I'd say at $35K you are getting close. Doesn't really look restored though from the interior and engine pictures. Automatic brings the price down more.

I'd go take a look.

 

I could be wrong, but I don't think 68 Big Blocks ever had an expansion tank. I know they said it's a not original motor, but it's possible the car was originally a small block to start its life. Or the front end has had some work done or somebody just added it. Just another thing to consider. Does what it "started as" matter?

 

As someone pointed out, it has the wrong expansion tank. BB had a long thin one, SB had the keg style tank. I would look at the rear drive line for correct u joint fasteners, should be thick caps instead of straps. And there should not be a fuel return line. As others pointed out, small things in the interior weren't restored. If they aren't paying attention to those details, what else did they cut corners on. Offer $32k nothing special here, would love to see the frame and undercarriage

 

Hi Joe,
Since you're not familiar with 68 cars I really believe you have to have a knowledgeable 68-72 person go look at the car with you.
That way you can get some first hand information about what the car and it's engine are, what it's value may be, what you might offer for it, or if you should make any sort of offer at all.
It's a nice LOOKING car, but there's not the information you'd need to know to form an opinion on it, or to decide if you should try to buy it or not.
Regards,
Alan

 

Based on the pics, it's a good looking car. The lion's share of cosmetics has been done. If you are interested in judging, the car is not complete and will need additional work.

If it matters, it was assembled in November, 1967.

 

It's a pretty car, but it sure doesn't look like a "frame-off" restoration to me.

The engine is shiny, but the rest of the engine compartment, doesn't look like it's been detailed. Wrong valve covers, water outlet, and it's hard to tell from the pictures, but the air cleaner may be aftermarket too, the filter in it is. Hard to tell from the pictures but it looks like the fan clutch is missing and the fuel lines look wrong, so the carb may be wrong also?

The car has an aftermarket radio, and the wrong antenna. It's also missing the interior quarter trim retainers, and possibly the interior quarter trim panels themselves. I think 68's used a chrome auto shift ball, not the black plastic one. The wheels look like they might be 69 up 15x8's, not the one year only 68 15x7's.

Do you know what the original colors were? Have you seen the trim tag, or at least know what codes are on it? The horn buttons on 68's were color keyed to the interior. The black horn button on that car looks like an original button, which makes me wonder if the car might have had a black interior originally? I do pre-purchase inspections, and when someone sends me pictures of interiors with missing trim, or mismatched colors, I immediately become suspicious of the interior color.

One final thing I noticed was the tach. 68 390 and 400's used a 5600 rpm tach, that car has the 435 horse 6500 rpm redline tach? Is there any kind of documentation with the car? Do you know if the car really was originally a big block?

None of the above should be a deal killer. It's just stuff that you need to consider when weighing the purchase of this, or any Corvette. At $37,000, I think the price is high for a wrong motor car. There's enough red flags in the pictures, that I wouldn't even consider the car unless you can see it yourself, or have it inspected by someone knowledgeable about 68's.

The expansion tank is correct for that car. 68 and 69 no air 427's used that expansion tank, it was only cars with air conditioning that used the long thin copper expansion tank.

Cars with Q-Jet carbs have a return line, and the 68 427/390 used a Q-Jet and should have a return line. It was only the cars with Holley carbs, (the 427/400, 427/435 & L-88's), that didn't use the return line.

 

Yup good catch Mike. Does have a November build date just like my 68' small block. I saw a few wrong screws in the center console, but most looks cosmetically good. Silver and red is a sweet color combo. You have to see the frame and underside before you buy.
I have been looking for several years and typically see prices range from 26- 40G for a C3 BB Vette. Things change in a hurry at those numbers and all comes down to quality obviously. Really nice cars start at 50G plus but those are frame off cars that have been completely restored piece by piece and have factory engines.
Before you make a commitment look at the Vettes for sale section on the forum. Good luck with the hunt

 

OK, I'll jump in here. At $37,000. you have a lot of big block C3's to choose from. That seems to be a fair price range for these cars. Here are my concerns:
1. frame-off resto. was not very complete: engine bay, interior, etc.
2. low-optioned car: no a/c, no tilt/tel. , manual windows. yes, auto. trans. reduces value
3. Regardless of "Astro Ventilation ", this is going to be a VERY hot interior with that big engine sitting in front of you.
4. I don't care about "matching ' numbers, but it does lower the value.
5. What do YOU want ? We have all given our opinions, but ??
6. At $37,000. you should look around for a car that doesn't need any rationalization or assurances from us. It will talk to you in a low, sexy voice.
Good luck, Tim

 

Good information. I'll add couple of other things. Looking at the Corvette registry engine photo and the dealer engine photo, it looks like it has power brakes, but not power steering. The fuel line appears to still have an inline fuel filter with rubber hose and clamps.

