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Low Mileage LT1: 1970 Chevy Corvette

This 1970 Chevrolet Corvette is equipped just the way many enthusiasts would want: four-speed, LT1, heavy-duty Posi rear end, and more, all with under 80,000 original miles. The listing describes a car that has been mechanically refreshed, including an engine rebuild, and is otherwise pretty spartan – in fact, it retains manual steering and disc brakes, making a pure driver’s car. Find it here on eBay with an opening bid of $24,999 and a Buy-It-Now of $26,999.

The body has been repainted at least once, and it sounds like it’s driver quality based on the seller’s description. It is the original color, so it has that going for it, and the chrome bumpers still look quite nice. No accident damage is noted and the Corvette features its original bonding strips, and no rust is noted in the chassis. The car was purchased from a longtime owner who looked after it for 22 years.

The Corvette features an original interior, according to the listing, which notes the color as Dark Green. The seats look great, as does the center console, but the carpets look tired and somewhat jarring as I’d expect to see black carpeting in a green car. Regardless, it’s a great match for the Donnybrook Green paint. The desirable GM M21 Muncie four-speed was also rebuilt, and the seller says it runs and drives quite well.

Now, about the engine: yes, it checks all the boxes, and as the seller notes, the LT1 rewarded drivers with a free-revving spirit and lower weight to sharpen up the driving experience. Unfortunately, during the rebuild, the engine deck was resurfaced and in the process, the VIN was erased. The seller points to the double hump heads, LT1 tachometer, and correct fuel lines as evidence that all is right under the hood, but would the missing VIN scare you away?

Comments

  1. Avatar Arthell64

    I normally don’t like green cars but I do like this green corvette.

    Like 4
  2. Avatar TimM

    Really looks clean and well cared for!! I don’t think the buy it now is to bad either!! Would be a great summer car!!!

    Like 1
  3. Avatar YankeeTR5

    Started wanting a LT-1 a few years back and should probably jump on it before the ship totally sails on these. Everything I’ve read states the LT-1 is a great package.
    Without getting into a big debate, it seems that the serial number can be reclaimed with some technics that, even if the original serial number was completely skimmed off (which seems like quite a bit to “skim” off a block if all one was looking for was a good mating surface for the heads.) – kinda like when the top piece of paper with writing is torn off one can use the impressions on the under pieces to highlight the writing again. Punching a block does similar and with some careful forensics much of the stamping can be re-id’d.
    I think the price reflects the question about matching numbers.

    Like 5
    • Avatar leiniedude Member

      The block on my 72 Stingray had been shaved during a rebuild before I bought her. I have often wondered about the value difference. I thought about a restamp many times. I never had it done, just seemed kind of seedy. I have had the car for 19 years, but I would have thought even back then they would have known about matching numbers. My buddy had a 71 vert LT1 with a replacement motor that he sold not long ago. He told me it was resold 4 hours later!

      Like 3
    • Avatar GVW

      It’s important to keep in mind that the seller’s ad does not specifically claim that this is the original block. They describe it as “the 1970 350 cast dated engine”. It’s entirely possible that this is an over-the-counter replacement block, which would have no VIN on the pad but could have had other markings stamped, which seems to be the case here as well.
      I have a 3970010 block which also shows “Hecho en Mexico” in the casting under the 3970010, so that makes identifying mine as a replacement block easy. (not all replacement blocks were made in Mexico, but all blocks made in Mexico were replacement blocks).

      Regardless of replacement block or not, I think this car is priced right and there is a lot of fun to be had for a new owner. I’m looking forward to getting mine on the road.

      Like 2
  4. Avatar On and On Member

    I passed on a C3 for sale one time because it had no power steering or brakes. Out on the highway it was great. Anywhere else, ugh. Those are heavy front ends.

    Like 4
    • Avatar 427Turbojet Member

      I put a Borgeson power steering conversation in my 66 427 coupe. It was originally manual steering and I never liked the slave cylinder type power steering. The conversation is pretty easy, but the gear and pump are only the begining. It took 5 different (repro) brackets and 3 different pulleys to complete. Brackets and pulleys cost more than gearbox and pump. I have to say it was very worth it, conversation is an integral assist with variable assist quicker steering. Makes a different driving car out of it.

