Pulling A 1968 Corvette 427 435hp Out Of It's 30 Year Barn Slumber.

Welcome to my KZbin channel. This channel is the home for all your vintage Mid-Year Corvette content. In today's video I help get this very special 68 Corvette out of it's 30 year hiding spot. We check the car out and get it out of the damp shack and sent to a safer place for the car to wait for it's restoration at the MYM garage. I am excited to get started on this project and I will put my 100% heart and soul into this build.
Special thanks to:
The Averi family for pictures of Greg.
My Dad's old photo album.
Carlisle Events for the 1982 Corvettes At Carlisle flier.
I just finished restoring a 1963 Corvette Split Window and I am starting another split window build but this time its a race car build. I will be making videos every Friday. I will be making videos on my 1963 Corvette Split Window, my dad's 1965 Corvette, my race car split window build, my friends 1960 Corvette, and other projects that I find along the way. Let me know what you think about the video. Enjoy!!
If you are interested in an official MYM hat or if you have any questions please send me an email to [e-mail].
Check out my Instagram for some behind the scenes pics of my builds.
mid_year_mi...
Sit back and enjoy the show!
#IGotALotOfWorkToDo
#barnfind
#bigblockchevy

[@steves9905]

wow doesn't get better than a tripower corvette. i'd almost be tempted to leave that little star in the fender as its kind of the car's story...

[@MidYearMitch]

Absolutely the owners aren’t going to have the car painted so we will leave that history there.

[@kennydemartini2169]

This reminds me of a family friend from years ago. He had a '68 Z/28 that I loved. Custom paint and side pipes with some fat N-50 tires on the back. My dad had painted this car, and my uncle had painted it. The 302 broke in '78, and the car got parked in a barn. The owner became a cross country truck driver, and the car was forgotten. 40 years later he came to me and asked if I would restore it since he was ready to retire. I checked it over, and said it was worth saving. The trunk and floor were in remarkable shape, but the only panels I could save were the doors, deck lid and hood. New front end, roof skin, quarters and all new chrome and interior. The car looked new again... He was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the restoration had begun. It went into remission, but problems with his feet started, and then the cancer came back, then winter arrived. He got to drive the car one time before his health got worse. He passed 3 months after he got his car back. He owned the car for 50 years, it was his high school car.... He left it to me in his will. His sister said he knew I would take care of it and pass it on to my son. No amount of money could buy this car. I'm honoring his wishes and making sure my son gets it when I pass.

[@MidYearMitch]

Wow that’s a wild story! That’s so cool that you are keeping the car in the family and I know what you mean about keeping the car. Money can’t break the sentimental attachment. It’s definitely in good hands and it will be enjoyed for a long time!

[@jasonmacneil2256]

God bless you Kenny, for being such a good man and honoring that fellows wishes! I'm nobody to you, but I'm proud of you!

[@kennydemartini2169]

Thank you. The car is safely sitting in my garage. I just put some new headers on it. I decided to pass it on to my son when he turns thirty in eight years. That way I can watch him enjoy it like I do now.

[@thetruth6270]

I had a teacher that had one, and in nicer warner weather she drove it to school. Usually I was a decent student, however when I saw her getting out of her Corvette I came up with a plan. Out of character I got myself in trouble and she had to keep me after school. During our time in detention my teacher ask me "what was the deal, why would you do something to get into trouble?" I looked straight into her blue eyes with the biggest smile and said "I saw you get out of your Corvette and I thought if I could get detention I could ask you for a ride home in your Corvette." She responded, "Really?" She gave me an awesome ride. The sound of that 427 wide open coming out of the side pipes. Incredible!

[@ThePerfectSeason1972]

@thetruth6270 - sounds like you got a little more than just a ride home

[@ThePerfectSeason1972]

How much did you get the car for ?

[@dannymostarac1799]

Nice nice nice

[@bengone3349]

Great beginning of a worthwhile refresh on a classic.

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks Ben!

[@vandalvetteworks8008]

So glad to see some chrome bumper third gen love! She's a beautiful piece of history. Bill Mitchell's architecture for that body style is nothing short of gorgeous

[@MidYearMitch]

It’s time to give the C3’s some love haha. They are a very cool body style for sure.

