Wharf inspectors in Brisbane have uncovered a stolen 1968 Chevrolet Corvette V8 convertible after prying open the doors of a shipping container which had been sitting on the docks for a decade.

The car was reported stolen 10 years ago, and the 44-year-old, 5.4-litre V8 four-speed manual rag-top has just 77,000 kilometres on the odometer.

The vehicle was built on Boxing Day in 1967, which gives the C3 Corvette a 1968 model year designation.

According to Manheim Auctions spokesman Mathew McAuley, the original owner of the car is believed to have received a payout after the vehicle was stolen and not recovered.

The auction house says the car appears to have sat in the container without interruption for the whole period "without any care or maintenance during the time". As a result, the car does need some TLC, and is expected to be sold to an enthusiast.

The car will be auctioned at Manheim auctions in Brisbane on behalf of Suncorp Insurance on September 25 at 9 am. According the auction house, it is expected to fetch somewhere in the region of A$14,000-A$17,000 (NZ$17,000-NZ$21,000).

- Sydney Morning Herald