This 1970 Chevrolet Corvette is described as a barn find, but it certainly looks better than something that’s been sitting unused for years at a time. The car has been extensively modified with widebody flares, front chin spoiler, custom L88 hood, and more, and the seller claims the bodywork was done to a high level back in the day. Today, the Corvette is a non-running project and in need of mechanical restoration, as the seller didn’t finish what he started when he attempted to get it running. Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $12,500 and located in Pennsylvania.
To my eyes, as you find an appropriately-sized set of wheels, fender flares always look good. The seller notes that this Corvette received the extensive cosmetic modifications not because it was wrecked like so many others, but because a prior owner simply wanted to drive a ‘Vette with custom bodywork. In his opinion, it was done correctly, with the body lines all looking as they should. Of course, the quality of such extensive body tweaks should really be verified in person, as it’s hard to tell from afar if any corners were cut. I like that the enhancements retained the factory chrome bumpers, as it makes the modifications seem less obvious (to me).
The interior is in decent shape, with clean carpets and bucket seats that are tired but not torn. The seller notes that he started to restore the interior, updating the carpeting and the steering wheel, but then pulled apart the gauges and the radio but never finished. A few months ago, I helped to sell a 1972 Corvette, and I heard from the widow of the original owner that getting those center gauges to work was a fairly time-consuming project; can anyone confirm? Aside from the unfinished work, there are relatively few issues to complain about inside, other than that I wonder if the stock steering wheel is a better look.
Mechanically, the Corvette features a non-matching 350 with several high-performance upgrades. These include an Edelbrock tunnel ram feeding two Holley carburetors along with Hooker headers and side pipes. I suspect other tweaks will be found by the next owner, but that’s just a guess. The seller notes the carbs still need rebuilding, and that the Corvette will require a complete timing set; rebuilt throttle linkage; all-new fuel lines; an MSD ignition box; and a few other items in order to run and drive. The brakes and suspension have been refreshed, so some heavy lifting is done. Is this custom ‘Vette worth the asking price or does a best offer option need to be added?
Yeah baby, bubble taillights!!!
Not for the faint of heart if you want an NCRS quality car. Automatic in a Corvette? Stupid.
Nice thing about an automatic, never miss a shift!!
Take it from me – it’s a lot easier getting an old Vette (71 in my case) if the wife can drive it.
The Vette is nice for the price. Only change I would make is going to Cragar SS rims.
You can also add a manual valve body to the trans. Why waste money making it NCRS worthy?
Lots of show…wonder how well it goes, after getting it to run. Way too much induction, but I can’t help but grin ear to ear, and the automatic will work for any legal, or illegal acceleration contests.
But I can’t help think it’s mostly about show. Have fun!
Go to the local track, you rarely see tunnel rams on your typical bracket car. They arem mainly pumped by magazines and street weenies.
Steve R
Exactly, Steve,
like I said,,, all about the big show. I’m not knocking the car for what it is, just for what it’s not.
Way, way back the biggest standard carb that you could buy was 850 cfm. The heavy hitters ran twin 660 cfm carbs. Now you can buy a single carb that flows more than that. Nice set up for a gasser.
Jack, this tunnel ran is too new for a gasser. Gassers that don’t use vintage speed equipment come off as poseurs.
Steve R
Looks like a typical, too much carb, too much cam, too much gear type of vehicle.
Put a nice 4 barrel carb and a HEI distributor and drive it.
Hard to run indeed without a dizzy cap or ign. wires!
I’ll bet that this looked great parked in front of the local disco back in the day. You might have to sell some of your gold neck chains to Treasure Hunt to pay to get this beast going again.
Price is right,and from what you can see in the pics, the underside looks good, but an inspection is needed. if you know what you are dealing with going in, you can take it to whatever level you want., Get a tranny guy to trick out that slush pump and have some fun. Good luck to the new owner. could it be these are coming down a tad in price??
Cheers
GPC
Great comments.
Ran when parked, right.
I tried to get it running but just couldn’t finish it….right.
I think these comments loosely translated are that this car probably has a lot more NOT right with the drivetrain than anyone is really being honest about. Just my gut feeling on this.
Sold for 12,500. Probably money not totally wasted. Good Luck.
Don’t underestimate the stupidity of the average home mechanic. I once bought a car with a brand new engine. The owner and his uncle, a “master mechanic” could never get it fired. It sat in his driveway for a couple of years until he decided to cut his losses. When I got it home I checked the usual, spark and timing I couldn’t get any fuel out of the carb so I added a couple of gallons of gas. It fired right up.
You are right to be suspicious, but more than a few people never start trouble shooting with the basics.
Steve R
He may have had better luck getting it running if he had installed a distributor and plug wires.
The price was right go back to the stock carb and hood have fun….
Ended Saturday 1/18/2020 @ 5:12 P.M. someone got a bargain for $12,500.00 . Get it running, put some Cragar SS’s on it and enjoy profiling around town. Bet ya its quick enough to make ya squirm.
Good commentary Moosie–I was thinking the same thing- cue the disco music..
Cheers
GPC
Crank up the Motley Crew and let that mullet blow in the wind!! Yikes, if there ever was a snapshot into one of the most undesirable automotive customizing trends this car certainly is it!!
Automatic…..pass at any price.