[@MrTexasDan]

Hi there Mitch, I bet he's gratified that you are the one bringing his beloved car back to life. RIP Greg. This is going to be a great project. This car should be a good runner! Take care and Merry Christmas, my friend. Dan

[@MidYearMitch]

Hey Dan. I hope so he was a good dude. I can’t wait to start tinkering on this car. Merry Christmas!

[@stereolababy]

wherever i drive in this country i always look at old barns a structures and wonder what's inside

[@MidYearMitch]

You never know what’s hiding!

[@bullrunner8902]

I have a 68 had a 327 69 truck motor. Drove about 12 miles and went to change intake and found a bend push rod. So the motor looked shot so I bought another one. You would believe it I found a 64 327 Vette motor which they go from 64 to 69. I also have me a 427 hood which I love.\

[@TH-lb6tu]

Man I always loved the C3 corvette. Extra curvy and timeless design.

[@MidYearMitch]

They are a great design.

[@OutontheRanchwithDrLee-xb4lo]

Well lookie there! A C3! I honestly prefer my C3 to my C2's. (ducking now)... I'm glad you're getting this little dude, Mitch. If you have any Q's ping me; I've been all thru a few of them! Fun video! A+++

[@MidYearMitch]

Haha no need to duck. No objects will be thrown here 🤣 I appreciate the offer I’m sure I’ll be hitting you up!

[@clydepodvin5026]

Great video, great car, hope to see more

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks! The car will be coming to the shop towards the end of the year.

[@chrispopiel1162]

Merry Christmas, Hope to talk to you again at Carlisle keep up the nice work!

[@MidYearMitch]

Merry Christmas! Absolutely I look forward to it!

[@nickhoffman5524]

Great story leave the star in the paint will follow along

[@customfinishcarpentryandmi8053]

I’m currently in search of my dads 65 he sold when I was 7 I will have it back amd want my kids to enjoy it

[@MidYearMitch]

Oh man good luck hunting the car down. Do you guys still have the vin? That could help track it down.

[@jimrains8314]

Mitch there is not a better pair of hands that the 68 could in than yours. Your eyes showed you were speaking from the heard. Did I hear some Blues Brothers at the start? Every tool box needs a BFH. Best of luck with the 68. Happy holidays to everyone. Now Mitch, get back to work!

[@MidYearMitch]

Hey Jim I appreciate it. Thanks I definitely was. He was a good dude and it would have been nice if he was there to help get the car out. But that wasn’t in the cards. Haha yessir you did hear some Blues Brothers. I was hoping someone would pick that up. Loves me some Blues Brothers. Yes hammers are the key to most problems lol. Yessir I’ll be back at it right after Christmas.

[@aceofspades2868]

So lucky, I have a 72 and it needs so much work. Wish it was a big block!

[@Aluminata]

It would be an unthinkable crime against history for this machine to never have been built.

[@robertsweet4112]

My dad had a yellow one just like it. His girlfriend wrapped it around a pole and destroyed it. First time I saw him cry😢

[@houseofno]

A shame. It's been sleeping longer than it was enjoyed. My bmw is in same situation..congrats on the rescue.

[@MidYearMitch]

Yeah it is unfortunate. I’m sure it’s easy to do when life gets busy. Agh hopefully you get to that car soon.

[@pbush5440]

Great video Mitch! Looking forward to seeing this car come back to life. Would be nice to see you do it in stages to get it back on the road. New fuel tank and lines, rebuild the carbs, battery and brakes. Clean and detail the engine compartment. New set of tires and shocks. The later C3 wheels with TA’s look better than 68 caps. Get it running, clean everything then sort out the interior in steps…and drive it! Hope you don’t blow it apart for a full restoration.

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks! I’m excited to start working on it. I’ll have to evaluate that when the car shows up. I don’t want to have to chase issues with the car. My concern is that mice chewed up the wiring and I’m sure all the rubber in the car is rotten. So we might end up lifting the body and making the chassis brand new and setting the body down just like it is with new wiring and some interior parts. I’m not sure what the car will tell me. That’s a problem for future me lol. The car definitely won’t get painted. It might get a restoration similar to the white split I did recently.

[@patmurphy5237]

Great find. It’s in good hands now.

[@rtflone]

@@MidYearMitch As you noted the engine looks period correct but not original, something it will never be again. Trying to restore a barn car by replacing parts with period parts is a fool's errand. Lifting the body, making the chassis brand new, and setting the body down just like it is with new wiring and interior parts is the way to go unless you want a lifetime project which I'm sure you don't. Best of luck getting this one back to snuff..

