Harley Earl's 1968 Corvette

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The famous GM engineer "Harley J. Earl" ordered this fully loaded vehicle near his end of the controls at the GM (Corvette Div.) this 1968 Corvette was built per his specifications and he passed away a short time later in 1969.  All the hallmarks of "What he liked to see"  are incorporated in this   "First Shark Design".

• Polar White/red (interior) –deluxe
• 327/300 hp OM
• Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission
• Factory Air Conditioning
• Power Steering
• Power Brakes
• Power Windows
• Speed Warning Indicator
• Telescopic Steering Column
• AM/FM Radio
• Red Stripe Tires
• Bright Metal Wheels Covers —-PO1's

He loves Red accents: Notice the red pin-stripping and the inter fenders were painted red. Notice that this 1968 was equipped with Louver Trim—Not offered in the 1968 model year, but I sure was already thought of for the 1969 Model Corvette. This is a REAL Deal Corvette, Branded with his name plaque at the bottom of the center console.  There are people still available who will testify as to the legitimacy of this unique Corvette. Appears to sell be in an un-restored condition.

Open to serious offers which we will share with the Corvettes current owner.

Runs and drives like it did when new. Additional information is coming, please request more photos if interested in adding this car to your collection.

Details

• Price: Call for Price
• Body Type: Coupe
• Corvette Generation: C3
• Stock Number: CONS
• VIN: 194378S412271
• Mileage: 69,97Exempt
• Model Year: 1968
• Engine: 327 
• HP: 300
• Trans: Automatic
• Ext color: White
• Int color: Red

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Mecum Auction Listing:  Kissimmee, Florida - January 14 - 16 2016

Estimate

$150,000 - $200,000

Highlights

• Believed to be one of the last cars built by Harley J. Earl
• Shop order no. 16867
• 327 CI V-8 engine
• Automatic transmission
• White with Red pinstriping
• 69,965 original miles
• NCRS shipping data report verifies car was sent back to Chevrolet Central Office (GM styling) in Detroit after production in St. Louis, MO.
• Harley Earl tag on center console reads "This car built especially for Harley J. Earl"
• Red tire wells
• Side inlays used in later production of 1969 Corvette
• White with Red interior

Harley Earl lent his touch to a number of GM vehicles during his tenure in Detroit, and it was a natural relationship. Earl had the ability to sell ideas and concepts like no one before him, and his background in coach building and flair for showmanship was something Detroit was in particular need of. Having built exceedingly ornate and expensive cars for many well-known celebrities and captains of industry, Earl's gift of styling a car reached far and wide, and it's often said that GM hitched its wagon to Earl's star. Working very quietly with Thomas Keating, the president of Chevrolet, Earl put into design production Project Opal, and began sketching and mocking up ideas for an American sports car. In 1953, the Opal project was revealed and renamed Corvette, giving a dream car to a company once described as building cars designed by Harry Truman's haberdasher. Things picked up, interest rose and the Chevrolet brand once again became a leader in sales and styling. In 1958, Earl retired, but not before seeing the restyling to the 1959 Corvette completed. Earl continued to have a hand in some special projects, and was often able to custom build his own car prior to general public release. One such car is this 1968 Corvette. Shop order No. 16867 is white with a red interior, and is marked unique by power windows, side inlays unavailable on the 1968 Corvettes and red wheel wells and pinstripes. A dash plaque reads that the car was custom built for Earl, and NCRS shipping data verifies the car was sent back to GM in Detroit after being built in St. Louis, Missouri. Powered by a 327 CI V-8 engine backed by an automatic transmission, the car shows 69,000 original miles, it's likely to have been the last car built for the legendary Harley J. Earl.