Photo Credits: Corvette Mike
Our friends at Corvette Mike of Anaheim, California have a very interesting auction going on this week at Bring a Trailer. Up for sale at NO RESERVE is a rolling C2 Corvette Chassis containing a 427 cubic inch big block motor coupled with a 4-speed manual transmission. This has us thinking about some of the very cool builds that someone could do with the chassis.
The rolling chassis is billed as a “collection of C2 chassis parts” with the auction description saying the frame and mechanicals come from a 1967 Corvette. Equipment includes the driveshaft, rear differential, four-wheel disc brakes, suspension components, fuel tank, and 15-inch turbine-style wheels with red-line Firestone tires.
For those interested in the numbers, the L68 motor was first offered in 1967 and was also available on the 1968-69 models. The L68 features three two-barrel carburetors with a triangle-shaped air filter mounted on top. The engine block stamping is T1108JC which is deciphered as a Tonawanda block (T) with a November 08 build date (1108) and the suffix code (JC) tells us this motor was originally installed in a manual-transmission Corvette without factory air. The casting number 3904351 is a 427 ci V8 motor for the 1967 model year. The Muncie four-speed manual transmission number has the 388501 cast number and the black-painted frame shows stencils and chalk marks as you would expect to find on a restored chassis.
The C2 Corvette rolling chassis is being sold with a Bill of Sale and no VIN is viewable on the chassis. Troy from Corvette Mike says no VIN was on the chassis other than a “7” when it was purchased from the seller who converted his car from the L68 motor to a “killer $400K restomod.” Troy also said the car was driveable before the owner modified the car and a very lo-res video shows a Red ’67 Convertible being driven around a parking lot:
So the obvious application for the rolling chassis would be to find a pretty good-looking C2 Corvette body for it, which is one of the great things about the Corvette platform. While a barn find or field car would be expected to have a rusty or rotted frame, generally, the fiberglass bodies can be removed and restored back to looking brand new. And since the car isn’t matching numbers, the scope of what you can do with it greatly increases.
If this were mine, I would be looking at building a 1967 Corvette Sting Ray Convertible that would look (mostly) correct for the model year. And because it’s not matching numbers, I’d throw every creature-comfort option at it including power steering (a must!), air conditioning, tilt-tele steering column, power windows, and more. I’d also add the side exhaust, as well as an auxiliary hard top. Because a C2 Convertible with a hard top creates a very different look to the car. As for colors, I’d go Tuxedo Black with Silver Interior and I would add a Silver Stinger to the hood just to tie it all together.
Here are some of the other suggestions being offered by BaT readers and some are really good like “cheez” who said:
Disregard the “collection of parts” – this, from all appearances is a meticulously restored C2 chassis/drive train, even including NCRS-correct paint dabs and chalk marks. IF the engine and the remainder are indeed mechanically solid and it runs well, it’s halfway to becoming a Top Flight high-number C2. (Numbers that don’t match cause specific and moderate deductions.) Or, it’s an interesting show-quality chassis all by itself. Which is exactly what would be expected from @CorvetteMike.
A member named “2112” suggested going with a kit car body and he said “First thing I thought of was the Fiberfab Centurion…a true masterpiece of design” and that is one suggestion we could definitely get behind. The Centurion had a fiberglass body that was very reminiscent of the 1959 Stingray Racer so the idea of a 427 Tri-Power motor lurking under it would put a smile on many faces.
Finally, another member named “scuderia” pointed us to a company named American Sports Car that makes reproduction C2 bodies so skip the barn finds and field cars and get a brand new fiberglass body for the car. And since originality is no longer something you would have to deal with, you can choose a 1967 body style or build your own ’63 Split Window Coupe. The possibilities are endless!
If this chassis isn’t your cup of tea, we get that as well. If you want to be driving a Corvette this summer instead of building your own, check out the online inventory at Corvette Mike. Mike skips the auctions and sources only the highest quality Corvettes directly from owners. If you have a low-mileage or rare Corvette that you are ready to part with, reach out to Corvette Mike and let them know what you got!
Alright Corvette Nation, we turn this over to you now. What would you build with this L68 427/400-hp rolling chassis? Let us know in the comments below!
Source:
Bring a Trailer
-
![[VIDEO] Dennis Collins Buys a Trifecta of Collectible Corvettes](https://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/uploads/2024/04/042724_2-218x150.jpg "[VIDEO] Dennis Collins Buys a Trifecta of Collectible Corvettes")
I’d find a 67 fastback coup always my favorite. And go with a triple black with of course the red stiger and side pipes. I’d also put in pw str windows and air
Put a piece of glass on it and make a conference room table like Rick Hendrick did with his first C2!
paramount corvette has used bodies would be as close as you can get to a ncrs car
You had me at “Fiberfab Centurion”
Another C2. Find a barn find body. I would build a 63 half for my dad. His college car was a Black convertible with a white top/black interior. Give it to him for his 74 birthday.
Sell the L68. Nice engine but belongs in a original stock Vette.
Get the latest and greatest LS engine, 6 speed manual or even automatic. Maybe automatic first for buyer appeal. Be a little careful on how far you go as far as resale with the stock frame. Improve the suspension. Add all the luxury features. I would look into Superformance for the new body…
Good luck!
Jeff
Comments are closed.