[@MidYearMitch]

@@rtflonethe plan for the car as of now is to leave the body as is but completely overhaul the engine, transmission, rear end, suspension, wiring, and interior. Basically everything but paint and chrome. I want the car to be reliable and safe. I don’t want to cheap out and have some kind of failure down the road like a bad brake like or bad wiring. She’s due for some love.

[@patmurphy5237]

It’s in good hands now. I can’t wait to see you work on it.

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks Pat! I’m excited to get working on it as well.

[@duaneulman9915]

Thank you

[@MidYearMitch]

Welcome!

[@Mile-long-list]

The e brake part....ahhh, ehhh, yarrrr.....gentle. Lol

[@MidYearMitch]

The credit goes to Mr Derek from vice grip garage haha. He just happened to put that video out and I was like yep that’s tv gold right there. 🤣

[@z512345]

Always a nice video.

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks Frank.

[@saigawesnovember]

My dream car.

[@MidYearMitch]

It’s a sweet ride

[@johnkelly6942]

Dug that thing out just in time! This is a cool project and while not completely original (wheels, paint, cassette player) it is a complete car so you won’t have to go hunting a bunch of stuff down.

[@MidYearMitch]

Absolutely that building wasn’t good for the car. It was very damp in there but it was a neat looking building. It had trees as supports. Since the car is a 68 that’s very important that it’s complete. 68’s can be even harder than 63’s to find odds and end parts.

[@ericdolby1622]

Pretty cool that there was still air in the tires and very little dust. A dirt floor would have also meant rotted frame.

[@MidYearMitch]

The new owners came and put a little air in the tires before I got there. I think the building got significantly worse in the last few years. So hopefully it was preserved for most of those years. I checked the frame and it felt really solid. It has a lot of paint still on it.

[@danbentsen]

Cars like your Corvette are always worth a Rescue & Restore . Hope it winds up a reliable driver. Good watch

[@gsmith207]

Cool find! Even with a non match motor it’s all there. Good luck! Cool channel btw, happy 2023

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks! I knew about the car since I knew what corvettes were. Im excited to get the car up and running again for the family.

[@skinnerhound2660]

Great car, great history. I'm certain that you will do it justice Mitch, you're one talented man. Merry Christmas.

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks I appreciate it!

[@vacuumtube1954]

Good morning. This is the first video I have watched of yours. I would love to have a 1968-1972 Corvette. I had a 1982 Corvette and I now own a 1999 Corvette. I hope you will post more on this 1968 you pulled. Keep the videos coming my friend.

[@LivingOnCash]

RIP Greg. It's a shame he didn't get to enjoy the car in his later years and it makes me kind of sad. I'm almost 67 now and have been a Corvette owner since about when Greg bought his car (I own 2 now). I'm retired now and try to get them out as much as I can. What happened to his brother's car? I just subscribed to your channel as I want to see the restoration of this car as well as the others you are working on.

[@MidYearMitch]

Greg was a good man. I agree but priories must have shifted and he had other things to occupy his time. The car will be coming up on the channel soon.

[@micksterboone4517]

Lots of 'vette's hiding here in SWPA. Mostly C3's but a few C2's that I know of. "Not for sale" lol

[@MidYearMitch]

There’s a lot of cars still tucked away waiting to be drug out.

[@punisher8455]

Bull honk,,, no way 30 years,,,, the tires alone tells me your Bull honking 😊

[@MidYearMitch]

This is the real story. I wouldn’t “fake” a story about my Dad’s late best friend. I am presenting everything as it is. Some of the tires were aired up before I got there. I wasn’t the first one to lay eyes on it after 30 years. I was there to get the car out. The lighting in that building is bad so it’s hard to see how dirty it is. He had a sheet of plastic overtop the car cover. The cover was soaked in water and covered in dirt. That helped keep the car a little clean but it was still dirty. It sat under that cover since 1991. I also swept the floor before I started working so I wouldn’t have to roll around in all the junk. The engine compartment is packed full of leaves and plastic from a rodent building a nest. The car was packed from front to back with junk under it. I had to shovel all that out before the car would move. This is the real deal.

