In its early years, this low-option 1969 Corvette coupe was intended for one task: to go fast.
With a 427/390 horsepower engine under the hood of this race car, that definitely wasn’t a problem.
Finally, though, the day would come when the owner decided to move on and parked the car behind a shed in 1991. There it would remain for decades until finally being pulled out recently and offered at auction on eBay.
Apparently, not many enthusiasts have a hankering to tackle the nut-and-bolt full restoration this car would require to really shine once more. Only three bids have been placed, with the highest still too low at $10,200 to meet the seller’s reserve figure. Still, with only 22,129 coupes built that year, it would be a shame to see another one head on up to that great junkyard in the sky.
The major drawback to the car, in the eyes of some, is the missing original 427. Perhaps the heavy racing use caused some catastrophic damage, forcing the replacement of the block and one cylinder head. On the bright side, the current block is dated June 1969 (close to the components of the car dated February 1969) and the seller believes it is the factory CE replacement block.
Regardless, the replacement engine, which is now out of the car, hasn’t been turned over in years and will definitely need to undergo a rebuild. Interestingly, the original alternator and correct intake are still in place.
Despite being exposed to the elements, the body appears to be in decent shape, though the Monza Red paint has definitely seen better days. In case you’re wondering where the original “Stingray” side emblems are, the original owner removed them for a cleaner look while also filling in the rear exhaust panel.
Underneath, the seller insists the frame is “NOT” rotted but admits it “has scale and a lot of peeling paint, but no holes or soft spots in the doglegs or other trouble areas.” A potential buyer would also need to investigate the rust on the birdcage and will have to replace the cracked windshield.
The interior is fair, but the carpet needs to be replaced and there are rips on the seat covers. The gauges “still have great color,” though, and the dash “is not split,” according to the listing.
We’d love to see someone tackle this project and save another C3 from the jaws of death. Will it be you?
Source:
eBay Motors via BarnFinds.com
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![[ACCIDENT] Canadian Driver of a Classic C3 Corvette Can't See the Forest for the Trees](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/uploads/2024/04/042324_17-218x150.jpg "[ACCIDENT] Canadian Driver of a Classic C3 Corvette Can’t See the Forest for the Trees")
Ya CE means “Crate Engine” so that should be an indication that it was replaced by the dealer under warranty. Or I suppose it was purchased at the dealer for replacement. And without the original rat still in it, brings down it’s value A LOT! The seller is a little optimistic I think if he thinks he can much more then the 10k offered. Everything is available for these cars, but it won’t be cheap and this one needs a full on resto. No money to be made here, plus you can probably pick one up already done with or without a numbers matching engine. To make it worth the trouble I would think 5k would be a much better price. And it has the ugliest wheels that came on a Vette.
One thing that I noticed is that the car is sitting awfully high, i.e., a ton of ground clearance., easily seen by the clearance between tire and wheel well and also rocker to ground. Non-stock springs, perhaps?
Montana Bob
The engine is out of the car so that weight isn’t holding down the front suspension.
Good point, Keith, but look at the rear. It’s nearly the same. Yes, the weight distribution on a C3 with a big block is about 60% front to 40% rear. Anyway, I am not bidding on it, so, perhaps I should keep my nose out of it, but it is something that the bidders should verify.
I bought a ’68 big block (L89/L71) iron block with aluminum heads new. As I was heavily connected with Chevrolet at the time, I checked with friends in the Corvette group as I was configuring my car before purchase. They all recommended the aluminum heads for several reasons, improved cooling, improved combustion chamber design and, most importantly, the the aluminum headed big block engine weighed nearly the same as a small block engine, which made a ton of difference in handling.
BTW, I took delivery in early November so it was one of the first C3s produced.
Montana Bob
Should have mentioned that I took delivery in November of ’67, so, yes, it was one of the first of the new body style.
Montana Bob
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