1968 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE 427/435 4-SPEED PROJECT 31K MILES L71 RACING HISTORY

1968 Corvette L71 Convertible Fact Sheet Serial #194678S422196

Build Date – June 11, 1968 (K11)

Paint – Rally Red (974)

Interior – Red Vinyl (407)

Mileage – 30,159

Engine Block – #3935439, Dated E*10*8 (May 10, 1968)

Pad – T0604IR, Serial #18S422196

Heads - #3919840, Dated D*22*8, E*15*8

Crankshaft - #3856223

Intake - #3919852, Dated 8/31/67

Carburetors – Center, 4055-1, #3925517 EU, Dated 8*8*1

Front R3659, #3902353 EU, Dated 8*8*1

Rear R3659, #3902353 EU, Dated 8*8*1

Exhaust Manifolds - LH # 3880827, Dated F*14*8

RH # 3880828, Dated C*20*8

Bellhousing - #3899621

Transmission–Muncie M-21, 4-speed

#3925660, Dated P8C12, Serial #18N404515

Side Cover #3884685, Extension Housing #3857584

Rear End – Center Section Casting #3899143

Rear Housing Cover #3871375, Dated H*19*6

Rear Axle Code 1 AV 3(8) 16 68W (3.08:1) - Positraction (427)

Alternator - #1100696, Dated 8*D*11

Starter - #1107365, Dated 8*E*8 (Restored)

Coil – #263 (Reproduction)

Distributor – Tach Drive (no tag)

Water Pump - #3856284, C*15*8

Water Pump Pulley - #3848904 CS

GM Reproduction 5-Blade Fan with stamped “H”, and “FRONT”

Fan Blade Clutch – Dated 8*15*68*SC

Harmonic Balancer 8” #3870325

Original 3X2 Air Cleaner Lid with Base and Screen (rough)

Original Flash Chrome Valve Cover with Oil Fill Cap (S)

Original Driver’s Side Male Seat Belt Assembly

Highlights-

Car delivered new to Fink-Jeske Chevrolet in Miamisburg, Ohio (Dealer code 193 in Zone 9). Official GM production date (from NCRS), is June 12, 1968. Car has been in the Dayton, Ohio, area all its life. Original owner told me he ordered the car solely to road race. I am the fifth owner, having acquired the car in October of 2012. The fourth owner (who I bought the car from), owned it for 26 years, but only drove it the first summer he had it! I believe the incredibly low mileage of the car to be original, after speaking with all surviving previous owners of the car. The car has not been started since 1988.

BODY/FRAME

Body and frame overall are very nice. Fenders have been flared at all four (4) corners. There is a puncture wound on the RF fender, just below the side marker lamp (I have a GM replacement panel for just that area – see photo). Aside from the flares, the body of this car is in very nice condition. The doors, hood, headlight assemblies and deck lid all open and close as they should. Windshield has a large chip in it, and side glass are all nice. Side windows move up and down as they should. Headlight bezels are metal, with no washer holes. Front and rear bumpers are in very good condition, as are the bumperettes and front grille assemblies. Rallye Wheels have been widened (12” on the back). The hardtop is in very nice condition, with all moldings, hardware, and stainless intact. Hardtop rear window is dated XX (February, 1968). Spare tire lid, tub, and attaching hardware are all there.

The frame is rock solid, but not original to the car. The original frame was swapped out with a ’71 or ’72 frame, by the second owner back in the mid-seventies. He told me he went off the track one day, and tore up part of the suspension. He said the frame itself was probably OK, but it was easier to just locate another frame with all the suspension intact, so that’s what he did! There have been minor alterations/enhancements (brackets welded on, etc.), made to the frame/suspension over the years by that same second owner, to make the car handle better, which are still on the car.

INTERIOR

The interior looks nice! The seats, door panels, upper and lower dash pads are all fine. Carpet is faded/worn, and should be replaced. All gauges appear to be original, including the tachometer with the 6500 RPM redline. Mileage on the odometer shows 30,159. Car is equipped with telescopic steering column, Speedminder dash and power windows. Radio is the original AM-FM, and the factory Muncie shifter (’68 only), is there. Hardtop interior pieces are all nice (headliner and both sail panels). Car was ordered with the hardtop only (for racing), but a previous owner added the convertible top, which is on the car. The soft top frame is excellent, but needs a new top (fabric). Rear compartment area is complete, including all rear compartment doors, jack, and handle.

DRIVETRAIN

Restoration engine block (#5439) has been completely machined, and bored to 0.25. Final honing will take it to 0.30 over. Steel crankshaft (#3223) has been turned (10/10). Square port (#9840) heads have been machined, and look great. Aluminum square port intake (#9852) is nice, with all Winters logos. The intake looks refinished, but not to a “natural” sheen. Carburetors aren’t exactly aligned date-wise to the car, but all of the GM part numbers on the carbs are correct. I have the correct factory chrome tri-power air cleaner lid, screen and base, but they are very rough, and will need work. Exhaust manifolds have the correct casting numbers, but the LH manifold #3880827, has a later date. Oil pan is there, as is the fuel pump, harmonic balancer and timing chain cover. Muncie 4-speed transmission is not original to the car. Previous owner told me that $1,400 was spent updating the transmission for racing, but that was at least 30 years ago.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT

Radiator core support is solid, and in great shape. Radiator and radiator shroud are both off the car, but there. Master cylinder, windshield wiper motor, and all wiper hardware are there. Windshield wiper door, grill and door molding are all there, and in nice condition. Steering box and steering column look good. TI Box is mounted on the front LH fender well, as it should be.

OTHER ITEMS of NOTE

No Tank Sticker or any other GM documentation. I do have an original GM second edition Owner’s Manual. Car was purchased from previous owner of 27 years.

Options as advised by original owner, who ordered the car new:

Red Trim

Full Transistorized Ignition

Positraction Rear Axle – 4.11: 1

4 – Speed Closed Ratio Transmission

F70X15X2 4PR RSW

Hardtop Only

AM-FM Radio

Tinted Windshield

Spec-Pur Suspension

435 HP Turbo-Jet V8

Special Off Road Exhaust

Original owner told me he has 600, “Fastest Time of the Day” trophies in his attic, and 400 of them he won with this car! He told me he raced at (among others), Nelson Ledges (OH) road course, Powell Speedway, and Mid-Ohio Race Track. Also told me he had his own parts bin at Fink-Jeske Chevrolet.

The only reason I would even consider selling this car, is an opportunity to buy a commercial building that I’ve had my eye on for some time. This car is really neat, with great history, low miles and few owners.

Personal inspections of the car and all parts are both welcomed and encouraged. Car is located about 30 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio. I will help in any way I can with shipping, loading, packing parts for shipping, meeting your transport company, picking you up at the Columbus (Ohio) airport, etc.

Decent car cover included!

Questions? Duane (614) 920-0647

I also have a 1996 Triple Black Corvette Convertible with LT4, 6-speed, and 20,970 original miles listed on another eBay auction. Thank you!