Updated 07/27/2012
I would consider the overall condition of this car to be in good, running condition. However, I'd like to make some general comments about the car and share the following issues that should eventually be addressed:
Engine: Runs great up to about 3200 RPM or so, then engine timing stumbles, knocks and pings. Also, only when the outside temperature is extremely hot AND the car has been driven for a long time, it MAY, have a 'hot restart' issue. This has been only since I replaced the original iron intake manifold with the higher rise aluminum Edelbrock intake manifold, less than two years ago. What I've done in the rare occasion the car hesitates to restart in the extreme heat conditions is press the gas pedal partially to the floor board, engage the starter and in a few revolutions, the car starts. However, because I'm selling the car, I took the car to Cal. Auto Diagnostic Specialists, in Fresno, CA on July 12, 2012, to evaluate the RPM and 'hot restart' problems. They informed me the Mallory distributor should be replaced to alleviate the RPM issue (I have original 1968 distributor). I purchased and installed the Mallory, with coil, in November, 1993. Other than the distributor, C.A.D.S informed me that the engine is in sound condition, but did recommend an MSD (or new distributor), coil, wires and plugs (for the MSD). C.A.D.S. diagnostic quote: "Ignition timing set at 19BTDC at idle. At 2,000 RPM's, still at 19BTDC, no advance. Spark cuts out intermittently throughout power band, more noticable above 3,500 RPM's." Regarding the rare 'hot restart', C.A.D.S. told me that the higher rise Edelbrock intake manifold was contributing to the rare situation of the 'hot start'. I have thought about re-installing the original iron intake to alleviate this issue, but, truthfully, the 'hot-restart' issue is so rare, and it's easy to get it to restart when it does occur, that I'll leave the intake swap maintenance up to the discretion of the new owner. :)
I'll confess, the reason I haven't been too concerned about the RPM issue either, is due to the fact that I rarely drive this car and it is original and number matching, so I don't run the engine above 3,000 RPM's anyhow. It has plenty of power and simply gives me a thrill at the lower RPM range. Also, in honesty, money and time to work on the car is difficult for me at this time. :)
Electrical: Everything works EXCEPT the following: Turn signals (steering column kit needed), Interior VARIABLE lighting (interior gauge lighting is either on, or off, no variation. replace switch for variable adjustment), 'Door Ajar' switch on driver door needs replacement, 'Seat Belt' and 'Low Fuel' lamps, clock and horn doesn't work.
Air Conditioning: When I bought the car, the A/C worked, barely. When it stopped blowing cold air, I removed the pump from the engine. I have that original pump, of course, but all other original A/C components are still mounted on the car.
Radiator: I've never had any over heating problems, and still don't. but, there is a small leak in what appears to be the front passenger side of the radiator. I haven't taken the car to a radiator shop, so I don't know if the radiator may or may not need to be pulled to repair it.
Interior: Needs complete carpet kit. I have no carpet installed in the car. Seats, door panels, dash panels are in good condition, except upper dash pad material is peeling away from windshield defroster duct. All gauges, except clock, work. Original stereo radio is replaced with a Kenwood cassette player. I have the original radio. Driver door interior lock knob and seat adjustment chrome knobs are missing. Rear compartment area (behind seats) storage doors need to be installed. Seat belts have faded, but are original.
Exterior: Everything original, including American Racing wheels, and rear license plate. Front license plate was missing when I purchased the car. Gas cap cover lid (on rear decklid of car) paint has peeled off half of it. Right rear chrome bumper has small 'ding' that has been there since I bought the car. Additionally, there are only a few small nicks on the car that I should have touched up, but haven't. Note: A couple of years after I bought the car, possibly 1992, I took it to Corvette Heaven in Campbell, CA, to have them match the Tobacco interior paint. While there, the owner of the shop came out to 'inspect' my car. He popped the hood, with his hands felt around under all the fiberglass, got under the car and did the same, from front to rear. He said,"well, one thing for sure, she's never been in a wreck." I asked, "how do you know?" He replied, "Because all her fiberglass is original." This Corvette lover went on to inform me that the only non-original parts on the car (at that time) that he could tell was the rear view mirror, the radio knobs on the original radio are from a 1969, and inside the engine compartment, the wiper door vacuum canister was a replacement for the original. He also complimented the Corvette Bronze paint, he said it was the closest to original he'd ever seen (Larry Park of Park Performance Corvettes informed me the car had been repainted once, in 1987). Note: I provided a picture of under hood factory yellow chalk writing indicating that this car is likely to be the 2,356th Power Steering optioned car.
