The 1969 Chevrolet Corvette was already an aggressive-looking vehicle that was guaranteed to turn heads wherever it went. Order it in Tuxedo Black with some “427” badges on the hood, and it was transformed into a classic that demanded some serious respect. That is what we find with this Corvette, which has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. It is located in West Babylon, New York, and comes with a sale price of $39,500. I have to say thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for referring the Corvette to us.
The Corvette has been listed as a survivor that received a repaint in its original Tuxedo Black approximately 15-years-ago. The paint has held up well since then and still has a beautiful shine. That isn’t to say that it is perfect. There are a few very minor chips and cracks, along with some wear around the headlight doors. The owner states that the Corvette has never suffered any accident damage, and the panel fit and gaps are tight and consistent. Rust doesn’t appear to be an issue with this car. The owner supplies photos of the car’s underside, and it is as clean and dry as you could ever hope to find. The trim and chrome gleams nicely and offers a striking contrast to the Black paint. The vehicle is also equipped with Soft Ray tinted glass, and this appears to be in excellent order. There is no doubt that the Corvette would benefit from a light cosmetic restoration, although the buyer could drive this classic as-is with their head held high.
The interior is trimmed in Black vinyl, and the trim is said to be original. It presents well, with no significant issues or problems. The owner admits that there is some wear on the driver’s seat, but that this isn’t visible in the supplied photos. However, there are no rips and tears, so there is no urgent need to replace them. There is some wear and marks visible in other areas, especially on the console. Nothing appears to be cracked or broken, and I still think that the interior presents quite well for a 51-year-old survivor. There is an aftermarket stereo fitted in place of the factory radio, but the rest of the interior remains untouched. This isn’t an interior that is loaded with luxury extras, but it is optioned with the Code-U15 Speed Warning Indicator. The tilt/telescopic wheel should help the driver find a comfortable seating position.
Buyers faced a wide assortment of engines to choose from when they were ordering their Corvette back in 1969. The original owner decided to tick the boxes on the order form next to the L36 engine option, as well as the 4-speed manual transmission, the Posi rear end, and power steering. What this brought to the table was a 427ci V8, pumping out 390hp. That sort of power is virtually guaranteed to provide exhilarating performance in any classic. In the Corvette, that offered a ¼ mile ET of 13.8 seconds, and a top speed of 150mph. That isn’t hanging about by any stretch of the imagination. This Corvette is a numbers-matching classic, and the owner claims to have spent a considerable amount of money on the drivetrain to ensure that it is at its best. He states that the total is more than $20,000 and that he holds receipts to back this claim. The majority of the work was performed in 2017, and the Corvette has only accumulated 200 miles since. Once you digest that information, it should be no surprise to learn that the vehicle runs and drives exceptionally well. In fact, the owner uses the word “awesome” to describe the driving experience.
This 1969 Corvette is a tough-looking vehicle that ranks high in the “attitude” stakes. It is not a car that is going to blend into the background. It is a car that is going to stand out in any crowd, and for all of the right reasons. It is possible to find plenty of 1969 Corvette Coupes on the market today for less than this car. However, you will struggle to find a genuine Tuxedo Black ‘Vette with an original 427 for this sort of money. As I write this, the Corvette has only been on the market for around one day. I suspect that if this classic ticks the right boxes for you, then you will have to act quickly. I doubt that this one is going to be on the market for very long.
It’s unusual to see an all black Corvette from 1969. Fact is, I don’t ever recall an all black Corvette. ’69 was the height of the hippy age, and color was king. Black cars were not very common. Same with the “427”. Most all auction Corvettes that come through, all seem to have 427’s and 4 speeds, like that was the norm, when in fact, most Corvettes I saw, were 350 automatics and painted cheerful colors. In ’69, nobody wanted a depressing color like black on a Corvette. Just didn’t happen, and I worked in the body shop biz in the 70’s, so I saw a lot of body shops, and rarely did I deliver black paint.
BTW, as a disclaimer, I realize today, the word “black” has an entirely different meaning, and I mean no injustice to the black people.
According to Vette Facts, there were 11 different 427ci engine/transmission combinations offered in 1969.
I think that it is still okay to use the word “black” to describe inanimate objects. BTW this is one sweet Corvette.
Thanks, Tony, these days you can’t blow a fart without offending someone,,,
Beautiful Corvette, excellent color combination, great drivetrain. Numbers matching at $39.5K great buy as well.
Do you think a “hippy” was into buying a 1969 Corvette? I’m guessing the average owner was someone who just finished an All-Expenses Paid tour of SE Asia courtesy of Uncle Sam and a few bucks to spend.
I knew plenty of hippies who had Vettes in the 60’s, hell, I was one of them. The “typical” buyer worked at the steel mill or the Chevy plant. They generally went with Nassau Blue aka Pollock Blue, with a bottom of the line small block. These were not the chariots of the gods.
