Hi all,

Some of you may recall a thread I started a while back regarding a 1968 convertible my friend and I located in a warehouse. It was pretty ratty but had a great frame, and almost perfect birdcage. After aquiring the car it was disassembled and the restoration began. The bodywork was, let's just say, not all that great. It is now. The body is ready to be finished. Some may recall from the original post that it was white, with a maroon stripe when we found it. While stripping we found, before it was this color, it was actually maroon (main color) with white striping. I think that is what we are going with as opposed to the former. Original color from GM was BRG.
The engine that was in it when we found it was a non original SB, (I think from a 71). Regardless, for now, it's going to be replaced with a nasty 454. As far as verifying if it is a true Motion car, not giving up but no verification. We have not reached the point to pay Mr. Rosen. I did speak with him and he viewed the original thread while I was on the phone with him. He indicated everything looked "right" but he needed more (and a check...lol). Can't say I blame him. It may come to that point. I can say at the very least I truly believe it was assembled with Motion parts, if not by them, but I don't believe it was originally purchased at Baldwin. We do believe it was raced at some point due to some of the hard parts we identified.
Anyhow, I snapped these today just to show anyone interested where we are. Thanks and stay safe, John

 

Looking good and I remember the thread when you guys found it. Keep us updated on the build!

 

Will do thanks! What do you guys think, white with maroon stripes or maroon with white? I'm think the latter.

 

That looks really great! Always liked the motion cars and being on LI I remember them around as a kid.
I would think that this car was retro fitted for one reason only. Those parts did not come out until the 69 vettes were out. It's well known that at the 69 auto show where the phase III GT was first presented it didn't have the taillight treatment or single headlight treatment as those parts were not yet ready. That was after the 68 model year and those parts were first used on the phase III GT. The first PHIIIGT had stock headlight and taillights. I believe it was Monaco orange w/black.

If it is a retro fit by Motion that is still really cool. Even if it was a customer installation it's STILL really cool and will look great.

Good luck with the resto

 

I still think it's a cool car either way. I would paint it the color it came from the factory with a motion stripe in a color that compliments it. is BRG british racing green? a white motion stripe would look great on that

 

Thanks very much. We are pretty sure it was added pretty early on in the car's life, just not sure when. I have seen other 68 Motion cars but you don't think the parts were available in 68? Good info, Thanks.

 

HMM, never thought of that!! I'll run that by the man with the (paint) gun.

 

Hi aj,
Nice Project and Nice Work!!!
Because there's already some less than subtle 'details' on the body, maybe a subtle paint job….maroon with black stripes?
From a distance the stripes probably wouldn't show, but as a person got nearer they'd appear.
Regards,
Alan

 

So cool, thanks for the update.

After growing up with the photos of these cars, I'd have a hard time not painting it orange with black stripes.

 

There were 68 phase III vettes but the phase IIIGT didn't come out until 69. The full GT package included the large rear window, single headlights, side gills, custom taillights, etc. The problem is anything and everything is possible. Even if those parts didn't come out until 69 that doesn't mean that car did not come out as a BM car and then parts were added later. Everything comes down to what you can show with documentation. I love those cars. I have been interested in them since the 70's but could never afford them. Now they are difficult to find without spending 6 figures. I still think there might be some hidden out here on the Island waiting to be found.

 

Neat car! I look forward to seeing it come together fully restored!

 

I agree, the latter (if you go that route). Dark cars with light stripes always look better to me, than the other way around!

 

Growing up on Long Island I remember back in 67/68 going to motion Performance with a bunch of friends. At the time they were the only y dyno shops around. Weactually watched as they were tuning The only other was in Queens at the Famous Jack Merkle shop.
I have 2 pics of the car that no one ever caught at the track. Since we all had C2 cars it was a big thrill to watch Motion Dyno one of their own cars. WOW!

 

Interesting...never thought of that either. I can't take credit for the work. I guess you could say I'm the "project manager". My friend has been in the car business most of his life. Ex-drag racer, pilot, car nut. A one man show at age 77 (not me...him). Works to stay healthy, not out of need I guess. Does some of the best work in the area.

 

From a rookie perspective---It was scarey when you posted the first pics.

It's really looking great now....that's a c-l-e-a-n chassis!

Maroon = Yes

Stripe = Black 1st or White 2nd

 

Pictures bring back memories of my childhood in Long Island. Back then I picked up a project someone started, a 69 vert with a mako nose. Started life as a big block but was found with a 327 in it. Finished the car on a budget but in hind site I would have been bettter off parting it out, demand for vettes with mods was low and reflected in the selling price back then in the seventies

 

You are going to make one sweet ride out of it. I also prefer a nice original car, so I think we both come from a similar taste background, but this car is badass. Be careful, you want to make sure you get some decent fuel economy out of the engine. Remember, its gallons per mile, not miles per gallon.

 

Tan int. with white top.

 

Copy that. I should rephrase my earlier comment. I've had SB corvettes since I was 17 so any BB to me is "nasty". A 454 is going in it but it will not be a race car. The rear is 3:70. I'l still be able to drive it t the Jersey Shore!

 

what are you doing for a transmission? something with overdrive would be well worth it for this project.