We’re often told not to judge a book by its cover, and that is definitely the case with this 1969 Corvette Convertible. It looks tired and sad, but scratching below the surface produces some pleasant surprises. It will take more than a few weekends of tinkering to return it to active service, but all the pieces are there for a new owner to make it happen. The Convertible is listed here on eBay in Jackson, New Jersey. Bidding has raced to $5,300, although that figure is below the reserve.
This Corvette has undergone a few changes during its life, including a color change from its original Fathom Green to its current shade of Blue. Traces of the original shade are visible, and since the appearance looks tired, so a cosmetic refresh is on the cards. A high-end restoration involves stripping away the existing finish, but the rewards should be worth the effort. The fiberglass looks surprisingly good, and while the frame has a significant coating of surface corrosion, it and the birdcage are said to be structurally sound. The car comes with both tops, although the state of the soft-top is unclear. The winning bidder’s shopping list will include chrome and trim items, but the tinted glass looks like it would polish successfully.
The listing suggests this Corvette’s interior may have received a retrim because the seatcovers look like Black vinyl. However, the seller states it started life with leather upholstery. It is partially dismantled, but the seller has the missing parts for the new owner to take away. This is another area of this ‘Vette that requires plenty of work, but there are few aspects of a build more satisfying than to step back and admire an interior returned to its former glory by your own bare hands. It is unclear what factory options the original owner chose, although the new owner will welcome air conditioning and a tilt/telescopic wheel.
The empty engine bay shouldn’t phase potential buyers because the news is positive. This is 1-of-12,846 Corvettes ordered with the L46 version of the 350ci V8, representing almost precisely 33% of all buyers during 1969. That small-block sent 350hp to the road via a four-speed manual transmission, and while there were more potent packages available, a ¼-mile ET of 14.1 seconds and a top speed of 140mph confirm this ‘Vette possessed enough power to satisfy most owners. The engine is no longer in residence but recently underwent a total rebuild from top to bottom. It is awaiting reinstallation, although the winning bidder will probably decide to detail everything to a high standard first.
My instincts tell me that when a classic like this 1969 Corvette Convertible is dismantled to this extent, tackling the build as a frame-off restoration would be the most sensible approach. It would involve more effort than a simple refresh, but it would ensure the vehicle is structurally sound and presents to the highest level. It is unclear whether those who have already expressed an interest in this classic agree, but they’ve submitted twenty-seven bids at the time of writing. Is that the approach you would take? More importantly, would you consider parking this promising project in your workshop?
There was so much smoke thrown on this generation of ‘vettes when it came out. Though no one could deny that a 69 with a 427 was seriously hot
I had a 1970 conv when I got out of hoght school 454 4speed where is this car located
Jackson, New Jersey and it is already bid up past $16k.
I agree, take the body off and do it right. This car has value, 1969 roadster, numbers matching 350/350, 4 speed, A/C, tilt wheel, optional hard top, don’t know if the soft top frame is included, this car has all the right stuff. If the frame and bird cage are both solid, write the check and get out the tools.
I don’t know what this vette is going to sell for but in my opinion, I think 16k is about the max for me. Return on investment is not going to be that high on the restoration of this car. They are selling right now in the 60-75k range at maximum. It’s going to take about 50k to restore it. If you’re lucky you might get 5-10k out of all that. Not really worth it in my book.
So if you’re selling for that price and you get it for 10 and invest another 50 where is your profit margin for all of your work? These cars are not investments unless you get them dirt cheap. They are money pits for fools. Personally I think a lot of these that need complete rotisseries that we see on here would be better off in the crusher at the ridiculous prices they are looking at
16k for that mess….come on folks get real….3500 is all it’s worth
3500 you’re being way too kind. I picked up several of this style that or under $2,000 that were in better condition
Holy Cats! Did a rotor tiller run through the electrical system? Dashboard, where is the dashboard? Interior trim pieces, exterior trim, do they exist somewhere? Lotta work to get This puppy back on the road, lotta $$$ too. It can be done if it is done correctly. I figure around $30,000.00 to do it justice, but the folks who buy it will need to hang onto it for about 5-7 years to get a decent return on investment if the car is numbers matching.
I think people are finally starting to wake up. I’ve been saying it for years if you are starting off 10 and 15,000 in the whole and you’re looking at a minimum of another $50,000 to redo a car right. There is no return on the investment then you’re losing money. Hopefully the market will get back to normal soon because it is absolutely absurd right now
It’s a convertible, right color, right year, Fresh well, that does mean much. Let me guess they pulled it vacant parking lot in Newark.
It’s a convertible, right color, right year, Fresh well, that does mean much. Let me guess they pulled it out of a vacant parking lot in Newark.
I was born in 1953 and got my driver’s license in 1969 so I was excited to see this ay 8K until I saw the price is up to 16K and Bob Iceman was spot on about running a rototiller through the dash wiring. I’m about 35 miles from Fantomworks and that’s where I would take this. Dan Short loves Corvettes.
Just seem to be a lot of roached out vettes on here this week. No one is rare although this one is one of the more desirable models. Unfortunately it needs everything by the time you’re done restoring it You could spent more than you could find a nice completed car for. Most vettes are more trouble than they are worth. I’m just wondering how does the car get this bad?
There are ‘Vettes like this, just as there are other cars the same, even houses. Some people take care of things, some don’t. It’s not any of the material things, it’s the people that had them that are roached out. I really don’t want to see what they do to their kids.
Calm down Mikey go back to watching cartoons yes this car needs a lot of work but if the frame and bird cage is sound looks like a great project for around 24k .