Vehicle Description
1969 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
The C3 Corvette, built between 1968 and 1982 was the third
generation of Chevrolet's venerable Corvette sports car.
Occasionally seen as polarizing, the C3 garnered both praise and
criticism for its radical design, purpose and driving dynamics.
Expectations were huge when the model launched. Zora Arkus-Duntov
and Billy Mitchell, the second generation C2 Corvette designers,
had just built the hugely successful, powerful, and respected Sting
Ray Corvette. Even today, the Sting Ray is widely regarded as one
of the best Corvette models ever made.
For consignment, a throwback purple Corvette in modified form. Long
gone is the original mill, and now a 454ci mill with a TH400 takes
its place. Although this car hasn't been on the road in years, the
engine does crank over and overall it provides the perfect platform
to let your imagination run wild. We must note that this car is a
1968 based on the VIN but is titled as a 1969. This may be due to a
clerical error or possibly due to the car being a leftover on the
lot as it was sold new in January of 1969.
Exterior
Repainted a purple with underlying tones of mauve at the time of
customization and now showing its age in the form of cracks,
crazing, and scuffs in the body and paint. The most noticeable are
sections of body work on both rear 1/4 arches as they were cut out
and reattached at some point. The trademark Corvette roll up
headlights are present and accounted for and hover just above the
chrome bumper, all flowing smoothly into bulged fenders with their
respective coves that flank a L88 style hood with a cutout for the
carburetor and air cleaner to stick out of. A hot pink racing
stripe which fades out to the purple runs the length of the hood,
over the roof, onto the rear deck and fades out between the iconic
quad taillights. A sunset motif is painted in between these lights
and also denotes that the paint was done by Jerry. It is decorated
with hand drawn pinstripes that start at the front of the car and
frame the hot pink fade. Side pipes give some wow factor down low
and T tops close up the roof and buttress B pillars melt into the
rear quarter panels and look just fine. A split rear bumper set in
chrome hangs below the taillights and rear valance showing signs of
repairs rounds out the body. 15" deep dish Chevrolet Rally wheels
are on all 4 corners and are shod in outlined white letter radial
rubber.
Interior
In a wonderful 1960s style, the black vinyl overstuffed padded
bolster seats with deep inserts and high backs provide the seating
for this A ticket ride. These seats are showing some wear in the
form of fading, soiling and a few tears and are floating in a sea
of black carpeting which presents with staining, tears and general
wear. A black dash can be seen upfront, and with the new raked
angle dash, the gauges are not only located front and center of the
driver but in a cluster in the center of the dash that gives one
the illusion of being more aircraft cockpit than automobile. Just
below is an aftermarket stereo neatly inserted which is of the
AM/FM/Cassette variety. Vent slide levers are present for all of
your cabin comfort needs along with fiber optic lights for
taillight operation. This console also houses an aluminum panel
with a Hurst automatic shifter poking thru. Side door panels are in
respectable condition with minor fading and looking down we note
that the original clutch pedal is still present and tucked under
the carpet which would make things a snap to switch back to a
manual transmission.
Drivetrain
Lifting the curvaceous L88 hood forward we are met with a patina
riddled engine bay that holds a 454ci V8 circa 1973 that our
consignor states has been bored .030 over, is topped with square
port heads, and has a .544 lift camshaft installed. A single Holley
600cfm 4-barrel carburetor is atop an Edelbrock aluminum intake
manifold while shiny valve covers, and an air cleaner cover can be
seen. There is a 3-speed TH400 automatic transmission with a
reverse manual valve body bolted to the back of the engine with a
4.11, (AP stamping code), rear axle in the back.
Undercarriage
Very nicely preserved with some patina on the black paint of the
undercoating, but all else is unremarkable and structurally sound.
For the front suspension we note an independent SLA type which
features coil springs, mounted shock absorbers, and spherical joint
steering knock pivots. In back is an independent SLA forged
aluminum upper and lower control arms and steering knuckle,
transverse mono leaf springs, a steel stabilizer bar, and spindle
offset. Disc brakes are on all 4 corners and manual steering helps
carve the corners. Headers flow directly into ess bent pipes that
feed the side pipes. Note, the spare tire holder and tire has been
removed.
Drive-Ability
As with most barn finds this vehicle is a non-runner. The engine
does indeed turn over with the key so we will assume that some TLC
will be needed to breathe life back into this big blocker.
Keep in mind the numbers in the VIN denote this car as being a 1968
and all the 1968 body cues are present, however, the title lists
this car as a 1969 so be sure to do your own due diligence. A barn
find with custom paint, snappy side pipes, the original interior
and now sporting a big block. With just a few faults in the paint
and bodywork, some mechanical TLC needed, and you can have yourself
a nice throwback Vette that is just screaming 1970's. Groovy baby,
groovy!
VIN DECODE
194378S419016
1-Chevrolet
94-Corvette
37-Coupe
8-1968
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
419016-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
J13-May 13th Build
TRIM STD-Black Vinyl
PNT 972-Polar White
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.