[@StupidFastTruck]

Great to see it getting some love again. I'm a little worried about the frame rails with the critters living in it. It will be in good hand with you though.

[@MidYearMitch]

I’m excited to get going on it! I stuck my head under there and the trouble areas of the frame looked nice. But we will see when I can really crawl around it.

[@stevewheat9030]

Why??? I couldn't imagine leaving it for 30 years.... that is blasphemy....thankfully the owner had the foresight to put a car cover over it.... that helps immensely....great find 👍

[@DumbCarGuy]

Nice. I have the same 68 Vette. Just in black. But I really dislike those 80s rims on it. Who wants there 68 to look like an 82. But I get it. back then it was probably bad ass'd. Now, what were you thinking. LOL

[@BradFalck-mn3pc]

There was one that surfaced in Vancouver BC identical with 12000 original miles on it

[@bigdaddy9864]

those 79-80 wheels need to go. It needs it's 15-8 rally's back on it . Kool Car !

[@user-427.commodore]

427# baby :)

[@MidYearMitch]

You know the deal!

[@LoganDidItYT]

It must be in the air, my uncle and I just pulled a 68 427 L89 car out of a converted dairy barn last weekend. I have the video up on my channel!

[@MidYearMitch]

Oh nice I’ll check it out! Good find!

[@user-tu8kz3lc1m]

Another one of my top choices would luv to have real 427 tri powered vette and a real 426 hemi car they came close to going home with me but I had the money in my pocket but fate didn't let that happen😂😢😢😢😢😢😮

[@quagmiredavis4117]

Marvel mystery oil in fuel and cylinders will break everything loose

[@C5Ron7]

👍👍

[@MidYearMitch]

Thanks!

[@customfinishcarpentryandmi8053]

My dad bought a brand new 68 427/435 with a 4:11 rear side pipes British racing green he has one pic of it and my grandpa got killed in it on Christ of 69

[@MidYearMitch]

That’s a really cool car oh man that’s a tragic ending. I’m sorry to hear about that. That’s awful.

[@peterwilliamson8721]

I found a like new Dusenberg in a barn....kidding

[@customfinishcarpentryandmi8053]

The motor not being numbers matching could be a factor warranty my dad said they put really weak springs in them and his blew up with 4 k on it major recall the blew motors

[@MidYearMitch]

That’s a good call! That could be what happened. I’m sure they were still learning what parts worked and didn’t work.

[@bubbajohnston]

Does not have the backup lights in lower exhaust panel

[@MidYearMitch]

Hmmmmm that’s a good observation. Someone must have deleted them back in the day.

[@stefaniemiller979]

Hi Mitch my name is Nick I recently just bought a 1967 Corvette 327 previous owner unbolted all the rear suspension wanted to know what would you recommend on putting it all back together I was planning on doing it myself but not sure if it's that complicated of a job or not look straightforward appreciate your help thanks

[@MidYearMitch]

Hey Nick nice purchase! Check out my video a few months back where I assembled a 63 convertible chassis and I also assembled the misfit chassis. Watch those videos to see how I assembled those and you can decide if that’s something you want to tackle. It’s not too hard.

[@ricardocenteno375]

How much does something like that go for

[@ricktaylor3748]

It has 80 model rims.

[@lookingupwards8652]

I have dug a bunch of cars out of long time storage and this doesn’t add up: judging by the floor around it, the carpet inside, the engine compartment and valve covers why is the car cover and paint so clean? The outside of the car cover would be a lot more messy. Just being honest.

[@MidYearMitch]

This is the real story. I wouldn’t “fake” a story about my Dad’s late best friend. I am presenting everything as it is. Did you watch the full video? There are plenty of references to how dirty it is. The lighting in that building is bad so it’s hard to see how dirty it is. He had a sheet of plastic overtop the car cover. The cover was soaked in water and covered in dirt. That helped keep the car a little clean but it was still dirty. It sat under that cover since 1991. I also swept the floor before I started working so I wouldn’t have to roll around in all the junk. The engine compartment is packed full of leaves and plastic from a rodent building a nest. The car was packed from front to back with junk under it. I had to shovel all that out before the car would move. This is the real deal.

[@jerryfaulkner6518]

Where are the best places to buy C-2 body and chassis parts?

[@MidYearMitch]

Most parts suppliers sell the same parts. I recommend corvette world, paragon, or zip

[@davem6685]

Carlisle corvette show end of august.