Exhaust: Maybe 10 years ago, I replaced the rusted exhaust pipes and mufflers with under- car chambered exhaust tubes, connected to straight pipes out the back. There are no traditional mufflers on the car.
Odometer/Mileage: I've listed the overall mileage on this car at 175,000. That's a fair 'guestimate'. Here's how I arrive at that: When I purchased the car, the odometer read 06959 (106,959). At just over 125,000 miles, the odometer stopped working, but the speedometer continued to work. I purchased an odometer rebuild kit, disconnected the odometer cable, pulled the dash and installed a new gear(s). In 1995, at 127,482 miles, the odometer stopped working again. Not wanting to tear the dash apart again, I neglected the repair. So, in estimating the mileage I had accumulated in those years with an active odometer ('91-'95, abt.21,000 mi.), I arrive at approximately 170,000 by 2006, when my first son was born. Since then, I drastically reduced the amount of time I spent with the car.
Additional Info: This Corvette was delivered at Biddulph Chevrolet, Santa Rosa, CA. I purchased this car personally from Larry Park of Park Performance Corvettes, Milpitas, CA on Dec 2,1990 and am the 5th owner. Many years later, I learned that Larry was predominant in the Corvette racing circuit. This Corvette has been registered in CA since 1968. Other than the original 1968 Corvette Owner's Manual, I have no other original documentation for the car. Many years ago, I personally spoke with the 2nd owner of the car and he informed me of the following:
"The car was sold from Biddulph Chevrolet in Santa Rosa. The factory A/C option on a convertible was rare at that time. American Racing Mags are original to the car. Never sell the rims separately, they belong to the car. The first owner purchased the car only if the dealer delivered it with American Racing Mags. No Rally wheels have been on the car. The spare tire and black vinyl hard top is original. white soft top is not. Black was the original color."
Original fuel tank was replaced with a new original replacement tank, sending unit, gaskets and hoses. Original tank had a small piece of what was probably the tank sticker, which I've saved in a plastic bag. The piece of material is sooted brown and illegible.
I have the following original parts to the car: Gas tank/sender unit, Iron intake manifold, distributor, exhaust manifolds, chrome ignition shielding (chrome pieces that cover distributor and wiring), A/C air pump, AM/FM Stereo radio, and other miscellaneous stuff that I can't think of as I write this.
Appraisals: I have a recent appraisal on the car for $24,500.00, dated June 12, 2012, from Steve Linden of 9 Mobrey Lane, Smithtown, New York, 11787, 516-524-4102 . Please visit Steve's website to view his incredible credentials at SteveLinden.com. I will provide the appraisal via email or picture, to anyone who wishes to see it.
Prior Appraisals: I have two older appraisals on this car; Dec 4, 1990, from Park Performance Service Center, Milpitas, CA, by Matt Mazdeh, for $19,125.00; Nov 7, 1991, Classic Productions, Sacramento, CA, by William Cook, for $19,000.00.
In closing, I wish to add that while looking at most other car ads, I realize my listing is quite lengthly. I seriously considered not writing so much info on this car, but I felt that if I were looking for a vehicle, I would appreciate knowing everything about it before I gave up my hard earned money for it. I personally felt more comfortable telling the story of this car in hopes that whoever may bid on it will feel comfortable with what they're buying.
If anyone wishes more pictures or info on the car, please feel free to contact me using Ebay email or at sqtierhog@gmail.com.
Thank you for looking at my ol' Corvette and good luck at finding the car of your dreams!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Jul-26-12 at 18:05:36 PDT, seller added the following information:
***ADDITIONAL INFO***
My reply to a possible bidder's question:
"I tried to send an additional message to answer your other questions, but, my reply obviously failed to send. Regarding suspension issues; other than what I would consider normal 'wear and tear' and typical grease and road debris buildup on the undercarriage, as would be typical to a 'driver' car of this age, I don't believe there's any issues. I have replaced some typical bushings here and there, including shocks, but that's been many years ago. I'll add that driving this car is truly a pleasure. The steering box is in great shape, no play in the steering, the car does not have any alignment issues (veering left or right) that I can tell... The car has never had power brakes. It is an L-79, optioned with a 327/350hp engine, manual transmission, power steering, factory air conditioning. That's how they offered the L-79 in 1968. One of the coolest things about the 1968, is the wiper door that opens and closes by vacuum, covering the wiper blades. Yes, it works great. And, another issue with these year Corvettes is the vacuum system; It's always worked strong, i.e., wiper door and headlamp assemblies snap open and closed as they should. When I recently took the car to the auto shop (I described that in my detailed description), they checked for vacuum leaks and didn't inform me of any. Bottom line, no issues that I can tell by operating the car."
eBay Item number: 290749890835 |