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52,325 Miles: 1970 Corvette LS5 454 Convertible

Almost like a dream come true, this 1970 Corvette is a remarkable condition survivor with a big heart.  Having covered only 52,325 miles in its lifetime, this Corvette has a lot of paper work that backs up its history making this survivor even more intriguing. Ready to enjoy, this big block ‘Vette is offered for $44,900.00. Check it out here on eBay out of Rochester, Minnesota.

With 390 horsepower ready at the blip of the throttle, this fine fiberglass sports car has got to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up once it hooks up. While I suggest how rowdy this machine could be, it appears that this corvette is nearly clean enough to eat off of the engine. Meticulous care has obviously been taken with this car as there are no signs of rust or corrosion. Everything is in its place, and the only real draw back to the engine compartment is the chipping paint off of the fan shroud. There are some very minor concerns like paint chips along the inner lip of the hoods edge, but otherwise there is little to report.

The seller has described the seats as wearing extremely nice original leather, to which I agree that the seats are in very reasonable shape.  I imagine the seats could likely be maintained in their current condition for quite a while. Beyond the seats, the interior appears fabulous lacking any of the typical concerns you could encounter with an old Corvette.

Described as a “10 footer” this Corvette is original and looks great. Besides, 10 feet is close enough right? There is no apparent cracking, and paint looks very nice with no photo visible concerns. The under body looks nice as well with only very minor surface rust to be found on the chassis. Impeccably clean inside and out, this low mileage LS5 454 Sting Ray is a true treasure at the end of a rainbow. Is this your dream come true?

Comments

  1. Avatar Bob S

    I would love that LS5 engine, or an LS6, in a C2 Vette. I like this body style, but the 63-67 design coupes were my favourite. It looks like it is an automatic, which would be a bit of a bummer, but it would still be a fun drive. They don’t state if it is numbers matching or not, which could be important in terms of the value.
    I don’t know about the pricing, but at the right price it would be a great summer driver.

    Bob

    Like 7
    • Avatar Beatnik Bedouin

      Bob, the ad does state that the car is numbers matching. I’m not sure what ‘mostly original’ paint is, though. Has it been touched up or has there been an accident repair?

      For the money, I’d like to see documentation on mileage claim and the A/C working on this Stingray (’63-67s were Sting Rays).

      Like 4
  2. Avatar Jimmy

    One of the nicest Corvettes barn finds has featured IMHO.

    Like 10
    • Avatar leiniedude Member

      I agree Jimmy, I own a base 72 and it is a gas to drive. This rig would be killer to drive. Not big on the color, but it is a cabrolet. Sweeeeet rig!

      Like 3
  3. Avatar Mark S.

    I think that paint color is called Moving Violation Yellow.😄
    Really sharp looking car!

    Like 12
  4. Avatar Poptheclutch

    For 44k+ and the compresser doesn’t even have a belt on it tells me it’s more than likely froze up! And I can see why they never bothered to fix it as it sits almost under the fender that would be a pricey fix if you couldn’t do it yourself.they still managed to keep it clean and shiny hmmm.
    For that kind of cash this Corvette should be flawless!

    Like 6
  5. Avatar Rock On

    Whenever you see a high horsepower Corvette fitted with whitewall tires, it’s a pretty good sign that the owner didn’t beat on it too hard. The handling and acceleration are going to be way off from what a good performance tire could do.

    Like 5
  6. Avatar Jeff

    Looking at the very fresh extremely well applied engine paint it is very surprising that they did not repair the air conditioning compressor while the engine was out of the Corvette.

    Ho Hum….

    Like 5
  7. Avatar Krindall

    Whitewalls on a Corvette! For some reason this looks right

    Like 4
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      That’s the way most of these came from the factory. My ’70 said so on the build sheet. I thought of putting a set back on but never did.

      If you’re looking for an original 454 with build sheet (nicest condition sheet I’ve ever seen since most of them were sitting on top of the gas tank) and protecto plate, this is one of a few that you’ll find. Not too many left.

      IIRC, there were more auto 454’s with A/C than stick. If you had the money for one, might as well get it loaded.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Howard A Member

    A/C needs restored [sic] Apparently, their idea of what’s at the end of a rainbow differs greatly from what I would hope to find.

    Like 4
  9. Avatar Redwagon

    The title from back in the day says it’s a 4 cylinder with 57 horsepower. Ha! I’ll bet that made for some cheap insurance. Or was one heck of a clerical error.

    Like 3
  10. Avatar Mike W H Member

    As a proud owner of a ’77 I can address the air conditioning thing. The thing about Corvettes, the air conditioner isn’t really that effective. There’s just not enough insulation or room for any, plus the driver compartment sits like four inches off the asphalt, so the heat from the engine and pipes off the road filters through. If you ever get a rip in the shift boot, it’s like a heater vent gets open.

