Occasionally, a classic car will appear on the market, and the bidding action will leave no doubt about its relative desirability. Such is the case with this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette. It has enough positive attributes that make it easy to see why the action has been frantic. It is a tidy driver-grade car, it features some desirable optional extras, but the icing on the cake is the seller’s decision to list it for sale here on eBay with No Reserve. The ‘Vette is located in Miami, Florida,  and the bidding has rocketed to $15,500.

The 1968 model year marked the first for the C3 Corvette, although the car came to market a year later than its intended introduction date. Prototype testing revealed some aerodynamic flaws, with Chevrolet electing to take time to address them rather than bring to the market a product that might tarnish the badge’s reputation. The wait proved worth it because 1968 sales figures brought a new record. The previous peak was 27,720 cars set in 1966, which climbed to 28,566 in 1968. Our feature car wears British Green paint, and as the seller rightly states, it holds a good shine. It is consistent across the entire vehicle, and the original owner’s decision to order the car with tinted windows adds to its visual appeal. The seller is candid about the paint condition, acknowledging that it carries a few flaws and defects. These are hard to spot in the supplied photos but indicate that potential buyers should consider this ‘Vette as a driver-grade classic. There is no information provided on the frame or birdcage, although the lack of visible corrosion across the vehicle suggests that it is structurally sound. The chrome trim is in excellent order, as are the Rally wheels, the center caps, and the trim rings.

The original owner ordered this Corvette trimmed in Black vinyl, and its condition is impressive for its age. Fading carpet could be an issue with these classics, but that feature looks good in this car. That suggests that the vehicle may have received a partial interior refurbishment or that it is exceptionally well preserved. The upholstered surfaces have no wear or physical damage, while the dash and console look excellent. There aren’t many issues with this interior, but there is one I find curious. Closely examining this shot reveals a split working its way around the wheel rim. It isn’t a fault that I’ve seen before on a Corvette, and since cracks of this type can continue to “run” after they are repaired, the new owner may need to spend $325 on a high-quality reproduction wheel. An aftermarket radio/cassette player occupies the spot normally reserved for the factory radio, but I can’t spot any other additions. The original owner equipped the car with air conditioning and power windows. The A/C blows cool, but the seller suggests that it would benefit from a recharge.

Lifting the Corvette’s hood reveals a mystery requiring further investigation. Buyers in 1968 could select from one optional version of the 327ci V8, along with the 427ci big-block in several levels of tune. The engine photo indicates that the V8 powering this classic is undoubtedly a small-block, but its specifications are unclear. If it is the entry-level  L30 version of the 327, it will produce 300hp. The L79 would lift the output to 350hp, making the car a potent performer. Further adding to its desirability was the original owner’s decision to order the Corvette with a four-speed manual transmission and power steering. If the engine proves to be the L30, it will allow the Corvette to cover the ¼ mile in 14.7 seconds. If further investigation reveals it to be the L79, that figure drops to 14.2 seconds. The engine bay presentation is acceptable, although the missing ignition shielding leaves it looking untidy. There are a few cosmetic enhancements that purists may not like, but reversing these may not be difficult. Otherwise, the seller says this classic runs and drives well and is ready to be enjoyed by a new owner.

This 1968 Corvette is not perfect, but that attribute could be a big part of its attraction to potential buyers. It is a tidy driver-quality classic that could still turn heads wherever it goes. The few paint flaws would seem easy to address, but the buyer could enjoy the car as it stands safe in the knowledge that the occasional stone chip will not adversely impact its value. The optional extras add to its desirability and help to explain why it has already received an incredible fifty-five bids. With plenty of time remaining on the auction, there’s scope for that figure and the price to climb higher. Even if you’re not considering making a play for this ‘Vette, monitoring the auction could prove entertaining.