The classic market proves that early C3 Corvettes are desirable. However, some are more desirable than others. This 1969 example sits near the top of the tree courtesy of the number-matching L71 big-block nestled under the hood. It offers neck-snapping performance that satisfies the most hardened enthusiast, although it now needs a new home. The Corvette is listed here on eBay in Hermosa Beach, California. Bidding currently sits below the reserve at $40,600.
The C3 Corvette rates as one of the most instantly recognizable vehicles globally. If you placed silhouettes of a selection of American muscle, sports, and pony cars in front of enthusiasts from foreign shores, it is almost guaranteed that all would have little trouble identifying the C3. This one is a gem that received a repaint in its original Cortez Silver in 2021. Therefore, it is unsurprising that its presentation is almost flawless. The paint shines beautifully, cloaking fiberglass that is excellent. Below the surface is equally impressive, with no evidence of rust or prior repairs to its frame or birdcage. The original owner ordered the ‘Vette with tinted glass, which is spotless. The chrome, trim, and 8″ Rally wheels sparkle as impressively as the paint, while the side-mount exhaust adds a sense of purpose to a classic that manages to look aggressive standing still.
The Corvette’s interior received some attention when the seller refreshed its exterior. They fitted new seatcovers and a carpet set to lift its presentation, and there’s little for the buyer to do to push it higher still. The upper shifter boot is missing, but with reproductions retailing for under $50, a replacement is unlikely to break the bank. The remaining upholstered surfaces look excellent, as do the dash and most plastic items. The console upper trim plate sports the usual scratches and damage in the recess housing the shift pattern indicator. I found a tidy secondhand indicator plate for under $50. However, if the new owner seeks perfection, a reproduction upper trim plate retails for around $290. They would need to add an extra $20 for a specification plaque to attach to the back of the trim plate to complete the look. With those items installed, it would be hard to criticize the presentation. An under-dash gauge is mounted near the driver’s right knee, although I can’t spot any further additions. Optional extras include power windows and a factory AM/FM radio.
Okay, I’ve kept you waiting long enough. Lifting the hood reveals what makes this Corvette stand out from mere mortals. Its engine bay houses a numbers-matching 427ci V8. This is no ordinary motor but is the fire-breathing L71 that churns out 435hp. The power feeds through a four-speed M21 manual transmission to a 3.70 Posi rear end. You would have to think that big-block would sound glorious roaring through the side exhaust as this ‘Vette devours the ¼-mile in 13.5 seconds. The original owner selected the F41 suspension option to improve handling, although they passed on power-sapping options like power assistance for the steering and brakes. The seller recently had the radiator recorded and the carburetors rebuilt. They replaced the fuel tank but retained the original with its partial Tank Sticker. They say it runs well, with the big-block feeling strong. For potential buyers with doubts, they will supply additional photos of this classic’s vital areas to confirm its numbers-matching status.
Corvettes like this 1969 model are virtually the pinnacle of what buyers seek in a C3. Its presentation is impressive, but its originality and mechanical specifications mark it as something truly special. The bidding hasn’t been as frantic as I expected, but the price is reaching that point where it is beyond the reach of the average enthusiast. However, I won’t be surprised if it comfortably passes $50,000 before the hammer falls. It will be fascinating to gauge our reader response and to see if anyone can correctly guess the final sale price. Okay, it’s over to you.
I have the (partial) tank sticker. But I’m not showing it.
I have pictures of casting dates and stamps. But I’m not showing them.
It is a real 435. Really. But the block was decked.
It is numbers matching. But I’m not showing any of that. No, really it is.
Hard pass.
I like early C3’s including this car. But I get a whiff of cheap when it comes to the interior updates here. What’s with the JC Whitney seat covers and not fixing the gear indicator and shift boot? I mean, you’ve got a car that can bring serious bucks but you couldn’t redo the seats properly? What else have you cut corners on?
Not sure what you mean by JC Whitney seat covers – how can you tell that by the limited and crappy pictures?
Coincidentally, I put seat covers, carpet set and convertible top on my 70 Vette that I bought from JC Whitney. This was before there were 50 places to buy Vette parts. They all still looked good when I sold the car 25 years and 40K miles later.