Not around in ’69, Frank? It wasn’t just hippies, the whole mood was color. Remember on TV,,,”The Mod Squad”,,,in color! Many of us still had black and white TV’s in the 60’s. I worked in the auto paint biz in the 70’s and I can name on one finger how many black, or even silver car paint I delivered. Black was a depressing color,,,still is, as far as I’m concerned, and was reserved for hearses, president’s limo’s and such. Red too, not many red cars, as people tired of “where’s the fire, Chief?” comments. When I had my ’71 MGB painted silver in ’73, the only car that offered it was a Corvette color.
I knew a hippy that owned a sweet yellow 1970 vette with a 454. Come to think of it, even though he had long hair, he had a great job, and was a bright guy. Don’t figure.
Maybe a Volkswagen bus is more likely for a hippie and flowers on it
I had a black on black 427 390 automatic 69 w/factory sidepipes
JIMI was a hippie & a notoriously bad driver, wrecked a few Corvettes due to very poor vision. Note, this is a Black / Black ’69 Corvette.
I prefer white corvettes no disclaimer.
My older brother had a black ’69 427 car back in the day that he bought new. Fun car.
I had a silver one back in the day – very similar to this one. Absolutely great in a straight line and the sounds from the outside pipes was wonderful to my ears. But turning a corner if moving fast took plently of planning. Handling with that heavy front end was poor at best. Still loved driving that Vette.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I seem to recall a period where black was not available as an option. The quality of the bodywork was just too bad to allow it. Every defect stuck out like a sore thumb.
I think black was dropped from 1970 to 1977.
Correct
I’ve owned one Black Corvette. That thing could dance through the curves like nobody’s business. Great car.
When these were new, if one pulled up beside you at a light and gassed it it didn’t matter what you were driving, or riding. Unless the Vette jockey boiled the hides you were roadkill. Many races were decided by a missed 2-3 shift and often a windowed block was the reward.
I was one of those guys who bought a Vette in the 60s. Mine was a 65 convert with a 327/300 4 speed. I’ve owned a few muscle cars over the years and that 65 is my favorite.
This a gorgeous Corvette!
Why the hell would someone do all that work and only put 200 miles on it!
I don’t get it…
Certainly if the amount claimed spent is even close to correct, they are upside down or close, with no ‘good time’ credits from driving on the ledger to make up the difference.
Oh well, somebody will seemingly get a nice ride from the owner’s efforts.
Price is a little high,but it’s a nice ride🏎
$39,500 is not far off being right for a 427 4 sp, 69, numbers matching corvette in this decent of condition. 68 was a rough year for the Corvette as the first C3 year. MANY changes (improvements) from 68 to 69. 69, 70 and 71 where the BEST Horse Power years.
I am a master detailer and personally HATE black cars just because we get so many of them. Gloss black is good for about 8 minutes and downhill from there. BUT…..Black in a late 60’s early 70’s muscle car with a big block and a 4 speed is VERY sought after by some.
Again, being fairly unmolested, BB 4sp, Black 69, numbers matching is hard to find and IS ONE OF THE CARS that will bring some money right now AND hold some value. I think this is a good deal and fair deal ESPECIALLY if all the money said really did go into the drivetrain….no reason to believe it didn’t. Actually if I had this car including 20K into the drivetrain I wouldn’t have it priced this low.
Seller should have (and maybe they did, I didn’t read the ad) gone through the entire drivetrain and had it professionally detailed by a shop known for working on classic cars with a good rep to “dial it in” to get top dollar. Which would deal with cosmetic, chips etc and that missing louver on the right front fender.
Getting technical, not sure a “survivor” is repainted. I like the 15 year old paint job…..at least you know what you are buying. A new paint job could be a “popping” mess a year from now making it a bad investment. at least you can drive this one and not worry about getting a paint chip.
If this Corvette were blue, I would be writing a check right about now.
My ole pappy worked for the local Chrysler Plymouth dealership 1968-72
And he would recall a “69 427 vette smoking by a 440 magnum Roadrunner on a long straight away back then.
Think the mopar may have gotten the hole shot but that was it.
I had a Black ’67 427 4 speed. I guess it was original color. I have a red ’69 base now. and it was yellow. and it’s going to be silver.
what are the numbers on the trim tag for paint and interior colors
What is the price?
$39,500
This is one of my favorites!!! Love this car!!!
I bought this car the first day it was listed. Real Tuxedo black 69’s don’t come up for sale often. Out of 38,762 corvettes produced in 1969 only around 900 left the factory as tuxedo black cars. They didn’t make another black corvette until 1977 due to the difficulties the St. Louis plant had with painting black cars. Interesting enough I traced the history back to a past owner who pulled this car out of an barn in Indiana. It was owned by a guy who was Amish and drove it then hid it away in a barn. Kind of a hard story to believe until the past owner sent me pictures of the car back then. The car has it’s original trim tag, motor, trans, and rear end. It was delivered new at Division Chevrolet i Chicago Illinois.
Can you picture a Amish man with a long beard and his Abe Lincoln hat basting down a road in a big block Corvette?
The guy who was Amish put cragars on the back, a tri power set up and headers w/hooker sidepipes. Not sure why he hid it in a barn, maybe to keep it away from his parents :)
Here are pictures of the car back in 1979
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
This past weekend I restored the engine compartment and added redlines
Picture 5
Picture 6
Thanks for the update on the car . Cool story behind it👍👍