This 1969 Corvette is a numbers-matching classic with a big-block under the hood. It could be driven and enjoyed as it currently stands, but some cosmetic restoration work would make it stand out in a crowd. With power to burn, this is a car that should pack enough performance to satisfy all but the hardest enthusiast. The ‘Vette is located in Monroe Center, Illinois, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $24,100, and the reserve has been met.
The Corvette would have been a menacing creature when it was new. It rolled off the production line resplendent in Tuxedo Black but has undergone a color change at some stage. The current color isn’t unattractive, but I suspect that the vehicle would have packed more of a visual punch in black. This would have been emphasized by the fact that the Corvette also wore a side exhaust. The existing paint is looking tired in a few spots, but it is still quite presentable. There are no apparent flaws with the fiberglass, and when we delve below the surface, we find that the frame and birdcage are structurally sound. The chrome and trim generally look to be in good condition, as do the wheels and the trim rings.
The Corvette offers its owner some serious performance, and while this car doesn’t feature the most powerful engine offered in 1969, it could never be classed as a slouch. The engine is a numbers-matching L36 version of the 427ci V8. This monster produces 390hp, which finds its way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. With the extra weight of the 427 hanging over the front wheels, power steering is a welcome addition. Performance figures tell the story of this classic. It should be capable of storming the ¼ mile in 13.8 seconds before winding its way to 150mph. This engine has received some cosmetic enhancements, but all of the original components are included in the sale. It appears that the buyer won’t need to spend any money on the Corvette’s drivetrain. The owner states that the car starts right up and that it runs and drives perfectly.
The interior of the Corvette looks reasonably tidy, with only a couple of minor wear issues to consider. The most obvious of these is the worn horn button, but a replacement is easy to find for under $70. It’s a bit hard to be sure, but I believe that the carpet might also be looking a bit faded. The rest of the interior is presentable for a driver-quality car. There are no problems with the dash and no rips or tears in the upholstery. Interestingly, the owner mentions the fact that the leather seat covers are in good condition. The interior trim code for this car is 420, which denotes Saddle vinyl. That means that the covers must have been replaced at some stage. Comfort and convenience features include power windows, a telescopic wheel, and an AM/FM radio.
For someone searching for a driver-quality C3 Corvette, this is a car that has to be worth serious consideration. It is ready to go, and with that big-block under the hood, it should be an entertaining thing to drive. If I were to buy it, I would be tempted to return it to its original color, because I can’t think of anything that would be more menacing than a Tuxedo Black chrome-bumper Corvette with a side exhaust. That should make it a classic that is capable of commanding respect wherever it went.
Swap in a new horn button and cruise
Could not have said it better. Too bad it’s not a small block buy you take what you can get when looking at used cars.
Not sure what it is with these Stingrays but I see a lot of ratty horn buttons. Being dead ahead of you, you see it all the time, mine drove me nuts. I saved some coin and removed it, taped off the center emblem and hit it with some rattle can black. After about 10 years it still looks great. Although I don’t think I have hit the horn since!
Yup time to get back in black, and put those side pipes back on. Too much motor, but these cars were always a statement
What is wrong with you people,” to bad it’s not a small block, too much motor”? Am I on the grandma web sight? This is the motor/trans combo that I dream about in any c2 or c3 corvette and yes return to black.
That’s a first! Too much motor! Is my Mom on this site! I would not have look at it if it was a small block!
Hah. BB vettes of this era throw a lot of heat-so you and your pal really aren’t “cool”. It’s not a cruiser either. It’s a straight line neck snapper. Fine if that’s only what your into. The 350 is a handler-a lot more fun to drive and take Into the corners, and more so – get out of the corners. Some of the 350’s pump out a lot of factory horsepower-modified; crazy horsepower for that straight line too. Grandmothers are always welcome here too. However opinions are what makes this site the best.
