The 1970 model year probably marked the moment when the C3 Corvette was at the height of its power. Performance figures remained impressive, with pending emission regulation changes a mere blip on the radar. The badge remained true to its roots as a genuine hard-edged sports car. This 1970 Corvette Convertible presents well as a driver-grade classic, sporting a reconditioned big-block under the hood. It features custom touches that won’t appeal to all but are reversible for those wishing to recapture its factory form. The seller has listed the Corvette here on Craigslist in Dewey, Arizona. It could be yours for $33,000 OBO, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting it.
The C3 Corvette, initially released for the 1968 model year, underwent evolutionary and subtle styling changes in 1970. The most noteworthy were small fender flares to protect the panels and paint from debris thrown up by the wheels. This car is a slight mystery because the Black paint cloaking its panels wasn’t an option in 1970. It seems it underwent a color change, and potential buyers must examine the Trim Tag to determine its original paint and trim combination. The presentation is acceptable for a driver-grade vehicle, with no significant defects in the paint or fiberglass. The matching soft-top is in good order, and the seller includes the factory hardtop. The Corvette is located in a dry environment, meaning rust in the frame and birdcage should not be a problem. The chrome is consistent with the car’s driver-grade status, and there are no glass issues.
Powering this Corvette is the iconic 454ci V8. It would have sent 390hp to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission when the car was shiny and new. This allowed the Corvette to scorch through the ¼-mile in 13.7 seconds, but this classic might be able to improve on that mark. Its big-block was recently rebuilt, and seems to sport upgrades to the intake and carburetor. Improved breathing should unlock a few additional ponies, which few enthusiasts would criticize. The seller added extra cosmetic bling in the form of chrome valve covers, with a matching air cleaner and alternator. The ignition shield is missing, but reproduction assemblies are easily found online. The seller doesn’t explain how this beast runs or drives, but that may not be bad news. They actively encourage inspections, which might allow genuinely interested individuals to sample all it offers.
The paint isn’t the only aspect of the Corvette that has changed because its interior features custom touches. The seats wear Black cloth and vinyl covers, the factory radio has made way for a radio/cassette player, and the driver swaps ratios using a Hurst shifter. A cover prevents us from seeing the pad, but the interior condition is pretty respectable. There are no signs of significant seat wear, and what can be seen of the remaining trim and upholstered surfaces looks okay. There are typical scratches on the console near the shifter, but there is no evidence of cracked or broken plastic. It isn’t loaded with options like power windows, suggesting the original owner focused on outright performance when ordering this beauty.
This 1970 Corvette Convertible probably won’t appeal to purists, but it is worth recognizing that the changes performed are reversible. Preserving and enjoying it would seem the most obvious option, although a cosmetic refurbishment or a total restoration are valid options. Much would depend on how much the new owner wishes to invest beyond the initial purchase price. What would you do?
All hail the Rat 454! Yes I am not a dyed in the wool bowtie guy but make no mistake we are looking at a true super car that matches anything the original muscle car Era could conjure up & with a few tweaks lay waste to anything the new kids now days on the (small )block crowd can muster bar none! All for a paltry 33 grand which is a true bargin versus any car on the planet! You wonder what I do drinking late at night ? Thinking how to squeeze a beauty like this in my life & go match racing !
What he said
Nope – 1969 is “the height of its power” for the C3 , not 1970. Tri-power L71 427? Gone. L88? Gone. ZL-1? No longer available. So there were no more solid lifter big-blocks. The LT-1 350 was the saving grace of that model year. Do your homework.
Ouch!
Loved my 69 big block stingray!
Lighten up Des
When a solid lifter 350 takes down a 454 please do send me the information from 1970!
No problem, here ya go. The solid lifter, Holley carbureted LT-1 was a match (often more than a match) for the slushy LS5 with low-po hydraulic cam and Quadra-Jet carb. Especially if the road got twisty. This Barn Finds article above quotes a 13.7 quarter mile time for a 1970 454 LS5. I would like to see the source as I own every magazine that road tested a Corvette from 1969-1972 and that elapsed time isn’t in any of them. I deal in facts, the internet often does not and though these links below are from the net, they are republished from magazines back in the day, namely MT and R&T.
https://www.motortrend.com/vehicle-genres/1970-chevrolet-convertible-lt1-1970-porsche-911e-comparison/
https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/reviews/a9795/1970-chevrolet-454-corvette/
That ZL1 is no longer available because it was a very expensive option. If one comes up for sale you might get lucky and get it for $5 million.
Des needs more sleep.
Well now Des in 1971 the LS 6 454 425 was available in the the Corvette with a compression drop yes the LS 5vwas was the only 454 in 1970 in the Covette 390 hp hydraulic lifters the 71 LS 6 engines as as the 350 LT-1 engines continued with solid lifters until 1972 I Owned bot
The LS6 and LS7 454 were solid lifter big block
engines in 1970 you need to do your homework
Cloth seats are a must have in a non-AC car in ARizona. Several years ago, I bought a 67 Camaro RS that was sold new in AZ. It had cloth inserts in the vinyl seats that appeared to be from the factory. Built in Van Nuys, so maybe the AZ cars got non vinyl interiors?
Original engine & trans??
Was the igntion shield installed if a vette had the radio delete “option”?
That’s actually a very good question.
No
Little steep for a non-matching-numbers driver, but that 454 and the hardtop make this one enticing. The cloth seats may not be original but for a black non-factory-air car in AZ they’re almost a must-have.
What would I do? Use a monkey wrench to get the smile off my face after I brought it home.
What About The LS6 in 1971 ?? Big Power for sure
No ignition shielding if radio not ordered. When will people begin using the correct terms as it applies to radios in cars? A radio was an RPO and wasn’t cheap even more than 50 years ago. It could not be deleted as is so commonly used in this hobby. What could be deleted was a heater, for that GM gave you a credit, This is a nice hot rod you can actually drive and enjoy. I had an LS5 1971 coupe in 1976. It was 365 hp. The stock 1970 454 was 390 hp.
Priced appropriately for a 1970 non-numbers matching 454 in a non factory color convertible with the hardtop.
Buy it and enjoy it!
Enjoy the HE** out of it!
I guess the wipers aren’t needed or he pushes the wiper lid up by hand to allow the wipers to come up. No wiper door actuator. Very complicated setup to get to work right.