So, it’s a ’68 Convertible VIN that has been rebodied as a ’69 Coupe. Okay.
Regarding the letter, it explains why this rebody took place, but I don’t see this as making it a valuable collector car that is worth much more than any other Frankensteined Vette. It looks nice, but “rare” doesn’t always translate into valuable.
Besides, it raced only in a stock class, so there is nothing that has been factory modified that might make it different.
I don’t know enough about racing to comment on this car’s value or desirability, but it sure is beautiful!
Wow knit pick knit pick its a nice car if the price fair buy it and have fun
Hate to Knit pick, but it’s “Nit pick” Have fun.
It sure is a good looking car.
Beautiful car! Regardless of the history it’s a 427 corvette in very nice condition and the price is very low if you’re looking for a driver with a cool history. It will get just as much attention as a $400k corvette and have a lot of fun at a bargain price. If I was in the market I surely would be placing serious bids to win.
This as other stated is a 1969 ,not a 68, both body and interior shown are definitely markings of a 69.
I’m pretty sure phone numbers in 1973 did not have that ‘1 -‘ in the front. Even if a call could go through with it, I don’t believe phone numbers were ever noted that way.