"..It's seems every event I attend there are multiple '69s, and '68s appear to be a rarity which is a plus...."

That sounds like you are inferring rare to me. Yes, we all know that 69 was the longest running year because of the UAW strike. Doesn't make it any less valuable. Fortunately, there are a few more of them for folks to enjoy! Using eBaY as an example, there are 21 68's for sale, 25 69's, and 15 70's - so there are still Corvette's aplenty available to choose from in all those years. Now try finding a '73 Ford Capri on eBay, or a 1980 Chevy Citation X11 - those cars are RARE, but mostly through attrition (rust and or fell apart). HAHA

In a normal year, mine would have been a '70, as it was built in 9/69.

 

It especially applies to our cars, as manufacturing has made leaps and bounds in 50+ years, so this is not so much an issue for new cars today. As for alleviation of said issues throughout ownership - We can only hope, and I've seen some pretty shoddy work in regards to those 'alleviations'. This forum is riddled with stuff like that, as you know. I'm not talking about this car specifically that the OP is asking about - that one looks great, and tastefully updated/improved upon, but he'll have to drive it to know for sure. He's close enough to the car, from what I understand.

 

I was speaking in a of a sense of rarity in relation to '69s. Most threads are of potential buyers seeking '69s, they are popular and rightfully so. There were more '69s built of any chrome bumper car, so a by a law of averages the '69 is the least rare but that does not make them any less desirable Make no mistake, none of these cars are "rare" outside of the low production performance models of L88, ZL1, ZR2, etc.

 

There are some rigged Vettes out there across the run of C3s, that's for certain. My entire point was that buyers have each car inspected, a certain year does not automatically make a car a "good" or "bad" car.

 

My dad had a '68. I never heard any complaints from him about the car, but that's anecdotal and beside the point. Many so-called experts advise to avoid the 68 and instead to look for the later chrome bumper years, with '69 and '70 model years being the pinnacle because of continued improvements - I know you've heard this, probably many times. I don't have to own a '69 or '70 to say it's an improved version of the '68 (but I just happen to own a '69). If I had wanted a '68, I would have bought one. They are readily available and about the same price or even less than the '69 and '70 when comparing similarly-optioned cars.

I also don't have to own a '68 to know its pros and cons because I know how to read a buyers guide (and also have several Corvette publications at my fingertips). That's a fact, and there are no 'half-truths' about it. Most people talk up the MY car they have, but that doesn't mean that there is truth being told.

Are you saying that there are a bunch of so-called Corvette authorities out there who are recommending a '68 over the 69 and 70's when in the market for a C3 Corvette? All things being equal - stock for stock. No restomods, or enhancements/improvements to the original design. A prudent buyer in the market for a chrome bumper C3 Corvette does his/her research. I did my research, and I did not purchase a '68 because of who I consider authoritative folks advising against it. I was looking for '69 or '70, and I have owned a 70 and 71 previously, so I leaned toward the '69 when looking for one.

That said, however, and in this case - if I was looking for a '68, the one the OP is considering would be at the top of my list. Just a superb example with tasteful enhancements, IMO. But again, you'd have to see it in person, see the documentation, and most importantly, drive it to know for sure.

 

I hate to be critical, as this looks like a really nice car overall, but be realistic when it comes to price.
Just from the photos, I'd say someone could have spent a bit more time on bodywork and paint.
The paint might be explained away as an older repaint (swirls, dulling), but some of the panel gaps are noticeably off. (front of hood to surround).
I get it, body work is not easy on these cars, but if you are going to seek top dollar, it should have a top dollar body to go with it.
If a really nice body/paint is important to you, it won't be a simple respray to bring it to concours status, from what I can see.

But, its what you think that matters at the end of the day, so if you like it, rock on and enjoy the C3 life!

 

Hi wwiiafan, I appreciate your comments. Yes the hood gap was noticed and discussed with the seller already, it's also on the inspection list to evaluate for Jamison's. It could be as simple as adjusting the nose support or as permanent (without a very expensive re-do) as the glass bonding. Still at the asking price (caveat have not seen it in person yet); I believe I can live with it given everything else it has. But the permanence should be known if it's an easy fix or not before I drive it on Monday. As for the paint, my impression is it shows well as a 10 footer and that's good enough for me to drive

 

Keep in mind that these cars (especially the '68s) had pretty bad panel alignment from the factory, as was called out by just about every tester in the press pool. Not always addressed during the restorations, but should be.

