Only 28,566 Corvettes – less than 10,000 coupes – were built in the first year of the third generation.
How many of these 1968 classics remain on the road 54 years later, but more importantly, how many of the 427/400 horsepower L68 Stingrays still exist?
We don’t know the answers to those questions, but we do believe that it would be a shame if a matching-numbers tri-carb Corvette like the one currently up for sale on eBay were to go unrestored.
Of course, it’s easy for us to say that since we wouldn’t be the ones having to shell out our hard-earned dollars to repair a car that obviously needs a mountain of work, beginning with a rusty frame and a fiberglass body that’s showing bond line separations and other damage accumulated over the years.
Apparently, the seller traded for the car intending to bring it back to life, but after the actual condition was “stretched” by the person he got it from, he’s decided to cut his losses and let someone else tackle the project.
Right now, with bidding slated to end on Sunday, only five bids have been placed, climbing to $11,900.
What really grabs the attention of any potential owners likely is that 427 engine still residing under the hood – one of only 1,932 L68s made that year when a total of four big-block options were offered by Chevy, including, of course, only 80 of the legendary L88 427/430s.
Unfortunately, the seller says he cannot get that engine to turn over, pointing out that it has surface rust in the cylinders. His friend who is an engine machinist examined the motor and says he “cannot tell anything like it is,” adding that it needs to be pulled apart “and either it cleans up or you will need to sleeve it” at a cost of $150 per cylinder.
Despite those problems, the seller believes “being an original block is huge and worth saving.”
We’re told that the sale of the car has already fallen through twice, so maybe the third time could be the charm, matching the number of carburetors on that engine.
“This car has great potential,” the seller points out. “Restore it or use it for parts.”
We’d love to know more about the history of the car, as the seller says it has been in deep storage for a long time. In fact, it was last titled in 1971 when it was just three years old! Because of that neglect over the decades, the frame is said to be weak on the left rear side, and the condition of the birdcage remains an unknown because he says he doesn’t have the ability to look at it. He recommends getting a new frame to anyone who wants to tackle a restoration project.
This Stingray does have some nice features like power steering and brakes, telescoping steering wheel, and a four-speed manual transmission. However, the seller lists missing parts as the radiator, fan shroud, fan, carb linkage, distributor, brake calipers, spare, gas tank, and gas cap, and says the front right hood hinge is damaged on the underside. He believes the interior to be complete, less carpet.
So what do you think? Are you the one to bring this 427 legend back to life?
Source:
eBay
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