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Covered In Poor Decisions: 1970 Corvette

1970 Corvette

I have to say, this seller hits the nail right on the head with their Corvette! It appears that over the years, its owners have made one poor decision after the other on what to do with it. I love their description of the paint situation, “Right now it looks like a child covered up a shag-a-delic paint job with some Krylon white and a general idea of where to aim the spray can. Needless to say the whole car needs to be stripped down as there are layers of poor decisions heaped upon this machine”. You can read the rest of the description here on eBay in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina with bidding just over $2k and no reserve!

1970 Corvette Project

I also have to agree with the seller that this car should be returned to its original Donnybrook Green Poly color. It isn’t my all time favorite color for the Corvette, but it is a great color and this car would look nice in it! Supposedly, the frame and floors are solid, but there is some rust in various locations that needs addressed. I also see what appears to be cracks or damage to the body, so you will want to have a closer look at it to make sure everything is good.

1970 Corvette Engine

The seller claims when he bought it, it was listed as a ’71, but after doing some research he discovered that it’s actually a ’70. It was also discovered that the 350 V8 is the 350 horsepower version, which is a nice bonus! Sadly though, the engine is pulled apart and is missing the carb and intake manifold. Replacements can be found, but it is always a bit of a bummer when pieces go missing. I’m actually amazed more pieces haven’t gone missing or been “upgraded” by now. The 4 speed is another fun little bonus that should make up for upgraded interior features!

1970 Corvette Interior

Speaking of the interior, look at that shag carpet! It looks like someone cut the carpet out of their parent’s basement and slapped in their Corvette. There are just too many different shades of brown going on here for my tastes. I’d find a set of original style seat covers and a factory carpet set. I can live with the aftermarket steering wheel, as long as it is in good condition. So what do you think of this Corvette? Can all those years of bad decisions be erased?

Comments

  1. Avatar Frankie Paige

    Corvette owners everywhere are crying

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Joe Gotts

    The motor is not correct, for sure the pistons are not 11-1.

    JoeyG…

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Jim

    It will be interesting to see what this one goes for. I can’t comment on this one. I bought my first vette in 1973, it was a ’70 coupe with the same L88 style hood, those same wheels, rear flares and a saddle interior.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar MountainMan

    I see potential, the undoing of previous owners personal touches wont require that much work. Im curious how Joey G has determined the engine (not a motor, engine=gas …..motor=electric) is not correct…please explain. Im not saying youre incorrect about it really im just wondering how that conclusion can be made from the pic
    This car is a chrome bumpered Vette so it should be saved I think. I really like these and the originality isnt high on my list so if the price is right it would be very appealing. The green color it came with would be nice with a black interior even if the Corvette purists cringe

    Like 0
    • Avatar DREW V.

      The pistons shown in the pic are of a later Lo-comp motor, not the domed top piston the 350/350hp motor would have. Of course a rebuild of the original engine with lo compression pistons could be another of the bad decisions alluded to…

      Like 0
    • Avatar The Walrus

      Pet peeve 1: Original write up states something ‘needs addressed’. Nothing more annoying. It’s either ‘needs TO BE addressed’ or ‘needs addressing’ (although that’s awkward phraseology).

      Pet Peeve 2: This comment. Guess we need to change some common terms. Perhaps General Engines, Ford Engine Company and Department of Engine Vehicles would fit your definitions, MM. For your edification, the word engine is a noun and is specific to any machine that has moving parts and converts power into motion. Motor is an adjective used for any item capable of providing motion or action. They are virtual synonyms, but not exactly the same. When it comes to vehicles where the block of iron moves them, the engine is a motor. Basically any engine with an output shaft that rotates is a motor. An electric motor is not an engine because it does not use mechanical means to create the motion. Capiche?

      Like 1
      • Avatar Chebby

        1. Thank you Walrus. “Needs replaced” always makes my teeth grind.

        2. One of the old-timey race guys, Smokey Yunick or Cale Yarborough or somebody, was quoted about using the word motor, “When was the last time you saw a washing machine with an engine in it?”

        Like 1
      • Avatar van

        Those of us in the crowd with dislexia find all this taxing
        And the spell check on this phone is driving me nuts
        Good thing my English teacher isn’t grading this
        She’s probably dead now anyway

        Like 0
      • Avatar AMX Brian

        Washing machine with an engine? I think Tim, The Tool Man Taylor built one of those on his show. haha

        Like 0
      • Avatar George

        @Chebby, My grandparents had an ancient washing machine that was powered via a belt to a small gas motor. Later on to a small electric motor. They used it until the late 70s. My grandfather took his suits and shirts to the Chinese laundry, so it may not have been in use often since my grandmother had a hard time getting down to the basement.

        Like 0
    • Avatar Kevin Harper

      Engine is a device that converts energy to a force. Ie this can be a piston powered engine, a catapult or you on a bike.
      A motor converts energy from one type to another. Example from rotational to electrical.

      The words have long since lost their meanings and motor is used interchangeable with engine but engine does not interchange with motor.

      I have read that this came about to distinguish motorcars from steam powered cars. And at that time period motor cars were both electrical and ICE.

      These are anarok items, and really not worth getting worked up over.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Josh Staff

      Alright guys, lets play nice!

      Like 0
  5. Avatar AMC STEVE

    Where do you find these Junkers man

    Like 0
  6. Avatar roger

    Hilton Head,a great resort island,but the salt air is terrible on cars.
    I live on north coast of South Carolina.
    Take my advise,look for Rust,Rust,Rust And more Rust.

    Like 0
    • Avatar George

      I agree with roger about coastal cars. Many years ago I bought a 1971 VW bus near Atlantic City. It had lived its entire life on the Jersey Shore and had been sitting for 3 years, 2 blocks from the ocean. The rust wasn’t too bad, mostly some surface and edges. After getting it running, Type 1 motors are probably the heartiest of all engines, I paid them the $99 they were asking. The next weekend I went back down in my GF’s car with a couple of used tires, a new battery, and a basic tuneup kit. We drove it to her aunt’s house where she lived. The next morning, I drove it home to upstate NY. I had to make a daylight run since I discovered that the headlights, turn signals, and brake lights didn’t work.

      All of that was the result of sitting in the salt air. All of the wiring was corroded. The only solution was to run new wiring to everything. The paint also suffered greatly. It had turned chalky due to the salt, and everytime it rained, or snowed and melted, there would be a “Chalk Outline” around the bus from the coating of the paint washing off.

      Like 1
  7. Avatar jeff6599

    By someone’s opinion then, Ford Motor Company should be known as Ford Engine Company And General Motors should really be General Engines. I think brighter minds than ours are at work here. Thanks.

    Like 0
    • Avatar sdwarf36

      I wish there was a way to give a star-or thumbs up.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Mike H.

    I have to give the seller a lot of credit for an honest and well worded advert, though.

    “I didn’t do this, it wasn’t done well, parts have gone missing (and I suspect I know how. . .), wife-to-be making me sell. . .”

    The list goes on, but it’s a good formula of tongue-in-cheek humour and enough honesty to let a potential buyer know what he’s maybe getting into. Guy could be a flipper, but he seems honest enough about it and he isn’t putting it out there on the cheap with a gigantic reserve to hedge his bets. Still not the project for me, but plenty amusing.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Jamie P

    Zora is rolling in his grave right now…. And / or making a voodoo doll of the people that did this…. People that do this kind of stuff SHOULD NOT own a piece of American history….eeeeeeeek

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Gary I

    I see heavy rust in the interior on metal parts, bumpers rusted through, and a rust hole in the frame. With the coastal air of Hilton Head I would think of this car as a parts car. The rust has infiltrated the car in ways that promise hidden surprises for the restorer. It would be a nice little Corvette if someone saves it, but not a good return on effort or investment if as rotten as I suspect.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar erikj

    all that yic-yak about correct spelling got me so bored that I just skipped the rest to put my two cents in. Main thing ,the vette is very worth fixing. 1970 hp 350/4spd. Just get the engine/motor(you decide which word you like best,you get the meaning the important thing!)sorted out and put the interior in correct order. And drive,enjoy.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Mr. Bond

    @Jeff6599: Thanks! After struggling through the posts looking for something relevant to the car, I really got a kick out of that!

    Like 0
  13. Avatar jeff6599

    Come on Brian! You never saw those washing machines with a step start 2 cycle engine? Some were even 2 cylinder, 2 cycle engines. Seriously!

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Kev

    Well done Walrus, I think there needs to be some software, whereby if someone cannot master basic English the post is rejected.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Doug M

    geez! an awful lot to take in first thing in the morning, more interesting than the debate reports tho. I’ve an ASE tech in HH area, gonna have him inspect this. BTW SC is more than just coastline, made a few jaunts inland and there a plenty of old pieces ripe for restore hiding in the fields and woods. My guess is seller found this further from the coast. Worst rust I ever dealt with were vehicles from PA, NY, NJ from the road salt used.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Craig

    E-BAY ad says the car is in Savannah Georgia if you read it completely to the Q&A, is a lesson in proper usage of words really necessary on this website ? We all know, or should know the difference. Lots of responders assume (mostly incorrectly) about the condition of these vehicles,,,,,,,, SMH, but it is enjoyable for the most part, Good Day !

    Like 0
  17. Avatar lrry

    Cars Guys, not grammer. Could talk with my grandma for grammer lessons. And her website is fantastic.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar PRA4SNW

    When I bought my ’70 in ’85, it had a terrible baby blue color with that same shade of shag carpet! As soon as I could afford it, I had it stripped to the glass and repainted the original Donnybrook Green.
    They made a lot in that color in ’70, and it looks like most of them were repainted by the end of the 70’s. That color is one of the reasons I bought the car – one of the best colors, IMO.
    This car is going to be a very ambitious project for not a lot of return – too much to do and too much cancer. Maybe in 10 – 20 years, if the chrome C3 continues it’s upward value climb.

    Like 0

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