Sting rays never seem to appear dated, always showing off their interesting lines and great drive-train options. This Safari yellow example has been with the same owner for 37 years, and has been parked for 30 years. With a lovely appearance, and a claimed numbers matching drive-train, this ’68 looks like a sweet car to get back out on the road again. This original condition ‘Vette is offered for $18,000. Take a look at this fine machine here on craigslist out of Harmony, Florida. A big thanks to reader Patrick S for this lovely survivor submission!
The numbers matching 327 looks clean enough, as does the engine bay. There are some gaps in information about this car, but it would appear that the engine has not been rebuilt, or at least any time recently from its patina. Also I am not entirely sure if this car runs or drives based on the sellers description. The seller has added a new radiator and new brake rotors, so part of me thinks that this is a driver even though the seller elaborates that some “work” is needed.
Inside you can see the well laid out cockpit, and its tidy condition. Sadly the seller did not include the mileage on this Corvette, but if it is truly original, then it is a real beauty. Scanning the interior, there is little to point out. The driver seat looks to have a leaf or a rag on the seat bottom, but it could possibly be damage to the seat. I cannot verify one way or another, but as clean as this car is, I suspect it is something lying in the seat. Also one superficial thing to point out is the horn button is crooked. Simple enough fix, but a minor detail that “makes” the interior. Overall the interior is a deep and shiny black with no cracking or sun fading to report. Looking at the gauges the needles are still bright with color, not suffering from sun fade either. Meticulously kept, even the carpet appears as new, with no evidence of any type of dirt or debris. Although parked for a long time, the seller certainly took a keen eye to taking care of this ‘Vette.
Although the paint is quite shiny, there are a few blemishes that reveal some age, making it believable that this Sting Ray is original. The lighting of the photos varies, but it would almost appear that the paint on the front of the car may be slightly faded. One definite issue is that there is some paint chipping occurring on the front passenger fender. There also appears to be paint chipping along some edges of the body where the paint is naturally thinner. These areas are around the passenger headlight, as well as along the passenger door edge. Unfortunately there are no photos of the driver side, but hopefully it shares a similar or better condition than the passenger side. The soft top looks fine, but is hard to make out. One very interesting thing to point out is that there is a hard top sitting behind the car, which hopefully is included with the sale. With a nice original appearance, and a numbers matching drive-train this Corvette would certainly be a welcomed addition for any classic Corvette fan. Is this Corvette the classic survivor you have been looking for?
My 68 ragtop always sounded like it was breaking apart going over railroad crossings. The body mounts were improved for 1969. The 68 also had some 68 only parts. Were I to buy another C3 Corvette I would prefer a 69 T-top.
As nice as this one is, I’d rather have the ’70 big block coupe listed earlier for $500 more.
Yep. 1968 Vettes were quite a departure from the through 1967 C2’s. Gorgeous cars with lines really close to the 1965 Mako Shark II / XP-830 show car, but with some teething glitches. First year cars can be both fun and a pain in the rear. Neat car.
Cool car but 18k better be a driver. Also, as others mentioned, quite a few improvements on the 69 that shouldn’t be too tough to find with a little shopping and willingness to travel.
One of my favorite cars that I’ve owned — I’m just not sure that this with questionable mechanicals and an automatic is worth what they’re asking. Yes, this would be lots of extra work compared to later models but could be a great driver. Have to agree that you could probably find a later model with less designed-in issues for about the same money.
Seems like a lot of money to me but a nice car. Why cant all Corvettes be manual transmissions ? I wouldnt want a automatic thats for sure/
True. Fun fact for the day: A three-speed was considered the base transmission for 1968. Four-speeds were options.
The original 1954 Corvette was automatic only and a Powerglide at that. Manual transmissions were added later. So not all Corvettes can be manuals, it was born with an automatic in it’s DNA. And sales of automatics vs manuals over it’s lifetime have been in favor of automatics.
Another piece of trivia: In 1982 you only got a slush box. No sticks available that year.
Did a double-take on the first picture… looked just like one I see locally from time to time. Same color, same wheelcovers – but that one also has a chrome trunk rack and some other period accessories of questionable taste.
Not how I would have ordered it, but to each his own.
auto slushbox boooh
I had a ’68 coupe in that color. Beautiful car. Spent the entire summer of 1976 pulling wires through it trying to get it to be reliable. Never was. By ’69 most of those issues were worked out.
Yup, had a similar experience. Had a red 68 convertible over black interior, manual trans with side pipes. Spent 12 months fixing the body (as near as we could tell stripped 7 coats of paint with a rattle can coat of silver on top as well as fixing the cracks at the corners of the lights, replaced the battery box, and rebuild the floor where the master cylinder had leaked for years and destroyed the fibreglass, etc.) and had to tear the dash completely apart as the wiper cover wiring had melted and damaged most of the under-dash harnesses. Finally got it all straightened out and the car was a beauty. One day a guy made me an offer I couldn’t refuse ($10K almost 30 years ago) and away it went. A TON of work but a great car when done. I lusted after this one right up until I saw the automatic trans.
Survivor Sunflower yellow 68???? WANT! So hard to find early C3s that bubba hasn’t messed with. Looks like it has a speedwarning tach too!
I’m sure the horn button didn’t come from the factory this way, so I’m guessing some mechanical work has been done to the steering system, whether major or minor. Not a knock, just an observation.
If that thing has been sitting 30 years there’s no way it’s a driver. “Needs some work’ is code phrase for “needs battery, tires, brakes are rusted, seals are dried out” and so on. Maybe someone will check it out and post on it…..
If you like fixing things, buy a 68. If you like to drive a car buy a 70 on up. The 68 would make a nice museum piece, just don’t try to use it. Plus this particular one is priced at about twice what it’s really worth.
Love my ’68. Had it out yesterday to stretch the legs! Owned it about five years. No problems. Engine rebuild about two years ago. It was just time. Too many backyard mechanics before me.
People love seeing it on the road. Always gets comments.
Great color.Very nice. Enjoy!
Could be a good buy, maybe not, but who knows with that pathetic write up and 4(!) pictures.
When I sold my 70 convertible on CL, I wrote an exhaustive description and included the maximum photos, including a link to a Photobucket account of even more.
Sold it to the 3rd person who looked at it.