I’ve always believed that it is worth the effort to lie on the ground to photograph a C3 Corvette. No angle better captures its low stance and sweeping lines than shooting from ground level. The seller has adopted that strategy with this 1969 example, and the result was worth it. The car looks purposeful and aggressive, an impression backed by its high-performance mechanical combination. It isn’t perfect, leaving the winning bidder to choose between preservation or restoration. However, with no urgent needs, they can take their time to consider their options. The Corvette is listed here on eBay in Kemmerer, Wyoming. Bidding has scorched beyond the reserve to sit at $17,600.
The seller describes this Corvette as a good ten-footer. They believe it may have received a prior repaint in its original Daytona Yellow, but they aren’t sure. The description implies a close inspection will reveal minor flaws and imperfections consistent with a driver-grade classic. The Black stripes are a later addition, as is the side exhaust. There are no glaring fiberglass faults, with the seller believing it is all original. The underside shots reveal a consistent coating of surface corrosion on the frame but no evidence of compromising rust. Treating and painting the frame would be wise for long-term preservation, and the seller confirms the birdcage is structurally sound. The original owner ordered this classic with Soft Ray glass that looks excellent, and there are no problems with the Rally wheels, center caps, or trim rings.
The original owner didn’t spend a fortune on interior options with this Corvette, preferring to focus on performance. The car features a factory AM/FM radio and alarm system but they passed on such items as air conditioning and power windows. They selected Black vinyl trim that looks in good condition for its age. There is no appreciable wear or signs of physical damage on the upholstered surfaces. The dash and wheel are excellent, as is the plastic. Nobody has tinkered with the inside of this classic to add aftermarket items. It probably isn’t perfect, but the condition is easily acceptable for a driver-grade classic.
The seller holds the original Tank Sticker for this Corvette, revealing that the first owner wished to go fast on a reasonable budget. They spent an additional $131.65 beyond the sticker price for the L46 version of the mighty 350ci V8. A further $184.80 was allocated to an M21 four-speed close-ratio manual transmission, $46.35 for a 3.70 Posi rear end, and $105.35 for power steering. The small-block produces 350hp, allowing this classic to storm the ¼-mile in 14.2 seconds. The seller confirms that this gem is numbers-matching and is in excellent mechanical health. It runs and drives perfectly, although we don’t need to rely entirely on the written word. They include this YouTube video of the car in action. It reveals no signs of issues, and that motor sounds sweet breathing through the side exhaust.
Barn Finds readers are passionate enthusiasts with their fingers on the pulse. Therefore, they don’t need me to tell them how desirable chrome-bumper C3 Corvettes are. This 1969 example graphically demonstrates that, having already received forty-two bids. People like what they see and are willing to put their money where their mouth is. The big question will be whether the winning bidder will opt for preservation or restoration once it is securely tucked away in their garage. Which path would you take?
If you don’t have to mortgage your house to buy it this is nothing but fun on wheels. Would probably put AC in it but would leave everything else just like it sits. Nice car.
Indeed.. I don’t get it. There’s literally 5 C3s on every corner. I quit buying them because there’s so many. I think the highest I paid was 5500$ and they were all at least drivers.
These people throwing big money for hands down the most available sports car …. Just crazy
Was the car you paid $5500 for a well-equipped Corvette with documentation? This car is a winner.
Were any a matching numbers ’68-’73’s or were they ’74-’82’s? What years did you buy them?
Where do you see 5 C3s on any corner anymore? $5500? Stop living in the past, griping, and just enjoy this beautiful machine.
My 95 year old Dad on morphine in the nursing home makes better sense than this dude.
John, go buy a Rambler and leave the Corvettes to people that know something about them.
I’d like to order a half dozen C3’s. Nothing later than 74, all big block convertibles. No auto trans. All in good solid, drivable condition. I’ll pay up to $7500 for the ones you find. Potential profit of $12,000 for you. That would buy you 2, maybe even three more C3’s to flip.
Seriously, I see C3’s for $5000 every now and again. They are almost all 75-82 models that may or may not actually run, much less be drivable. I’m in awe of the prices SWC’s and other mid years are bringing. I bought a SWC in good drivable condition, complete with KO’s, for $2500. Flipped it within two days for $3000. That was probably in 1973. Same car, same condition, today you’re looking at $100,000+.
I’m not a big fan of yellow, but I really like the contrast with the “Bumble Bee” stripe. This car looks like a clean, cared for driver, with all the right boxes checked. L46, 4 speed, 3:70 gears, side exhaust and no A/C, a really fast and simple car to own, maintain and enjoy. If the price doesn’t go out of sight, this is a very good deal. Buy it, drive it, and fix things as you go. The car will tell you what it needs, probably start with the rear suspension though.
