Model year 1970 marked the peak of the horsepower wars during the classic muscle car era, and while the Chevelle’s chart-topping 454 cid 450 HP LS6 may steal the glory as the top Chevy engine that year, GM did not fit that monster in the Camaro or the Corvette. Big-block Corvette fans had to “settle” for the 390 HP LS5 454 until 1971. The need for a fire-breathing small block resulted in the new-for-1970 LT-1, a high-revving 350 cid (5.7L) V8, with 11:1 compression and a 780 CFM Holley carburetor. This glorious mill powered the TransAm-inspired Camaro Z28, and some Corvettes as well, offered standalone or as part of the ZR-1 package. This 1970 Corvette in Minneapolis, Minnesota retains its numbers-matching LT-1 and four-speed manual transmission. After years of storage, the engine’s refurbished and purrs like “a kitten on steroids,” according to the seller. The car drives too, though not in a fully road-worthy condition. Bidding here on eBay has eclipsed $10,500, with at least 21 bidders in contention. Thanks to wikipedia for some details.
Though the rare factory Holley carburetor is gone, many hard-to-find parts remain, including the California emissions air pump and exhaust manifolds. Modern dynomometer tests confirm the LT-1 backs up the horsepower claims, and pulled over 350 lb-ft of torque up to 5300 RPM. I’m no Corvette expert, but that looks like a cruise control diaphragm on the right side of the firewall.
Originally painted yellow, the black re-spray matches the original interior. Options include power windows, close-ratio four-speed, and (confirming the car’s go-fast intentions) a Posi-Traction rear end with 4.11 cogs. As a young pup, I knew that Corvettes featured an engine data plate in the cockpit inside detailing the engine’s horsepower and torque. Though often piloted by drivers past their prime, “America’s Sports Car” offers more performance than many owners can handle, unless you count occasionally “blowing the carbon out” on an on-ramp.
Credit the seller for including pictures like this and a detailed accounting of numbers-matching and non-original parts in the listing. Many professional dealerships simply copy and paste nine pages of fine print and make you dig for the 20 words describing the car. Nowhere in the listing does the seller mislead anyone that this might be a ZR1; that’s true class. This Chevy’s not perfect, but many enthusiasts stopped reading after “numbers-matching LT-1” and started contemplating the merits of early retirement vs. LT-1 ownership. How many months would you work to own this high-strung small-block ‘Vette?
Cruise control typically wasn’t available with manual transmissions in 1970. If memory serves, the first car offered in the US with a manual transmission and cruise control was the 1979 Datsun 280ZX.
The LS6 Chevelles exist because there was supposed to be a 460 HP LS7 available in the Corvette, thus preserving the Corvette’s position as the most powerful car GM offered (such things apparently mattered back then). The Corvette brochure lists it as an option, but none were built, so the Chevelle wound up at the top of the heap by default.
My 63 Chev 327 4 speed had a factory CC. Cut off switch on brake and clutch pedals.
that diaphragm is for wiper door
NO CRUISE CONTROL WAS AVAILABLE IN THIS YEAR!!!
The LS7 ?. Wasnt that the Z06 Vette motor for like 2005 or 2006?
Diaphragm is to actuate the hidden windshield wiper door feature.
I think, its the wiper cover diaphragm.. which actuatet the cover to give space for the wipers needed clearance.
Correct. The diaphragm pulled open the cover hiding the wiper blades. These can be problematic open too slow or close too soon hanging up the wipers and blowing fuses. My 68 427 had this issue.
Yep, had to replace the wiper door and headlight diaphragms on mine, and vacuum was still a problem.
Mild wheel well flares?
1970 is the 1st year they came with the mini flares from the factory … 68 and 69 did have different wheel arches
Says the frame is good, but no pics and what about the birdcage? Minnesota car. If it is that nice and it stays around 15 its a good deal for someone. Good luck.
Stay safe…
Cheers
GPC
where does art say it is a MN car? the listing states he bought it in California in 2019 …
The write up in the add says the car is in Minneapolis Minnesota right below the very first picture.
It says he bought it in California last fall. Also has the California emissions. Good chance the cage is ok, but better to check to be sure. Really cool looking project. I would really be tempted if not knee deep in another project.
I fail to understand why there are so few photographs of the exterior, and the interior as well. There are no shots of the back of the car at all, and as others have said, none of the underside either. I agree that the wheel openings are non-standard. This car needs a lot of bodywork to return it to stock appearance. PPI required!
Looks like the seller thinks the value is in the LT1 drivetrain. Oh, and no belt on the AIR pump. Hmmm.
I was fortunate enough to autocross one of these for a season, as a co-driver with the guy who owned it. That was in the mid 80’s and the car was FAST! (And RED, lol) Dan Still holds a place in my heart as a great guy for being so generous, as I was at loose ends during that period.
LT-1 4 speed makes it more of a low 20’s car.If you’ve ever driven a high compression,solid lifter LT-1 you know why .My guy would have this in local shows within 60 days,if I didn’t have 5 or 6 on the go already.
Have a 70 LT1 also, since 1985. Also a 1971 LS7 recreation(originally an LS5 car now with LS7 crate, al.heads,m22,dual disc clutch,410 rear. Love them both. This car will be well bought if it stays below 20 grand.
Converted my stock cast-iron 350 to a full-roller 383 stroker. Kicks the crap out of the LT-1 for less than $5000.
This is a nice car at a pretty reasonable price however I’m with Day Dream Believe on this one!!! The lack of pictures is concerning as if there is something to hide!! Check this out before you end up in the hole with a pig that needs a ton of work and major parts replaced!!!
Well bought below 20 K has mentioned here. Color change back to Daytona Yellow not cheap. All 70 LT1 Corvettes came from GM with Air Injector Reactor. The belt is off because the pump is likely seized. The pumps can be rebuilt. I found two NOS ones on flea bay four years ago for $99 each. Still in my garage. These engines pull to 6,500 all day long. But with 4.11s, will not be a comfortable ride. The biggest challenge is spending a boat load of cash in VP or Sunoco race gas. Today’s crap they sell at the pump will never satisfy that compression ratio with timing set at factory specs. I have a 73 L82 coupe which is a watered down version of the greatest engine in Corvette history. I hope someone saves this car. 70 LT 1s are the next 435 hp cars price wise.
Ended:May 03, 2020 , 6:45PM
Winning bid:US $22,100.00
[ 100 bids ]
Beat me to it this time Mike – LOL!
Definitely return this back to Daytona yellow. I like black on almost every car (3 out of 4 in the family right now). but never on a C3.