UPDATE: 12/19/2022: There are few things more frustrating than listing an object with good intentions, only to fall foul of a non-paying winning bidder. It is especially true when potential buyers don’t face the obstacle of a reserve. That appears to be the case with the owner of this 1968 Corvette because although its previous listing indicates it sold for $13,900 mere days ago, it has reappeared with the same seller. Nothing has changed since the last auction concluded. It is listed here on eBay with the bidding sitting at $7,600 in a No Reserve auction

12/10/2022: We’ve recently seen a few promising C3 Corvette project cars at Barn Finds, and this 1968 Corvette is worth a closer look. Its previous owner purchased it in 1976, and it seems that it saw little use before they placed it in storage. It has sat for many years but is ready to head to a new home and an owner willing to return it to its rightful place on our roads. Chrome-bumper C3s are already desirable, but this car lifts that to a higher level courtesy of the seller’s decision to list it here on eBay in Miami, Florida.

The history of this Corvette is unclear, although the listing suggests it spent decades in storage. The sticking point is the lack of information about the frame or birdcage. The seller doesn’t mention their condition, making an in-person inspection worthwhile. I can see evidence of corrosion in areas around the engine bay, but it doesn’t seem too bad. Since the seller suggests the car requires total restoration, it could be the ideal opportunity to tackle the build as a frame-off process to ensure there are no future problems. The Rally Red paint still shines okay if the buyer follows the survivor path, and the fiberglass looks excellent. The Black soft-top has wrinkles, but I believe some time in the sun would see it fitting tight. The rear window is gone, which might motivate the buyer to spend $400 on a replacement top. Any chrome trim items that are not appropriate for a driver-quality build would be suitable for a trip to the platers, and the glass looks fine.

The original owner ordered this Corvette with the Code 407 Red vinyl trim, and apart from an aftermarket radio/cassette player, the interior looks original and unmolested. However, it also needs some love because plenty of faults demand attention. The door trims sport damage beyond repair, the carpet is toast, and the wheel is cracked. A few small plastic pieces are missing, and there may be some damage to the seatcovers. A complete retrim is on the agenda, and the cost will depend on the material the buyer selects. Leather will increase the price, but the correct vinyl would still add more than $2,000 to the build. It’s a lot of money, but as I’ve said in previous articles, it is a one-off expense. If the new owner purchases a high-quality kit and installs it correctly, there is no reason why the interior shouldn’t present well in another fifty-four years. Divide the cost by the years, and it looks like a cheap investment.

Lifting the Corvette’s hood reveals this car’s greatest mystery. The seller says this is a 327ci V8, but it is unclear whether it is original to this classic. Chevrolet offered two versions of the small-block to Corvette buyers in 1968, and if this ‘Vette is numbers-matching, it could produce either 300hp or 350hp. The original owner selected the four-speed manual transmission, meaning that even the least potent variant would have launched this classic through the ¼ mile in 14.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 131mph. If this is the more powerful L79 version, those figures change to 14.2 seconds and 150mph. The engine looks spotless, but we don’t know whether that’s a result of a rebuild or if someone made merry with the rattle cans. The seller seems approachable, so that’s a question worth asking. It lacks a few minor parts, but the drivetrain appears essentially complete.

If an in-person inspection confirms this 1968 Corvette Convertible has no frame or birdcage issues, it could be a straightforward restoration prospect. The seller states it requires that level of attention, making a frame-off process seem the most appropriate course of action. Restored to a high standard, it would achieve a sale price of around $40,000 any day of the week. If the new owner performs a perfect restoration, combined with the fact that Convertibles tend to command a 25% premium compared to the Coupe, the potential value could climb considerably higher. Its lack of obvious significant issues could make it a prime candidate for a DIY approach, but is it a project you would willingly tackle?