Seriously. This car ,if it’s the real.deal, needs to show all of the documents associated to prove what it is ,to sell for the maximum dollar amount . Not showing documentation casts a foul odor on this one . Sorry but ,this real deal stinks to high heaven. Jus sayin…
“the radiator recorded” HA HA! I wonder how it sounds, like a C flat? And that beast of a motor with that awful little plastic fuel filter…
That license plate is not original to the car. Im pretty sure it was issued some time after May of 1975.
435s are not a good choice if you plan on actually driving rhe car more than 2 miles to a cruise night. If they still have factory rated compression, today’s terrible gasoline ain’t gonna cut it. Yeah there are some problems like the engine pad. But still a nice looking C3 that looks gar better that the hideous C8.
A few minor nitpicks, but overall love it! Nothing that can’t be easily addressed. The car has also disappeared from ebay…
Jeez, what a tuff audience! It looks to be a beeeutiful car to me.
Yup, engine was decked but the date codes are right so, more than likely but not positively, it is born with motor. Not showing numbers matching but seller has “…pictures of all build castings and dates…”. JC Whitney seat covers? Umm, several folks make factory repo interior items. Who knows if it is the original license plate it came with but CA had blue plates in 1969.
I’m no expert but, if I didn’t have a ’66 roadster in the garage, I’d be on this car like a hobo on a hot dog.
Oh, yeah, there are scratches on the shift plate (the horror of it), not sure what the issue is with the shift boot (?), and the ebay ad is still up.
Ok, I’m done.
Thank you for your comments, it seems there are too many naysayers commenting about cars, listings, that don’t deserve the negative critique from people that have no interest in buying & less knowledge of what they are criticizing about .
Well said. Even as far as critiquing the spelling… And for folks that want to see more pics or other info, ebay has a little line you can click on labeled “Contact Owner”, sheeze!
I love the color. Big block, check. 4 speed, check. Buddies jealous, priceless!
nit pickers must be chicagoans on a hot saturday night that don’t dare go down town; like me!
Just viewed the car on eBay, very nice car. Love the Tri-Power engine bay, one of the nicest. Certainly not a 100 point car, and probably not original, so it will never bring the really big bucks. That being said, you can’t beat this car for fun factor, good looks, and all around driving pleasure.
I’m curious why you would say probably not original. Is it due to numbers ground off during deck clean up? Is it due to redone interior?
It kinda gets into a semantics thing:
survivor vs original vs born with.
The car is not a survivor but the majority of the parts are original to a ’69 Vette and quite a few look to be born with parts
It happens all too often, that machine shops scrub the numbers off the engine block….no matter how many times you tell them not to. So if the engine numbers are not there, then there is no way you can substantiate that the engine is original to that car. “Numbers matching” is important to most collectors and sadly this car may not reach it’s full resale potential value as a result. This car will sell for good money anyway, because it is a nice car. As far as the interior, I thought it looked pretty tidy, good seats, new carpet, no dash cracks, all positives. By the way, the shift boot is correct for 1969. The paint looks great, the underside shows no rust, the Tri-Power setup is gorgeous, this car looks very solid. Like I said previously, buy this car for the fun factor, drive it often, enjoy the big block rumble, because life is way too short to sweat the small details.
The higher horsepower 427’s had one 850 CFM carbs. They were over 500 hp. But only rated at 435.
Nice appearing car. Not without its flaws but few are. Only thing I would wish for is the 400 hp engine instead of the 435. The oval port motor is much more streetable and you don’t have the solid lifters to contend with.
A perfect Chicago to LA car. Leave from the far suburbs and arrive in the far LA suburbs. Bring a dinner jacket and take your time. See America the right way.
The top dogs for Corvette in 1969 were the L88’s, L89’s and the very few LT1’s they made.
I’m a convertible guy, but Lord this is a beautiful color combo with the c3:coupe body and side pipes. I wish I knew more about the c3 so I could make an honest attempt at owning a desirable one. I had a powder blue t top 78 with a 4 speed and almost no get up and go.
I get the interior isn’t perfect, but that makes it more fun. Don’t worry about ice cream or chili dogs on the seats. Somebody buy this and drive it back east so I can see it in person.