It is doubtful that the supply of classic barn finds will ever dry up, which is good news for enthusiasts like you and me. That means that cars like this 1970 Corvette Convertible will continue to be unearthed. It not only allows us to be constantly amazed by the diversity of vehicles that emerge, but for the lucky individuals, it offers them the chance to park one of these fantastic finds in their driveway. This Corvette has been in dry storage for years, but it doesn’t appear to be any worse for the experience. Years of inactivity mean that it has only managed to accumulate 23,000 miles on its odometer. It has been returned to a roadworthy state, but the owner feels that the time is right for it to head to a new home. Located in Torrington, Connecticut, you will find the Corvette listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $24,100 in what is a No Reserve auction.
The owner admits that the Convertible has received a repaint in its original shade of Bridgehampton Blue. The impression that he conveys in the listing is that it isn’t of the highest quality. However, it looks pretty presentable in the supplied photos. There are no glaring flaws or problems, although this could be a case of an in-person inspection revealing problems that aren’t visible in the pictures. If we take the car at face value, it makes a positive impression. The fiberglass also exhibits no issues, while the trim and chrome shine nicely. The Corvette wears a factory hardtop In White, although it isn’t clear whether there is also a soft-top. There are some limited underside shots in the listing, and once again, these provide a positive impression. There is barely any hint of surface corrosion and no signs of penetrating rust. All I can think is that the storage environment must have been close to ideal because there are no screaming signs that this classic has been exposed to any form of moisture for an extended period.
Blue upholstery is generally not something that I like that much, but it never seems to look bad in a C3 Corvette. This car features that shade in vinyl, and the overall impression is pretty positive. There are a few flaws, but nothing that would demand immediate attention. As a purist, I am disappointed that someone has fitted an aftermarket radio/cassette player and cut the console to install speakers. I have no real issues with the stereo itself, but there are less invasive ways to fit speakers which would allow the buyer to reverse the change if required. The rest of the interior remains unmolested, and it is in better-than-average condition for a driver-quality vehicle. The carpet is slightly faded, but there’s no wear that might justify sourcing a replacement set. The most glaring flaw is some scratches on either side of the console. These generally occur as the seatbelt buckle rubs on the surface, and it is hard to reverse. I have seen cases where owners have addressed this problem and then applied a high-quality transparent film over the sides of the console. This can easily be removed, is required, but it protects that area from future damage. Otherwise, the upholstered surfaces and plastic trim are in good order, and there are no issues with the dash. The original owner ordered the ‘Vette with air conditioning, and when combined with power windows, it should make this interior a pleasant place to spend a few hours on the road.
The original owner spent a bit of time considering what he wanted from his new Corvette, and it appears that he wasn’t afraid to splash a bit of cash. The result is that this classic comes equipped with a 350ci V8, a 4-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. That 350 is the L46 version, which brings a very respectable 350hp to the table. As a result, this Convertible should be capable of storming the ¼ mile in 14.1 seconds. After years of inactivity while in storage, the owner has worked through the process of returning the Corvette to a roadworthy state. The engine bay presents extremely well, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. This classic now runs and drives very well, and it is ready to hit the road with a lucky new owner behind the wheel. The listing states that the Corvette has a genuine 23,000 miles on the clock, but there is no mention of evidence to verify this claim.
I have never considered writing for Barn Finds to be a right because I believe that it is a privilege. It allows me to share my passion for classic cars with fellow enthusiasts and continue to expose fantastic finds like this 1970 Corvette Convertible. It brings vehicles like this to the attention of some of the most passionate people on the planet and affords the lucky ones an opportunity to become the next owner of some of these discoveries. This ‘Vette looks like a gem, so it will be interesting to see whether we have any readers who are tempted to pursue it further.
I love the luggage rack !
And you are a gentleman and a scholar! Any thoughts on white-stripe tires?
You mean the white letter tires? I could live with them as they were common in those years.
The horror, someone put speakers in the console, this car now needs a full restoration.
Steve R
Yes, imagine the audacity of someone modifying their car to suit their own tastes.
I love it and would just drive it as is with a big grin plastered across my face.
Got a little travel time in one of these with the luggage rack. Two in the the car with travel bags at least one bag will be on the rack ’cause there isn’t room inside. Nice car.
Great motor with no solid lifter upkeep. Hate the luggage rack and white roof.
The Official term from GM was called a “Carrier Unit” ( we know it as a luggage rack). I have 2 C3 that have them..( 73 & 71…as a side note I will be listing the 73 on BF in a few weeks so stay tuned). They were not installed at the factory, instead outsourced to a 3rd party for installation). Aftermarket ones vary a bit and do not have the drip holes for the water and the side pins to hold the T-Tops, the pins were sold separate. ( I have a nice article on the origin of racks if someone is interested).
Hi Frank,
Yes please, could you email me on
jean.yves.cabon@gmail.com please ? Mandy thank !
JY
Email/article was sent to you
waitin for the day 17 vettes show up on the face page (maco sharks or whatever their called). The other channel is now almost that way w/the all the porsches…
May B 8 of each on that thumbnail?
Up to 28K. No reason to doubt that mileage claim. It’s a nice, clean car that with some paint correction and detailing will be quite a looker.
Very nice ’70 convertible with the very useful luggage rack.
If the owner can document that mileage, it is worth the 30K that it will probably end up selling for.
Frank Y. I own a 73 coupe. Please send me details on yours. georgmattar@yahoo.com. I worked at a Chevy dealer in 76 and 77. We installed luggage racks on new Corvettes in our shop. Parts manager only bought factory pieces. I had a 71 Brands Hatch LS5 4 speed coupe then.
SOLD for $31,101.
I had a feeling it would sell for >30K.