2014 Bloomington Gold/NCRS Top Flight Corvette Stingray L89 427/435 HP 4 Speed

SUMMARY

* Professionally restored in 2008
* Original 427 cubic inch L89 V8
* Many correct and original components
* Correct Fathom Green lacquer
* Bloomington Gold certified
* 3-time NCRS Top Flight Award winner
* Sale includes a full ownership history and NCRS Shipping Report
* Correct Muncie 4-speed manual transmission
* Correct 4.11 posi-traction rear axle

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By now, you've probably memorized most of the Corvette story. From Zora Arkus-Duntov to the Mako Shark to the bankruptcy years, each of the car's seven generations has its own key moments and cast of colorful characters. At this point, the third generation Corvette accounts for the middle section of the brand's story and, looking back, it's a remarkably appropriate car to hold that place. With visible nods to both Chevrolet's heritage and future, examples like this Bloomington Gold roadster, a 3-time NCRS Top Flight Award winner, are finding firm footing in a collector market that will inevitably grow stronger. In fact, this numbers-matching Stingray, featuring a tri-power 427, a rugged 4-speed transmission and a 4.11 posi-traction axle, pretty much defines the phrase “Investment Grade”. There's never a bad time to buy a good Corvette, so if you're looking to add a first class C3 to your collection, you've come to the right place!

BODY/TRIM

Assembled at GM's storied St. Louis manufacturing facility, this incredible Vette was produced on October 23rd, 1968, claimed NCRS Top Flight honors in 2004, 2005 and 2014, and was Bloomington Gold certified on June 28th, 2014. Of course, steel and resin doesn't live that kind of award-winning life unless it's well preserved from day one. And, since the car's sale includes a full ownership history, it's safe to assume this Corvette has seen five quiet, drama-free decades. In 2008, after a ground-up restoration, the car was bathed in a glossy coat of correct Fathom Green lacquer. And today, this solid Chevy is a rope and red carpet classic that provides a delightful combination of style and provenance that's not normally found in generations-old sports cars.

With such a cleanly styled body, ornamentation could have easily ruined the C3's presence. Thankfully, Chevrolet did a great job of placing form over function and keeping brightwork to a minimum. At the front of the car, chrome-trimmed grilles center small parking lamps between a thin bumper and subtle chin spoiler. Above that bumper, a cross-flag-branded header draws the eye to a chrome-trimmed hood that seats bold “427” emblems at the foot of a vacuum operated cowl. That hood reflects original glass that's framed in showroom-quality stainless and capped by original T-tops. At the sides of that glass, flush door poppers and classy “Stingray” emblems perfectly complement aggressive fender gills and subdued rocker trim. And at the back of the car, a “CORVETTE” branded valance hangs signature tail lamps and two chrome bumpers between a familiar cross-flag fuel filler and spotless stainless exhaust tips.

ENGINE

Beneath the deep green hood you'll find the car's original “3955270” branded L89 (LP) V8 which was cast on September (I) 18th, (18) 1968 (8), assembled in Tonawanda, New York (T) on October (10) 11th, (11) 1968 and stamped with a matching partial VIN. Straight from the factory, this beefy big block utilized Chevy's storied Tri-power technology to twist stout 11 to 1 compression into a massive 435 horsepower! At the peak of the pavement-scorching mill, a polished and decaled air cleaner swirls wind into a correct 3937797 Winters intake via three era-correct Holleys. At the sides of that intake, correct aluminum heads hang stamped and polished valve covers above date-correct exhaust manifolds. And at the back of those heads, a date-correct distributor, part of a full 2K66BA transistor ignition system, sequences spark through sleeved plug wires. When fired, the infamous 427 rumbles like an old school stoplight slayer. Its ancillary components are top notch in every way, with new GM hoses and a date-correct master cylinder accompanying bright tower clamps and era-correct smog equipment. And even Chevy Orange and Satin Black framing is interrupted by nothing more than clean decals and fresh fluid lines.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Peer under this low-slung coupe and you'll find a Satin Black chassis that's straight, solid and ready for its close-up. The car's hot 427 twists torque through a correct Muncie 4-speed to a date-correct 4.11 posi-traction axle. Beneath that drivetrain, a rebuilt F41 sports suspension combines old school manual steering with tight turns and increased grip. In the middle of the car, an aluminized, true-dual exhaust system pipes spent gases through new, rear-mounted mufflers. At the corners of the car, 4-wheel disc brakes ensure quick, drama-free stops. All that fully sorted hardware rolls on handsome rally wheels, which spin fresh F70-15 Firestone Wide Oval Super Sport whitewalls around dent-free trim rings and turbine center caps. And everything, from this Chevy's date-correct starter and spindles to its original jack and spare tire, is accurate, impressive and ready to show!

INTERIOR

Slip in to this Stingray's correct Saddle interior and settle on one of its pristine vinyl buckets. Those seats are as original, featuring factory head restraints. The carpet below them was replaced, even in the cargo area, where you'll find a surprising amount of storage space. The door panels at the edges of that carpet are, like the rest of the car's side panels, virtually new in every way. There's a fresh center console that accommodates a small shifter, cool wheel-style heater controls and a correct Delco AM/FM radio. From the driver's seat, a 3-spoke steering wheel laps a set of factory gauges that keeps tabs on speed, revs, oil, amps, temp, fuel and time. And all that hardware unites to create a simple, comfortable cockpit that's befitting of a performance oriented brand like Corvette.

AWARDS

As previously mentioned, this C3 is a highly decorated classic. Here's a chronological list of the awards included with the car:

* 2004 NCRS Top Flight Award
* 2005 NCRS Top Flight Award
* 2014 NCRS Top Flight Award
* 2014 Bloomington Gold Certification

DOCUMENTATION

Naturally, this stunning sports car has accumulated ample documentation. Here's a short list of the items included with our sale:

* A summary of ownership history
* A title history
* A few restoration photos
* A stack of restoration receipts
* A list of all the car's pertinent numbers
* A reproduction window sticker
* An NCRS Shipping Report
* NCRS judging sheets
* An NCRS Top Flight ribbon
* Bloomington Gold judging sheets

As the value of third generation Corvettes continues to grow, well restored, numbers-matching cars will become serious investment halos. With a strong color combination, an original engine and excellent provenance, this C3 is not only a prestigious car to own, but also a great example of the brand's impressive evolution. Are you a savvy investor? Here's the chance to park an incredible Stingray in your portfolio!