350/4-Speed: 1970 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

Finding a classic car that ticks all the right boxes can be challenging, but this 1970 Corvette Convertible goes pretty close. It is an unrestored and original survivor in excellent condition. It is loaded with many of the more desirable options that buyers could choose in that model year. It is also a car looking for a new home, so the owner has listed it for sale here on eBay. The ‘Vette is located in Montrose, Colorado, and while the bidding has rocketed to $25,300, this remains short of the reserve.

It seems that this Corvette’s owner is a C3 enthusiast, and he reveals that he has owned quite a few examples during his lifetime. He gives this car rave reviews, and when you consider its overall condition, it’s easy to see why. Its Monza Red paint is claimed to be original, and while it has a few minor imperfections, there’s nothing that would make a respray seem compulsory. The owner states that his original intent had been to perform a frame-on restoration, but he chose not to when he realized how original the car is. The White soft-top looks to be in good order, and the owner also includes the factory hardtop finished in Black vinyl. The Fiberglass is in good order, with no cracks or crazing and no issues around the bonding strips. Rust in the frame and birdcage can be an issue that costs plenty to fix, but the owner claims that both areas are spotlessly clean and structurally sound. The wheels and trim are impressively clean, while I can’t spot any problems with the glass. For any buyer seeking a survivor-grade classic, this Corvette is looking like a strong contender.

The originality of this Corvette continues when we open the doors and take a look inside. The original owner ordered the car with Saddle leather trim, an AM/FM radio, tilt/telescopic wheel, and air conditioning. The owner has upgraded the radio, but the original working unit comes with the vehicle. The upholstery is in excellent condition, with no evidence of significant wear or physical damage. The carpet is the surprise packet because it demonstrates none of the fade issues that can plague these cars. The dash and pad are in excellent order, as is the plastic. Perhaps the most impressive piece of news is that everything inside this car works exactly as it should. This includes the A/C and the cool fiber-optics.

While this Corvette doesn’t feature the most powerful engine that Chevrolet offered in 1970, the mechanical combination still looks mighty impressive. The original owner went ballistic on the Order Form because he ordered this classic with the L46 version of the 350ci small-block, a four-speed M21 close-ratio manual transmission, a 3.55 Posi rear end, power steering, and power brakes. That sweet little V8 should be churning out 350hp, allowing the ‘Vette to blitz the ¼ mile in 14.2 seconds. There were more potent and faster engine options available to that owner, but when you consider that the L46 brought an additional 50hp to the table over the standard motor and only added $158 to the sticker price, it offered unequaled bang for his buck. As a passionate enthusiast, the current owner has ensured that this numbers-matching Chevy is always maintained to the highest standard. He has owned eight of these C3s, and he says that this drives better than any he has owned. It seems that it has no vices or issues, and it is ready to be driven away by its lucky new owner.

Chrome-bumper C3 Corvettes remain one of the most desirable vehicles in today’s classic market, and good ones can fetch some impressive sale prices. There will always be enthusiasts who will argue in favor of spotlessly restored examples, while others believe that an original survivor is a more desirable option for potential buyers. Our feature car is a survivor, and it is loaded with some of the most coveted optional extras that buyers seek in a Corvette of this era. That’s why I’m not surprised that the biding has been spirited, and I also won’t be surprised if it needs to cover more territory before it hits the reserve. I usually make a bold prediction at this point, but today it’s your turn. I will be interested to know where you think the reserve is and what you believe the bidding will hit before the hammer falls. Over to you.