[@debi5292]

Neat car and good story to go with. But I have to say that is NOT a barn the car was in. Maybe a home on the upper floor, but not built for livestock obviously. Not sure what to call it, but it is not a barn.

[@adamgutierrez8680]

The owner of this corvette has passed away rip Greg Averi.

[@skeets6060]

Now why the hell cant I ever find anything in a barn other than cow crap !

[@tribestribes2555]

Who,s squesing the cat in background??

[@williamhogg7830]

It's a shame that the motor in this car wasn't treated as if it were a MARINE MOTOR. Put to you in simple terms, most boats spend all winter not being used. To prepare for that long winter, the spark plugs pulled out and oil is squarted in. Then the engine is turned over. Rienstall the plugs. Tape up the air filter, and shove some rags up the exhaust. Check antifreez. GOODBY.

[@crawford323]

My fear would be damage from rodents and wiring.

[@MidYearMitch]

That’s my fear as well. It definitely has rodent damage. That’s why I want to put a new wiring harness in the car right from the start. I also want to have the engine checked out just to make sure it doesn’t get hurt.

[@crawford323]

@@MidYearMitch Nevertheless, restoring one of these, at least for me, will be a wonderful adventure. A new wiring harness is just smart. An ounce of prevention.......

[@apache6084]

How much was it sold for?., nice car.

[@Walkercolt1]

No 1968 Chevrolet 427 V-8 EVER produced 435 HP. With a two offset valve head even at 14.5:1 CR and 5500 RPM, that engine can only produce about 370 HP with a carb or 382 HP with the optional fuel injection GM offered and that on 130 octane pump gasoline (hard to find, but available in about 20 states). "Flash" dyno numbers don't count. If it can't HOLD it for 15 minutes, it isn't real. The heads of a GM won't support more than 14.5:1 on the street without knocking itself to pieces, stock. Hemi heads will BARELY support 16.5:1 on 130 octane gas and will deliver about 1 HP per cubic inch at 5500 RPM with carbs or 1.1 HP per CI fuel injected. If you don't agree with my numbers, I direct you to Sir Harry Ricardo's "High Speed Internal Combustion Engines"-Oxford Press 1934 and do the math yourself! Brake Mean Effective Compression (volumetric efficiency) X Net Engine Displacement X RPM= HORSEPOWER/750000= Kw Nobody has EVER broken his formulas. He tells you what Nitrous will do, 43% hydrogen peroxide, pure oxygen, any flavor of pressure adder, water-methanol injection, 20-odd different fuels and MUCH more. BTW Chevrolet CLAIMED the 427 made 365 HP in the sales brochures for the 1968 Impala Super Sport with the four speed (about right for 120 octane gas). We BOUGHT a 1968 Impala with the "Baby Block" 327 High Performance 275 HP engine-the power of a big-block but 145 lbs LIGHTER! I have the yellowed very fragile sales brochure show the option packages available. "Vettes with the 327 couldn't out drag a 427, but give them a twisty road, and the 327 showed what a SPORTS CAR was meant to be.

[@bullrunner8902]

Are you Kidding me?? How much you stole it for?

[@MidYearMitch]

Sorry it’s not my car. I helped get the car out of the garage for a family friend. I will do the work on it later this year but it remains in Gregs family.

[@user-im1dq1rq6d]

Did you notice the massive crack in the frame at 1:56 in the video. This thing is junk.

[@MidYearMitch]

What are you talking about? 🤣 the chassis is made out of 2 pieces of steel that are U shaped. They are welded together and they didn’t fully seam weld them. They skip welded. Also the trailing arm is constructed in the same manner. The car is anything but junk my friend. It’s very restorable and I have inspected the frame since. It’s very good car.

[@neverendingmods]

68s are the absolute worst in terms of quality. If you are going to buy and or restore a vette look at any other year than a 68. Theres a reason 68 vettes were late to the showrooms.

[@michaelerickson1518]

Beating on the rotor makes no sense

[@MidYearMitch]

The emergency brake shoes are on the inside of the rotor. They are basically a drum brake setup. They are rusted to the rotor. So you hit the rotor to shock the rust and break it free. So it does make sense lol. Because it didn’t roll and then it did. The proof is in the pudding.

[@sbc383zz]

Get a life Mike.