Unfinished Restoration: 1969 Chevrolet Corvette

The third generation of Chevy’s Corvette (C3) debuted in 1968, inspired by the Mako Shark concept car. Its design worked so well that this version of the sports car would be carried over through 1982. The cars were minimally changed going into 1969, the model year of the seller’s ‘Vette, and the production run was extended by a few weeks due to a labor dispute. This car is a work-in-progress, which wears beautiful new paint, but is missing key items like the engine and transmission. Located in California, Missouri, this coupe is available here on eBay where the reserve is unmet at $14,100.

Production of the 1969 Corvette approached 39,000 copies with more than 22,000 being coupes, starting a trend where they would outsell the convertibles. The 327 cubic-inch V8 was replaced by a 350 as standard equipment, which may or may not have been the motor in the seller’s car. When he/she acquired it, the Corvette did not have a drivetrain or interior. 1969 was the first year for white-lettered tires and the last for ones bearing red stripes. The car’s co-name, Sting Ray was adjusted to read out Stingray.

Not much information is offered about this Chevrolet, perhaps because it wasn’t known. Much of the restoration work has been completed, either by the seller or a prior party. The car is on the chopping block as the seller no longer has any time to deal with it. You’ll have to source another V8, a 4-speed manual transmission (what was in the car originally), and most of the interior pieces.

The silver paint it now wears looks beautiful, replacing Riverside Gold, the factory color. This was an A/C car, but the status of that hardware isn’t mentioned. We’re also told the suspension has been rebuilt. If you don’t mind finishing someone else’s work, this C3 Corvette looks to be off to a great start.