454/4-Speed: 1970 Chevrolet Corvette

While some owners strive for spotless originality, there are times when a tidy driver can be the best classic car that we can park in our garage. They offer their owner the same motoring experience but in a package that is less likely to cause stress if problems occur. That is where cars like this 1970 Chevrolet Corvette come into their own. It presents extremely well, but its original engine has been consigned to the pages of history. It isn’t perfect, but it is in above-average condition for a driver-quality car. It is the sort of vehicle where the owner can slip behind the wheel and savor the classic motoring experience. Located in Frederick, Maryland, you will find the Corvette listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set a sale price of $28,950 OBO. When you consider what is on offer, the price looks very competitive. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Anthony M for referring this tidy ‘Vette to us.

Before we delve too deeply into this Monza Red Corvette, it is worth noting that the owner states that there are a few things it needs to be a really nice car. He doesn’t elaborate on these, and there are no glaring faults in the supplied photos. Its paint holds a beautiful depth of color and shine, with no significant flaws or defects. The same is true of the fiberglass, with no apparent cracks or issues around the bonding strips. He doesn’t mention any rust issues with the frame or birdcage, but I still believe an in-person inspection is probably justified. The exterior trim is very acceptable for a survivor-grade car, while the tinted glass is equally impressive. The Rally wheels may have a small amount of staining, but they still present nicely on a vehicle of this type. I stand by my belief that these chrome bumper C3 Corvettes are some of the most attractive that Chevrolet ever produced. The changes they were forced to make to comply with new safety regulations removed some of the purity of the design and made the cars look significantly heavier and less elegant. In this form, these cars look lithe but aggressive.

Okay, let’s get the bad news out of the way. This Corvette is not a numbers-matching classic. That is a shame because the original owner ordered this beauty with the LS5 version of the 454ci big-block V8. That would have delivered 390hp, and coupled with a four-speed manual transmission, would have seen this ‘Vette storm the ¼ mile in 13.7 seconds. Its place has been taken by another 454 big-block that has been professionally built. It features a mild cam, an Edelbrock intake, and Hedman headers. If the decal on the air cleaner is to be believed, this replacement motor should be producing 450hp. If that’s the case, it will slash that ¼ mile ET to somewhere around 13.2 seconds. The owner has recently treated the four-speed manual transmission to a rebuild, installed a new clutch, and fitted new brakes. That all would have added up to a pretty hefty bill, and he includes receipts for all work in the sale. He says that the car runs and drives extremely well and that big-block feels strong. These are claims that I have no trouble believing.

If this Corvette has some faults that concern the owner, maybe they are confined to its interior. There is nothing radically wrong inside this car, with the black seat upholstery in good condition, matched by tidy door trims and clean carpet. The plastic trim pieces are excellent, especially those on the console. However, it looks like there may be some damage around the fiber-optic area that might warrant attention. Aftermarket gauges have replaced the original gauge cluster above the radio, and they do look like a bit of an afterthought. I would probably revert to the original gauges for better presentation if I were to buy this car. The same is true of the column-mounted tachometer, which looks like another afterthought. The original shifter has made way for a Hurst unit, and the lack of a boot at the bottom of the shifter gives this area an unfinished appearance. A modern stereo occupies the spot for the factory radio, but this has been fitted quite nicely. If the interior is considered purely to drive-quality standards, its presentation is acceptable. As mentioned, I would be inclined to retrofit original gauges to give the entire interior a more integrated look. That is a matter of taste, and your opinion could differ from mine. If so, I respect that.

If this 1970 Corvette were an original and numbers-matching classic, its overall condition would see it command a value of $50,000 any day of the week. However, it isn’t original, and that will impact its value. This is a case where a car is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay, but even though the original motor is gone, what has taken its place still offers scintillating performance. When you look at its overall condition, I believe that the price is pretty competitive. Do you agree with me? If you do, are you tempted to take this one further?