Chevrolet’s sports car, the Corvette, was redesigned in 1968 along the lines of the Mako Shark show car. It was an instant success, and the new body would be used through 1982. Changes were few per year until 1973 when federal mandates on bigger bumpers would change the car’s shape fore and art. This 1968 edition has been in storage for either 20 years or 2 years, depending on where you read in the seller’s listing. It’s in Gibsonburg, Ohio, and is available here on eBay. The current bidding is $10,100, the reserve is unmet, and you can cut through the clutter by committing to pay $20,000. Thanks, Larry D, for another C3 Corvette tip!
The C3 Corvette was radically different in appearance from the 1963-67 C2 Chevies. The new model featured a T-top option for the coupe and a tunnel rear window (which was removable). The steeply sloped front came with pop-up headlights (again) and a “Kamm” tail was deployed in the back. The Chevy bean counters were no doubt happy as 28,566 copies of the new Corvette were delivered, with one-third being the coupe, like the seller’s car. The base engine was still the 327 cubic inch V8 and the 350 wouldn’t come along until 1969. Since we’re told this car has a 350, the Corvette here isn’t numbers-matching where it counts.
Having been stored for an uncertain period of time, the body and paint on this Chevy look okay. Sure, there are some nicks and fading here and there, and the Safari Yellow paint is likely a redo since we see some overspray in the engine compartment. We understand that about 11% of the Corvettes built that year came in that color. The interior is black, but we’re treated to no photos of it to determine its condition.
We’re told the car is drivable, but the seller does not elude how well it does that. Given its dormancy, more than fresh gas may be needed before taking this sports car out on the road, but we just don’t know. Besides the 350 V8, this Corvette has an automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, and factory air conditioning, but how well do any of these things work? If you’re in Ohio and interested in the car, you might want to take a short road trip before placing a binding bid.
Seems like a lot of Corvettes lately. My brother has one, 1st year for f.i., whatever year that was, had it 20 years, and drove it 3 times. Pretty clear the worlds interest in cars is changing. At one time, a Corvette was numero uno on the “want list” ( not mine, however, never even rode in one) and I think these owners are passing on and nobody wants their old fashioned Corvette, especially one that was neglected and a 350. They want that swoopy new one. Every Corvette that comes down the auction scene, HAS to have a big block, 4 speed and that’s the appeal today, like a “hemi” this or that in a crappy car. I think the steam ran out on cars like this that need a ton of work. My brothers needs a heater core, and he gave up trying to replace it. His will be for sale soon too, I’m sure.
Wrong again Howard, but I admire your persistence.
Okay thanks
Thats a great color tone even though fairly rough. Im actually looking at these in the newer but much more affordable / less classic ’73-’75 which i think is still an awesome value
It appears that whomever owned the car stored it because they could no longer afford to maintain it–and it shows. I suspect the new owner would need to invest another $15-20K to get it back to running and decent-looking condition.
That’s a lot of Cash for what you would be getting! I have owned 3 C-3’s, now a C-5. No comparison!
When I wanted a Vette (in my late teens), I couldn’t afford it. When I could finally afford it (my 20’s), I couldn’t afford the insurance. I can now afford the car and the insurance, but as I quickly approach 70, I can’t get in the damn thing!
The C4 is usually the one folks of a certain age (and body shape) have issues with in the area of ingress and egress.
My brother had a 63 convertible, when my large size father got in he struggled to get out, said that car is stupid. I couldn’t enjoy it now either.
Sorry Howard I think the market is still strong for classic from early 50’s to mid 70’s the old model T’s etc are losing interest because they know fun to drive and parts are hard to find and go ride in a corvette you might change your mind.
Like C5 Corvette said, the C3 is nice to look at, but the handling and performance of the C5 is so much better!
I have a 2004 convertible 350 with 350 hp and 6 speed manual. At very soon to be 68 years old, it is a blast to drive.
