Tackling a classic restoration with a genuine pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is always tempting, and that seems to be what this 1970 Corvette Convertible offers. It has sat for years but is a solid, unmolested car featuring its original big-block under the hood. It doesn’t currently run or drive, but it should offer impressive performance when it does. The ‘Vette is listed here on eBay in Miami Beach, Florida. Bidding currently sits at $5,205 in a No Reserve auction.
It is unclear how long this Corvette has sat in storage, but I think the timeframe could be measured in years rather than months. The existing Donnybrooke Green paint is patchy and beyond help, and there is evidence that the car received at least one repaint. The buyer faces repeating the process, but the deterioration of the existing finishes and evidence of poor preparation means they must undertake plenty of sanding and stripping to achieve a high-end result. The fiberglass looks okay, although areas around the nose show inconsistencies that might suggest prior repairs or accident damage. The seller says the frame and birdcage are solid. However, accumulated corrosion in areas like the engine bay would prompt me to undertake an in-person inspection to confirm that. The Rally wheels and associated dress items present well, as does most of the trim. Some pieces require a trip to the platers, but others should respond positively to a simple polish. The glass looks fine, and the seller includes a color-matched hardtop. The soft-top frame is present, but the top itself is shredded.
This Corvette is consistent because its interior requires similar attention levels to the exterior. The Saddle vinyl trim is tired, with rips in the seats and cracks in the door trims. I would thoroughly clean everything first, but the buyer faces a total retrim to return it to its former glory. The process won’t be cheap, but it’s worth remembering that it should last many decades if treated respectfully. Divide those years by the cost, and it suddenly looks like a worthwhile investment. The original buyer focused on performance with this classic, although air conditioning and a factory AM/FM radio are welcome factory options.
The business end of proceedings with this Corvette reveals itself when we lift its hood. The original owner wielded their pen on the Order Form, selecting the LS5 version of the 454ci V8, adding a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The big-block produced 390hp in its prime, launching this Convertible through the ¼-mile in 14 seconds. If the driver was brave enough to keep the boot into it, the LS5 ran out of breath at 132mph. The seller indicates this beast is numbers-matching, and the supplied photos support that assertion. It doesn’t run or drive, and it seems it hasn’t done so for years. Whether the engine turns freely is unclear, but the car rolls and steers okay for loading. This photo shows the corrosion previously mentioned, and that is why I suggested an in-person inspection.
This 1970 Corvette Convertible offers an intriguing possibility for its new owner. If the frame and birdcage are as solid as the seller claims, returning it to a roadworthy state in its current form is feasible. The winning bidder could enjoy all it offers during the summer months, leaving its restoration as an excellent way to occupy the following winter. Recapturing its former glory will take time and effort, but the finished product would offer a winning combination of looks and performance. That makes the twenty-two bids to this point no surprise, and I believe there will be plenty more submitted before the hammer falls. Could yours be among them?
This seller looks like he sells Corvettes by past sales so why wouldn’t he get this one running being a very desireable #’s match specimen that looks really solid ? Makes no sense at least to me.
Well said 🏁
As the writer of the article said. Inspect this vette. Take a body/ frame expert with you. Ensure its as is said to be. The only way to be sure. If it indeed is not in dire repair. What a gem to be had to be on the road with during the summer months!
I’ll tell you why, because he’s a shyster.
In the Corvette Community, this seller has a less than stellar reputation for piecing together Vettes that look okay, but are all pieces of crap.
A reader here on BF got sucked in and has a boatload of work ahead of him that he did not count on.
BUYER BEWARE!
There are so many other honest Vettes for sale that it just surprises me every time this seller is featured here on BF.
Is this Vette in Bedford PA?
Eventually this guy is going to have a vette that I can’t resist. This one is pretty darn close.
Bidding’s already over 12K
It’s great to see 454 vettes’.you always just see the 350 powered ones and almost becomes cliche’.they have so much underhood potential and they sound awesome with sidepipes.whatever time and money it needs will be well worth it.
When completed, it’ll be a beast. I’d love it!
Yes….just be aware it’ll cost some money…but it’s an A/C convertible!
Definitely has possibilities but needs work. That 390 hp 454 is a premium leaded fuel engine. It’s going to need some modification if someone intend to make it a driver. The automatic trans….not so desirable.
$12,800 as of today, I would want to lay eyes on this one before bidding. May look different in person but the pictures are whispering to me “I’ve been under water”.
I’m down with you on that…
Can be a very nice car. But gonna take a ton of money. I just restored a C3. Stack of receipts 3 inches thick. Donnybrook Green one year only color. Most 454s were automatics. Ac compressor missing.
Changing your 1970 and earlier motors to unleaded fuel is just changing to hardened valve seats in the heads then you can use 100+octane unleaded gas w/o the need for tetraethyl lead.Th400 trans were a little soft shifting,putting a shift kit in or going to reverse manual valve body for that firm tire chirpin’ shift would fix the problem and make for a quicker ET.
Actually more. Just changing valve seats is no easy job. The valve seats are not separate from the head. They have to be cut out and new seats pressed in and you had better pin them because if you drop one, there goes the engine. Better to go to a 781 or 049 head and swap them complete. Keep the old ones to go with the car when sold. This way you get hardened seats, valve rotators and a little lower compression for less expensive fuel. Granted there are a number of ways to go about it but this is the most sensible.
I and my father would be in full agree with you…
Here’s a pic of my Donnybrooke Green ’70 that I sold several years back. I owned it for almost 30 years, great car.
Mine had the optional hardtop from the factory and 350 4 speed. No A/C and didn’t need it here in the northeast.
The No Reserve makes me think something’s up. You just don’t see numbers matching big block convertible Corvettes on a No Reserve auction.
When I was a kid, my friend’s dad owned a used car lot.
They had a car that was there for months.
A black 1970 Corvette.
454 4-speed.
It say in the corner of the lot and never for much attention.
This was 1983. Gas was still pretty expensive and people were going for fuel economy.
Long story short:
Dave and I would sneak that car out on the weekends and cruise it up and down the”Gut”
His dad was pissed because when he finally was able to sell it, 650 miles had “mysteriously” been added to the odometer.
Man, the tires on this car are ANCIENT, like mid 70s ancient.
It could have just bern driving in the rain alot not under water change thevstock heads out for after market aluminum heads 1 3rd the weight & it would handel better like a small blk. premium was only $1.25 in 1983 the AC is a very nice option put a 6 speed manual in it u could get 20mph esay who cares about number matching only the folks that never drive them to there potential
I bought a 1975 Corvette a couple of years ago. I pulled the small block, beefed up the 400 automatic, and dropped in a very built 496 big block making around 670 horsepower. I drive it every chance I get. What I’m saying is it’s a car, drive it and enjoy it while you can. Otherwise, what’s the point of even owning it.