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.
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.