Some classics tick so many of the “right” boxes that it is seemingly impossible to identify a single greatest attribute. This 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is a prime example deserving a close look. The seller recently revived it following a twenty-year barn slumber. It has belonged to the same family since Day One and has a big-block under the hood. Early C3 Corvettes are inherently desirable, but the seller’s decision to offer this Convertible with No Reserve has ignited a bidding war. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this beauty listed here on eBay in Clermont, Florida. The price has soared to $25,000, and with No Reserve to complicate matters, it is only days away from finding a new home.
After a warm reception upon its 1968 release, the C3 Corvette went from strength to strength in the years that followed. Chevrolet made only minor changes for the 1969 model year, limiting exterior updates to a few trim pieces and revised door handles. This Convertible has been part of the same family since it left the lot. The seller confirms it underwent a repaint in the 1990s, when the color was changed from the factory LeMans Blue to an unspecified Turquoise. The seller indicates it isn’t perfect, suggesting another cosmetic refresh wouldn’t go astray. If the winning bidder follows that path, it would be the ideal opportunity to return the car to its factory form. The fiberglass has a crack in the front clip between the headlights, but is otherwise okay. The seller confirms that the frame and birdcage are rock-solid, with no rust or other problems. The trim looks acceptable for a driver-grade restoration, and the glass is clear.
The seller confirms that they recently revived this Corvette after a twenty-year barn hibernation. It features a 427ci V8, a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. It appears this is the L36 version of the big-block, generating a factory-quoted 390hp and 460 ft/lbs of torque. The company offered more potent versions, but this one would still pin occupants in their seats if the driver floored the gas pedal. The first thing to note is that the Corvette no longer houses its numbers-matching motor. The original V8 failed in 1972, and the engine bay now holds a dealer-installed replacement. The recent revival was successful because the car runs and drives well. The big-block produces plenty of power, and the transmission shifts smoothly.
This Corvette may have received an exterior color change, but it retains its original Blue vinyl interior. It isn’t perfect, with the images revealing a few seatcover splits, deteriorating door trims, and tired carpet. Perfectionists will probably opt for a retrim if they refresh the exterior, and while that won’t be cheap, it could be an excellent long-term investment. The owner has resisted the temptation to install aftermarket equipment, and although they didn’t load the ‘Vette with factory options, they splashed $172.75 on an AM/FM radio.
If this 1969 Corvette Convertible proves nothing else, it demonstrates that there are still extremely desirable classics lurking in sheds and barns, awaiting the day when dedicated enthusiasts will liberate them and return these vehicles to their rightful place on our roads. This Corvette isn’t perfect, but the interest it has generated is extremely impressive. It has received 31 bids at the time of writing, and the Watch List tally of 114 suggests that figure should climb as the auction heads to its conclusion. If you’ve previously owned a C3, are you tempted to recapture those glory days by joining the bidding war on this Convertible? I wish you luck if you do.
Hats off to the photographer who perfectly captured the beauty of the early C3. Nailed it.
Haha, Chevrolet might have “made only minor changes for the 1969 model year” but there were a lot of them.
69 was a massive improvement over the 68.
Were the front seats switched?
Can i assume overrevving damaged the 427 – or is there something inherently wrong with that motor? – i know of several original 400 cube tin indians with cast rods with over 250k miles that are still kicking with no smoke or ticking.
I didn’t realize that backup lights were an optional feature on the 1968 Corvette – possibly the only ’68 US Car that could be had w/o them?! – in which case u got four red tailites – which was a good safety idea if 1 bulb burned out – tho not for cops writing tickets. IMO, 4 taillites minimum should have been law – for safety’s sake.
How about 6 tail lights on these?
No way. They look good on a C2 but there isn’t enough room on the rear panel to make it look good on a C3.
Backup lamps were mandated beginning with the 1966 model year, this car has the in the center positions. The 68’s had four tail lights with the backup mounted in the lower valance.
Those wheel covers have to go! Any Corvette from 1963-1972, especially a convertible needs a manual transmission. Just my own old school opinion. That body style will always look great.
With days left on the listing, the price on this will certainly double.
This thing is way overvalued as it is.
Good luck with it.
David, I’m a big fan, all the way back to Smell The Glove.
neat color not often seen
Definitely not often seen. It’s not an original color.
I would normally agree on the hub caps but those are some of the best ever produced ,and suit the car .They look fantastic in person ,especially on a roadster , for some reason .
“price has soared to 25k …..” ? There is a lot more soaring to go ,at least $ 50k and very possibly 75 .
No way $75,000, I highly doubt $50,000. Non original engine, who knows what the replacement was, automatic trans, painted in a non original color, needs a carb rebuild and tires. That crack on the front nose is concerning and if you look at the gaps on the hood just above the crack thery are horrible, car has to have been hit and repaired very poorly. Big rip on the passenger seat. And it has sat for 20 years. No mention on condition of the brakes but I would guess they need to be redone. This is at best a #3 car. Worth maybe $30,000 if the engine can be verified as a true Corvette 427.
I agree. 30K would be a steal and 35K would feel just about right.
Bucky it is a factory replacement 427 engine block it says that in the ad. That is what you want if the original engine needed to be replaced with the same ci engine
Yep, those original wheel covers look great and I’m sire most of them were discarded. My ’70 came from the factory with them, but someone replaced them with rallys along the way. I would have preferred the covers.
My ’71 ragtop which I bought used in ’76 came with these wheel covers. I was able to swap them with a guy even for a set of rallys, which did look great. Seemed like a good deal – at the time.
My 71 was equipped with the PO2 wheel covers as well, the previous owner added the trim rings and caps. The rally wheel was standard equipment, if you ordered the wheel covers you still received the 8″ rally wheel underneath. I have the original set, but I prefer the trim rings and center caps. My opinion is with the wheel covers, whitewalls or a redline work well, but not white letter’s. With rally wheels, whitewalls, redlines, black walls or white letters all work.
I should have been more specific. My 71 came with rally wheels and the wire wheel covers which I traded for a set of center caps and trim rings.
Thanks for the info. I never knew that the covers were hiding rallys. Good idea on Chevy’s part. Less production complexity, and an easy swap for owners.
Decent enough looking car but too much small stuff that’s incorrect.
Very nice car, too bad it’s an automatic.
Love those wheel covers…Maybe narrow whitewalls or Firestone radial white lettered tires or the Goodyear radial GT white lettered.
I like the wheel covers too but gotta disagree with whitewalls, Oscar. Redlines maybe…very desirable C3. One of my favorites has always been a 1970 LT-1 a friend owned. Unfortunately it got chopped up to install a tunnel ram intake…lots of us didn’t know what we had in those days. I did something similar to a 69 L78 Chevelle by taking off the chambered pipe exhaust. Never saw another one before or since.
The turbine hubcaps are such a nice touch. I’m a sucker for convertible big block C3’s with side-pipes though.
This one ended oddly.
It says: “This listing was ended by the seller on Sun, Mar 22 at 3:05 PM because the item was sold.”
But it doesn’t say that it was sold to the highest bid, which was $35,100 after 52 bids. Maybe a way to avoid the EBay fees?
That amount was what I mentioned earlier as just about right.