A 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is up for auction here on Hemmings. Located in Westby, Wisconsin, this classic drop top is an aggressive driver oriented muscle machine with some very desirable performance upgrades. With one day left and a top bid of $22,000, the reserve has not yet been met. This listing’s biggest draw is the engine which is a replacement 427-cubic-inch V-8 setup fitted with triple 2-barrel induction and a five-speed manual transmission. The seller says the car is set up to still appear stock, running well with all systems intact and functioning properly.
The 427 in 1969 Corvettes was available in various forms from the factory. These include the L36 rated at 390 hp, the tri-carburetor L68 at 400 hp and the fire breathing L71 at 435 hp. Chevrolet even produced two ultra rare all aluminum ZL1 blocks that year. Now while this C3 lost its original numbers matching block somewhere along the line, the addition of the ‘triple 2-barrel’ mimics the highly sought after factory tri-power configuration. It is also paired with a Richmond five-speed manual transmission as opposed to the standard factory four speed Muncie. The extra gear provides superior real-world drivability and raw spirit.
Originally leaving the St Louis factory in Cortez Silver, the previous owner made the decision to change the exterior color to Monza Red. This was the factory correct option for the 1969 Stingray, and it presents beautifully over the sharp arches of the fiberglass body. The black vinyl interior also offers a very clean cabin space with the factory AM/FM radio still nestled inside the dashboard. The black convertible soft top is mostly great though the seller notes a minor nick in the fabric. 15-inch steel rally wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich Radial T/As with redlines added provide a period correct look for the car. These are complemented by a menacing set of side mounted exhausts.
At $22,000 with the reserve still unmet, this Corvette sits in an interesting spot. A numbers-matching L68 coupe sold for $73,000 on Bring a Trailer. This particular one is not numbers matching and has been cosmetically and mechanically modified so it should not be judged against original examples. The tri-power style induction, five speed swap and the side exhaust make it a compelling driver. A Richmond transmission is a known quantity in the C3 world, but the replacement engine is a reason to inspect it in person before the bidding ramps up. Would you rather go with a museum-grade, numbers-matching Corvette that’s temperamental, or a built five-speed monster like this Monza Red beauty?
Original 427/auto, now 454/5speed. Love everything about it.
This new age math baffles me because to this baby boomer a 427 replacement is still a 427. Am I right? Am I right?!
While the seller called the engine a 427 in the listing and the Barnfinds writer repeaded that claim, the engine in the car is a 454.
In the listing there are pictures of the engine’s stamp pad, casting number and casting date. The engine suffix code is “TRJ” which decodes as a 73, 74 or 78 454 from a Chevrolet truck, with the block casting date pictured narrowing it down to a 1974 truck engine.
It’s not a bad car and looks to be in decent shape, but as a wrong motor wrong color car I’m guessing that the current $22K bid isn’t to far from the car’s worth.
I think anything that does not look good in John Deere green and yellow will look good in a shade of red similar to this.
One of the best looking Corvettes ever built. Gets the beer and chair sit down and look at award.
WOW I love this Vette! But talking Hotlips into handing me over the money might be a slight problem! :(
Friend had one like this. Let me drive it. Young kid me gets in it, and punches it. Engine revs like crazy. I said there must be something wrong with the clutch because we aren’t moving.
He said not to punch it so fast. LOL
What a screamer that thing was.
Ignorance is wasted on youth.
My first experience driving one of these didn’t end well. Not awful, but bad just the same. A customer brought it in for a service of which I don’t recall, but when I finished I ‘test drove’ it. Sheared first gear right off the shaft… oops. A new repair on me. He was very understanding Learned lessons last lifetimes!
I’d rather have silver.
I’d rather have a luggage rack.
The auction must have ended – it is now priced at 42K asking price.
Replacement engined Corvettes don’t sell for that much.
It looks like the auction ended with a high bid of $26,100.
I was gonna say 27-28 is it’s value given its a gas hog triple carb 1974 emissions Era truck 454 – NOT a vette engine – the seller is out of his mind at 42