Dave
Well said. If you want something for the drag strip then look for a BBC, if on the other hand you want a driver then look for a SBC. I acknowledge I’ve never owned a BBC Vette, but I’ve driven a few. To me you didn’t take them on the curvy roads as they didn’t handle well. You paid a penalty for that power in engine weight and much heavier spring rates for example, not even taking into account your wallet. Now take that same car, put a SBC into it, properly spring it and you had a greyhound that could handle those same curvy roads with a vengeance. That doesn’t even take into account the thirst of a BBC. I don’t have a wallet big enough to drive that same BBC across country. To me a Vette is a drivers car, it’s to take out and hit those windy roads and be able to put some miles onto it without having to be on the lookout for a gas station. I’ve had thirsty cars in the past, they’re not any fun to take on a trip.
I agree this is a real BB with power.
Now the 74 454 had no ponies and the small block out performed.
I would take a rat 🐀 motor any day !!!!
It puzzles me, that as clean as this interior is, it has a horn button in that condition.
Check out the pics on the eBay site. Look at the driver side pic. It looks, to me, like the paint on the door, doesn’t match the front of the car. It’s a shade lighter. The pics, here, are angled such, that you cannot see the difference. What is the seller leaving out? I’m impressed with the undercarriage, though.
The horn button is consistent with the overall wear of the interior. Note the aftermarket replacement covers on the door panels (where your elbows rest) as well as the added pad over the console? Pull those up and underneath you will see wear consistent with the horn button.
This looks like a decent car, but there’s a lot of things in the seller’s ad that worry me.
The seats, dash top and the door panels are not original to the car. 69’s had low back seats with movable headrests, 69 dash’s did not have speaker holes, and the door panels had a padded weave insert on them, not wood trim. The seats, dash top and door panels in this car are 70-77 style. A lot of other little things are off on the car.
The seller claims it has the original “Holley” carb, but 69 390’s used a Q-Jet. He also claims that it is one of 650 69’s with TI ignition, but there were about 5700 TI 69’s built. And I don’t know where he came up with the idea that the “plugs” in the exhaust manifold indicate this was a side exhaust car either. The only thing the plugs indicate is that the someone has removed the original A.I.R. pollution pump and system, from the car.
Lastly, while the redline’s right for a 390 car, the seller shows a picture of small block ignition shielding, and the car has a small block rear spring. It may look like a nice car, but what I see sets off a lot of red flags.
gbvette62, you are a treasure with your knowledge about Corvettes. The interior didnt look exactly right to me either, especially the seats. This car must have been awesome when it was new, Black, Big Block, Side Exhaust, makes you wonder why it was changed so drastically, a possible theft recovery ?
Who knows why people do what they do?
Everyone has their own individual taste.
It would be boring if we all had the same taste. It’s what makes the world go ’round.
Thanks for the compliment! Over the last 45 years, Corvettes have become a major part of life. I own a Corvette parts business, do pre-purchase inspections of Corvettes, and have spent about 25 years crewing for various Corvette road race teams.
I do have my doubts about it being a side pipe car, but you’re right about the desirability of a black 69 big block. A black 69 big block would be right up there with a black 63 split and a black 67 big block roadster, with a red stinger.
Thanks for the info. Really appreciate your knowledge.
It amazes me, how much I’ve learned, from all of you.
Your knowledge blows my mind.
I don’t consider myself an expert on the mechanical workings of cars. Far from it. But I know what I like. And the little I do know, I’m happy to share with all of you.
Thanks everyone.
I had a 68 L68 (400hp) with a 3.77 rear and it was nothing special. A friend of mine with a 68 Z28 would regularly kick my a$$ in roll ons. I did a bit better off the line, but he would eventually catch me. Car and Driver reported 14.0 @ 100 in the quarter for the same car, and we all know their reports were gross exaggerations. And there was no way that thing would do 150 with those gears, probably not even 140.
To me this car has a lot of potential. Original 900 code cars are rare with only around 900 built out of 38762 corvettes that left the St. Louis factory in 69. It has it’s original trim tag and motor, correct redline, correct rear sway bar, big block rear end and has the transistorized ignition system which is correct for the MH engine suffix code. The interior needs to be replaced with correct components for 1969, but this car finished is worth 60-70k. Especially if you drop the tank and find a tank sticker verifying the factory options……
Why do the horn buttons wear out? Do Corvette drivers honk at others all that much? That’s rude.
It’s not the buttons that wear out. It’s the wiring that it’s connected to. I gather you’re talking about an older Vette. It could be a faulty ground, or a corroded wire.
Happy hunting, Kenn.