Am a big fan of yellow but in this case this yellow one is a bit faster than our yellow one.
We own a ’69 Daytona yellow convertible, black leather interior with black convertible top. One of the first things I did was to install a close ratio Tremec 5 speed. Best move I could have made. L46 with 3.70 rear posi really likes the lower first gear and the overdrive 5th gear. It really is the best of both worlds!
The C 3s can get pretty hot inside without A/C Its spec’d out nicely as far a powertrain goes
Agreed! She’s a winner for sure!
Still many days to go on the bidding, so it might get out of hand.
It definitely has potential as a leave-as-is fun driver, if the price is right.
Very nice, well taken care of Corvette. I usually don’t care for Yellow but with that black bumblebee stripe it ain’t bad. . I’d add A/C and finish off that rear lower valance and just enjoy driving it frequently. That L46 350/350 is a nice motor, I had a ’70 Convertible with that combo and really enjoyed it .
THis is the chrome bumper I would buy if I was in the market for one. Nice and original and that frame is in good shape.
That tank sticker is like gold to us Corvette afficionados and that is the nicest one I’ve ever seen. And, good on the seller for taking pictures of it while still on the tank. Goes a long way to proving that it goes with this car.
Here is what the tank sticker looked like on my ’70 after I removed it. That’s what spending it’s life in the northeast (and probably driven in the winter).
Ditch the stripes n pipes and repaint in original color. Detail engine compartment and it will be more of a gem than it already is.
Take a look at the yellow ZL-1 at Rogers Corvette Center. The stripes n pipes make the car look like the beast it is. This car immediately reminded me of the ZL-1
The 350/350 is probably one of the best engines that year. Tons of power, but hydraulic cam so no need to adjust the valves. But gonna need VP gas for that compression ratio. The 3.70 rear will have you looking for 5th gear at today’s ridiculous highway speeds, so don’t get surprised when soccer moms blows you away on the interstate. I have a 73 coupe 4 speed with 3.36 rear. Always looking for 5th gear. I like 69s, and if it stays below $25,000, it would be a decent deal.
Back in 1979 I looked at a 69 350/350 4 speed convertible, and I really wanted that one. This was back before C3’s were collectible so it was ‘affordable’, it ran like a scalded dog and had been gone through by a competent Vette mechanic and he had the paperwork to prove it.
I test drove it and IIRC I was around 100-110 mph when I hit 4th gear. Could have gone more but I was running out of blacktop.
He sold it out from under my bid, but ultimately it probably was for the best. Come to find out that the insurance per year would have been about what I would have paid for the car, plus the Ex probably would have gotten it in the divorce so better to not have gotten it in the first place.
I have to admit, I really did want that one.
Beautiful car I’m 73yrs old I have been looking for a reasonable 64 to 69 muscle cars just can’t afford the ones u seem to looking for something that needs a little work and runs my grandson is a body guy and his father is a auto tech st Louis Missouri seems to only have very expensive cars but I do appreciate ur site thanks have a fantastic weekend
Very nice C3…brings back memories. In 1979 I traded a black 1978 Z 28 and picked up a 1969 red 4 speed convertible, built 350 NOM ,black top and black interior.The 350 had a good lope off the cam and ran like the hounds of Hell were chasing it.Late one night after leaving the local pub in the small flat land town I grew up I found 5 miles of fresh paved smooth asphalt ,put the pedal on the floor and kept it there.On the other side of a 130 I felt the front end start to get a bit squirrely and shut it down.I found out years later during test production it was discovered there was a lot of high speed lift and a redesigned front end with a small front spoiler was added to counter this.The guardian angel was working overtime while I had that beast.3 tickets over the course of a summer,a certified letter from the insurance company telling me they were done when my policy expired and the car went.A gearhead friend bought and totally restored it.2015 and I got a call from him giving me first chance on a sale.Pictures showed a brand new looking machine.It was tempting, however I had a low mileage ’01 Z06 ,the ’69 was a no AC car and as a long time Phoenix resident it was a no go.
I have owned many early C3 Corvette, small blocks, big blocks, and LT1s. The L46 with the required 4 speed is by far the best drivetrain for normal pleasure driving. I wish this had a few more options especially tilt/tele and power brakes, and a little less scale on the frame, but this still looks like a fantastic Corvette for the money.
Ya the 4 speed transmission has gone the way of T Rex .
A Tremec 5 speed would be great in this car.
IMO well bought.
SOLD for 22K.