Former Show CAR w/ $30K engine build, EQUITY is Yours!

(Please left click once within the photos above for a much larger view and zoom. Thanks. )

Should you be interested. please call me before bidding so you have the opportunity to hear more about the car. Thanks

828-4-Vettes or 828-483-8837

For Sale . A Special L-71 Corvette for a Special and Fortunate Corvette Buyer!

 This L71 Corvette had a complete body off restoration and customization for show in 1973 and the engine has less than 20. 00 miles on it since it was built to virtually L-88 Standard Specifications.

     Please be patient and thoroughly read this description as there is an extensive amount of detailed information about this car's history. which builds value and which will provide you enough information to make an informed decision about this investment.   This is no “plain Jane” Corvette!  It is a true blue L-71 Optioned Corvette. a very well-preserved car and in great a condition. as anyone could expect for a "For Real 1968 Muscle Car".  

Background of this L-71

     First let me say. there is a considerable amount of information known and documented history with this particular L-71 Corvette.   In fact. it is the car that inspired me to become a lifelong gearhead & Corvette enthusiast beginning in 1973. the year I first laid hands on this particular car.   I know its history. how well it has been maintained. how it has been pampered. who owned it. its one-time award winning venture to the drag strip and its over 10 year history as a many times-over award winning show car.   So there is no doubt about where this car has been and confirmation on its history. not too many people will ever truly know the complete history of their Corvette.   From the original owner to me. I know the 45 year history of this car since it was custom ordered in November of 1967 and then born in February of 1968.

           I am sure you have taken notice of custom paint and interior. who could avoid that. right?  You have to remember. the year was 1973 when the car was custom modified and painted for show.   It was painted by a master. Pat Scarlett who was an extremely talented person and no stranger to custom Corvettes and a person who did excellent paint and body work.   It has a pearl white base with all different colors of lacquers that change into other colors as they overlap.   Sort of like the artist Jackson Pollock on steroids. with a hint of the future on the doors. "to me at least resembling a printed circuit board".   The original paint is coded 978 (International Blue) and the custom paint now on the car is in really good shape to be 40 years old. not flawless. but it has held up extremely well. it is still a head turner. attention grabber and has literally been photographed more than some rock or country music and/or movie stars.

        One has to remember that this particular Vette was specially modified for show and because of its radical paint. fender flairs. interior. side pipes and engine. nbsp;it has taken numerous awards and trophies for best in show at the major custom car shows. including the International Custom Car Shows. both up and down the eastern seaboard.   This car is simply what it was intended to be. an unforgettable muscle car.

     Like anything else. customizing a ride is a matter of choice and taste.   Much like the 12 inch wide M50. 12 inch tires & wheels and the custom fender flairs that were added to protect the paint. but this car can easily be taken back to a stock body. paint and interior as ordered from the factory by simply removing the flairs. repainting to match its original color code and replacing the interior and exhaust.    As previously mentioned the original paint was International Blue and the interior color was black.   The exhaust was modified to Hooker headers with big tubed Hooker side pipes. and it sounds like the "killer" built 427. nbsp;that it is! It as well can be replaced with an original exhaust (Watch and listen to the You Tube Videos) at the links below.   In fact. if you intend on a restoration. then you are just a few steps removed from being able to potentially go Bloomington Gold or Top Flight with this car.   I state this from many years of custom Vette and other fiberglass and Corvette restoration experience.

This car was ordered as a special factory order.   The National Corvette Restorer Society confirms by documentation that this car was delivered to the same Chevrolet dealer as witnessed by the fellow that ordered the car. which further supports it as a real deal L-71. span >  Considering that the car now has a 35. 50 original miles. and I will personally place my name on and certify via affidavit on that. if one takes around 20k of this mileage. it leaves us with a reliable number of 15. 00 actual miles since 1973 or about 375 miles placed on the car on average per year since it was completely customized. and painted. and the engine modified. which is as stout as it ever was.   This L-71 will pull the front wheels off the ground going from 1st to 2nd gear. today!  I have personally been in the car at 147 mph and I  know the car will peg the 160 mph on the speedometer.  Even with M50's on the car. it will light them up from a dead start to spinning them into 2nd and 3rd.   Mainly the wider M50's are ran on the car for traction. versus the narrower tires which spin a lot due to the car's tremendous torque and horsepower.   The car has remained inside and out of the elements.   It has hardly ever been driven or caught in the rain. and never in any other type of inclement weather.

