what is it 1968 convertible 396 l89?

[taraizer66]

i have a chance to buy a bucket of rolling parts and a motor but am clueless.  so here goes 1968 convertible with a 396 bb and aluminum heads  vin#124678n385598  cowl tag correct in all says v8 motor made in nor  lemans blue with white top which is what is on the pieces left.

motor was decked no date code on it. the car was built on 3rd week of feb 68.  the block cast code is j  10  7.  the heads cast num. is 3919842  with the ONLY  number on top or bottom is 112457 next to the cast num.  the intake is cast num 3919851  and the other number is 18436572 on it.  the partial vin is 8n385598.  the carb list num is 3959164.  sellers CLAIMS was 1 of 20-22 ever made  jim bertrand has a much better shape similar car what is the chances of this being a rare car? the is no pop and no documentataion what so ever.  any help will be much appreciated--todd

[bertfam]

Todd,

Read my reply on the Team Camaro site. Unfortuately, there's just not enough info to go on. Send me the pictures you took and we can go from there.

Ed

[Jerry@CHP]

Did you check for dates on the bottom side of the intake runners?  All original L89 cars that I've seen over the years have the dates in this location.  I bought a new L89 Chevelle.

Jerry

[click]

 I asked Todd to visit his questions here as Im clueless on the 68's and I dont want him to buy into a pig in a poke if there is no way to confirm what the seller is claiming. I suggested he ask Jerry for a visit to the pile of parts and split the cost with the seller or something like that. With all the odds and ends out there in the world, I really dont want honest buyers getting ripped if we can help the buyer avoid it. Thanks guys for helping him out here.

[bertfam]

I agree 100% Jim. With the state the car's currently in, claims being suggested by the seller are just about impossible to verify. A real 68 L89 Convertible is extremely rare and worth a TON of money if it can be authenticated, even in poor condition. I don't want to see Todd buy a base car at a premium price just because some of the components "might" indicate an L89.

Todd, send me all 100 pictures you took of the car and we'll go from there.

Ed