Auction Pick of the Week: 1969 Corvette Stingray Convertible

Marketplace/Kevin Cuffie

Perhaps the most recognizable Chevrolet Corvette, the third-generation (C3) model dates back to the early 1960s and the first of the “Mako Shark” concept cars. While no production car ever truly recreated the magic of these designs, it is easy to see designer Larry Shinoda’s original Mako Shark II in the C3’s DNA. People loved them, too. During its 14-year run, the C3 became the most widely produced Corvette generation with over 540,000 cars built.

The C3 Corvette experienced a litany of changes throughout its production run from 1968–82. Early cars wore chrome bumpers and could be had with serious muscle, from hot small-blocks to barely streetable big-blocks. By the end of the series came a sharper focus on styling and better interior appointments, as well as electronic fuel injection. Among collectors, the early chrome bumper cars from 1968–72 are most prized, as they are considered excellent-looking and carry the most desirable performance engines. Smog and impact regulations forced big changes in styling and performance beginning in 1973.

Marketplace/Kevin Cuffie

The C3 featured here, and currently up for auction on Hagerty Marketplace, is available for bidding through February 22. Refinished in Can-Am white, the car boasts a white top and Saddle interior. It is a charming older restoration, kept in the loving care of the current owner since 2015 and showing just 33,636 miles at the time of listing. The restoration was completed prior to the current owner’s acquisition, and the listing photos indicate some spidering on the hood—something any C3 owner will tell you is unavoidable on older finishes.

Marketplace/Kevin Cuffie

Sitting under that hood is GM’s venerable 350-cubic-inch small-block. This was the standard engine for 1969, rated for a respectable 300 horsepower. Coupled with the M40 automatic transmission, this configuration is perfect for cruising or the occasional spirited back road drive. The Corvette is also factory-equipped with air conditioning and a luggage rack, as well as seat belts, which were added by the current owner. Not a miles-long option list, true, but this car is fairly representative of the average Corvette on the road in 1969.

If you’re looking for an early C3 on which you can rack up satisfying miles without guilt, look no further. For my money, it’s more fun to own a Corvette you can drive without worrying about affecting your NCRS judging score.

***

Check out the Hagerty Media homepage so you don’t miss a single story, or better yet, bookmark it. To get our best stories delivered right to your inbox, subscribe to our newsletters.

Click below for more about
Read next Up next: Our Two Cents: Now, about that first vehicle you reviewed

Comments

    Really enjoyed my ’69 Rag Top, 427, 435hp, 3 Deuce, 4 speed.
    Blue with black interior, and the white rag top.
    Had fun before and when I took it to Golden, Colorado…but sold it there.
    Wonder what happened to it.

    Are you sure that this is a 69? The side vents do not have the inserts that were present in the 1st 3 vents and a painted insert in the 4th

    My ‘69 L46 350/350 4 Spd tilt/tele coupe LeMans Blue Metallic did not have the side inserts. I think they were options. I did add the F41 suspension and factory side pipes and used to autocross it.

    I believe the inserts were an option. I had a ’69 with the inserts but I have seen them without. You can tell this is a ’69 from the doors. The ’68’s had a button above the keyhole and 69’s had a much classier chrome paddle on the top of the door.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *