I don’t know of an enthusiast who doesn’t dream of the day they wander into a barn or shed to discover automotive gold. That has been the case with this 1970 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. Below that layer of dust lurked a vehicle that would make grown men weep. Careful investigation revealed this is a solid one-owner classic with a desirable drivetrain combination. If that isn’t enough to entice you, the discovery that it has a genuine and documented 13,326 miles on the clock will undoubtedly grab your attention. It needs a new home, so the seller listed this amazing find exclusively here as a 10-day Barn Finds Auction!
When the seller dragged this Corvette from hiding, the heavy layer of dust suggested it had been hibernating for many years. If the time frame were decades, I wouldn’t be surprised. As you will see, the transformation this classic undergoes with a dose of TLC is astounding.
Washing away the accumulated dust revealed stunning Marlboro Maroon paint. It was 1-of-11 shades offered by Chevrolet in that model year and is probably the classiest. The paint isn’t perfect, but that is part of its attraction. Most of it shines impressively, although the visible faults and flaws tell the world this is a genuine survivor with a story worth telling. The White convertible top looks far better than you might expect after years of dust exposure, with no rips or fit issues. The supplied photos reveal a coating of surface corrosion on the frame, but it hasn’t penetrated the steel or compromised the car’s structural integrity. It would take little effort to treat the problem to ensure it doesn’t deteriorate. The chrome and glass are excellent for a survivor-grade vehicle, while there are no problems with the factory Rally wheels. The hood and badges indicate this Corvette might be more than a pretty face.
So far, the story with this Corvette has been good, but I promise it gets better. Much, much better. The car remains completely numbers-matching, which is always a prime consideration with a classic of this caliber. However, it is the drivetrain configuration that should make people sit up and take notice. The original owner ticked the box next to “LS5” on the Order Form, blessing the car with the mighty 454ci V8. That big-block churned out 390hp, which found its way to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. That gave the Corvette serious performance credentials, allowing it to blitz the ¼ mile in 13.7 seconds. The seller revived this beauty after its hibernation, returning it to a running and driving state. If you don’t already feel overwhelmed by positive news, I’m happy to supply more. This Corvette might be fifty-two years old, but it has a genuine and documented 13,326 miles on its odometer. The seller also holds the original Protect-O-Plate, Owner’s Manual, and a significant pile of documentation. The fact the Tank Sticker remains where the factory put it is the icing on this rather tasty cake.
I happily admit I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the interior shots of this Corvette. I expected dust, dirt, wear, and problems. However, that White convertible top performed admirably, protecting the upholstery and plastic. There is no significant wear or physical faults and no signs of rodent infestation. The seats feature Tan vinyl covers, with the remaining upholstered surfaces and plastic in a matching shade. I can’t spot evidence of abuse or damage, and there are no aftermarket additions. The dash and console look excellent, with the area near the shifter worthy of special mention. This spot can show marks and scratches, but this classic has no such problems. There is a factory AM/FM radio for those who tire of the tune emanating from under the hood.
The transformation of this once-dusty 1970 Corvette to the vision you see in the supplied photos is miraculous. It also demonstrates that desirable classics are sitting in sheds awaiting discovery and revival. Some people may be tempted to apply a fresh coat of paint to this Corvette to recapture its lost youth, but I wouldn’t touch a thing. Its imperfections are an integral part of its story, and I believe it deserves preservation. The Barn Finds logo contains the words “To protect and preserve.” and “Only original once.” That is the case with this classic, and it’s why I wouldn’t change a thing. If you have any questions for the seller, please leave them in the comments below!
- Location: York, South Carolina
- Engine: 390 horsepower 454 V8
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
- VIN: 194670S406159
- Mileage: 13,326
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
- AUTOMANRUSS bid $26,000.00 2022-10-14 13:27:28
- heather bid $25,000.00 2022-10-14 11:49:16
- AUTOMANRUSS bid $23,500.00 2022-10-14 11:47:34
- heather bid $21,900.00 2022-10-14 11:47:12
- AUTOMANRUSS bid $20,000.00 2022-10-14 11:29:41
- Slappy12 bid $13,000.00 2022-10-14 10:47:18
- Jim bid $12,000.00 2022-10-14 09:44:36
- Slappy12 bid $11,600.00 2022-10-14 09:42:44
- freeman bid $11,500.00 2022-10-13 19:40:05
- chieftbird bid $11,000.00 2022-10-13 17:30:04
- peter t bid $10,000.00 2022-10-13 13:31:15
- Projects bid $3,500.00 2022-10-13 12:33:42
- eBuyMotors bid $1,969.00 2022-10-13 12:22:04
- allamericansalesrubio bid $500.00 2022-10-13 11:09:40
Wow…..
And that’s how it is done!
Has anyone inspected the birdcage?
It’s a convertible.
Convertibles don’t have a birdcage?
Yes, trust me when I say that convertibles have birdcages. The only thing missing is the T-Top frame, everything else is pretty much the same, which means they rot just as easily.
One of the best BF lately and it’s worth bidding .
Yea EXO and I’d want to look at every inch of the frame. I ASSume that since there’s another Vette in the pic, someone there should know about the frame problem on these. Maybe thats why there’s no pics? This is a real cool vette; will be interesting to see how much it brings. As ShelbyGT says, one of the best of BF lately, Quality! Good luck.
Cheers
GPC
@ gaspumpchas, there are over 60 pictures & many (10) of the underside that show a frame that has surface rust, no perforations . What is puzzling is that in a few of the other pictures it shows a hardtop, painted Black , if you look closely at the picture of the lid that the top sits on you can see evidence of the hardtops weatherstrip sitting on the car and yet that soft top is very dusty ? Its a central New York car for sale in South Carolina. It’s a nice Corvette that I hope checks out and makes someone very happy ,,,,,,,,,,,, I know I would be.
Is the rust red in the engine compartment supposed to match the outside color?
Curious as to WHY this was parked, and why for so long ??? This part just doesn’t make an sense !
Gosh darn!
I can imagine the thrill of finding something like this then washing it and finding a gem under all that dust. I’m not envious, I’m smitten.
I don’t know about this one – not at the current 26K, which has been bid up there by 2 bidders, on of them jumping that bid by 7K – who does that for real?
Not a word on how much work has been done to get it running, important for a barn find. Wiping the dirt off, buffing the paid, and redoing the interior is something, but there’s still a lot of work here.
Also, it would be good to know if the black hardtop in some of the pics is included – probably not.
Please elaborate on what has been done to get it to a “running and driving state”.
Also,is the hard top included?
Thank you.
We just got word from the seller that someone made them an offer on the car that they couldn’t refuse. Sorry about that everyone.