'68 C3 Vert in auction soon

[Chevrolet]

Not mine, owned by anyone on here?

1968 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (C3)

This Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is an iconic classic American sports car, presented in the eye-catching hue of Rally Red. It is powered by a naturally aspirated 5.3-litre V8, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. This left-hand drive example was originally delivered...

collectingcars.com

 

[Roscobbc]

An interesting car. Described as 5.7 litre. A typo? - or later replacement engine? (with early oil filler/vent tube?
It's looks like a very late '68 with it's 'high' seat back releases. Typical American option spec' from the day with electric windows and 4 speed, yet no power brakes or steering. Always preferred the contrast of the thin rocker/under door polished trim (with satin black rocker panels) on 68/69 to the later full depth metal rocker panel finish.

 

[Andrew Gorrod]

This is the one on ebay and Car & Classic this summer I think it got down to around £22,000 will be interesting to see what it makes.

 

[Chevrolet]

Auction finished last night/Car Unsold. Didn't meet Reserve? Think the bids were around £20k last time I looked. Might be on the website later on with a buy price on it?

1968 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (C3)

This Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is an iconic classic American sports car, presented in the eye-catching hue of Rally Red. It is powered by a naturally aspirated 5.3-litre V8, driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. This left-hand drive example was originally delivered...

collectingcars.com

 

[Shy Torque]

Top bid was 21K (£22512 with fees for the buyer) but didn’t meet reserve.
Not suggesting anything but there was one bidder with ‘Vaughn’ in their bidding ID.

 

[Roscobbc]

Guessing that someone has undated the interior with later parts - manual window winders but electric window switches. Hi-back seat releases were only fitted to very late '68 and onwards. 'Brown' carpets appear to be faded black carpets. Surprised it didn't get higher offers.

 

[CaptainK]

In the description it says its fitted with a 5.3L engine, but in the overview it says 5.7L. I'd like to know what the big red tube with big shiny cap on is, that is at the front of the engine between the air filter and the fan shroud. My 1968 327 doesn't have that.

 

[Roscobbc]

In the description it says its fitted with a 5.3L engine, but in the overview it says 5.7L. I'd like to know what the big red tube with big shiny cap on is, that is at the front of the engine between the air filter and the fan shroud. My 1968 327 doesn't have that.

It's an old school oil filler tube with (presumably) a road draught tube under the engine.......rather than a more emission friendly PCV based system. Perhaps the engine is from another, earlier vehicle?

 

[Chevrolet]

You really do have to know what you are doing buying a C3? I put it on here originally on the basis that it might be an "Estate sale" (another?) that will sell for low/bargain (?) money? Car been sitting about/unused? 99k miles on odo now same as MoT in 2018/Last invoices in Documents dated 2014.

As you can see in the ad now above, you can click on the "Still interested" button to send them a message.

 

[Roscobbc]

Car actually looks quite a good buy - depending on what the reserve is.

 

[Nassau65]

In the description it says its fitted with a 5.3L engine, but in the overview it says 5.7L. I'd like to know what the big red tube with big shiny cap on is, that is at the front of the engine between the air filter and the fan shroud. My 1968 327 doesn't have that.

Surprised your 327 doesn’t have this oil filler tube. Pretty standard on 327’s of that era
My 65 327 has it and the last 66 I had had it also.
Pictures of 1968 327ci 300hp motors in situ

 

[Oneball]

They brought out the new intake in ‘67/8 without the filler tube. So I’m guessing you might see ‘68s with either.

 

[Roscobbc]

They brought out the new intake in ‘67/8 without the filler tube. So I’m guessing you might see ‘68s with either.

Lot os stuff last seen on '67's went on to 68's - all change for '69

 

[Nassau65]

That’s one of the reason 1968’s have always lived in the shadow of 1969’s. Lots of people put off by the one year speciality items associated with a 68.

 

[CaptainK]

Mine is deffo a no oil pipe car. Don't know if it had one as standard, but my car arrived from Yank land with a Weiand intake on it. So if that oil pipe goes through the intake, that might explain why mine doesn't have it. I've since swapped it all out for a another intake and carb as the stuff on there wasn't great.

It arrived like this, and incidentally is the best picture I could find quickly that showed more of the front of the engine:

 

[CaptainK]

It's an old school oil filler tube with (presumably) a road draught tube under the engine.......rather than a more emission friendly PCV based system. Perhaps the engine is from another, earlier vehicle?

Nope - I checked the engine numbers and VIN etc before I bought it and its all numbers matching. The PCV system is in place still. As above, I suspect its down to the original owner swapping to the Weiand intake before I bought it.

 

[Roscobbc]

That’s one of the reason 1968’s have always lived in the shadow of 1969’s. Lots of people put off by the one year speciality items associated with a 68.

A true enough comment.........and one reason perhaps why (certainly in the 'States) people have avoided them when looking to purchase an 'early' C3 (no doubt also due to the 'scarcity' of some one year only parts even in the USA).
Typically here in the UK we 'blindly follow' others, often not knowing the reasons why. Increasingly (certainly in the 'States) Vette enthusiasts are starting to realise actually how rare an unusual a '68 can be. In production terms some of the individual components specific to 1968 production whilst perhaps different to 1969 and later vehicles will actually differ over the 1968 production cycle. Example - removable rear window catches - there were at least two revisions over the production year. Example - Interior door handles.......the '68 wasn't initially provided with a 'door pull', GM deccided that a 'pull-lip' moulded into the interior door panel that you would attempt to close the door with your fingertips - not very successful. It was difficult to use for many people (broken fingernails?). GM soon added a thin moulded screw-on plastic pull handle (I believe these were also retro fitted to many '68's). Just two examples of why a '68 Vette can be an interesting 'sub species' even within a one year only production cycle.

 

[Nassau65]

Do they reproduce the door panels with the “pull lip” or have they fallen by the wayside?

 

[Nassau65]

Just had a look at corvette central. They show a 1968 door skin with what looks like a cut out lip.
So it would seem they do.

 

[Roscobbc]

The '68 door card is supposedly thicker than '69 and later.......I haven't compared the two - guess the additional 'thickness' was to allow for the recessed door 'pull'?
As neat as the panel looks without a surface mounted 'pull handle' the composition of the door card is such that either someone breaks all their fingernails pulling the door shut in high winds - or damages the structure of the door card (probably both).
'68 with 'add-on' door pull

'69 door card with door pull