There are times when finding an affordable project car can seem like a fruitless search. That can be especially true if the vehicle in question is a chrome-bumper C3 Corvette. With their ongoing popularity, even the roughest examples can sell for extraordinary prices. That’s where this 1970 model throws its hat into the ring. The owner parked it in his garage in 2003, but he feels that the time is right for it to head to a new home. Barn Finder rex m spotted the ‘Vette for us, so thank you so much for that, rex. It is located in Royal Oak, Michigan, and has been listed for sale here on craigslist. The owner has set the sale price at $9,000.

At first glance, the $9,000 asking price might not seem affordable, but it stacks up reasonably well when we delve below the surface with this classic. Its panels wear their original Corvette Bronze paint, although it now looks pretty tired. A repaint will almost certainly be on the cards, but when you sift through the photos, it appears that the fresh paint will be covering fiberglass that is in surprisingly good condition. I can’t spot any significant problems or issues, although I’ll qualify that by saying that some things become more visible to the naked eye than they are in photos. Apart from some trim pieces below the front bumper, the chrome looks acceptable for a driver-quality car. Nothing appears to be missing, and the glass also presents well. The car has spent much of its life parked in a garage, and that could prove a bonus when we reach the inevitable question of rust. The owner describes the Corvette’s overall condition as decent, so hopefully, there are no problems with the frame or birdcage.

Opening the doors reveals an interior that would be considered serviceable but would benefit from some attention to take it to the next level. It was originally upholstered in Saddle vinyl, but it appears that someone has fitted aftermarket seat upholstery with cloth inserts. They probably looked okay when new, but time hasn’t been kind to them. They would likely respond positively to a deep clean, but the stretching suggests that the buyer would be better served investing in new covers. The next owner should add a pair of door trims to that list and possibly, a carpet set. Beyond that, the dash and pad look good, as does the console and remaining plastic. With those items that I suggested replaced, the interior would sparkle pretty nicely. There have been no aftermarket additions, but the original owner apparently ordered this Corvette with the AM/FM radio and air conditioning. The compressor is missing from under the hood, but the rest of the system appears to be intact.

When it came to the question of drivetrain configuration, the original owner chose to stick with the tried-and-true ZQ3 version of the 350ci V8 that produced 300hp. To this, he added a 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. That should have made the Corvette a comfortable cruiser, although if the driver poked it with a stick, it could still cover the ¼-mile in 15 seconds. The owner stresses that potential buyers should not consider the Corvette as roadworthy. He parked the car in his garage in 2003, and it hasn’t seen the road since. He coaxed the numbers-matching V8 back to life, but the entire vehicle will require a detailed inspection to ensure that it is mechanically sound. There’s a chance that some of the rubber items like belts and hoses will now be perished, while the brakes may also have a question mark hanging over them. With parts readily available and affordable, returning this ‘Vette to a roadworthy state might not be complicated or expensive.

This 1970 Corvette might not be perfect, but it offers potential buyers several options to consider. While the paint isn’t great, it is far from horrible. A buyer might turn their attention solely towards returning the car to a roadworthy state and hit the road behind the wheel of a survivor-grade car. They could take it further by whipping the interior trim into shape because that shouldn’t prove difficult or expensive. The final alternative would be to go the whole hog and treat the car to a repaint. That should have it looking pretty stunning, and the buyer could slip behind the wheel with their head held high. Which path would you choose?