'68 Original engine convertable
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 259
Likes: 2
From: Sacramento CA
68's have a lot of "one year only" parts which makes them hard to find or expensive. That includes many of the frame componets. There are many things that didn't work well on the 68's and were corrected late in production and in 1969.
Personally I think that anybody who buys a 1968 project car needs to have a specific attachment to a 68. There is no reasonable justification for owning or restoring one of these cars unless you have money and time to burn.
If you buy this car you have MAJOR rust repairs to do.
Personally I think that anybody who buys a 1968 project car needs to have a specific attachment to a 68. There is no reasonable justification for owning or restoring one of these cars unless you have money and time to burn.
If you buy this car you have MAJOR rust repairs to do.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
Without commiting to buying, me and the owner are doing the windshield frame together. I don't have the skill to do it alone and he recognizes that it is a big downside to the car.
If we can fix the frame and confirm that the rest of the birdcage is ok, should I move forward? I agree with Budman that this will be a huge project - I am concerned about the time that will be required, but more concerned about availability and cost of parts.
The most telling comment in the thread was someone saying unless there is a sentimental reason for wanting a 68 I should keep looking for something else. Is this the general consensus out there?
As always, thanks again!!
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
From what I've seen on other cars, if the windshield pillars look that bad, it's going to be like that all the way down to the body mounts.
Pull the passenger side of the dash (only 6-7 screws and the t/s flasher on a clip on the back-side) and look up where the speaker is located.
If it's got a big rust hole in the birdcage (water likes to puddle there), you can bet it looks just as bad behind the speedo and all the way down to the body mounts behind the kick panels.
Pull the passenger side of the dash (only 6-7 screws and the t/s flasher on a clip on the back-side) and look up where the speaker is located.
If it's got a big rust hole in the birdcage (water likes to puddle there), you can bet it looks just as bad behind the speedo and all the way down to the body mounts behind the kick panels.
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
'68 guys look the other way please.
Pretty much, unless there's something really collectable about it.
A similar '69 is always worth more.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,389
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi RC,
Here's my thoughts about what's going on.
The seller want's to fix it just good enough for you to buy it. While in reality it needs to be repaired so well that rust will never be a problem in this car again in your life time.
How well do you know and trust this person?
Do you know someone who knows 68-69s very well and can look at the car and tell you to stay or run.
Keep your wallet closed untill you get a good opinion on the truth about the car.
Based on the A-pillar I'd look for another car.
Regards,
Alan
PS: It seems to me that there are enough solid cars around that cars with known rust can become someone else's pit to fall in.
Here's my thoughts about what's going on.
The seller want's to fix it just good enough for you to buy it. While in reality it needs to be repaired so well that rust will never be a problem in this car again in your life time.
How well do you know and trust this person?
Do you know someone who knows 68-69s very well and can look at the car and tell you to stay or run.
Keep your wallet closed untill you get a good opinion on the truth about the car.
Based on the A-pillar I'd look for another car.
Regards,
Alan
PS: It seems to me that there are enough solid cars around that cars with known rust can become someone else's pit to fall in.
Last edited by Alan 71; Sep 30, 2008 at 02:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Austin tx
Hi RC,
Here's my thoughts about what's going on.
The seller want's to fix it just good enough for you to buy it. While in reality it needs to be repaired so well that rust will never be a problem in this car again in your life time.
How well do you know and trust this person?
Do you know someone who knows 68-69s very well and can look at the car and tell you to stay or run.
Keep your wallet closed untill you get a good opinion on the truth about the car.
Based on the A-pillar I'd look for another car.
Regards,
Alan
PS: It seems to me that there are enough solid cars around that cars with known rust can become someone else's pit to fall in.
Here's my thoughts about what's going on.
The seller want's to fix it just good enough for you to buy it. While in reality it needs to be repaired so well that rust will never be a problem in this car again in your life time.
How well do you know and trust this person?
Do you know someone who knows 68-69s very well and can look at the car and tell you to stay or run.
Keep your wallet closed untill you get a good opinion on the truth about the car.
Based on the A-pillar I'd look for another car.
Regards,
Alan
PS: It seems to me that there are enough solid cars around that cars with known rust can become someone else's pit to fall in.
I am still going to help him make the repair, but will disengage on the purchase side of things. Usually I am not a "waffler", but when I walked away the reason I told myself to do it was because of the rust issue. Now we are fixing it, so I keep thinking there will be a clear road ahead (but it really just means that all the other issues are now coming into play).
Anyway, thanks for keeping me straight.
RC
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,389
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi RC,
Watching/ helping is a GOOD idea. You'll learn a lot, real fast, about windshield frame rust. If what you see is minor or relatively minor you'll still be in a position to make an offer for the car.
Let us know what you discover.
Regards,
Alan
Watching/ helping is a GOOD idea. You'll learn a lot, real fast, about windshield frame rust. If what you see is minor or relatively minor you'll still be in a position to make an offer for the car.
Let us know what you discover.
Regards,
Alan
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 13,238
Likes: 1,092
From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
Can you post pics of the rest of the car? Just curious what kind of shape it is in.68-72 verts with air are great cars,if you get the right price and the rust issues are not extensive,it could be a good buy.
