I’m going to stick my neck out here. This 1968 Corvette Convertible has to rate as one of the nicest original and unrestored C3 Corvettes that I have ever seen come across my desk here at Barn Finds. It has obviously spent its life as someone’s much-treasured possession, and its overall condition is impressive. All good things must come to an end. So the owner has decided that the time is right to part with this classic. It is located in Bothell, Washington, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has rocketed to $29,900, and the reserve has been met.

Whenever I look at the early C3 Corvettes, I have to think that Chevrolet got the styling absolutely right. They are a tough and muscular looking vehicle, and later updates softened their appearance significantly. This one is finished in its original Silverstone Silver, and it looks stunning. The original owner only drove the car on special occasions during its first 25-years. After that, it did its round of car shows, finding its way to each on a trailer. This changed last year, and it now appears that the Corvette does see the road from time-to-time. The paint holds a beautiful depth of shine, and there are no signs of any chips or marks to be found anywhere on the vehicle. The White convertible top also presents well, with only some very slight clouding visible on the rear window. Speaking of glass, one of the few exterior faults is a light wiper scratch on the tinted windshield. However, the owner thinks that this could be polished out. The owner doesn’t mention the inclusion of a factory hardtop, but the original Sales Invoice does indicate that the Corvette was delivered with one. This is something that any potential buyer might need to follow-up. Otherwise, the trim and chrome are spotless, and there are no apparent issues with the original wheels.

The original owner of the Corvette wanted the car to be about more than good looks. In this case, he stumped up the additional $105.35 to update from the standard engine to the L79 version of the 327ci V8. Backing this is a 4-speed close-ratio manual transmission, which feeds the power to a Posi rear end. Tipping the scales at 3,064lbs, this combination should help the Corvette rocket through the ¼ mile in 14.3 seconds. If brutal acceleration isn’t enough, it should then truck on to a top speed of 137mph. This Corvette is a numbers-matching car, and it has a genuine 63,000 miles showing on the clock. This should be an easy claim to verify, as amongst the vehicle’s documentation is a complete service history. However, the owner does leave us with one glaring omission in the listing. While the engine bay presents beautifully, he doesn’t tell us how well the Corvette runs or drives. If looks count for anything, then the news should potentially be promising on that front.

The “wow” factor continues when we take a look around inside the Corvette. The interior is original, unmolested, and immaculate. The seats are upholstered in Black leather, and there are no signs of any issues or problems on that front. The dash and pad appear to be perfect, while there are no signs of any wear or fading on the carpet. Once again, the original owner would appear to have known precisely what he wanted when he ordered this classic. It isn’t weighed down with optional extras. However, the AM/FM radio, power windows, and the telescopic wheel should all combine to provide a comfortable driving experience.

I like the styling of the early C3 Corvettes, and I understand why the chrome-bumper cars are so popular amongst enthusiasts. I’ve looked at plenty of examples of these over the years, and have admired a great many of them. This is the first one that I’ve looked at and felt that I would really love to own it. It is a stunning and original survivor with a drivetrain combination that promises an entertaining ownership experience. It is a car that would appear to need nothing more than a new owner who will continue to appreciate this classic as much as the original owner obviously has. Someone needs to buy this beautiful car to save me from the temptation. Do we have any takers?