 

I just spent a lot of time writing out a very detailed reply and it's all lost because the web site reloaded

I'm going to be very short now.
I have a great deal of experience buying at auction for myself and others as I'm a dealer's agent and I also represent buyers at auctions across this country.
Chrome bumper Corvettes have gained an average of 40% since 2009 and still have a much greater upward potential for the next 10 years.
I sell base Corvettes fully loaded w/ 4 speed and A/C for at least $23K when they are a Hagerty guideline of a #3 driver or better. When I ship that same car to Europe I get an average of $8K more.
On non significant, non important cars, date correct replacements are second best for nom that were available for that particular car.
For a clean and straight cb vette, a big block convertible that needs little to nothing, it's worth $32,500 to $34,500 all day long to an end user.
As always there are exceptions to everything. And btw, I always get a little more for 71's - for many, this Year is preferred and asked for most often.

 

Thanks for all the great advice...I was really attracted to the color combination...my '64 was silver/red too, and I love these colors. I don't really care much about numbers matching...I just want to pay a fair price, and feel reasonably confident I can pass the car on without losing too much if/when I decide to let her go.
Good points all...probably better to find an A/C car..although, I suppose Vintage Air could be added without worrying about lowering the value as its already a non matching car...
A buddy of mine is supposed to look at the car for me, and I've forwarded him all the comments here. Hopefully, he'll be able to tell if its worth pursuing.
Thanks again for all the great advice.
By the way...this car came to my attention because its being auctioned at Leake in OKC...if I decide I want it and can't get the dealer to agree to a fair price, there will be a second chance...
Thanks again, Joe

 

A buddy of mine who is a car guy, but not a Corvette guy, is looking at it this afternoon.
I'm hoping that armed with the suggestions here, he will be able to determine if its worth serious consideration. Thanks again! Joe

 

Engine number in the car is T0371IL, I gather a 427/390 but for a 4speed car.
Original color was LeMans Blue, with Bright Blue.
My friend says that it is missing the fan clutch as someone suspected.
He likes the paint and says the car presents very well. Good chrome, lenses, etc.
No explanation on the incorrect tach. He's going to have them put it on a lift to take some pics of the undercarriage...

 

Remind the seller that the auction takes a minimum 10% of the hammer price, charges to make it a featured car with more exposure and detailing care. If you set a reserve price and it doesn't sell you still owe a commission. You can leave the car available to the auction so they may still broker a deal after the auction is over. don't leave out transportation costs for the car and you with accommodations plus expenses.
As a seller you don't want to have this car known in the collector world and recognized for sale in other venues, it can make the appearance of an over priced car or perhaps even have the potential of non disclosed problems.
Just like a stock broker takes a hit on an under performing investment, he/she dumps the stock well before it's a 20% loss (typically 10 to 15% at most). And move that money to something with better potential, that's what big car collectors do if they're in it for the money.

A little bit of food for thought that might wise up a seller going in this direction. Actually flashing cash money during negotiations can save you some good money, sometimes several thousands if you make the seller's life easy and take the car "right now for cash."

 

Is the IL on the stamp pad? Any other numbers? How about the transmission?

 

"IL" is the code for a 69 427/390, 4 speed, but I think your friend misread the stamp. "T" is the Tonawanda engine plant, but the next 4 digits should be the month and day the engine was assembled. "03" is March, but "71" can't possibly be the day.

So this 68 is a wrong engine car, painted the wrong color, with the wrong color interior, and they want $37,000 for it?!

 

here's a few shots from the underside

 

 

Hi Joe,
The chassis photos seem to show a solid chassis.
I'm curious why this car has traveled so far from being typical 68 bb convertible?…. different engine, paint, interior, aftermarket parts on the chassis. 'Originalish' 68 bb convertibles are very valuable cars. What started this car in this direction.

I'd want to:
Take a look at the body….. was it hit hard?
Take a look at the various parts…. was it stolen?
Take a look at the birdcage… has it been repaired?
Take a look at the frame and frame stamp…. does it match the VIN?
Knowing these things would help me decide what would be appropriate to pay for it.

It makes a very nice appearance… but what the car actually is will help you decide what you should pay for it.
Regards,
Alan