Based on the background and the pic of another beat up C3 nose, my guess is that this is a flipper trying to cash in on grabbing old C3s for cheap.
Even at the Reserve Not Met price of 10K, I’m thinking it is overpriced for what you are getting.
10 grand max
68 vettes are low on the restore values unless big block cars..7k..you can’t get your money back.on a small block car..
It’s a nice candidate for restore or just drive it. ’68 Corvettes had a lot of bugs in them some say they were brought out before they were actually ready. In ’68 there were no “Stingray” badges on them anywhere. Stingray didn’t return until ’69
It’s funny to think that there were so many bugs that needed to be worked out, considering that these were supposed to come out a year earlier, and the ’67 Vette was a carryover.
I guess the same could be said about the ’84, hence no ’83 model.
@PRA4SNW
I agree with your comment above regarding a probable C3 flipper dealing in Vettes that are well past their sell date.
Regarding this example, one would definitely need to stand in front of it and do a complete inspection.
Being lower on the desired RPO options list, only if bought well (10 to 12k), would I take this one on…..with the goal of bringing it back to a “20 footer” driver status.
This doesn’t seem too bad for a chrome bumper car, matching numbers don’t matter on a car like this, too bad it’s an automatic car.
Unfortunately these can get pretty expensive pretty quick when going through them, getting them painted correctly is tricky.
I think this could be a pretty fun project.
I drove my friend’s ’68 with power steering back when it was new. It scared me driving it. No feel and overly sensitive. He offered to sell me the car a couple of years later but I couldn’t get over the steering.
I have a 70 convertible stingray 350 matching no power sreering or brakes has power windows lol drives like my old 68 austin mini cooper a go cart but its damn fun!!!
Interesting comparison to your story, John.
I had an ’09 Mini Cooper S with all of the handling/performance options at the same time that I had my ’70 Stingray Convertible with power steering.
The Vette always felt tight, until I got the Cooper, then it was loosy goosy. After I sold off the Cooper, the Vette felt tight again. That Cooper was a go cart for sure.
I also had a Cooper (‘12S) What a fun car!
I used to bench press the cooper when I was in grade 11 yea it did handle like a go kart it had sliding forward windows both doors that didnt lock grad year the rugby team I’m guessing put my mini in the middle of the football field, for about half an hour I thought my car was stolen but my vette hard to steer slow getting out of parking spots is fun with the four speed and 4:11 difference reminds me of the mini 40+ years ago lol
LOL! Our H.S. football players used to do that to smaller cars. Saw them do it with a Bug and a Plymouth Cricket. Put them down on the football field.
Yea I was on the rugby team grade 8 thru 12 played on mens rugby team for 2 years after school but job got in the way, wanted a vette c3 since I first saw one was about 6 yrs old funny thing I open the door drop my butt in and one leg at a time my son is about 6’3″ he cant even get in the drivers side!
The drop-your-ass-in-and-pivot-your-legs seems to be the best method of C3 entry.
Just thought of another Mini – C3 story. I had a friend of a friend over one time and he was interested in getting behind the wheel of the Vette. At 6’5″, he could not fit in comfortable. After that, I offered for him to try the Mini and he said No Way would he fit. Well, he got behind the wheel and I swear he still had room to move the seat further back.
We figured that he might have fit in the C3 if it had tilt wheel.
I had a Vette friend who had a ’70 Corvette Coupe with zero options, so it had the no-power steering. We traded cars one time – wow what a difference. At speed, the manual steering was great, but parking that thing was tough.
If people could have seen into the future, they would know how big of a deal having matching numbers means to the value of an automobile.
Yes it should make a difference,I’m rebuilding the 350 new bearings rings pistons heads redone I am putting electronic ignition points are out! Otherwise all stock, guys at shop say tremec 5 speed so I might do that keep the m21 aside in case I sell it hope that day donf come for awhile although gm is making a 300hp 4 cylinder that will bolt right in might even go that route ws shall see……