Vehicle Description
This 1968 Chevrolet Corvette 427 hits all the high notes: a
powerful 427 big block that's been built for battle, a
quick-shifting 4-speed that can handle all those horses, and a very
attractive price tag. While the early 'Vettes get most of the
attention, chrome bumpers like this '68 are really gaining a
foothold in the Corvette market - with a timeless 'Coke Bottle'
design and gorgeous good looks that excite fans from every
generation.
Repainted back in its original shade of code 976 Lemans Blue, this
1968 coupe makes quite entrance everywhere it goes. There are few
cars that will attract more attention than a C3 with big block
badges on the hood, especially when it's a bright blue L88-style
hood that can scare children away. 1968 was the first year of the
brand new Zora Duntov-designed C3, which was engineered to improve
the aerodynamics of the C2 (which Zora himself decried as having
"the aerodynamics of a bad airplane") via its 'Coke Bottle' shape
and upward arched fenders that all work together to create one of
the most dynamic cars ever made in America. Of course, it doesn't
hurt that the panels are very straight, with good prep over
well-preserved original fiberglass that has no signs of past damage
or abuse. Thanks to that conscientious preservation and great prep
work, the blue paint laid down very nicely when it was applied last
year, and although it's not a perfect showroom finish, it looks
fresh, bright and shiny, and definitely impresses just about
everyone that passes by. Gaps are about par for the course on a C3,
although these ornate hoods were always a bit inconsistent, and
almost everyone prefers the chrome bumpers found on the early C3
models. And if it's everyone's attention that you're seeking,
nothing works better on a Corvette than chrome side pipes, and
these shiny, wide beauties really do the trick. 1968 Corvettes were
the only chrome bumper Vette's that got push-button door locks, and
now that you've read that sentence, you can quickly discern between
the years. And while you're on that conversation point while
someone is gawking at this slick car, be sure to take off those
awesome T-Tops and really finish off a great impression. '427'
badges on the hood previews the organized violence underneath, and
purists will note that despite the 'Stingray' badges on the fenders
of this particular car, 1968 was actually a gap year for the
popular nickname - with the 'Sting Ray' moniker applied 1963 thru
1967 and 'Stingray' applied 1969 thru 1976, until it was
re-introduced again on the C7.
The interior is just as dialed-in as the exterior, starting with
the beautiful, factory-optioned Blue Vinyl bucket seats that were
faithfully reupholstered and are every bit as comfortable as they
look. Crisp, blue door panels, a matching crack-free dash, and
fresh plush carpets give it that highly polished showroom look and
the black-wrapped steering wheel, dash and console accents, and
Hurst T-handle shifter add just a touch of contrast to the
otherwise all-blue driver's compartment. Like a lot of these big
block muscle cars, options are sparse, but you do get seatbelts, a
center console, and the original Delco AM radio that's remarkably
still in place. Clear gauges show crisp markings and bright
needles, both ahead of the driver and in the center stack, and the
middle console and dash pad are matching blue and show only slight
wear, likely from someone holding on for dear life while the
monster under the hood ate up laps at the racetrack. T-tops give
even the coupes an enjoyable open-air experience and with tight
weather-stripping throughout, the car seals up well and doesn't
rattle like many 'Vettes do.
This C3 will also eat lesser machines on the road for breakfast,
thanks to the powerful 427 V8 big block under the hood. Although
this car was born with a 427/390 HP L36 from the factory, the
current 427 under the hood is not the car's original
numbers-matching unit, but few will complain once they feel the
sheer power of the monster that's in there now. With stout
horsepower, it's the smart choice for the guy who likes to drive
his Corvette, and it's also very reliable - virtually
indestructible with continued regular maintenance - and also
features a wide torque band makes it the ideal powerplant for
long-distance cruising. Beautifully presented with Chevy Orange
paint on the block, chrome valve covers with Driskell Racing
Engines decals at the flanks, and a chrome air cleaner up top, and
it really runs great with the help of a big 4-barrel carburetor
atop an Edelbrock RPM intake, long-tube headers, and an aluminum
radiator up front that keeps the whole show nice and cool. The
afore mentioned side-pipe exhaust gives it a thumping rumble, not
to mention an indistinguishably killer look, and the undercarriage
has been neatly dusted with satin black paint for a clean
presentation. Modest street-friendly gears (decodes to a 3:55:1
heavy-duty rear with PosiTrac) combine with the big block's
mountainous torque curve to make acceleration entertaining at any
speed and clutch take-up on the 4-speed manual is smooth and
progressive, making it very easy to drive. Factory turbine-style
wheels give the 'Vette a traditional performance look and they're
wrapped in beefy Cooper Cobra white-letter radials with plenty of
tread left.
Offered with loads of build receipts and maintenance records, the
original tank sticker, and the original dealer invoice/order copy,
this true big block C3 has the provenance to satisfy the purists,
and the performance parts to satiate any car lover. Priced right
and ready to rock, this baby won't last long. Call today!
