The seller describes the condition of this 1968 Corvette as “show quality,” and one look at the supplied photos seems to support that statement. It presents superbly, but the beast hiding under its hood ensures it possesses the performance to match its good looks. It needs a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They set their price at $59,900 but are willing to consider offers. Full credit for spotting this find goes to our eagle-eyed Barn Finder, Larry D.
Chevrolet released the C3 Corvette in 1963 and immediately found itself with a sales hit. The best the C2 could muster was 27,720 cars in 1966, but first-year C3 production reached 28,566. From there, total sales kept increasing into the late 1970s. Our feature car is from the first production year and presents superbly in Rally Red. It was 1-of-10 shades offered in 1968, with 2,918 buyers selecting it. The seller indicates the vehicle received a clear-over-base repaint, but it is unclear when the previous owner performed the work. It holds an impressive shine, with no chips or marks. The fiberglass is flawless, and the gaps are consistent. The beauty of this classic is more than skin-deep, with the frame and birdcage rust-free. I can’t spot any defects with the chrome or Rally wheels, while new glass adds a great finishing touch to the exterior.
If the seller’s claim that this car’s interior is original, its condition is phenomenal. The original owner ordered it trimmed in Red vinyl, and I can’t spot any signs of wear or physical damage. Even the outer edges of the seats are clean, with the same true of the carpet. The gauges feature crystal clear lenses and crisp markings and are set into a dash that looks perfect. The plastic is free from cracking and the effects of UV exposure, with the prone area around the shifter appearing particularly clean. It isn’t loaded with optional extras, but its owner has resisted the temptation to add aftermarket components. That means the factory AM/FM radio occupies its rightful place, ready to provide entertainment on the move.
Chevrolet didn’t produce a slow version of the 1968 Corvette. It was just a case that some were faster than others. If a buyer selected a big-block, that guaranteed a sub-14-second ¼-mile ET. That is the case with our feature car. Its original owner ticked the box beside the L36 version of the 427ci V8. Its 390hp fed to the Posi rear end via a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, with power steering making light work of the driving duties. I mentioned ¼-mile ETs, and this car should storm through in 13.9 seconds. The seller indicates the vehicle is numbers-matching and in excellent mechanical health. Components like the original air cleaner and ignition shielding are intact, which is essential when considering potential value.
Most enthusiasts are aware that the earlier chrome-bumper C3 Corvettes perform well in the classic market, and this is especially true of those housing a big-block under the hood. This Corvette is hardly cheap, but its overall condition and specifications place the price within the ballpark in the current environment. I won’t be surprised if it finds a new owner, but the seller may need to exercise patience before it happens. It will be interesting to gauge reader reaction to this gem and see whether any of you are tempted to pursue it further.
Chevrolet released the C3 Corvette in 1968, not 1963. Great looking ride. The red stripe tires look good on this rig.
Clearly a typo since in the next line, they correctly reference a 1966 as a C2.
I’ll take it. And the convertible 4-speed to match. It did come in a convertible 4-speed, right?
This car dealer has a bunch of excellent cars for sale. The prices are always very high.
Luv the color, unfortunately my wallet wont open that far :-)
Very nice & apparently well sorted out appearance wise, if it performs as well as it looks someone will be getting a very nice ‘ 68 . Whats missing (thankfully) is the chronic rivet walk on the nose above the headlights. The price seems a mite ambitious , but probably worth it to someone . I like it but not for almost $60 K .
Beautiful and one of the best color combos, but this dealer is very optimistic. You can buy a driver C2 for this money.
I’m partial to ’68 Corvettes. I had a good friend in my first semester in college who had a ’66 Tri Power GTO. About a month into that semester, he told me in class one day that he had traded his GTO the day before for a yellow ’68 Corvette convertible. He asked if I wanted to ride in it after class. Well, it was a magnificent, Chamber of Commerce fall day in Carolina and it would be the perfect setting for me to ride in a Corvette for the first time.
We went out to his car after class and there it sat with the top down. Man, I couldn’t wait to go cruising. I’ll say this was in the fall of 1970 and driving or even being seen in a Corvette then was a BIG deal. I could tell that as we drove across campus. All the guys turned to look and the girls waved,
So we left town and headed out to some twisty country roads. His car was an L-79 350 HP 327 with a 4-speed. And boy he gave it a workout on those roads. I was so impressed with how it handled. And he was a pretty fair driver too.
After that day, I was hooked and had to have a Corvette. It took a few months to make all the necessary arrangements and to find a car but I found one. I couldn’t afford a C3 which broke my heart because I loved them since they were the new body style. I had to settle for a ’66 coupe, also with an L-79 and a 4-speed. At that time there was quite a gap between the C2s and C3s in price.
So, that experience with my friend got me addicted to Corvettes. I have owned 13 of them since I got that first one in May of ’71.
But I still have a soft spot for ’68s and always will.
Larry, yours is a fascinating example of how you got the bug. Many of us have similar stories, I’m sure. Although I have only owned 2, both C3s.
I was 18 yrs old in the military and I bought a brand new 1984 Dodge Daytona Turbo Z. I went home on leave and my brother just recently bought a 1968 L-79 convertible Vette. I took it for a spin and I was hooked, I could hear the 4 barrel opening up in my head over and over. I traded my Daytona with 1700 miles on it for a 79 Corvette with 23k miles. My dad called me stupid for a long time. I’m 56 now and still have my Corvette, now it has 36k miles on it but I put an L-79 327 in it a long time ago. Vettes are very fun cars, everyone should try it once.