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Stingray Barn Find: 1969 Corvette

1969 Corvette Stingray

When Chevy introduced the Corvette Stingray in ’68, it was quite the jump from the previous two generations in terms of styling. Depending on your tastes, that’s either a good or a bad thing. Personally, I like the way the C3 turned out. It might look considerably different, but it was actually based on the C2’s chassis and offered similar performance. This ’69 is said to have been found in a barn. Sadly, they don’t state how long it was in storage or provide any images of it in the barn. It does however look to be original and how you would expect a Corvette barn find to look. You can find this Stingray here on eBay in Tampa, Florida without a reserve, but bidding already to $8k!

1969 Corvette Body

From a distance, this car actually looks pretty good, but take a closer look and you’ll notice lots of checking in the paint. Cracking paint on a traditional steel bodied car usually means there is something hiding underneath the paint (think bondo). Well cracking paint on the Corvette’s fiberglass body isn’t all that different, as it shows there is something going on underneath the paint too, there is one big difference though. Because the entire body is made of composite, it isn’t likely that what’s underneath is a poor previous repair job. What you are likely to find under that checking paint is a cracked or damaged body, which can be a serious problem. Just with a quick glance, I see several large cracks that have already made their way to the surface. They might end up being fairly small issues to resolve or problems that require removing the entire body to properly fix. You won’t know until you get under the car to have a closer look.

1969 Corvette Stingray 350 V8

If you are experienced with these cars and working with fiberglass, I doubt these cracks will scare you all that much. The rest of the car looks complete. I am a little curious why the seller doesn’t offer any photos of the underside. The body might be rust proof, but the metal chassis isn’t. There is a lot of rust showing on all the various metal bits that are shown, so I’m going to guess there is rust on the frame. Hopefully, if there is any rust, it isn’t bad! While this isn’t a high option car, it has the 300 hp 350 V8, the price is quite appealing. I love when sellers offer their car without a reserve, so the market can determine its value! So what do you think this one will end up going for?

Comments

  1. Avatar Craig

    Important thing would be the condition of the frame,,,,,,,,, rust, leave it alone, find another car. Any body issues are easily corrected. The interior looks amazing except for the carpets. It’ll probably turn out good for some lucky ‘Vette lover if the price doesnt climb drastically.

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  2. Avatar Alan (Michigan)

    Same seller has a “Smokey and the Bandit” Firebird listed on eBay as well. That one looks great, is theoretically turnkey. But the trunk floor, which appears to have been poured in, makes me nervous!

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  3. Avatar Dan the Man

    I do not recall a “push” button on the center dash beneath the “seat belt light” notice!! It may sell for 10,000 but not much more. Too many unanswered questions in my mind!

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    • Avatar dj

      That’s the seat belt warning light cancel switch.

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  4. Avatar Steve

    To many question marks

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  5. Avatar Dan

    I don’t see any “push” button other than the cigarette lighter and the ash tray and to the left of that the air condition controls…

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  6. Avatar Mr. Bond

    … with the rust showing on the valve covers, I’d be rabbit scared of that birdcage!

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  7. Avatar JW

    The only thing I like about the car is it still has CHROME bumpers.

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  8. Avatar Doug

    Dan The Man,
    That push button in pic 16 is the tip of the emergency brake lever!!

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  9. Avatar Jim

    Dan, are you talking about the Seat Belt Light Reset Button? I think they only came on 68 and 69’s. I had a few 70-73’s and they didn’t have it. This 69’s certainly has issues but I’m quite certain it will go well over $10k

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    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      My ’70 convertible had it. Still worked too, had to press it every time I started the car.

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  10. Avatar dj

    Reset or cancel. We always called it cancel because it cancelled out the light.

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  11. Avatar MountainMan

    sure is rusty under the hood. would bet there is lots of rust under this one. if so I would pass

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  12. Avatar Axel Caravias

    I would guess $15k.
    Most important thing to check is the birdcage, then the frame and then rear suspension and differential.

    Axel Caravias

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  13. Avatar JCW

    Looks like it is sitting in a outside storage facility. Would have been better to get a floor jack and get I it up a little to have some pictures of underneath. The older vets I have had always had rear control arms rusted where you could not see until removed unless you pulled the tires and got you head and a lite in there. Lots of potential for this one.

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  14. Avatar van

    You know the astronauts were given these
    How about a NASA inspired custom
    White, black accents, flag, Saturn 5, danger rocket fuel, call it Apallo, just not 13

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  15. Avatar Gary I

    If the frame is solid $10,000 to $12,000 would be fair for you to turn it into a nice corvette. Corvettes in decent and complete condition are not the hardest cars to restore, that is if you just want a nice show car and driver. NCRS level restorations are another story! I saw a custom painted 1969 with a crate 350 for $22,000 last summer at a car show, but they go for more in the right condition.

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  16. Avatar Bob Hess Member

    Might be interesting to know where it was while the whole state of Florida was half under water. Where we live a ton of vintage and muscle cars bit the dust and then wound up in Tampa for sale. Tracked one of our cars we restored for a customer which went half under water and it showed up on Craigs List… in Tampa.

    Bob

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  17. Avatar krash

    …perhaps the vanity plate should be changed from ‘Mikes’ to ‘Yikes’…

    Like 0

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