“Drive it home” isn’t often a phrase we see in an ad that also includes “barn find” but the seller of this 1970 Chevrolet Corvette is using both to describe it. This Corvette was sent in by a Barn Finds reader who found it here on Facebook Marketplace in Beverly, Massachusetts. The seller is asking $13,800.
Of the 17,316 Corvettes built for the 1970 model year, 10,668 were coupes with the balance being convertibles. Color production numbers aren’t available, but Cortez Silver was 1 of 11 exterior colors and blue vinyl was 1 of 6 interior colors. I’m not a fan of silver cars or blue interior, but, somehow, when they’re together here on this Corvette, I really like the look. It just looks proper to me.
Underneath that dust appears to be Cortez Silver paint and it looks like there may be some shine left in it. I believe that’s a big-block hood even though this is a 350-equipped car. I’m sure purists balk at such a sight, but I think it’s a good look. Another a good look, in my opinion, are the sidepipes. While deluxe wheel covers were a factory option, this Corvette is wearing the Corvette rally wheels wrapped in raised white letter tires.
The interior is in desperate need of a deep cleaning, which is hopefully all it needs. The fabrics looks pretty good and other surfaces don’t look too worn. A 4-speed manual transmission is a welcome sight, as only 25% of 1970 Corvettes left the factory so equipped.
We aren’t told which variant it is, but under the hood is a 350 cubic-inch V8. Assuming it’s a factory-issued 350 it’s 1 of 3 options – if it’s the stock ZQ3, it’s rated at 300 HP; if it’s the optional L46, it’s rated at 350 HP; and if it’s the rather uncommon LT1, it’s rated at 370 HP. Power is sent to the rear wheels by a console-shifted 4-speed manual transmission. There are no details on the running and driving condition, but the seller welcomes you to “drive it home.”
Run of the mill C3 Corvettes seem to get little love. I feel that’s supported by this “barn find” that the seller says you can “drive it home” with what seems to be a relatively low price tag. Maybe someday that will change, but for now I’ll keep dreaming of owning one while they’re still attainable.
Boy, IDK, LOT of Corvettes lately, and I fear there will be a LOT more, got a lot of guts asking 5 figures for king of a beater. My brother has one, an ’82, I think, heater core started leaking,( big job) and it’s been sitting ever since. Don’t you just hate when that GM hood release cable breaks?
To make a point about color. Silver cars today are the norm, but in the 70’s, silver was not a popular color. I worked for an auto paint dealer in the 70’s, and when I had my MGB painted, the only silver available was this color right here, Corvette silver.
“Kind” ,,of a beater,,
Or….”King of Beaters”
HMMM
Define….”Drive”
as in “Drive” it home
really hated when my 71 TR-6 hood cable dislocated itself! torch lit up the empty washer box. figured the battery would blow from the sparks? Prefered when my 66 MGB alum. hood would pop open and hit the taller passenger in the head.silver doesn’t look bad on the vette. blue interior?
Based on the fan shroud I’d sure want to see the underside before I got too excited about this car. Corvette silver is a good color. We put the color on a ’57 Porsche 356 Cabriolet we restored and it really looked good on the car.
Definitely not an LT1 with that cast iron intake manifold and Quadrajet carburetor.
Looks pretty solid but Vettes can be deceiving when it comes to rust. Its a rust belt car after all. While I think “drive it away” is probably just advertising hyperbole however the car does appear to be all there and the price seems reasonable particularly for a four speed car.. I would clean it up, get it running and lose the “who do you think your kidding” boy racer hood and side pipes and have me a nice driver. No sense in throwing a ton of money at it. Its never going to be that valuable.
That’s not a factory hood, and side pipes are not original either.
Drive it home after you take it off of the skates.
With all the leaves under the hood it hasn’t spent a lot of time in the garage. $14k is a bargain for that car…if…it needs to be on a lift to do a chassis inspection. It looks like the tires were flat in the mud. Not a good sign.
“Drive it home” if you live no more than two blocks away.
I kind of disagree. I think if you got $1G off the price, it’s a good value. It’s a good home-resto car that could be a fun driver, even with the base 350. If the bird cage and rear arches are OK, I’d seriously consider it.
I’m not sure why the writer is saying “drive it home” is not something usually found on Barn Finds. From what I see everyday on this site, it would be more appropriately named “Drive it home”, with barn finds being a small part of the overall listings. Many of these cars are definitely not “barn finds.”
This one is like looking at a beautiful woman, until she smiles at you & then you see that she has rotten teeth. Ain’t nobody driving this car anywhere for a few months. First thing I noticed was there is no reverse lock out on the shifter, that tells me that it is a 3 speed car (did they blow up the original 4 speed?), another thing that hits me is the switches on the console along with what appears to be a pre 70 console with fiber optics, why the switches on a car that was nothing more than a driver? All of the debris under the non factory hood is another cause for concern as it shows that the car was out in the elements for an extended period, that also means that the birdcage will have rust.. At 5K this car is a bargain, anything more that that & you are taking a risk on being underwater.
I was always told….Beauty is only a light switch away. 😉
If the car is solid and all the parts are there, I find this a fair price for an early C3 chrome bumper car. 68 to 72 bring pretty good money. The 73, well, I wont comment on those.74 to 77, they will not make it to collector status.
Just my opinion folks
Not a bad deal if the frame and birdcage are in good shape
Not a bad price but not any more $$. L88 hood and side exhaust not available in 1970.
Or….”King of Beaters”
HMMM
Define….”Drive”
as in “Drive” it home
“Drive it home” may mean on a trailer behind something else. If it’s been sitting that long, the Quadrajet is going to be a quadraBog and will probably need to be replaced. Frame condition? I can fix most everything else, but without good bones it’s not worth the asking price. One man’s opinion.
I personally looked at the Vette.
Original Marlboro Maroon with Blue interior per data plate. Original motor comes with car needs rebuild. Chevy 350 truck motor in it that runs.
Needs many odds n ends but it is solid. All paperwork and owner has had it stored inside his shop. He owned it for 20 odd years.
Worth restoring in my opinion or clean it up and drive the wheels off it. I passed on it because I don’t want another project.
I’m sure the brake pedal will hit the floor when “Driving it home” & the P/S will will become “Manual” also after sitting all this time!