Vehicle Description
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! Harwood Motors recommends and welcomes personal
and professional inspections of all the vehicles in our inventory
prior to purchase.