I'm surprised no one has asked this, but what is the asking price? That's kind of a big deal to most folks, and always helps when you are asking forum members for feedback.

 

Kerry is a stand up guy, he's been taking care of me for years, I wouldn't trust anyone else. Best of luck with it!

 

Andddd? Asking price is?????? When selling a car on the forum, folks have to include the price - that's not debatable. When asking people for purchasing advise, is should also not be debatable to include the price of the car you are interested in purchasing - that's very pertinent information as well....

 

Hey ZL1; ya I was kind of waiting for perceived values to pop out in the discussion, but we are at 50K

 

Holy cow! That's high for a non-matching numbers small block car - restored or no. It's basically a restomod (which seem to be going for silly money these days). You're getting into BB (L36 390HP) territory, and certainly well into/above the L79 (350HP) range at that price - in matching numbers condition, of course.

It's your money, and if you love it, no one can stop you from buying it, but does that seem pretty darned high to everyone else here? Especially since we may be on the cusp, or actually in, a recession.

 

Ummm, small point of order: There's no one here selling the car, so no asking price is necessary. That's only if you are posting your car/parts in the For Sale sections. If Mitch wants to post the price that would be completely up to him (her?).

 

Derekderek called it way back at the beginning. 50+. He seems pretty knowledgeable so if that's what he was guessing I'd be inclined to believe the asking price isn't too far out of line.

 

Definately the front of the hoodline looks alittle off. Get up under it with a mirror or something and make sure the headlight reinforcement hasnt popped off or similar. That metal bracket is epoxied to the underside of the nose to give it additional strength and support and to also give the headlights something to bolt to in the back. All might be AOK but there is a pretty good gap there. Its really easy to pop those off by putting weight on the nose (IE parade queen sitting on nose of car) particularly if its got some rust in and around the epoxy. I’ve reattached that bracket before and while its a PITA its doable in an afternoon. If theres a problem consider it a bargaining chip not a deal breaker.

Otherwise she looks really good and if the cage and the frame and other things check out I’d be bringing her home.

 

I took one of the pics and cropped it down so you can see what Im seeing. See the wave in the gap between the nose and the hood? Thats either a poor fitting nose/hood or that bracket has popped off on that side.

 

got it, thanks, obviously hoping to get an assessment from the inspection and I’ll see it on Monday.

 

Are the grill mounting bosses missing screws? it's like this on both sides. For $50k seems like car should be nearly perfect.
Where the left and right lower dash pads meet the radio bezel, does it look like the dash pads in the lower corners have dye rubbed off, as in maybe a redye.
Someone did nice job recovering the seats, just did mine, and I have a lot of wrinkles.

 

Very very pretty!

 

Ummm duh, Captain Obvious. Read my post again because it appears you it may have gone right over your head when I wrote "...When asking people for purchasing advise, it should also not be debatable to include the price of the car you are interested in purchasing - that's very pertinent information as well...."

What part of that statement was mired in obscurity, and where do I state it's a requirement to list the price when asking forum members for input on buying a Corvette???? As I was saying, and put another way - although it's not a requirement for the OP to disclose the price, it's kind of important (being sarcastic - it's very important) for us to know the that info when someone is asking for input on a Corvette they are thinking about purchasing, no? When was the last time YOU bought a Corvette without knowing the price ????

If a friend or a relative was asking for your input on buying a particular car they were interested in, any car...doesn't even have to be a Corvette.... you wouldn't ask what the seller was asking for it? Of course you would... ridiculous. Unless you are incredibly wealthy with tons of cash to burn, then of course price is going to be a factor in your calculations. We ask questions like that so we can advise folks as to whether they are getting a fair price for the Corvette they are thinking of purchasing. I didn't notice the OP indicating anywhere that price was no object. As mentioned earlier by another poster, the car should basically be perfect for 50K. I would just say, that as it stands, the OP is not getting any sort of deal here.

It is my opinion based on what similar cars are selling for, that the price is high. That is going by what the cars are actually selling for, and NOT what sellers are asking.

Read posts more carefully, 67!