427/4-Speed: 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Project
As an all-new Chevrolet Corvette had been introduced just one year earlier, the 1969 C3 received few cosmetic changes from the previous model, but it did offer a fresh 350 under the hood which replaced the 327 as the base engine. However, for those desiring a big block, Chevy had you covered, with even the L36 churning out 390 horses as you sped away from the dealer. This 1969 Chevrolet Corvette here on Craigslist retains its original 427 in the bay, and while this one needs some attention, it’s probably worth considering if you’ve been in the market for a project from this era. The convertible is located in Santa Ana, California, and has an asking price of $26,500.
Numskal, thanks a lot for your excellent tip here! The owner states his Corvette has resided in California ever since it was new, and though we don’t get to view them, he also mentions that both the frame and birdcage are in really good shape. However, the seller doesn’t provide much of a background here, other than telling us the car was originally LeMans Blue outside, which is confirmed by the 976 shown on the tag.
Looking at the outside now, it’s all in grey primer, with no mention of whether or not any bodywork has been performed or what kind of exterior prepping was done before this was applied. On a positive note, the panel fit appears pretty good overall, and I’m not spotting very much which makes me believe the fiberglass is too far away from ready to turn blue again, or whatever color the next owner desires.
The 427 is claimed to be the numbers-matching L36, which is said to have gotten a rebuild at some time in the past. It’s missing a few components along with the radiator, with no information provided as to why or how long ago these items were removed. A 4-speed manual transmission is also in place, but there’s no word if it’s still the born-with component or not.
The seller also mentions blue as the original interior color, so at some point, a previous owner must have switched all the main parts out in favor of red. It’s a bit weathered inside, and there’s no mention of a convertible top included, hard or soft, so I’m guessing the next owner will need to source a covering of some sort. This Corvette is a bit mysterious, but with the decent body plus a 427 motor and three pedals, I’m feeling OK about this one. How about you?
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Comments
I’m always a bit leery of a C-3 that has the letter holes and alarm lock hole missing from the rear end. One of the 1st restorations I did was a 72’ in 78’ that was like that. Turns out after it was stripped the car had been hit fairly hard in the rear and the so called auto body tech fixed it with just bondo. It wasn’t in primer, this same tech painted it with cheap enamel. Turned out to be a nightmare. With a numbers matching big block on this one it’s worth a look, but take a good hard look.
The alarm was always optional, and more came without them than with them.
But, yes, missing the letter holes is suspect.
Best color combo for 69, but I’ve restored three C3s. You are going to need time, excellent mechanical skills and plenty of money. Remember this car is 55 years old. Bolts break. Rust.
i would be interested in the car as a rebuild project….It needs a LOT of work!!I GOT SOME FREE TIME…..$15K AND YOU SPLIT THE SHIPPING
I restored several chrome-bumper C3s to NCRS standards. This car looked like a good prospect at first glance, but I have a number of concerns:
First the trim tag appears out of position, with replacement rivets. The Paint code of 976 is Lemans blue, but trim 411 decodes to dark blue (red interior not available with 976). The red interior looks like it may be original to the car. Maybe the interior was changed years ago…or was the trim tag and VIN changed?? I would want to absolutely Confirm the VIN before going any further.
This car will need a lot of (mostly expensive) parts: new top, correct steering wheel, complete interior, wiring harness, radiator, suspension, brakes, exhaust, and chrome.
Next, the owner claims the birdcage is good, yet I see heavy rust on top of drivers side windshield post. And then there is body and paint… I agree with John on this. The body on this car, while not terrible, will still require many hours to make right.
If the VIN checked out OK, I would think a more realistic price would be around $15K.
I can’t help but wonder how long it’s been since this car was stolen and re-vin’d.
By the looks of the interior, it sat out in the weather without a top! I would run as fast and as far as I could from this pile of junk.
This could be a worthwhile project, roadster, big block, 4 speed, numbers matching, California car with no rust. All C-3 big block Corvettes, have a short snout water pump and the alternator is mounted on the driver’s side, so double check the engine stamping because it may not be original. A home grown restoration could yield a fun project, a great driver, and maybe a small profit.
Agreed, alternator sb on left. 69 L36 came with chrome valve covers. Better L36 models available at this price. Even after a major refresh you would be upside down, the market is not that strong for C3’s
This one, is something for someone with more money than brains, in my opinion. Priced about 10,000 to high. And probably taking at least twice as much, if not more, to get it right again? This would be an easy pass for me. I see a real money pit here myself.
That seems to be another big block dropped in there. Intake should be aluminum, valve covers chrome. No way someone would change to orange if the original engine.
The wheels look like 15×7 non corvette. Interior same deal. This car was pieced together from assorted parts to appear complete.
Wow, delusional price alert. What?? Did they leave it outside with no top for 5 years?? It’s easily 10 grand over priced and probably closer to 15k over.
Looks like a salvage car, flood maybe?
I agree it looks like a flood car that’s been re-VIN’d. Is it just me, or is the shifter missing? Hard pass on this one!
Looks like maybe a truck engine out of a pick up.
overpriced fright pig
No air cleaner. What’s in the engine? No personal attention given this car in decades.
After reading all the comments, I still think that this is a worthwhile project, provided there is no rust. However, that asking price needs to come WAY DOWN, I don’t think I would pay more than $10k.
The windshield frame is really rusted on the driver’s side. The birdcage is probably the same way.
Has a power brakes vacuum hose with no booster manual brakes. Red flag.
Really breaks my heart seeing a C3 in this condition, however, I don’t think this is a viable project car at the price they are asking. I paid 63 for a frame off fully restored ’69 convertible L71 and the guy that restored it easily paid more than that over the years it took to restore. This poor thing was rode hard and put away wet, literally. Rust says it all.
Have to agree with everybody’s comment! There’s just much “that should not” be on, or in this car. I believe someone has pieced this car together from different cars, which makes me wonder what is the true VIN of this car.
I would not consider this for a second, until I knew what the true VIN especially at that price!
The next time we see this car on EBay (and here on Barn Finds) is when a certain Miami Vette seller makes a low ball deal and throws on a cheap red paint job.