Although the Corvette could be equipped with a host of great optional engines in the late sixties, even the standard 350 was a fine performer, delivering 300 horsepower in completely stock form as you drove away from your Chevrolet dealer in ’69. While that was decades ago, this 1969 Corvette here on Craigslist has had only 2 owners since then and retains all its original major mechanical components, plus many other factory parts. It’s also said to be a very reliable driver, so if you’re eager to become owner #3, this one’s located in Petaluma, California, and priced at $35,000. We’d like to thank reader Zappenduster for finding this mostly original C3 and sending us the tip!
Cosmetically, this one isn’t perfect, having undergone nose repairs in the 80s followed by a partial respray. The seller is upfront that if your priority is a great paint job, this probably isn’t the car of your dreams, since the finish is faded and has a few flakes here and there. However, the fiberglass appears to still be in excellent condition, and the Daytona Yellow is certainly good enough for a nice weekend driver. Whitewall tires and wheel covers are somewhat uncommon to find on a ‘Vette, but they seem to blend right in here, as does the rear luggage rack.
The seller’s biggest financial investments centered on the mechanical components, and the original 300-horsepower 350 small block is said to have been rebuilt with many NOS GM parts. Several other original accessories were rebuilt rather than replaced, including the starter, water pump, and air conditioning compressor. The Turbo 400 is also the factory transmission, and it’s been overhauled, along with the rear differential. A few things could still use some additional attention, but the owner says he went overboard with OEM parts and reports it’s very solid and roadworthy as-is.
With only the carpeting and seat covers listed as exceptions, the interior is stated as all original, and based on its strong condition, I’m guessing the 55,507 miles on the odometer are likely accurate. This one also appears exceptionally solid underneath, and the seller says he’s only driven it about 3,000 miles since the work was completed. Though this 1969 Chevrolet Corvette doesn’t quite score a 10 on the exterior, its mechanical condition might be very close to that number. Could this be the early C3 you’ve been holding out for?
This takes me back. Over 30 years ago my wife and I lived in a Garden Apartment Complex with garages. We had a neighbor who had an all original, low mileage red ’68. It was a 327, 4 speed, manual steering, manual brakes car. It had these same wheel covers on it which is what reminded me of it. He was the original owner and daily drove it when it was new, then, thankfully garaged it. It was in beautiful condition. One day he took it out for some “exercise ” I asked if I could come along and he let me. It was one of the most enjoyable rides in my life that I’ll never forget. Really, genuinely nice guy and neighbor. Thanks for bringing up the great memories Mike.
What a fantastic story- that’s my kind of neighbor! Thanks for sharing such a fond memory.
This is one of the huge benefits of Barnfinds. You never know what you’ll find, and what forgotten memories come up. Thanks again Mike.