      Like 3
      • Avatar JoeNYWF64

        Would not a PS pump, pulleys, brackets & quick steering box simply swap in from say a salvage yard ’74 454 vette or even a later model big block truck? That should be approx 3 turns lock to lock – quick enough.
        You could even get a 1st gen camaro with about that quick an optional factory power steering box.

        Like 0
      • Avatar 427Turbojet Member

        Joe, Corvettes through c3 all used a slave cylinder type power steering. In ’84 they went to rack and pinion. If you want an integral assist type, the Camaro/Chevelle gearboxes are too big to fit the area available. The later Vettes also changed the accessory mounting systems and I wanted it to look as original as possible. The 66 big block accessory mounting system has the P/S pump driven from the alternator double pulley. I like the variable ratio quicker steering used on 70s-80s GM cars and have swapped the F41 suspension gearboxes into several of my earlier Chevelle’s and ElCaminos. It really makes a difference in how they drive and handle. My 66 ElCamino with a 77 Z28 gearbox, a 73 Monte Carlo rear stabilizer bar and a thicker front bar ( don’t remember what it was from, did this 40 years ago) handled wonderfully-especially with about 450 pounds strapped securely in the front of the box.

        Like 1
  5. Avatar George Mattar

    What a car And only 25 miles from me. I have a C3 now, but not one with the best performance engibe GM ever built. Steel crank TRW pistons. I had the thrill of driving an NCRS quality 70 LT 1 in 2005.
    It would easily spin to 6,500 rpm. And what a sound. This is the next 435 of Corvettes. This car is cheap at $26,000. One year only Donneybrooke Green. A real man’s car with no power garbage to add weight to an already heavy car. A little concerned the engine pad was wiped, but then he’s not asking $50,000. No long trips in this coupe with 4.11s, but what a great car to blast up RT 611 along the river. I want it.

    Like 4
  6. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    If the birdcase and frame are solid and the mechanics are rebuilt, this could be a fun car. Interest thing though, where are all these Vettes coming from? I know the winter time is a good time to acquire a Vette, but it seems like an exceptional number of them have appeared lately.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Superdessucke

      Economics. I think people are starting to sense we’re at peak ’60s muscle car values and if Corvettes never took off before now, they’re probably never going to. So might as well get while getting is good.

      I’ve written about this on here a lot so I won’t beat a dead horse. I’ve long thought that once the Boomers transition out of their driving years, the value of 1960s/early 1970s vehicles will start to decline.

      I mean, they’ll still be desirable due to decades of media focus, but it’ll be less that what people are paying at the moment. Subsequent Gen Xers and Millennials do not have the same attachment to these cars (or really cars in general) and thus won’t pay the same prices for them. And even if willing, they won’t be able, because they are less affluent. So in short, what we’re seeing now won’t be sustained in the long term, so investors may start selling with greater frequency, not just ‘Vettes but everything. .

      Like 6
  7. Avatar Jimmy

    Great looking Vetter! I don’t see the factory radio, but really who cares. Speed is what she’s made for anyway! I agree with the Yankee, that’s a lot of skimming off on the block. And only 80k miles at $26k, way the rebuild? Chevy’s will stand up to 150k hard miles easily! I know from experience…. Great car for a young man or woman, if she is willing.
    Thanks for sharing….

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Superdessucke

    Great way to get into a ’60s era fast car for cheap. How much would this cost if it was a Z/28 (which has the same motor) from the same year all else being equal? 2x as much? More?

    Like 2
    • Avatar ruxvette

      You are correct, about double. I bought a ’70 Z28 in Feb of 1970. It had the same motor, altho in the Z they rated it at 360hp so as not to offend Corvette folks. It was a very fun car.

      Like 2
  9. Avatar Joel

    Missing all the smog equipment

    Like 2
  10. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    Was that the only door mirror available back then? Could you get a driver’s remote mirror? Odd it took 4 or 5 years for the GM 1970 racing mirrors to be offered.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar tom bee

    why would a car with 80000 miles need a engine rebuild, better yet a 4sd rebuild.
    doesn’t seem right to me

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Kelly Waldrop

    I have one identical. Same color 411, m-21, correct dated carb and alternator. No P/S. No P/B. Had since 1985. Love it. Runs great on 93 plus additive. T-top. 93000.89000 when bought.

    Like 3

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