Beautiful color combination. 327/300 with 4-speed. Engine and transmission stampings match VIN. Rare late-production code 420 Saddle interior with matching top. Recently rebuilt engine that runs great, many spares included. Great Vette to drive!

To answer your first question, the color is Trophy Blue, a 1966 color that was chosen when it was time for a respray. The car was originally code 983 British Green, but with all traces of the green paint gone, you’d never know this was a color change. It’s just gorgeous in person! It gives this first-year C3 a sophisticated look that belies the performance underneath and everyone who sees it remarks what a pretty car it is. And that’s exactly the right way to describe it—many Corvettes are “aggressive” or “flashy” but this one is just about as pretty as they come. It’s a favorite of visitors to our showroom, and combined with a lot of fresh chrome, it really stands out. You’ll note there’s an accessory luggage rack on the back as well, and we have to admit it works on this car where many other cars just can’t quite pull it off. Add in some fresh lenses and emblems, and this is a car that rewards a close look.

Code 420 Saddle upholstery wasn’t on the roster when 1968 started but instead showed up in April as a late addition. It’s a great contrast to the icy blue paint job and adds to the car’s grown-up look. It’s just as well finished inside, too, with snug-fitting seat covers, correct door panels, and carpets that re-create the original weave. The wood-rimmed steering wheel seems like a natural choice in this sophisticated Corvette, and we’re always happy to see that chrome 4-speed shifter sticking out of the console. Big gauges offer a clear look into the engine’s health, although the temperature gauge seems to be offline (probably a sending unit issue). There’s also a newer digital AM/FM/iPod/Bluetooth radio that sounds decent, although we much prefer the cackling exhaust with the top down in this car. Most of the fiber-optics are operational, too. The top is a newer piece that folds easily under the rear deck and latches down easily.

The engine is a 327 cubic inch V8 wearing a matching partial VIN, a proper 0108 date code, and the HE suffix code, which is correct for a 327/300 with a manual transmission. During a recent rebuild, it was treated to a set of upgraded cylinder heads (the originals are included with the car), an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold (original included), and a matching 4-barrel carburetor. An upgraded cam gives it a wicked big horsepower idle and pulls like a freight train through all four gears—this small block is just a blast to drive! It makes plenty of oil pressure, it doesn’t get hot or fussy in traffic, and despite the big cam, it has plenty of low-end grunt. This is exactly the kind of Corvette we love most—one that was built to drive and does it superbly.

The close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission wears a matching partial VIN as well, plus a P8A11 production code. With light clutch action and perfectly-spaced gearing, this car is an absolute joy to rip through the gears, yet with mild 3.36 gears out back, it’s docile enough to be a daily driver. It’s just an ideal combination. You’ll note a lot of new parts in the front suspension, a new starter, a recent exhaust system, and newer shocks, all of which make it feel crisp and well-assembled. There are modern adjustable toe links in back to help tighten up the alignment, but otherwise it is not significantly modified. Rally wheels are a great choice, too, with these wearing 215/65/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials all around.

Extras include a partial tank sticker, manuals, restoration receipts, photos, and a large cache of spare parts including cylinder heads, intake manifold, steering wheel, cooling fan, interior parts, and much more.

Look at the car, look at the pedigree, look at the extras, and then look at the price. You’ll never find an early C3 that drives better than this one and it’s so pretty you’ll look forward to taking it out every chance you get. The rare Corvette that simply gets everything right without the need for a massive price tag. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.