    Point is, when you have a ‘Vette the air conditioning compressor becomes less important to you, because you hate that thing. I’m sure the seller is thinking the next guy can pay the money if he needs to. Kudos for leaving it though. But with a belt, that sucker would shriek like a mother if it’s bad. It’s a huge horsepower suck, which may be why it’s disconnected.

    The price strikes me as low, but I just binge watched the Barrett Jackson auctions.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Steve-O

      My oldest brother had a 75 Stingray back in the 80’s. In the winter, it was like having feet warmers. Unfortunately, it used to cook your feet on long drives in the summer. These cars could definitely benefit from some of the modern insulating/ sound deadening materials placed under the carpets!

      Like 0
  11. Avatar Jack M.

    My Dad bought a 1977 Corvette new back in ‘77. Black inside and out. That car was the definition of ice cold air. No memories at all of any cooling issues and I drove that car plenty. People would always stop us and ask us if the paint was custom because it was so shiny. We used to wash and wax that car together almost every week! We got it down to about 90 minutes and that was with paste wax.

    Like 7
    • Avatar Bob N

      I had a ’69 coupe with a/c that worked, but with the heat that poured into the car, it was useless.
      Otherwise, I drove it everyday of the year for 9 years, and I live in the Chicago area with lots of snow.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Chief

      Chevrolet added additional insulation in 1976 to the Corvette to alleviate the noise and heat. A major improvement to prior year C3s. My first Corvette was a new 76.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Bob N

        I sure wish they had added insulation in my ’69.

        Prior to the ’69 I had a ’66 convertible with a 427, 4 speed. WOW! talk about a beast on wheels. Didn’t turn very good, but crazy straight line acceleration.

        Like 1
  12. Avatar David

    What option box got checked for the side pipes? Were the side pipes a factory option?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Frank Sumatra

      No side pipes on this car and side pipes were discontinued after the 1969 model year.

      Like 5
  13. Avatar wuzjeepnowsaab

    Man what a beautiful beast. I agree with the a/c comment…it’s ridiculously underwhelming in a ‘vette. Trying to get it to cool the cabin in one of these is like trying to smell a fart in a windstorm…not going to happen.

    At least you can drop the top and get a little relief but this generation or raw power cars is a couple removed from the creature comfort Corvettes we’re used to seeing these days.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Tom Member

      Sorry, I have to disagree a little bit with you and Mike WH, I have owned 4 stingrays and the 72 454 M22 version I had with AC was worth it…..maybe it did not blow out ice cubes BUT it made the difference.

      I don’t think I would buy another if it did not have AC. I would have to think about it.

      If it is numbers matching I think the money is fair on it. If the AC and the undercarriage were better it would be worth more.

      I had a 67 Firebird 400 Convertible with AC, very rare, and the AC never worked. Never had a belt on it, owned it for 30 years. Recession bought it with 50K original miles on it. Did not need it and it can always be restored. The FACT that the car was BORN with it and the parts are still there is what is more important to me.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Tom Member

        I owned a rare 67 Firebird 400 Convertible with Factory AC, owned it for 30 years and never put a belt on it, did not need it or the drag on the engine. The fact that the vehicle was born with it and all the parts are there is what is most important to me anyway.

        I still stand by my point on the 454 and the AC helping. The engine fills every bit of the engine compartment, wrapped in steel and fiberglass that do nothing but conduct heat. The trans is against your leg and you are sitting on the rear end. Kind of like an engine with seat belts ! That deep foot well gets hot sitting at a stop light. Moving down the road, AC is not needed.

        Price on this car is fair. Undercarriage could use some detailing. Do that detailing and fix the AC and a little sympathetic detailing under the hood and it will go a long way in bumping up the price and not having much to argue about thus reducing the price.

        Not a fan of the automatic trans or the white walls for that matter. I prefer the coupe over a convertible especially in these years with the T tops and removable rear window…..almost a convertible and sexier lines in my opinion are the coupes. I am sure that the person who owns this one and the person who buys it will disagree with me…..that is why they make Chocolate and Vanilla!

        Like 3
  14. Avatar Frank Sumatra

    The tires are “white stripe” not “white walls”

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Steve

    Love the picture in which it looks like the rainbow ends at this pot of gold.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Ronny

    Is my old eyes seeing things or is the window seals dry rotten? I’m guessing the things that’s been noticed that wasn’t repaired or replaced they didn’t feel was worth spending the money on, after all what is the market for a 1970 yellow vette (with an auto tranny)? For that kind of coin I’d be looking to go back in age a few more years even if it meant spending a little more money it would still be a better investment.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar Bob N

    Did anyone else notice how much flare the fenders have? Appears to be greater than the factory fender flare.

    Like 0

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