| The years just roll off your tongue: 1776, 1861, 1941, 1963, 1968, 2001. These are years where things just changed, all sorts of things. History never sleeps, but some years it just seems to accelerate even faster. And faster acceleration is exactly what we're talkin' about here! While 1968 brought changes to America that were certainly unexpected, the absolutely new "C3" 1968 Chevrolet Corvette had been signaled for years to the Vette faithful. It was shockingly similar to the famous Mako Shark II show car promoted by GM design chief Bill Mitchell and Corvette mastermind Zora Arkus-Duntov. As the sales brochures of the day said, "Corvette '68... all different all over". Benchmark Classics, America's Hot Rod, Custom, Specialty and Muscle Car Playground, newly located in Middleton, WI is offering the kind of '68 Corvette that most people just lust after: fast, fun and fine! It is a 427 4-speed convertible in wonderful condition, having just had a frame-off restoration. But that's just the starting point. When you OPEN the hood on this Le Mans Blue beauty, warn your eyes first, 'cause this mill is EYEPOPPIN'! While this began life as a 427 car, today the engine bay nestles the spiritual and physical successor to that great engine, one with even more grunt: a monster 502 cubic inch GM crate motor. Oh, Lordy, warn the children and dogs... The interior is newly outfitted in the same Le Mans Blue, while on the outside it is fitted with a new black convertible top. The chrome looks perfect from a distance, but up close you might find some small imperfections. And it has roll up windows, only because electric windows were not offered on the '68 427s. The car comes with very complete service records, dating back to the 70's. You will see that this is a Corvette that has been well-loved its entire life. Like most of the '68 big blocks, this blaster is fitted with side-exhausts, so the neighbors will know when you get home. And the Hurst shifter will help you snap off those shifts, just like you imagined back in '68. You wanted one back in '68, dintcha? Well, here it is! But this one is certainly faster and probably better bolted together than it was when it rolled off the line. So, here's my prescription: Some summer night, roll down the street in this fine '68 Corvette; of course, you'll want to make sure the top is down. Find a nice blacktop on the edge of town (perhaps a blacktop you remember from '68.) Look up and down that road to make sure that the coast is clear, and then...NAIL IT! 41,404 miles from the odometer. $49,900. Color codes from the trim plate. Built date is H18. June 4, 2010. |
