Numbers-matching, 454 cubic-inch V-8, and 1970 Corvette: three things that make enthusiasts take notice! Not only that but the car is being sold at no reserve here on eBay. Wow! The car is located in Miami, Florida and bidding so far has risen to $7,355 as I write. Thanks to Larry D. for sending in this find!
It’s hard for me to understand how someone could let a car like this get so dilapidated! The seller tells us that this is what’s left of the original paint. Unfortunately, that much weathering and a location on the Florida coast suggest that the car has been left outside for a long time, complete with the possibility of rust. Yes, Corvettes are not all fiberglass, and those metal parts are pretty important. On the other hand, the car doesn’t look like it has any crash damage and if that’s the original paint, those should be all original panels as well.
In 1970, the Corvette was firmly established as America’s sports car. 17,316 Corvettes (both coupes and convertibles) left the St. Louis manufacturing plant as 1970 models. While that number doesn’t seem like a lot (there were 117,604 1970 Camaros produced and there was a late start to that model year) the effect the Corvette had (and continues to have) as a “halo” car for Chevrolet was huge. Just think how many families were dragged into the Chevy dealership because the 6-year-old (me) wanted to look at the newest Corvette in the showroom and left with a Kingswood station wagon!
Remember what I said earlier about this car probably having been stored outside? I’m not sure how bad this rust is, but I’m sure our resident Corvette experts will tell us, along with what we condition we can expect to find the “birdcage” (structural metal framework for the passenger compartment) in. There are some more pictures of the bottom of the car in the auction, and while I can’t see any actual rust holes, they don’t fill me with confidence, either.
The interior will need to be completely replaced; luckily reproduction parts are readily available for almost all components.
While the non-stock valve covers and accessories aren’t great to see, that air conditioning compressor on the passenger side sure is! I’m sure the entire system will need some attention, but at least it’s there to start with. The seller doesn’t explain what they mean by calling the car a “high option” car, but I’m guessing there are some power features there as well. What do you think this 1970 Corvette is worth?
This Stingray requires TOTAL restoration. Being a ’70 (low production numbers and last year for high compression…and 500 foot/pounds of torque),it definitely has its appeal, as it is precisely this vintage of C-3 that is poised to climb in value. However, whoever buys it has to be able to get it at a realistic price, and would need to be either an amateur restorer with considerable mechanical, and market value knowledge, or a professional Corvette restorer. I would say that paying anything over 12 thousand would be risky.
This Stingray requires TOTAL restoration. Being a ’70 (low production numbers and last year for high compression…and 500 foot/pounds of torque),it definitely has its appeal, as it is precisely this vintage of C-3 that is poised to climb in value. However, whoever buys it has to be able to get it at a realistic price, and would need to be either an amateur restorer with considerable mechanical, and market value knowledge, or a professional Corvette restorer. I would say that paying anything over 12 thousand would be risky.
I guess the seller’s calling it a “high option” car because it appears to have just about every option except Custom Interior (leather). I see AC, PW, PB, tint, tilt/tele column, automatic and with the three grove water pump pulley I think it should have power steering.
The car looks pretty tired, though the body seems straight, and other than the headers, valve covers and air cleaner, the engine looks original. If the engine is “numbers matching”, and if there are no serious rust issues, it might be a decent project for someone.
Be very very careful dealing with this dealer. Read about the many problems on corvette forum.
Bidding up to $9300 which is nuts. This car has sat outside for many years. Never saw an intake manifold that was rusted. If the motor and trans is in the same shape as the body I would run away fast.
I’d say $100k to restore to original.
My friend has a 70 with a 454, it’s a beast! You could burn the rear tires off of it in a heart beat.
Make a rat rod out of it, and call it a day.
Whatever you do , please do not turn this car into a rat rod or anything less than a restoration. The value is their or will be with the rarity of these cars.The market will reward those who stay true to that design.
Here’s a 454 convertible in great shape that sold on Bring a Trailer in 2020 for $43k. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-chevrolet-corvette-454-11/
Do you want to go driving or spend the rest of your life working on this car?
I rest my case.
So how much for a complete engine and trans rebuild, new paint, wiring, interior? This car has been in Florida aka salt air city!
That’s need a full body off restoration.
How much $$$
Money Pit!
I would say that paying anything over 6500 is risky seeing all that rust and it’s also been in Florida, home of the hurricanes. 12.5 for a rust bucket is way too much for any classic car coming from Florida. Just sayin the drive train is just a rusty. The pic with the shot of the interior speaks for me as being a rust bucket. They haven’t even changed out the door seals. You are correct in the fact that this needs a complete restoration but, 12.5? Never would I pay that for this. Someone will though.
Lee, 43k and 2 years ago are a long way from 9k. That idealog is still the same old mindset, that continues on this site. People need to look at this NEW classic car market, like the stock market. These cars are long term investments. They will continue to accumulate value like stocks or the current morgage you currently have. Not everyone will spend the necessary funds to restore any given classic from the ground up! However, they will purchase and hold, like the stock market and sell at the most promising level of return. That is basic 101 capitalism, check it out sometime, it sure works, and has for me!
This rust bucket can only be sold to some rich kid and they will spend a lot more than 43k. Can’t fix stupid…
Stock Market? Guess you haven’t looked at the stock market lately. Sure you can get lucky sometimes. I bought a 1958 17′ Chris Craft boat in the 80’s for $3k and it’ probably worth $15k now, maybe more. Sounds like a lot, but figure out what 40 some years of storage would cost.
Please tell me what you think it would cost to restore this car and what you can sell it for.
Everyone is attributing the rust to salty air, after looking at the carpet I believe it’s worse, salty water. I think this car spent some period of time under water most likely during one of Fla’s hurricanes. I wouldn’t buy it with somebody else’s money.
Its a 52 year old car, and at one point it was just another 10 year old used Vette, so I get the tired paint and 50 years exposed to sunlight easily destroys interiors, so I get that too . Any real restoration is going to involve new paint and replacement of the interiors even if they were in good shape. I’m not a Vette guy, but I’d think a numbers matching big block should be worth a decent amount of money and worth a restoration , especially if the notorious “birdcage” is still good . With that 454 rumble and a white body and blue gut this was probably a real sharp car in its day
SOLD for $11,100.
Someone has a lot of work ahead of them.