The chrome-bumper versions of the C3 Corvette have a menacing appearance, and this impression is accentuated when the owner chooses to finish the car in black. That is the case with this 1970 Convertible, and while it isn’t perfect, it is a tidy driver. The owner has decided to part with it, which gives someone the chance to enjoy some top-down cruising as the Summer rolls in. Located in Gig Harbor, Washington, you will find the Corvette listed for sale here on eBay. The No Reserve auction has been set to open at $18,900, but there have been no bids. With 86 people watching the listing, I suspect that this might change pretty soon.
The Corvette rolled out of the showroom finished in Monza Red, but it has received a color change to its current Black at some point. The paint isn’t perfect, although its issues are limited to some minor chips and marks. There is nothing that would warrant a repaint if the buyer wants to retain the car as a survivor. The fiberglass looks to be in excellent order, with no evidence of fatigue cracks or other problems. The owner doesn’t provide any information on the condition of the frame or birdcage, but the lack of visible surface corrosion around the Convertible gives us some cause to be cautiously optimistic. The black soft-top is in excellent order, with no rips or other problems. When you check the chrome and badges, you find that they are in better than average condition for a survivor-grade car, while the luggage rack is a practical addition. The center caps on the wheels aren’t original, but they look tidy. All of the windows, including the one in the soft-top, are free from significant flaws.
If you were hoping that the Corvette was a numbers-matching classic, you would probably be disappointed to learn that it isn’t. However, that isn’t necessarily bad news because it is in excellent mechanical health. The 350ci V8 that hides under the hood is the L46 version, which means that there is 350hp at the driver’s disposal. These horses find their way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission, while the original owner chose to splash the additional $105.35 for power steering. This combination should provide adequate performance to satisfy most enthusiasts, with the Corvette capable of storming the ¼ mile in 14.1 seconds before winding its way to 142mph. The 350 is relatively fresh, only accruing 20,000 miles since it received a rebuild. The owner says that the vehicle runs and drives well, with a transmission that shifts like a dream.
In keeping with the non-original paint, the Corvette’s interior has also received a few modifications. A previous owner had it retrimmed, with Grey leather covers on the seats, matching carpet, and deluxe door trims. It remains tidy, with only a few minor marks on the console as evidence of the car’s age. The dash is perfect, and while the wheel isn’t original, it should be a comfortable thing to grip on those longer journeys. The original radio has made way for a retro-style stereo, which doesn’t look out of place. All of the gauges work, including the often-troublesome clock. The original owner chose to equip the Convertible with air conditioning, but the compressor and condenser are now missing. Otherwise, the buyer will find themselves owning a Corvette that features power windows and a tilt/telescopic wheel.
It would have been nice if this 1970 Corvette had been 100% original, but I’m not about to crucify anyone for modifying a vehicle like this. The fact that the 1970 Corvette was not offered with black paint makes this one stand out in a crowd. It appears to be a classic with no immediate needs, and slipping behind the wheel would be a great way to while away a few hours on a sunny day. If I were to buy the Convertible, I would probably get the air conditioning working again, but I wouldn’t touch much else. It’s a great-looking car, and I suspect that when the bidding does begin, it could get quite spirited. This one should be worth watching, especially if you fancy a spot of top-down cruising.
Hmm, easy install of a vintage air and cruise. Interesting proposition on this one, there is always the “contact seller” button.
The 350 hp engine is a great choice. While the LT-1 is a legend, it is impractical for street driving on today’s terrible gssoline. However, a stock L46 has 11.1 compression and needs quality gasoline. My friend has an L46 70 coupe and the original engine was recently rebuilt to factory specs. It does not like 93 octane. He needs to mix VP 100 octane for its diet with the timing set to factory specs. With a 4.11 rear, it is going to be expensive. Last year for black paint was 1969. I don’t mind color changes if done correctly. Great driver at a fair price. I currently enjoy my 73 coupe which runs perfectly on 90 octane ethanol free available just 20 miles from my house at $3.60 a gallon.
If the exterior was gray it reminds me of one I tried to buy once. 350-350 4 speed, ran like a scalded dog and had been gone through with all the paperwork on it. Someone bought it out from under me, and for that I was mad.
If I was in the market, I’d take a look at this one.
I’ve never heard of “resale black”. It sure seems odd to change a factory-red Corvette to any other color.
Identical to mine I had from ’81-’99, sadly sold when moving from CT to Boise. I bought from a friends friend who was a mechanic for a dozen plus yrs at a Chevy dealer in FL, mechnically well taken care of. ’70 Marlboro maroon, black top, 350/350, 4sp, only option was black leather deluxe int. It had no heater or radio. Had a 4 into 1 black side pipes. I sold the rallys for a set of new Tru-Spoke thick wire wheels with the red Vette crossflag centers. Over the years another Chevy guy that looked at it was wowed & said it was some road race model & was low production for that yr due to a strike, IDK though. Had 52k orig miles when I bought it, sold with 55k miles. Back in ’81, I was going on 20. After realizing the gas it ate up refilling a tank for $10 5 hrs later after cruising, it was 4 weeks later I bought my 1st HD. For $4 & rode the weekend, this car took a pause for a while. I was able to go faster, park in front of a club rather than circling it for half hr. Then around ’84-’85, I thought I blew a rear end, shifting hard in a curved 2 lane farm road where a 911 couldn’t keep up. The car limped home the last mile & half. Put in the garage, puled the door down & it was riding another HD turgis bought new in ’82 for the next several yrs till a new friend stopped by around ’94 & asked why he’s never seen me drive. Said “I blew the rear’. He says ‘what makes you think that’? I said look at that left rr tire crooked. He said ‘you blew a half shaft’. I aid ‘what do you mean’? He said $20 for the part & 20 min putting it on & on the road. I was stunned thinking this sat in the garage 7+ yrs & all the chicks that came & went lol. So $20 & 20 min a cpl days later & was back to driving it a little more, but 2 sons came in ’91 & ’93, hrdly saw any driving. Sold Dec ’99 for $7k w/o the wheels as had new GR60 all around. Paint was old & showing the spider webbing top of fr fenders & rr decklid. Right before the sale, took each son out on the Merritt Parkway behind my home w/ top down, buckled in & gave them an easy & quick 110mph 1st & last thrill ride I’ve got on a VHS tape boxed since the move still. Guy worked for SNET (telecom) bought it & I heard he done a full rotis restore I never got to see since I moved. Kind of glad/sad I didn’t.
Nice vehicle for the price,
Easy fix for High compression blues, You could change the heads and camshaft (reasonable) if you can do it your self to keep the performance and run on today’s fuels.
Isn’t anyone going to complain about the luggage rack? Well at least you can always use it to store the T-tops. Oh wait . . .
You can pretend to be like Chris Tucker from Rush Hour 19 driving this one
You can’t beat black & chrome. It works for all cars but especially Corvettes and Buicks.
Seems kinda pricey for not correct paint, and at least a grand or more to get the A/C working.
An L46. Does not come with a 11-1 compression Maybe with different heads?
The 350 LT1 had 11-1 compression thou
You’re going to buy a butchered up C3 why not buy a clean C5 ZO6 for the same money?