What car enthusiast doesn’t love a good classic car barn-find video on YouTube? That’s the thinking behind a new channel, Barn Finds of America, launched by Darron Cheney, a car flipper and artist.
He’s launching this new venture by documenting what’s involved in restoring a recently acquired 1968 Chevrolet Corvette hardtop convertible. One of Cheney’s first presentations looks at what happens when the car arrives at his garage in Bug Tussle, Texas, northeast of Dallas.
According to the Texas State Historical Association, the distinctive name of the community comes from an insect swarm that ruined an 1890 ice cream social. The organization offers other explanations, too.
Arriving With The Goods
Cheney arrives home with the dingy Corvette in tow and hopes of soon getting behind the wheel of his find. He’s supported by his wife, Vickie, a fellow Corvette fan. But mechanic Tracy Yeager wishes this project was a classic Chevrolet Chevelle, a car he strongly prefers over Cheney’s Corvette.
Yeager’s doubts get reinforced upon learning that the Vette sat undriven for more than 30 years in a Texas barn and Cheney’s talk of wanting a frame-off restoration. Evidence of rodent infestations adds to the uncertainty.
Exploring A Questionable Engine
The first task at hand is checking out the condition of the 327-cubic-inch V8 under the hood of this 1968 Chevrolet Corvette. It’s an activity that involves removing the hardtop and opening the soft top to access the battery compartment behind the driver’s seat. But, before a new battery gets installed, a six-foot snakeskin gets discovered, to the chagrin of serpent-adverse Yeager.
With power restored, viewers see that the car’s lights work. But there’s more work ahead if there’s a hope of turning over the numbers-matching engine. A few turns of the wrench on the reluctant crankshaft means the V8 isn’t seized, but the unsuccessful engine bay effort ultimately means a complete engine tear-down is ahead.
Significance Of This 1968 Chevrolet Corvette
Throughout the video, it’s hard for Cheney to contain his enthusiasm for the Vette. It’s a car that’s always been on his wish list and one with great significance in Corvette lore. Notably, the 1968 model year marks the debut of the C3 generation.
This is the only year of the C3 that didn’t have the Stingray moniker (Chevy added the aquatic-themed badging back in 1969). Cheney also shares that the 350-hp 327 engine got axed in Corvettes after 1968.
