Matching-numbers L68 427/400 Tri-Power, 4-speed. 50,112 original miles, two owners. Believed to be mostly original paint and interior, repainted accessory hardtop. Extensive recent service, drives great!
Looking this car over carefully, we’re reasonably sure most of that code 972 Polar White paint is original. The car shows just 50,112 original miles, and there’s no question about that—with just two owners we know its history dating back more than 50 years. There’s a wonderful gloss to the paint that you can only earn through age and while the car has its fair share of chips and other signs of use, none of them are significant enough to warrant additional work. The areas around the headlight doors remains in excellent shape, the hood fits flush, the doors swing closed easily, and it’s nice to see that nobody ever felt obligated to tear it apart in pursuit of perfection, because that would be a shame. ‘427’ emblems on the vented hood command respect and the ‘68s are the only C3s with both a door handle and a push-button on the exterior of the car, so they stand apart. This car also features correct rocker panel trim and grilles, and the chrome bumpers are in great shape.
That’s unquestionably an original “STD” standard black vinyl interior that reflects an easy life and only 50,000 miles of use. The factory seats are still comfortable and there are no splits or tears in the upholstery. The wood-rimmed steering wheel warms up the all-black interior and it lives on a telescoping column, which makes it easy to get comfortable. You’ also note that all the gauges are fully operational except the clock, which is typical. A new Alpine AM/FM/CD stereo was installed last year along with a set of removable speakers in the top well, but the original console components are included if you’d like to go back to 100% OEM. Headlights snap to attention when you pull the knob, but as is common the windshield wiper door is a bit lazy—the wipers work, but the door occasionally doesn’t retract completely. We believe that’s the original black vinyl convertible top and it’s in fine condition, and this car includes a removable hardtop that has obviously been repainted at some point because it doesn’t quite match the rest of the car.
The engine is the original, numbers-matching L68 427 cubic inch V8, which was rated at 400 horsepower. It has a correct IM suffix code, denoting 427/400 with a manual transmission, as well as a matching partial VIN. Only 1932 buyers stepped up to the $305.50 L68, making it the second-rarest engine after the mighty L88 (with only 30 built). All three carburetors were rebuilt just last year and the car starts quickly and easily. It settles down into a slightly lopey idle that’s befitting a Corvette, and like all big block ‘Vettes, it prefers to run rather than stroll. Tri-Power Corvettes offer that cool triangular air cleaner assembly and chrome valve coves, which are also original to the car, and there’s quite a bit of recent service work including the aforementioned rebuilt carburetors, full ignition tune-up, belts and hoses, fresh fuel pump, and a new master cylinder. You will note a set of gorgeous ceramic-coated long-tube headers and a full stainless exhaust system (the original exhaust manifolds with AIR connections are included with the car).
The Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission is also original to the car with a matching partial VIN. It features a recent clutch with decent action (not too heavy) and there are reasonable 3.36 gears in back, so this is a good all-around cruiser. There’s plenty of recent work underneath, too: rebuilt brakes, new brake hoses, fresh sway bar bushings, a composite leaf spring in back, and the aforementioned exhaust system. Steel wheels with wire hubcaps are a nice change from the garden-variety Rallys and those F70-15 Firestone Wide Oval white stripe tires are possibly only the second set of tires this car has ever worn.
This is not a show car, don’t make that mistake. However, it’s an excellent car to drive and experienced Corvette enthusiasts understand that original cars are sometimes the best ones to own if you like to put them on the road. With a matching-numbers pedigree, an unusual big block V8, and a classic color combination, this is a Corvette you can drive without worries that you’re hurting your “investment.” After all, driving is what Corvettes were built to do and as this one so ably demonstrates, few cars are more fun when you put your foot on the floor. Call today!
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