When it was shiny and new, this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette must have been a pretty imposing vehicle. Those days are a long way behind it, and the owner has decided to part with the car that has come into his possession as an inheritance. The Corvette is located in Kent, Washington, and is listed for sale here on eBay. With bidding now at $5,151, the reserve hasn’t been met.
When the Corvette rolled out of the factory, it was finished in Bronze Poly. It now wears a shade of green and will need a fair amount of work to return it to its best. The fender flares were an addition that dates back more than 35-years, and while they don’t look horrendous, it probably wouldn’t be a bad thing if they “fell off.” The body itself doesn’t look to be too bad, but we don’t have any information on the state of the frame or birdcage, so buying the car will certainly take a leap of faith. Having said that, it does appear as though the Corvette might have spent a large part of its active life in California, so the next owner might be lucky on the rust front.
Scrolling through the supplied photos reveals an interior that is actually in pretty reasonable condition. It isn’t ever going to win the next owner any awards, but it would certainly be okay for a driver-quality car. The seats and dash look to be really good, and it doesn’t look like the car has been lumbered with any aftermarket items. The center console is looking a bit tired around the edges, but I think that it could be restored. Apart from the factory radio, the Corvette doesn’t feature any luxury appointments, so you don’t get air conditioning, and you’ll need to be prepared to lower your windows yourself.
Whoever ordered this Corvette was focused on one thing, and that was power. The car was originally ordered with the mighty 427ci V8, a 4-speed manual transmission, and a 3.55 Posi rear end. That Posi is still in situ, but the original 4-speed, the bell-housing, and all of the associated hardware are long gone. As for that 427, the original engine block is present, but nothing else. The owner claims that the block is in good, original condition, and has never been bored out. I guess that this will leave the next owner with two alternatives. The first will be to scour the Earth for date-correct components to return the Corvette to its former glory. The second would be to build the engine to their own personal tastes, and not worry too much about originality.
The person who buys this Corvette is essentially buying a rolling car with its original engine block. There will be some decisions to make about which path they will follow in returning the car to the road. I’ve outlined a couple of potential options in this article. Which one would you choose, or is there an alternative that I haven’t considered?
It’s a better start than some lists here.
Go back orig color and loose those flairs.
They sell forC2s rear wheel sections for the butchers of the past and I am sure newer models. It’s just enough to allow to cut and patch that wheel cover.
the intake and heads can be scrounged with enough cash.
Just check the bird cage and rear dog legs of the frame ….
Wouldnt be a bad thing if u fell off either…some of us like period mods…ur just an elitist snob….
This writer is new at being an automotive enthusiast, and is still learning and mis- using terminology on a regular basis. Several of us have pointed it out multiple times, but he’s not getting it. Frustrating. I’d gladly pay 3 times the asking subscription price if it got straightened out.
He isn’t that new, and he expressed an opinion about the fender flares. He is allowed to do that, he isn’t writing news copy. And @sanityfactor; WTF is “UR?” You sound like a 15 year old girl learning to text. Yeah, I know that was juvenile and unnecessary; but if you can so can I.
Agree with Hyd.
That’s not very nice.
Adam,is there a” block “button for all the haters? I for one,I’m sure many others enjoy reading your write-ups about each car that seems interesting,and I must say you do a terrific job. For all the people who leave comments on your writing skills/automobile knowledge,please just click on the little picture of the trashcan in upper right corner of the page instead of trolling through every ad just to critique Mr. Clarke’s writing skills and knowledge of each and every ad. In other words,do yourself a favor and save time reading them,and posting negative comments of each. For God sake, I couldn’t imagine doing all these write-ups,much less having every word spelled correctly,every piece of information correct,and not leaving out any words.
Great job as always Adam. Keep up the good work!
great car, I like period mods as well
The ‘IL’ code on the block would indicate the L36 4 bbl Qjet for the 427. Still desirable, but not as much as the 3×2 or L89/88 series of course.
Car needs a lot of work to bring back to stock, however, if that’s the goal for someone.
Guys!!!!! Focus on the car at hand here? The 68 Shark??? Take your brawl to a text message. My dad has a red 68 with 2 tops. And a big block. Loved that car. Too bad in 78 his payments were more than his mortgage payments. Oh well. I dream of getting 68 one day.
Hey Adam, Im sure Im not alone when I say Im not here for the terminology or the “editors”. Here for the cars, the great stories,and ideas (on the cars) shared on this platform. So keep them coming young man. By the way, if those flares dont fall off, Id take my chainsaw to them and HACK them the F OFF!!!
I still think the rule is the guy or gal who pays for the car can do whatever the heck they want to any car.
Weird stock automatic shifter and 4 speed pedals
How many Barn Owls find good cars and never tell anyone about them?
I bet the flairs wouldnt look too bad if the car was at normal ride height in the front ( yes I know its empty in the engine bay) with proper sized tars, I like period correct mods such as flairs along with day 2 mods. It was the way we made the cars “OUR CARS”. This could be a nice buy if all the different Corvette pitfalls pass muster, flairs & side exhaust included.
The 68 did not have Stingray on the front lower fenders, I know since I had 1.
Mine was the L71 427 tri powered 435 HP 4 Spd.Im not gona pick the car apart but did notice that,not a big deal,just throwing it out there.I like the fact it’s a Roadster.Would I buy it > NO ! I like my 40th Aniv LT1 6 Spd Roadster better.
To each his own, flares are a little far out now, but Day 2 people like em, lotta Vettes for sale, move on if it ain’t your taste
Great car but probably a stupid reserve for a shell and a block!! Typical of what we are seeing lately!!!
1968 Corvettes weren’t called Sting Ray so maybe not a 68 or someone added, that’s a minor change. I like the flares side pipes and color since it does come with the original block I would keep a 427 otherwise I would go with an LS and 6 speed. But I wouldn’t worry about date code heads and intake cause I would go with edelbrock or other after market heads intake and stand alone fuel injection a 4L60 overdrive tranny or gear vendors behind a turbo 400.
I love dreaming about cars I wish I could afford.
I guess I would have to settle for something like that Concord.
Its much easier to add the Stingray emblems to the fenders then it is to fiddle with the ’68 only door lock push buttons or the different interior pieces, steering column, dash board ignition key switch ETC. So yeah its a ’68 I’d think.
I was going to wright the same thing here about the ride height. I like the glassed in flairs.
Ended: Jul 10, 2019 , 6:21PM
Winning bid:US $10,000.00
[ 26 bids ]
Maybe I’m out of touch (I dont think so) but it seems a bit too high for whats there. A desirable car for sure but just too much $$$$$ for a cheapskate like me.
I think it was a reasonable buy for someone who can do the work themselves.
With these cars, I would make darn sure that the frame isn’t rotted, especially at the frame ends where they kick up over the rear wheels, and that the birdcage is in good shape. If either of these need work, then 10K is too much.
Opinions are not right or wrong .Every reader of BF{including me } has the right to express their opinion..This would be a pretty boring sight without opinions. Even opinions that are essentially wrong.
one thing to remember they just aint making 68 vettes any more and its only worth what someone is willing to pay for it .The flares have to go away far far away