     This Vette is one of a little over 2600 total L-71 Coupes that were manufactured in 1968.   This is a fully numbers matching 1968 L-71 Corvette coupe. 427 cubic inch block and originally a 435 horsepower 3-2 barrel car. 4 speed close ratio manual transmission.   The mechanical lifters and special performance camshaft are in the engine and an L-71 standard option.   In 1973. the engine was completely blueprinted and built by some great NASCAR and other circuit experienced engine builders and racing folks here in North Carolina.   So the horsepower is estimated conservatively above 550+ HP.   I know that the engine is probably worth about $ 15. 00 to $ 20. 00 or more in today's dollars.   Over the years. we have changed carburation on it several times. from 3-2's to 2–4 barrels. running a tall 2-4's tunnel ram. It is currently running a single double pumper Holley carb with a manual secondary.   This is a reliable street setup that delivers as decent gas mileage as one could expect from the “Monster”. as I often fondly refer to the engine.   However. a 1000 cfm or better dragster carb can easily be fitted to increase the horsepower even more.   Due to its power. it is not for the faint of heart at the old gas pump.   I run high-octane fuel. with a racing fuel mix and an octane booster for the best performance. but the car will run on premium pump gas with an octane booster just fine and without any spark knock or performance degradation.   Many states exclude cars of this age from emissions and inspections.

                                                                                              See and Hear this ride for yourself. by visiting one of my You Tube links below to see and hear this L-71.

Video 1. http://youtu. be/Tcd6E7hFHGs   

(The occasional clicking is from my camera tri-pod bumping the glass).

Video 2. http://youtu. be/4mOkk_Uo_5k

Video 3. http://youtu. be/aXP9SCM_okk

Valuation

     Many Corvette enthusiasts value a car based on the precise restoration standards of the National Corvette Restoration Society and that is often referred to as “Top Flight or Bloomington Gold”.   If that is your quest. then I stand firm in my opinion based on many years of Corvette experience that this car can be taken back to a stock paint and interior color without a problem.   After all the numbers match. it is well-documented. and the codes are correct right down to the seatbelt dates.   That being said. the car would value from $ 80. 00 on average and to over a $ 100. 00 thousand dollars in value. with a restoration to the right buyer.   A complete restoration in my opinion is on a high-end estimated around $ 20. 00. 00.   I purchase Corvettes as investments. keep some and turn some over.   I consider this car and all Corvettes as investment car. as they will always hold and appreciate in value.    

     As the car exists today condition wise. I consider it a number three car.   In valuation via Hagerty as of December 13th. 2013 who I insure the car with. a number two condition car is valued at $ 42. 00 plus 10%. $ 4200. 00 optioned with the 4 speed close ratio manual transmission that is in the car.   That of course totals $ 46. 00. 00 and this is in a softer market considering the recession we have just experienced.   So the buyer has plenty of room at the offered price to drive and enjoy the car with little or no further investment or to take it to the next level and do a complete restoration.   (See Hagerty Valuation Below).   Further. NADA values the car almost identically at $ 46200. 00 as optioned at today's market price.   So the value is there. in fact I believe this car is priced  well below current market fair as a number 3 condition car.   Which leaves the new owner room to restore the car.   There are hardly any reasons that as priced this car could not be completely restored and taken to Hagerty's  condition 1 value of $ 83. 00. 00 plus. $ 8330. 00 in adding the 4 Speed option for a total net value of $ 91. 30. 00.   With that said. if this car is purchased at 28k. and 20k is spent on restoration. there will be $ 43. 30 of equity for the new owner. plus more as the market valuations improve. and they will.   Currently. the values on these cars are trending up.

