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Parked for 20 Years: 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

After sitting hidden away in a garage for 20-years, this 1968 Corvette Convertible has emerged into the light of day and is now looking for a new place to call home. It is going to need a complete restoration, but it is a car that has generated its share of interest since being listed for sale here on eBay. It is located in Richmond, Kentucky, and bidding has now reached $7,600. With the reserve having been met, it will soon be headed to that new home.

When it was shiny and new, the Corvette was finished in Cordovan Maroon, which was actually the least common color to find its way onto a Corvette in 1968. Only 1,155 cars, or around 4% of the total Corvette production, wore that particular shade. That was a long time ago, and the owner does say that the car will require a complete restoration. We have no information about the state of the frame or birdcage of the Corvette, although we can glimpse the frame in a couple of spots, and it looks quite reasonable. The fiberglass panels also don’t look to be too bad, and while the soft-top is long gone, the frame is still intact. Some of the glass is also missing, but sourcing this is a pretty easy task.

Having sat in a garage for 20-years with no top, it isn’t surprising that the interior of the Corvette is looking pretty dirty. The majority of the remaining interior trim looks to be original, except for the passenger seat, which has very obviously been sourced from another car. Corvettes finished in Cordovan were only available with Black interior trim, and the passenger seat has been a different color, which you can see in a few spots. The interior is like the rest of the car and will require a full restoration. Still, items such as the dash pad could be reused with a clean, but I think that every piece of upholstery will require replacement.

Powering the Corvette is a 327ci V8, while the car features a 4-speed manual transmission. Starting with the good news, this is a numbers-matching car. Beyond that, the engine doesn’t run, and the owner doesn’t say whether it actually turns freely. It’s pretty obvious that someone has made merry with the rattle-cans on the 327 at some point because there’s plenty of overspray kicking around on various brackets and other items. Quite honestly, even if the engine is fine, I would probably pull it as part of the restoration, and at least paint it properly. It ultimately isn’t going to add a whole heap of work to the restoration project, but at least it will look decent once again.

This Corvette has a few factors in its favor that would account for it generating the interest that it has. The first is that being a 1968 model, it comes from the first year of C3 Corvette production, and these always have a strong following. The second factor is that it is finished in what was the rarest color for a 1968 model, which makes it just that bit more interesting. The third factor is that it is a numbers-matching car, and this will never hurt the value of any classic. This could be a real eye-catcher once it has been restored.

Comments

  1. Avatar jerry z

    I’d take this over a C2 anyday. Been in both and these are more fun to drive.

    Like 4
  2. Avatar Chuckster

    No luggage rack ? I’ll pass
    I’

    Like 4
  3. Avatar TimM

    Nice project but it’s already at my personal threshold of what I’d want to pay for it considering the amount of work I see!! Great combination 327/4 speed!! It would make a nice ride fixed up!!!!

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Jamie

    Has later model tail lamps. 68 had a 4 solid red with backup lights under rear bumpers.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Ended:Sep 29, 2019 , 8:45PM
    Winning bid:US $7,700.00
    [ 19 bids ]

    Like 3
  6. Avatar NorthStar

    a lot of work and $$$ to get a running c-3. You can buy a running c-3 for under 10k so why would you do it?

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Bing

    Pretty good price. If the new owner farms everything out, he’ll spend 45k plus or minus. Restored to NCRS standards throw in another ten.
    If the guy is good with his hands and a buddy with a paint gun, he will have a pretty good driver for 25 k or so more.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Kenbo52

    I always wanted a vete, what’s this?

    Like 0
  9. Avatar George Mattar

    Decent price. 68s get a bad rap as there were many teething problems with the new body 50 years ago. There are plenty of one year only parts on these cars, such as the doors and headlamp buckets. Yes, only black was available for the interior with the standard black or code 402 black leather. Maroon is beautiful and I bet this car was really pretty when new. Yeah, restoring cars is expensive, but if the new owner can do the mechanical work himself, he will have a very nice driver. Certainly better looking than a new 2020 POS. I have owned two C3 cars, they are wonderful driving cars. I currently have a 73 coupe with a four speed. It is a thrill to drive.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Tony Hartley

    Deep pockets will restore this and it will be on Barrett Jackson in two years.

    Like 0

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