Shiny gold paint, a decent interior, and a four-speed manual transmission make this 1969 Chevrolet Corvette in Miami, Florida more interesting than many C3 (third generation) Corvettes we feature. Eagle-eyed readers may do a double-take as another gold 1969 C3, photographed in the same location, graced our hallowed pages back in June of 2022, when Rob Hunter wielded the pen. Paint began the restoration, then all efforts went bust; that’s as far as the project went. I’ve never heard of a restoration that began with painting the car, but the customer is always right. Check out more pictures and details here on eBay where at least 18 bidders are mining for gold, with the top prospector offering $10,000 for the non-operable classic so far.
The driver-grade interior won’t win any car show ribbons, but looks passable for a cruise on the A1A. Watch out, though; park in the sun and that black upholstery will sear your backside. Owning a classic ‘Vette puts nearly any imaginable replacement part at your fingertips, thanks to the global Interweb.
Like every Corvette coupe built from 1968 to 1982, this one features removable T-top roof panels. A pop-out rear window adds even more fresh air to your adventure. Wheels and possibly tires date from the ’80s, and most enthusiasts would recommend replacements with a more genuine look.
The Corvette VIN only decodes to “V8,” but according to CorvetteStory, all optional engines for 1969 displaced 427 cid (7.0L), making this small-block the base 300 HP 350 cid (5.7L) mill. Protect that new paint when you’re cleaning, removing, repairing, or replacing the motor!
Chrome bumpers on the early C3 lend a graceful and handsome contrast to the painted fiberglass body, though ’80s fans may prefer the monochrome look of the later C3 with integrated body-color bumpers. Note the lack of a trunk, making the hinterlands of the luggage compartment a place few relish visiting to retrieve luggage, small children, and contraband. Would you speculate more than $10,000 on this gold nugget ‘Vette?
Wouldn’t go much higher than 10K and the first thing I’d do is get some wheels that compliment the car.
Yep looks like Appliance wheels ,never liked them ,seen appearance of many cool cars ruined by them.
You’re right boob these wheels kill this car
That is not correct about all optional engines for Corvettes in 1969 being 427s. The standard 350 was the L-48 with 300 HP but there was an optional L-46 350 with 350 HP. This was an excellent engine. Big horsepower in a compact, lighter-weight package.
I agree on the optional engines. I once tried to buy a 69 convertible with a 350-350 4-speed. That sucker ran like a scalded dog. I don’t know what the rearend gear was but it pulled hard and top speed that would make your ears pop.
Applaince criss cross wheels ruin any car
Gonna take plenty of time to clean up that wiring and vacuum hose mess under the hood. Riverside Gold is my favorite color from 1969. Yeah, trash those wheels.
You don’t start a “restoration” with paint, unless you didn’t get the money you wanted 1st time and need to spruce it up for next time you auction it.
And u happen to be a body man. It’s sitting in a body shop lot.
@Pnuts
As a friend of mine who owned a body shop used to say, “It was just a light roll over.”
Something fishy about this “#s matching 69” as it has a 68 engine. The 69 350 went to the long water pump and belt driven accessories mounted on the end of the head. That right head should have an alternator mounted on it. By By camel humps. Unless they kept using the short pump versions in Vettes for a while due to space concerns. Chevelles, Camaros and full sized Chevys used the long pump.
“GM used the short water pump on car applications up through the 1968 model year (and 1972 for light trucks) except for the Corvette, which used the standard short pump through 1970.”
I guess that answers that. Easy enough to find. Source : Speedway Motors