I’m guessing more Barn Finds readers have been there than not. You spot a car you like, one you really like, and envision how great the finished product is going to be. It needs restoration, but you buy it anyway and eagerly begin taking it apart. But then time passes, and life gets in the way and it sits and sits. Finally, it’s been sitting for so long you realize it’s time for another enthusiast to take over, so you decide to sell. Such appears to be the case with this 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe. It can be found here on Craigslist with an asking price of $13,900 and is located in La Mesa, California. A big shout out and thank you goes to reader Rex M for the tip on this one.
The story goes that the Corvette was parked for about 10 years after the prior owner passed away and that the current owner bought it from that man’s widow. Fortunately, the seller had the foresight to take some photos of the interior when it was intact, as it was when he acquired the car. He claims that many pieces of the original interior are in great shape, and the photos seem to back that up.
In its present state, the majority of the interior has now been removed by the current owner. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing, as potential buyers can now see behind these areas where birdcage problems can sometimes hide. The seller says that the car is solid and has only surface rust on a solid frame. He does understand that the car needs a complete restoration but says that the body is in good shape, although the paint has oxidized in places. We are also informed that the right front fender and door were replaced years ago, but that a very good job was done when this repair was made. The car also has a new windshield which was just recently installed.
Powering the Corvette is the original 350 cubic inch V-8 engine and an automatic transmission. Even though the car sat for 10 years prior to his acquisition, the seller says that it was started regularly during that time and that the engine does not smoke. The car is said to start and stop, but the brakes are going to need attention and the tires need to be replaced before it can be driven at speed and that it will need to be trailered home.
The seller’s claim that this Corvette would be a great project for the right person seems to be spot on. The car is mostly complete, and although the interior is in pieces at least we know what those pieces look like. What are your thoughts on this 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe? Could you be the right person to take this on as a project?
Nothing worse than a used up old corvette. By the time you got this dead rat up to par, you would come out better finding one the same year that’s turn key / perfect.
Sorry Gary but that’s not a bad price for that corvette, by your comment you know vary little about cars setting on your couch watching cartoons
Wow, got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, did ya?
And this is a perfect example of why I have never owned a Corvette almost $14k asking for something that I would have to put at least $5k into just to get it road worthy just judging from the pictures and who knows if mice have made a mess of things in other areas. I’m not in the vette world so I don’t know if this is a money maker or a pit
Pick Pit!
A running driving example can be had for 15k or so. 10k is being generous for this. A big block yeah but a small block automatic, no way.
Wrong color, small engine, automatic, and a t-top needs work. Whats to like?
$10k max. No mileage? Replacement left front by fender and driver door screams ‘phone pole’ or ‘intersection T-bone’. Also, Disassembled interior so one can see birdcage items? (That’s trying to sell a bit too hard). 350 c.i. + auto tranny + less-than-exiting color combo doesn’t warrant anything higher.
Every time I see a Vette like this, the price of my ’77 goes up.
This could be the right car for someone who knows a lot about these cars, the cost of needed parts, and who can do the work him/her self.
This is the wrong car for someone who is going to buy it, only to pay shops to do the work.
Yes so true I’m a trained corvette technician on trim and interior on these models if I had the cash I would buy it right now ❤️