Interesting car:
1968 convertible, 4 speed, 427/435 tripower, aluminum heads, p/w, tele column, speed-minder, leather headrest seats

Engine block and trans stampings match VIN tag, build date

Partial VIN is 21, 7** Very near the end of day production, June 7, 1968---Question; Do trim tags and VIN tags go on the body at the same time?

Real 900 code Black with Tobacco interior Build date on trim tag is K07--TRIM 436---PAINT 900

No tank sticker, but has all tale tell signs of original big block:
1) single fuel line on right frame rail
2) 6,500 redline tach
3) correct big block suspension components--larger front sway bar, rear sway bar, "caps" vrs. "U" bolts on half shafts, big block coded posi rear end (AZ code), "angled" shock mounts
4) Correct radiator support with "higher" top air dam extension.
5) Engine block is a 439 4bolt (date is not readable?), stamp pad appears original and vin matches the tag. Build date and suffix correct
6) Correct intake and carbs, proper dates
7) 296 TI distributor and amp/harness assembly
8) Complete A.I.R. system

Incorrect items:
1) alternator
2) starter
3) shocks
4) replacement turn signal grills

Needs:
1) windshield
2) paint and body work (all original panels and bonding strips)
3) exhaust pipes, tips and bezels--Has headers and side pipes now
4) Interior panels/pieces/seat covers/etc. in need
5) Center gauge bezel broken

Anyone care to opine on the rarity and value of this Vette?
Forget about the aluminum heads, as there is no paperwork or other means to verify that this is an L89.

The interesting "rare" items to me are:
1) real 900 code Black + Tobacco interior (leather seats)
2) 427/435
3) tele column
4) Speed-minder speedometer


Your thoughts and comments welcome

Photos first of next week (maybe--I took photos while looking at the Vette, but promised to not share/publish them until I have permission from the owners)---just found this while picking up another 427/435 cp. '68 in West Texas. Not sure it's for sale, Family that owns car live a few hundred miles away (car stored in storage facility), but word is that they want to sell, trying to determine what to offer.
I have my own opinion, but would like to hear from others.

Thanks,
George
210 748 4693
geopar@gvtc.com

 

I wouldnt know where to start to put value on this car. But having a big block aluminum head 435 hp black vert would be almost an ultimate car for me. I would prefere a 69 just because of the extra little things but beggars cant be choosers. Great find, this is one of those that needs to be restored to original. It will be expensive. I hope you get it and its restored to save it. I wish it was in my garage but dont think I could afford to restore it. Good luck.

 

What are the casting dates on the heads? She could be one of 2898, or one of 624.

I would think the black and tobacco combination would be somewhat rare.

Value now? Who knows? Value restored: higher.

Is the seller asking a realistic figure based on condition or megabucks based on what might be?

 

More input?

 

You've fooled with these cars a long time. I'm guessing you had a figure in mind before you posted.

I would like to see pics of the tobacco and black.

 

Would love to see pics if you can.I dont recall ever seeing Black/Tobacco color combo on a 68.If you can take some pics of the trim tag.

 

 

Well sure I do (did), but input is usually helpful.

I answered you question about the heads.

Your input has not been helpful.

No matter, the car has generated a lot of interest from Corvette people who are helpful.

 

More info added in original post for those of you who asked.

 

Dont forget to post pics,and thanks for the trim tag info.

 

You have my apologies, sir. I refuse to speculate on a car none of us has seen.

 

No contact from owners.
Maybe it's not for sale?

 

...it sounds like a super color combo car. I do not believe I have ever seen this combo.

...28,566 Corvettes were made for '68, so with a 21,7xx VIN it is a later car, but more like 3/4 of the way through production, instead of very near the end. I've seen a few "last days production '68s" and they do have some '69 style parts on them like the gussets on the frame kick-ups and the non-smooth gauge bezel. I think August 7, 1968 was the last day of '68 production(or close to that).

...hard to put a price on this one. Certainly with this motor, L89 & the color combo, I'm sure it was one of very, very few like it produced.

...sure would be a show stopper if it was totally restored and shown!!!

 

Please post pics, would love to see this color combo...

 

 

I have been in contact with the owners and the car may well be for sale.
Fingers crossed.
More when I know more.

 

It is most likely that the aluminum heads (if GM made) were dealer purchased and installed after-the-fact. Even if the casting numbers are reasonable for the car, no collector would believe they were factory installed without the car's original build sheet. At least, they wouldn't pay the kind of money a factory-built car would bring without that kind of documentation.

Even if the heads were installed later, the combo would still be nice to have....for a reasonable price. The owners will probably not sell for reasonable money, but wait for a 'sucker' to show up...unless they do have adequate documentation.

 

Good points.
Doubt that there is any documentation.

What heightened my interest was the color/trim combination.

This car was owned the deceased father and has been sitting in a storage facility for three years. Prior to that it was in the owner's garage for apx 20 years. Moved into the storage unit when his house was sold. Story is that they tried to sell the car locally when the house was for sale, (didn't), and had the car moved out of the garage to facilitate the home sale.

I do not think the current owners (brother and sister) know the Vette has aluminum heads---I doubt they know the engine is a 427 or that it is original to the car.

What they do know is that it doesn't run, looks terrible inside and out, has four flat tires, and is costing them $85.00 per month for storage.

Hope to know more soon,
G.

 

Condition as you know means everything. I get so tired of hearing " These sell for $100,000 when restored"..... That's a great combination to have, but in really rough shape, and no documentation, it's a 10k car. With the matching block,trans,carbs....maybe 15k, but it will take a ton of $$$ to get it to big money condition. I bought a pretty highly optioned 68 L71(non original motor, but still had the tank sticker) in running condition about 3 years ago for 7500, and the market hasn't gotten any stronger. I've rebuilt the motor & trans, new carpet, new paint( done myself with house of colors paint...not concourse perfect, but ok) rebuilt front suspension, and various odds and ends. In this market, I would think about taking 20,000 for it, so 10 or 15 even for a rare car in really rough shape isn't out of line IMO.

 

Here's what I see as is:

1) good, complete, '68 conv. body/frame---worth at least $5,000.00
2) correct long block with aluminum heads-------------------$5,000.00
3) tri-power set up------------------------------------------------$2,500.00
4) A.I.R set up------------------------------------------------------$2,000.00
5) trans/bellhousing/etc.-----------------------------------------$ 750.00
5) T. I. dist./amp/harness----------------------------------------$ 1,150.00
6) A.Z. coded rear end--------------------------------------------$ 700.00
7) speed warning -------------------------------------------------$ 300.00
8) headrest seats--------------------------------------------------$ 500.00

total in parts apx.------------------------------------------------- $18,000.00

Have offered $12,500.00

We'll see