Historical Value

NADA

Why am I even considering selling the car?

     First let me state. I am committed to offering it at an agreed selling price. however I will in no shape form or fashion consider a significant decrease from its valuation.   Mainly. the reason for selling it is due to having two left knee surgeries. with the potential of having to have a total knee replacement within the next few years.   This car has a tremendous amount of horsepower. torque and one hell of a heavy duty racing clutch.   So while driving it is both fun and a real pleasure. it is simply hard on my clutch leg.   Besides I have another 475 HP automatic L-82 to drive and have too many vehicles. so I need to thin the herd.

     So I am looking for a committed buyer and a special person to nurture. hand-off ownership and an individual to continue on with this car's legacy.   A person that just wants a real deal L-71 Corvette as a driver car or weekend car or better yet. just a "For Real" deal L-71 Vette that due to its condition and low mileage is a prime candidate for a refresh or full restoration.   That's the deal in a nutshell. otherwise the car can continue to appreciate in value and stay well protected under 24/7 video surveillance. with burglar alarm and fitted with its on-board custom GPS anti-theft tracking that I design and installed (The GPS tracking device will not be sold with the car).   Folks. nbsp;I am in no hurry and simply do not have to sell this car.   However to the right buyer. with the ability to commit to a purchase via eBay. and a person who has the financial ability to deliver a payment in full. in cash or verifiable bank funds or by bank to bank transfer. well the car will sell and the car is yours.

What comes with the car?

     The original seats and steering wheel will be included. which have been replaced with a new $ 400. 00 steering wheel and for comfort $ 1500. 00 Corvette leather high-back buckets.   The 1968 Vintage vanity license plate goes with the car as well.  The horns have been replaced with extra loud GM four note “A. . . ” horns. sometimes referred to as “train” horns.   Mainly I did that to protect myself and the car.   A pair of date correct. (high and low) horns are available and inexpensive to replace.   In further restoration of the interior. I have special pricing for all parts and carpets that you choose to replace. of course that is your choice.  

Two International Auto Shows 6th and 11th Awards of Excellence (Included)

Charlotte and Greensboro. North Carolina

SHIPPING

     Shipping is customers responsibility. I will drive the car to meet the shipping company truck at a suitable local location for loading.   I ONLY recommend ICC certified and verifiable insured transporters such as "Reliable Transport"!  All funds must be fully paid in cash and/or certified as received in full by bank transfer before car and title is released.   Fully notarized Bill of Sale and Title can either be mailed after full payment received or picked up in person.   Unpaid deposits or other non-payment will be reported as Ebay strikes.   This car is offered for sale. as is. where is and the purchaser is fully responsible to pay in full within 10 business days.   Shipping can be arranged after that and I will hold the car insured until your shipper has arrived.

     As always. I will be around before and after the sale to answer any questions.   I can be reached at: (828-483-8837). to further provide you with information or answer any questions about the car.   Should. I not answer please leave a message and I will call you back as soon as I can.   Please let me know when is the best time to reach you. should I miss your call.  

     I hope all of the bases have been covered as I believe in being upfront. honest and forthright in all my dealings with folks.   I have tried to give a full and accurate description. but I simply can't remember everything.   Please ask any questions via eBay's "Ask a Question" link or feel free to call.   As you will see. I am experienced in dealing fairly with folks on eBay. selling here for nearly 15 years with a 100% satisfaction record.   Fair dealing is something I am committed too! 

 Deposit

     A $ 1000. 00 deposit is due and must be received within 3 business days of auction close. with full payment certified as received within 10 business days.

Other Comments

 By the way contrary to many 1968 Corvette listings. there is no such thing as a 1968 Stingray!

The 1968 was basically a proto-type derived from several Corvettes that were designed by Zora arkus-dutov. under Bill Mitchells design direction.  

It was really more of the Mako-Shark design first. then assumed the actual name "Stingray" in 1969.

Again. Please feel free to contact me for all details!.

Thanks for looking!

Also published at eBay.com

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