72and86

Survivor, Barnfind or Restoration Candidate

My casual search for a BB 1968-69 Convertible has me hopefully checking one out this weekend.

The car has been locked away in a barn since the early 1990s. What are some concerns for a Vette sitting for so long? I'm concerned about things I can't readily see... Seller says he's got it started and "more it runs there's less top end noise". ok......

Also I understand a "Survivor" has a definitive meaning, altho used casually. How do I possibly spot a rare "Survivor" candidate from this barn find?

tokim

That's a fair amount of time.
Smell the gas, I'm sure it is bad. I would question seller how after the long sleep, did he attempt to start it. Damage may have occurred if the proper steps weren't taken (removing plugs, squirting oil in the cylinders, priming the oil pump, etc.)
Assume all of the rubber vacuum and fuel hoses are worn out.
Concern yourself with the rust issues, that are common on these cars.
Post pics of the engine compartment, interior, etc. to determine how much, if anything has been altered if your concerned about the survivor class.

The Phantom

Bring your fine tooth comb, look everywhere you can see and as many places you can't. Brakes, hoses, wiring, frame rails, BIRD CAGE!!!

Dave

Easy Mike

Take someone with you who knows these cars inside and out when you go.

Alan 71

Hi 7286,
You asked about what makes a Bowtie/Survivor candidate different from another barn find.
A Bowtie/Survivor candidate is a car that has remained substantially unchanged in any way since it left St. Louis. It could have been stored in a barn or in a first class storage environment…. that doesn't matter.
A barn find can be a car that hasn't been seen for many years, maybe many, many, years, but can have been changed in various ways that diminish it's qualification to be a Bowtie/Survivor candidate but it's still a 'barn find' and of interest to some people.
A Bowtie/Survivor candidate can have been an extremely ordinary Corvette when it was new but is very special now because of it's degree of originality.
There are 4 areas of the car that are examined when considering Bowtie/Survivor candidacy, Exterior, Interior, Mechanical, and Chassis.
If you're thinking that the car you're going to see you might be a Bowtie candidate you may want to go to the NCRS website and look at the more detailed information about the Bowtie Star Award.
Regards,
Alan

72and86

Thanks as always, Alan!

Heres the copy written (1 run-on sentence) and few email replies:

"68 corvette convertible barn find parked 22 years 427 /390 auto ps Tele column hardtop just got it running needs front calipers excellent frame and bird cage nice body needs paint and interior corvette bronze dark orange int "

"Numbers match runs well maybe a little top end noise seems to go away the more I run it hasn't run since early 90s"

"Just give me a call the guy ghat owned it was a hoarder he didn't want his daughter to have it so he locked it in the garage and never drove it again he died and bought from the estate"






















Thoughts on originality from the pics?
Oh and he wants $18K.

ddawson

Well it's a BBC at least.

I see a lot wrong under the hood. Nothing money and time can't fix.

If it's rust free, I'd say $18K is a good by. Does it need paint?

72and86

He says "needs paint". But doesn't elaborate. Probably original paint.

VETFEVER

Money and time can fix almost anything - if you have lots of both - if not, study the car thoroughly

dugsgms74

Looks to be a bit too altered under the hood to be considered a "survivor" but every where else seems to be pretty original. definitely worth going to look at.

72and86

What carb would this have? Oh no. Is it a Q-JET??

dugsgms74

Looks like a L36 so yes, Q-jet. Part# should be 7028216.

Alan 71

Hi 7286,
I certainly see some things that look original but others that have obviously been replaced. (as dd noted too.)
Often Bowtie/Survivor cars are 'original', but not at all 'pretty'. This makes it difficult for some people to like them.
Remember a car that's quite original and complete although perhaps not a Bowtie candidate can be the basis for a nice 'driver' or an excellent beginning for a restoration.
Regards,
Alan

Sometimes Bowtie cars are both Original and Pretty!

Raphiki

Be sure to check where it's been parked all these years. If the barn had a dirt floor you could have a lot of rot on the chassis.

72and86

Looks like cement floor... see clutter rear end pic.

Easy Mike

What mileage is being claimed? FWIW: the driver's seat has been very well used.

72and86

71,000 which was near the end of a car's life up to the early 1980s. (assuming original)

KO68

An original '68 big block convertible with good colors and original looking body is a great starting point. Interior looks original too. Tele steering column and a hard top are desirable options. I can see it still has the original steering wheel and passenger door panel looks good. The main thing would be check for a rusty frame or bird cage. If those check out good and the paint would clean up decent $18,000 doesn't seem too bad of a starting price. You will know alot more by crawling around and under the car if its something you want. Good Luck !

RS69

If the frame and bird cage looks good, sounds like a very good deal.

72and86

Sold I guess. The seller deleted it before I could get there.