Barn find/project 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible that was recently discovered in storage since the early 1980's. This car is 99 per cent complete and it retains the correct matching number (correct casting and vin numbered) 427/390 HP engine, a 100 per cent accurate motor with no stories, and not a restamp like most out there you will find. A cool curiosity about the car is the actual last six digits of the VIN start with the numbers 427!!! Another interesting fact is that it's one of the final couple hundred 1968 Corvettes built, with a Sept 1968 build date! This car is well-equipped with the optional 427/390HP engine, a four speed transmission, posi traction, power disc brakes, power steering, power windows and originally, but not currently included, a removable hardtop. While this car is currently red, it was originally delivered in Corvette Bronze. This car was purchase as a non-running project, and it had not been started in over 25 years of sitting in dry indoor storage. It hasn't even been washed, or cleaned! Just this week, the fluids were changed, a fresh carb was installed, it started, nearly immediately, and surprising, runs pretty decent, given no formal tune up, etc. It doesn't even smoke, and carries 70lbs of oil pressure! More tune-up work will be needed, but it's actually running pretty decent after all these years. The mufflers and rear exhaust forward of the rear end have been cut off, so it's a bit noisy right now, but not utterly obnoxious either. The front brake calipers, pads, and hoses are all newly replaced. The remainder of the brakes will need to be completed, rotors, rear brakes, etc. This rather quick brake job was done to give the vehicle some stopping power to load and unload off a trailer/for transportation purposes. In the process of making the car run/drive/brake under its own power, the original gas tank was dropped out of the car to verify whether the tank sticker was there, and to document what we believed: that it was a real-deal 427 Corvette Convertible! Careful removal of the tank revealed the original tank sticker, documenting the original options including (most importantly) the engine option. While it's not the nicest/cleanest tank sticker I have ever come across, it is there, and unlike 1000's of supposed real Big Block Corvettes with ZERO paperwork, this car is clearly the REAL DEAL. The gas tank was carefully cut apart to remove and preserve the information contained on the tank sticker. Another nice used tank back in the car since we destroyed the original one cutting it up to save the tank sticker. The original color of Corvette Bronze can be read on the tank sticker, along with the 427/390HP, four speed transmission, and all the other options too! The one option that the car apparently had new which is no longer with the car was an original hardtop. The threaded inserts are also in the front corners of the rear hatch, proving the same logic, that it was delivered new with the hardtop option. I have a nice hardtop that could be worked in to the sale of the vehicle, but is not included at the opening bid. If the buy it now is clicked, the hardtop would be included. The body, frame, and other the areas of concern on most Corvettes of this era are actually quite good on this car. The car gaps nicely, and fits pretty darn well actually. The frame is devoid of ANY rust issues, and is astonishly solid, EVERYWHERE. The frame rail end caps, kick ups, birdcage, windshield frame, etc are all excellent, no issues! The only thing I have noticed while looking under the car is the transmission cross-member has a fairly decent dent in it on the forward/left hand side, where it looks like it hit a parking block or something. There is also some minor repair done in the same area of the fiberglass floorboard. Clearly very old damage, and in the scope of a restoration, could be easily repaired. The body fitment is darn nice, with no evidence of serious accidents, poor patch work, etc. The bonding strips are in all four corners of the car, indicating that the car is a no-hit, original panel Corvette. I have pictures of the rear area with the gas tank out showing how nice, clean, bare the rear fiberglass quarters/rear end area are. The doors, hood, headlights, etc all align, fit well. The front header panel is nice, but need a bit of a small about of rebonding around the upper part of the LH headlight. Truly very common, and not a difficult fix. The car has 30+ year old paint and it clearly will need a repaint eventually. It's decent enough if you wanted to put a polishing wheel to it, and touch it up a bit, the car could be a fun car to drive and mess around in as it is! The brightwork/chrome/trim is in good condition given the fact that it all appears to be original stuff. The front and rear bumpers appear to be originals as are the gas door, door handles, emblems, etc. The car has stamped steel wheels with trim rings/caps, all just decent, not great. Tires are older, but hold air fine, etc. The interior appears to be original componentry. The interior is in decent condition given this fact. The seat covers are actually quite nice for original material, and something that would likely be cleaned and reused. Dash, pad, trim. etc is all very nice as well. Door panels are decent, and the carpet is junk. The tach, speedo, temp/alt/oil pressure guage all work. The tachometer is currently disconnected due to the distributor cable being too short (distributor is off a tooth), but I was able to hook it up and verify it works fine. The clock, not surprisingly is inop, but a cheap fix! The convertible top is white, decent but needs replaced in the course of a restoration. It's not torn up, and keeps the weather out, frame is in great shape. The engine compartment is untouched/unrestored with the majority of original componentry in place. The engine runs decent, but as mentioned will likely need more tuning, or possibly an eventual rebuild if needed/desired. The mileage shows 56K, and the title reflect that being accurate mileage. Given the fact that the interior is very original, I believe the mileage is likely/plausible! The unique '68-only windshield trim (long piece at the base of the windshield) is included, but not pictured. The vacuum canister under the hood for the windshield wiper door is missing, but the car is otherwise complete as pictured. I have a file of pictures I can send out that include several underside views, and a video of the vehicle running too. If you are looking for a complete, running/driving, documented Big Block Corvette Convertible, here's an excellent opportunity for a collectible car that you can drive and beat around in as is, and do an eventual restoration on. The verbiage/story above, and the pictures are EXTREMELY representative of this car. If you know your Corvettes, you know how hard it is to find a documented, correct motor, big block Corvette roadster project below $25K. Good complete cars just aren't out there to be found like they used to be! I have been a licensed collector car dealer in Ohio for over 20 years, and I describe my cars fairly and accurately. Color codes from the trim plate. Assembly date is L29. BiN $24,900. December 20, 2015. |