Frame-Off Restoration: 1968 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Various circumstances mean that some enthusiasts aren’t able to tackle a project build. Therefore, a turnkey vehicle is their best option to enter the world of classic car ownership. That opportunity awaits the winning bidder when the auction ends on this 1968 Corvette Convertible. A previous owner performed a body-off restoration, and it has led a sheltered existence since. Its presentation is hard to fault, and it has the muscle to back its stunning good looks. It deserves a close look if you have searched for a C3 Corvette needing nothing but a new home.
Chevrolet delayed the release of the C3 Corvette due to minor development issues, but an eager buying public immediately embraced the latest model when it hit showroom floors. It set a new sales record of 28,566 during its first year and would continue to thrive throughout its remaining fifteen-year production run. The first owner ordered this Convertible in British Green, and faulting its presentation following the body-off restoration performed by the second owner is almost impossible. It has been pampered since the work ended, and the seller includes photos and documentation tracing the process of returning the car to a factory-fresh state. The paint looks flawless, coating fiberglass showing no evidence of cracks or distress. The seller supplies no underside shots, but the lack of visible surface corrosion suggests the frame and birdcage should be rock-solid. The Convertible features a factory hardtop and a Black soft-top that fits as tight as a drum. The trim and glass are as impressive as you should rightly expect from a car of this caliber, and the spotless Rally wheels add the perfect finishing touch.
Chevrolet offered 1968 Corvette buyers a choice of six optional V8s to slide under the hood of their new purchase, and this car’s first owner wielded their pen enthusiastically when ordering this classic. They selected a 427ci V8, a four-speed manual transmission, a 3.36 rear end, and power steering. The big-block is the L36 version, placing 390hp and 460 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. That made it a potent beast that would command as much respect today as it undoubtedly received in 1968. The seller doesn’t specifically state it is numbers-matching, although that is the impression conveyed in their listing. They recently rebuilt its original Rochester carburetor, ensuring this gem runs and drives perfectly. They include significant documentation tracing its history, confirming it is a turnkey proposition.
I like consistency with any classic, and this Corvette delivers on that front. Its interior is as spotless as the exterior and will cause the new owner no shame if they drive around with the top down. The Black vinyl trim appears flawless, with no signs of wear or abuse. The carpet hasn’t faded, and the plastic is in as-new condition. There appear to be no aftermarket additions beyond the extinguisher sitting in the passenger-side footwell. The buyer receives a factory AM/FM radio and power windows, both desirable options among enthusiasts.
The seller listed this 1968 Corvette Convertible here on eBay in Naalehu, Hawaii. Bidding has raced past the reserve, sitting at $24,656 at the time of writing. That means it will find a new home shortly, and there is still time for interested parties to make a play for this beauty. It has led a sheltered life and is obviously the seller’s pride and joy. The best way to guarantee it continues to be pampered would be for one of our dedicated readers to become its next custodian. Are you tempted to make that happen?
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Comments
I wonder how much it cost to ship it from there!
A Quick Look online says shipping ranges from $2000 to $3500 from Hawaii to California.
I thought that 68’s had no script above the side gills?
You are correct, it is not supposed to have the Stingray script and also the metal louvre trim on it was a ‘69 option.
Adam,
What is going on with you and your convertibles?
This is the second 68 Vette in today’s listings’ that you wrote about that you are saying are convertibles. Are you thinking that T-top cars are convertibles?
Billy
It is a removable hard top.
My apologies Adam. I’m incorrect and didn’t look at the ebay listing first b4 opening my yap. Dummy me.
Billy
P.S. this goes for the other car also.
Sorry man.
About T-tops, Billy: once you remove the T-tops, put the windows down and pop out the rear window, it is hard to say that a T-roof Stingray is not pretty much a convertible in all but name…
The two of the 4 obvious exterior differences between 68 and 69 have been correctly listed. However, if you look a little closer you will see features of the 70 to 82 body that will never be correct on a 68 or 69. Behind the front and rear tires the rear fenders have been modified to resemble the splash extension on all 70 to 82 Corvettes.
The rocker panel polished stainless steel is also incorrect for ’68 and ’69. It should be black. This does indeed look like a nice car, but originality was obviously not a high priority in the restoration, thus making it more of a nice driver, as opposed to an all-out collectible.
I don’t think i would have retained the luggage rack on a frame off restoration.
Not a fan of those big wheel center caps – wonder if earlier ones & thinner stripe tires would look better. Or even the turbine wheel covers.
The turbine wheel covers? Absolutely one of the ugliest things a person could do to a C3.
I completely agree with the other comments regarding the non 68 changes on this car, but that being said, $24,656 is a very good buy for a ’68 big block in this condition. This thing would make a wonderful driver. If I didn’t already have a 2000.FRC that I have no intention of parting with, l would consider this one. Nice car.
Though a nice car, as others have pointed out someone took a lot of liberties with it from an originality standpoint when they restored it.
While I’m not a big fan of luggage racks to start with, that ones particularly hideous. Not only does it look nothing like the racks GM sold, but it’s huge and looks way out of place on the rear deck of a Corvette. At least the GM ones were okay looking and were sized right for a Corvette.
That luggage rack looks like it’s actually a roof rack originally from who knows what.
@370zpp- Family Truckster?
I must admit that I didn’t pay much attention to the luggage rack, but now that it has been brought up, I agree. It is terrible. I had a ’70, as well as a ’75, both with luggage racks, and I kind of liked the look. This one looks like it came off a Volkswagen bus. Not sure what they were thinking. (Still like this car anyway, just minus the rack.)
All engine and a place to sit. I guess that may be a Cobra reference but applicable here, too. I like the lift off roof and white stripe tires but the deck rack makes little sense without the T-top.
I don’t mind luggage racks (I had one on my 72 vert back in the day) but that is not a factory rack and it is the ugliest thing I ever saw.
Sold. I don’t like luggage racks on C3’s. This one stands out like a sore thumb.
Body-off, please. I don’t think anyone takes the frame off and leaves the body hanging in the air.
Having owned a 71 Stingray TRUE convertible, sorry folks, removable T tops and removing rear window and putting all that away is NOT a convertible. I’ve had a ragtop my entire life (various cars), there is no substitute.
I’m not sure what you mean by your comment, but that is exactly what happens when a “body off” restoration is done. While it doesn’t exactly “hang in the air”, it is supported on a rack independent of the frame.
Precisely my point. The body comes off, not the frame. It may be semantics to some; it’s logic to me.
Now that it’s brought to my attention, I can’t unsee the dang thing Thanks guys! All in all good looking car though