For me this featured Corvette makes a rather pleasant change to those that I’ve been writing about recently. The owner doesn’t claim this to be a low-mileage collectable that has been in climate controlled storage. This folks, is a genuine daily driver which is up for grabs here on eBay. Located in Miami, Florida is this 1969 Corvette. With a clear title, this ‘Vette has a BIN price of $32,500, with the option to make an offer.
This is a seller who has a sense of humor. They claim that about the only thing that is original on this car is the paint. However, they don’t gloss over the fact that this car has some flaws in the body, as can be seen from these shots. They do state that this car has been built from a good, rust-free frame due to the original being rusty. This has been a full body-off rebuild, which should give potential buyers some confidence.
The interior looks really nice. It’s so nice to see a third pedal there. The seller states that everything works except for the clock and that the switch for the wipers is broken and will need replacing. They also state that this car is not air conditioned. The soft top appears to be in fairly reasonable condition, and I guess there’s plenty of opportunity for wind in the hair where this one comes from.
Now we’re talking! The seller makes it very clear that this is not a matching numbers car, and that it was built up from a 350 car, but it certainly isn’t a 350 sitting there now. This 427ci monster has been built by Ross Automotive. It comes with dyno sheets and all relevant paperwork. This baby is pumping out a verified 535bhp! The seller also states that all of the bugs have been eliminated and that the car doesn’t run hot. The rest of the running gear has been updated or renewed to support this power. This is one owner who has built a no expense spared beast here.
This is a really tough car to place a value on. If it were a numbers-matching car that would be easier. It isn’t one, so it is going to really depend on the right buyer coming along who is looking for these mods on a Corvette. However, if you were to buy a 350 and update it as this seller has, you would be out of pocket for a lot more than this. That alone could make this a good buy.
If you want a 69 BBC driver roadster equipped the way this one is, as long as the frame and birdcage are good, worth a look. Can’t be original paint exactly because the hood isn’t original, majority – maybe.
It looks good, if the materials and workmanship is up-to-snuff, might be worth a serious look if this is the car you are interested in. Personally I like the year having tried to buy a 69 convertible at one time, but I don’t want a BBC under the hood. And it’s a chrome bumper C3, that I like.
This site is usually crazy about “original”. It’s a darn car people. Made on an assembly line. Love it, hate it, just a darn car. I get a bit of the family/youth connection. But… As an adult you haven’t figured out its a car? It’s the people.
That’s an area that I’m really open on Hank, and it’s why I will write some of my articles with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek. I think that some cars are at their best as original, while some benefit from modifications. My philosophy is that it comes down to personal taste. People were up in arms when John Lennon painted a Rolls Royce to look like a gypsy caravan. At the end of the day it was his car, his money, he could do as he pleases. There is no such thing as the perfect car that appeals to everyone. It all comes down to a person’s own tastes. That’s what drives my passion for all things automotive, and it’s what will keep me writing for Barn Finds. And it’s people like you that I really appreciate. You give honest feedback, and that’s what we as writers need if we’re going to keep writing articles that interest people. Thank you for that my friend.
Well said Adam and Hank! Who cares what others think about what I do with my cars. If I want to strive for bone stock, it’s up to me. If I want to switch things up to create something I’ll enjoy driving, it’s up to me. Don’t tell me what I have to do with my cars! That’s what makes this hobby so fun and interesting. I love seeing something different someone has cooked up! And if I don’t like a car or what someone has done with it, I keep it to myself. It’s none of my business!
Ad says “It runs 160-190 all day long in Miami heat”. With that engine and no air conditioning I’ll assume that is the interior temperature.
And one other thing if I may, air-conditioned is wonderful. But put on your big person pants, how do you sweat? Windows down, Texas, really? Never really said damn, I need cold air to live. Stay home. Keep yourself “original”.
If it makes you feel better Hank, then I can tell you that my car has “260” air conditioning. That’s 2 windows down at 60mph.
“It’s so nice to see a third pedal there.”
Not if you have big feet, im 6.1 with 14w’s and cant drive a manual vett.
One thing that bothers me is the lack of info on the rear diff – a well known weak spot on these known to grenade with a lot less horsepower….
No A/C?!
Deal breaker.
Even if you live in some triple digit
area…a little air with the top down makes it tolerable. You ain’t likely to squeeze a unit in there…with that 454 megalodon
already gobbling every available square inch. That being said…nice looking sled.
427 megalodon
Big thumbs.😱
I agree with some of the comments that AC is a luxury and “not needed” BUT I have to agree with DETROIT LAND YACHT. I have owned 2- 1972 Stingrays, a small block 350 AT and a big block 454 4 speed and I thank the good Lord the BB 454 had AC…..nothing like metal and fiberglass to conduct heat……and if you have owned a big block vette you know you are basically sitting on the rear axle, the trans is along side your leg along with the exhaust…with basically the entire front of the car being engine……its basically seat belts strapped to an engine! Even though my 72 was low in HP due to the year and regs, the rock crusher and 455 ft lbs of torque were still a ton of fun. I can’t imagine what that kind of HP is like in that car and the heat it ultimately throws off.
You nailed it . My 1979 L-82 , non-air car was uncomfortable on any day over 80F ambient in city driving. It was no prize on the highway either. At 75 mph with the tops off and the windows down I was in danger of my second and third chins slapping the crap out of me!
BBC/4speed/69 Ragtop Vette. Hell ya…
No AC and huge 427? My ad would say “only driven in winter.”
That’s a hardcore car…big block with no a/c. I’d drive the poo out of this and relish the sweat pouring off me. So nice to see the period gold color and also love that it’s a big block without the (to me) ridiculous side pipes
Due to it not being numbers matching car, I would take the opportunity to make this one better than stock, with the addition of aftermarket AC and some suspension tweaks, some gnarly Hooker sidepipes (flat black or chrome?…hmmm…) maybe swap those modern looking valve covers for the vintage set of never mounted “M/T”s I have in my garage. This, along with a big set of wide slot mags all around (15×8 front, 15×10 rear with corresponding wide rubber) would check all the boxes for me…
IMO unless you’re a racer there’s not much practical use for the big blocks other than impressing other gear heads at a car show or a shine and show. All 3 Corvettes I’ve owned including the present one had small blocks and they had enough zoom to make things happen really fast..
Gone with the wind.