Restoration projects stall for many reasons, but it is particularly sad when an owner passes away before experiencing the fruits of their labor. That is the story with this 1968 Corvette Convertible, but it retains all the pieces of the puzzle that would allow a new owner to recapture its lost youth. The buyer could select a faithful restoration, although they could personalize it to create the ‘Vette of their dreams. It is listed here on eBay in Annandale, Minnesota. Subdued bidding has pushed the price beyond the reserve to $17,500.

The deceased former owner of this classic was a passionate Corvette enthusiast, with our feature car being one of several under restoration when they passed away. They commenced their build by stripping away the tired and baked paint, ready to apply a fresh coat of Corvette Bronze. The photos aren’t clear enough to confirm the claim, but the seller indicates the fiberglass only requires basic preparation before this occurs. As usual, I would encourage an in-person inspection for assessment and verify that the car’s desert life has left the frame and birdcage structurally sound. There is visible surface corrosion, but it looks like the dry type you might expect from such locations. The ‘Vette features a restorable vinyl-clad hardtop, but there is no soft-top. The exterior trim seems to fit between acceptable and restorable, and there are no issues with the tinted glass. One aspect of this car that received attention is the wheels. They are in as-new condition, featuring spotless center caps and trim rings.

The original owner ordered this classic with the L36 version of Chevrolet’s legendary 427ci V8. That big-block sent 390hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, with that combination capable of producing a 13.9-second ¼-mile ET. If the driver were brave enough to keep the loud pedal pinned to the floor, the ‘Vette would run out of breath with the needle nudging 147mph. This classic is numbers-matching, which is important when considering its potential future value. The seller says that although the engine runs, the car has hibernated for years. Therefore, it requires a thorough inspection and some TLC before being considered roadworthy.

One aspect of this Corvette that underwent wholesale change is its interior. The Tag indicates it rolled off the line trimmed in Code 425 Dark Orange vinyl, but someone performed a retrim to its current Red. It looks pretty tattered and tired, and I don’t believe that even a thorough cleaning would return it to a serviceable state. However, it isn’t missing any significant parts, making it a prime candidate for a retrim. Several companies can supply kits, but it’s worth remembering that returning the interior to its original specifications will require replacing almost every piece of plastic. It won’t be a cheap process, and the new owner would be wise to factor at least $3,000 into their restoration budget to cover the cost. Although the buyer won’t drown in optional extras, the telescopic wheel, power windows, and AM/FM radio are welcome inclusions.

If you found this 1968 Corvette Convertible parked in your workshop, how would you pursue its revival? Everything is there to perform a faithful restoration, and the finished product would command respect. However, its current state opens the possibility of a color change that would allow personalization without adding to the project cost. Reinstating the Bronze paint would add class to the appearance, while the original drivetrain adds muscle to back the good looks. It has only received five bids at the time of writing, which is surprisingly low. Often, these auctions only come to life in the final hours, which could be the case here. Even if you’re not considering joining the war, watching the last hour of this auction could be worth the effort.