We love stories like this: a claimed completely original 1970 Corvette convertible, fresh out of 20 years of storage, retired from duty as the seller’s mother’s commuter car in fair weather. The ‘Vette wears a great color called Daytona Yellow, which is claimed to be original paint. Despite its commuting duties, the Corvette was supposedly never driven in bad weather. Find it here on eBay with an opening bid of $17,995 and no action yet.
Now, the “completely original” claims does have some asterisks next to it, as the original carb was replaced with a Holley. But even the exhaust was replaced with a GM factory part, which demonstrates a level of commitment to keeping a car true to form rather than giving into the allure of aftermarket (cheap) parts. The wire-style wheel covers are a treat, looking surprisingly good on this classy survivor.
Daytona Yellow on black is a great combination, and the original seats are holding up well. The seller notes the top is in good shape, and the Corvette drove out of its long-term garage under its own power with no issue. He does note that the brakes, at a minimum, will need a bleed before any long drives are performed, and that antiquated Michelin tires were not flat when the car was moved (but should likely be replaced). What do you think those paint blemishes are inside the door jamb?
The matching 350/300HP wears a claimed 110,000 miles, but the seller doesn’t confirm whether the odometer still turns. The only other part replacements noted include the alternator and brake calipers. These are common wear and tear items, and items we’re glad were addressed at some point in the Corvette’s past (though the alternator looks fairly new). While the Corvette market is crowded, we like survivors like these with good stories and great colors. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Patrick S. for the find.
Paint blemishes inside the door jamb look like old adhesive from removed interior trim.
Does appear to look more like rust as GBVette62 suggests.
Pic
It always amazes me people want to sell a car and can’t even make a little effort to clean it up. Outside is dirty, inside isn’t FILTHY!
The “paint blemishes” inside the door jam are actually rust on the metal interior quarter trim retainer strip. The retainer that holds the interior trim panel in place.
I’m not buying the seller’s claim that the paint is original, since it’s obvious that there’s over spray on the left door striker, and the left female door alignment receiver. I’m guessing that car’s either had a repaint at some point, or was hit and repaired in that area. This is probably why the retainer strip is rusty, it probably wasn’t prepped properly before painting.
Other than the replacement Holley (it should have a Rochester Q-Jet), and the new alternator, the only other deviation from original I see is the missing ignition shielding (not uncommon). The brake issue’s likely the master cylinder. It may just need to be bench bled after replacing the calipers, or it may need to be replaced since it looks like the original one. The PO2 full wheel covers have never been one of my favorite options, but it’s an easy fix, since they came installed on stock 15×8 rally wheels. All that’s needed to replace the PO2’s, is a set of rally trim rings and center caps.
I really wish that seller’s claiming a car is rust free and matching numbers, would include pictures of the frame, engine stamp pad, trim tag and VIN tag, to back up their claim.
It looks like it might be a decent car, but I think the $17,995 starting price is a little optimistic. I know a fully restored yellow, 350 automatic 1972 convertible, that can be had for $29,000. It will take $11,000 just to strip and paint this car.
Painters love to get folks with it’s a fiberglass vette and that makes it a 10 -15 k paint job!
They sand and prepare and seal with epoxy primer sealer then complete the job fairly quickly as it’s a small car.
💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰🤑chia Ching
I have had Corvettes and shopped around and got them from 4-5 k with me sanding and removing all the lil chrome etc. they turned out good enough to grab trophies 🏆 in larger car shows etc.
Agree,it does look more like rust.
I have the coupe version of this car. Mine was built the same month. Some observations:
1. It appears to have the original front grills which are 1970 only and getting very expensive (posts on back instead of screw holes).
2. The alternator is newer.
3. The side eggcrate grills appear to have the proper paint pattern on them which is usually botched during a respray.
4. The door gaps seem very good. There is not any separating of the front quarters by the windshield which usually indicates rust swelling on the birdcage.
5. The interior looks pretty good including the original radio and the e-brake handle isn’t jacked up.
6. The engine bay looks fairly untouched with the original 4 port washer pump (this year had headlight washers).
7. Obviously missing the upper ignition shielding. Bet the lower ones are still present.
8. Possibly new fan clutch.
As long as the birdcage and frame are fine, this might be a decent little driver in need of a paint job. 1970 is the most desirable year between ’70-’72 and Daytona Yellow is the “best” yellow out of all of the C3 years.
Enclosed is a picture of mine.
Paint issues on the rear quarter and trunk area are interesting too. Could be a fun car but still want to check things like the frame and birdcage also to insure they’re good. This one has a lot of areas to check before laying any $$ down on it. Get it for a good price, fix it up and enjoy it (assuming it all checks out satisfactory).
PS I do like the chrome bumper cars.
No luggage carrier on the rear deck is a plus.
I’m guessing anyone that doesn’t like a luggage carrier on a convertible has never tried to road trip in a C3 or C4 convertible. You have enough room for a couple of small soft sided bags under the toneau if you keep the top up otherwise they’re in the passengers lap, which makes for a very irritable wife. Personally I wish I had one on mine, but no such luck.
Guys………Your missing the entire reason the car is for sale. First photo, his hands on hips talking to her, “Honey, the car has to go, we need to free up some funds to get you into a new style of pants, the camo pants has to go” !
As usual I think this is priced at 2 times it’s worth. And it is not a 4 speed. I think I’ve seen these around here for $9000.00. This one needs a lot of work.
7,000.00 tops No A/C needs interior inc seat foam you can see the yellow powder coming out. Strip and paint, new tires. Will most likely need many rubber things like brake lines and heater hoses. Not to mention bushings. Doesn’t have the hard top. I lived in CT and rust is a huge problem. This one has a fighting chance if it was stored in winter as indicated. I would love to have it at about 7k. I miss the one I had. It had A/C and a very useful luggage rack.
With having owned several Corvettes in the past I am certainly not looking for another but would consider this.
It looks like Larry Tates old Corvette on Bewitched. The unforgettable sitcom that was sponsored by Chevrolet.
I like the originality and the owner resisting removing the original hubcaps which seem to look good only on the yellow. I could deal with the paint issues and drive it as it is. Dumping the money into restoring the paint would certainly take away that freedom.
The only thing off kilter here is the asking price. Another owner subsidizing retirement.
As a ’69 owner, one other expensive thing: If you notice that there is a piece between the hood and the windshield that looks popped up?
That is the vacuum actuated wiper cover. When you turn on the wipers, it lifts up, wiper work and then it goes back down.
Unless you have a vacuum issue. Then it doesn’t. Likely the headlights have an issue as well on this car, as they are vacuum actuated. A lot of people start to try to replace a bunch of hoses and usually get it wrong, but by that age it’s usually the intake manifold and all its gaskets that are shot. which means it likely runs rough as hell
Little problem leads to rebuilding an engine.
Your results may vary… but not by much.