It is sometimes difficult to determine why a classic finds itself hidden away in a dark and dusty shed or barn for decades. However, no such questions are hanging over this 1970 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. It fell foul of a fire in 1973 and has hibernated ever since. It will require a mountain of work before returning to active service, and it will be fascinating to learn whether we have readers who would consider taking it on. The seller has listed the Corvette here on eBay in Gifford, Illinois. Bidding currently sits below the reserve at $5,100.
This Corvette must have been quite a sight in its prime, courtesy of its Donnybrooke Green paint and Black soft-top. It only saw active service for around three years before suffering a headlamp switch fire in around 1973. It has hibernated ever since, and as we will see, it appears to have donated some of its more desirable components to other projects. The body damage is interesting, because the front clip and windshield may have succumbed to the fire’s heat, but this is not confirmed in the listing. If so, I’m surprised that the soft-top didn’t suffer a similar fate. If someone eventually tackles this restoration, their only option would be to strip the entire vehicle to the last nut and bolt. If the frame and birdcage have been hot, they will require a careful inspection to confirm that their integrity hasn’t been compromised. Fire-damaged steel is also prone to rust, which is another factor to consider.
Mechanically, this Corvette is a case of “what you see is what you get.” The first owner ordered it powered by the LS5 version of Chevrolet’s 454ci V8. That motor would have sent 390hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission. This was a genuinely potent package, capable of storming the ¼-mile in a neat 14 seconds. Sadly, the big-block is gone, and I suspect it may have found its way to another project. Many of the ancillaries are present, like the radiator, starter, carburetor, and exhaust manifolds. Any restoration, therefore, will include the cost of sourcing a replacement engine.
Determining the condition of this Corvette’s interior is virtually impossible. The first owner trimmed it in Black vinyl, adding air conditioning for improved comfort. Any trim items visible in the supplied photos are so dirty that a deep clean will be the first step to discovering how long the shopping list of parts will be. It would be wise to factor a complete retrim into the budget. The deeper we delve, the more expensive this project is becoming. And that’s before we consider any potential hidden nasty surprises.
Returning this 1970 Corvette Convertible to its former glory won’t be for the faint-hearted. The shopping list of required parts will be extensive, and the process will not be cheap. The car can never be numbers-matching, a factor that will have some influence on its future investment potential. There have only been two bids submitted at the time of writing, but with 107 people placing the Convertible on their Watch List and over 1,400 listing views in the past day, it has undoubtedly generated interest. The biggest question is whether these people are genuinely interested or have an almost morbid fascination to discover what someone is willing to pay. Which do you think it is?
Parts car already bid as high as it should go.
Why don’t they wash this thing it would look 100 percent better.don’t they think we wouldnt believe them that it’s been sitting that long?and look at the truck next to it nice and shiny clean
I agree…$8000 and it will take a lot of $$$ and sweat equity.
Perhaps someone can explain the correlation:
“Had a headlamp switch fire in the early 70s. So it is missing the cylinder block and heads.”
I agree with ruxvette!!!
I could see paying a few thousand for this, if you maybe already had a basket case project and needed some of the parts. Even the hood on this thing is garbage!!
Fools and their money…………….
For anyone that would pay the reserve of $5,100, please contact me for a bridge I can sell you in Brooklyn.
Once the engine left the car he should have parted the rest and saved the garage space. I think this one is over cooked ?
Meachum insanity claims another person.
Thanks for the laugh.
A fantastic project… for about $750.00 Seiously, some burned up seats and some valve covers with a radiator or two or three. When this one reaches the century mark we’ll be out of gas; again!
You have hit the actual value of this junk yard dog right on the old nail head. The only, and I seriously mean only, thing of any value whatsoever that this wreck has about it that may have some value are what may or may not be 8″ Rally wheels. If they are 8″ Rallys, then your price estimate is pretty close, if not I cannot see anything about this car that would be worth the cost of gas to go get it. This thing is the true definition of “crazy town”.
I don’t see it as a restoration, but I would buy it (and many more) in a heartbeat for $750. Turbo 400 trans, the aforementioned rally wheels, complete rear diff, rear clip, doors, frame, headlight assemblies, etc. It is currently sitting at $8k, apparently it is worth that to someone.
I’d say Jim C nails it. Without any engine, this is just a project in poor condition.
However, it now sits at $8000 and the reserve appears to have been met, so the seller will be happy and someone will have a project. Maybe they have a big block sitting around already?
Based on the cost labor requirements needed here not to mention thousands in parts make me believe this is a genuine parts can only. Get and sell whatever parts are left and the rest is trash.
I have a 426 Hemi but is snug as a bug in my 48 Anglia.
Another guy who was gonna fix it up some day. You can buy a driver quality 70 conv for less than 30 grand. This car here is a bottomless money pit. Sitting 50 years. It will need EVERYTHING.
You all don’t want to see what early C3s go for on copart.
Probably not Johnny, probably not…
An original numbers matching block shouldn’t be an issue to locate( fabricate) and the vin and paper trail are there
So
This beauty will get a total remake and will get sold for high dollar
Repro parts only started appearing cause of demand , profits are high and some crooks profit
Nothing new
YOLO
SOLD for 10K.
Why??????
That is absolutely astonishing!