This 1969 Corvette coupe currently being offered on Craigslist is not your typical second-year C3 – in more ways than one.
The most obvious way is the color override that allowed the car to be built with an non-standard combination – a LeMans Blue exterior over a Red interior – documented by the tank sticker on the original gas tank that is included with the sale. That sticker, by the way, has been validated as authentic by the NCRS.
But that’s not the only unusual thing about this Stingray. It was also an Export car that was ordered by a serviceman for overseas military delivery, and the word “WAR” is still written in chalk on the inside of the driver-side rear quarter panel. The tank sticker further validates the export preparation and export tire tax.
That sticker also shows the original shipping to Portland, Oregon for export after having been built in St. Louis on February 20, 1969.
No details are offered in the current listing about the original owner, but we are told someone in the Chicago area owned the car from 1976 to 2010, and then it became part of a private collection for the past 15 years. That collector immediately undertook a restoration of the drivetrain, suspension, steering, exhaust, brakes and interior documented by a large binder full of photos and receipts, and that work is said to still “show great,” along with the undercarriage that’s described as “very, very nice.” The blue paint is believed to be original, however.
Other features include the numbers-matching 350/300 horsepower V8 engine and three-speed manual transmission, 3.36 Positraction rear end, manual brakes and steering, four-wheel disc brakes, AM/FM radio, and Rally wheels with redline tires.
Located in Celeste, Texas, this unusual Corvette is being offered for $68,500.
Source:
Craigslist.org
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As an Oldsmobile salesman in the 1980 I factory ordered a few cars with ‘not recommended color combination’ waiver form signed by the buyer.
These were still ROPO ordered not to be confused with COPO orders.
The Craigslist description indicates that an NCRS Shipping Data report has a “production date of February 20, 1969.” VIN data supports that production date, indicating that the car should have been built in February 1969.
1969 Corvette production began in September 1968, and so, the letter “A” would be assigned to September-built cars and be stamped on the trim tag (correct me if I am wrong – was a different dating system used in 1969?). Consequently, a February 1969 build date should have the letter “F” stamped on a Corvette trim tag.
However, this car has “C19” stamped on its trim tag. I can live with the 19 (build day), but what’s up with that letter “C” being there?
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a C3 with this unique good looking color combo. I like it! This car is bitchin!
Interesting car between the colors, history and 3 speed manual. Would it be fair to say that the exhaust tips are several inches too long?
Back in the early 90s I was a salesman for a GM bailment company selling new pickups with sport truck accessory upfits to Chevrolet and GMC franchise dealers.I learned from GM I could order trucks with OEM stock current automobile colors on trucks that had the standard boring colors. I had to order 5 at a time of the same color. Teal blue/green was a killer combo on trucks and was the most popular. GM couldn’t build them fast enough as every dealer in the Midwest wanted trucks in custom colors no other dealer had in stock. It was a option GM didn’t announce or promote.
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