Certain names have become intertwined with a particular vehicle marque. The name Shelby automatically brings Fords to the minds of many, while Don Yenko is indelibly linked with classics wearing the Bow Tie badge. This 1970 Corvette was delivered new from the Yenko dealership in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and it is a genuinely remarkable and desirable classic. The fact that it is an unmolested survivor with 27,000 miles on the clock will attract some, but the LT-1 V8 under the hood helps it stand apart from the crowd. Its condition is impressive for a vehicle with over five decades under its belt, but the time has come for it to find a new home. Therefore, the seller has listed the Corvette here on Craigslist in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. They have not set a sale price, but it is available on request. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Patrick S for spotting this stunning survivor.
I always find it frustrating when a seller lists a classic as desirable as this Corvette and then shortchanges themselves with the supplied photos. This is the only shot providing an exterior overview, although it tells us much about the Corvette’s condition. The original owner ordered it via Yenko Chevrolet, choosing to clad its panels in Classic White paint. The seller admits it received a high-quality repaint, but when this occurred is unclear. Close-up shots reveal a few marks and chips but nothing requiring attention or justifying another cosmetic refresh. The fiberglass is in good order, and the lack of visible corrosion across the entire vehicle suggests there should be no rust issues with the frame or birdcage. The level of preservation is impressive, with the chrome and glass remaining original and untouched. Neither is perfect, but the chrome shines as you would expect from a classic that has been treated respectfully and protected from the elements, while the glass is free from significant marks and defects.
Chevrolet raised the bar for Corvette buyers preferring a small-block V8 in 1970 by adding the LT-1 version of the 350ci powerplant to the range. At $447.60, it was 50% dearer than the optional big-block, but it still ticked the box for 1,287 buyers. The secret to its attraction can be summarized in one word: Weight. The 454 big-block produced more power and torque than the LT-1 but also increased the car’s weight by nearly 200 lbs. Most of the additional mass hung over the front axle, and although the big-block offered marginally faster acceleration, the lighter LT-1 made the Corvette a more “complete” driver’s car. This version of the small-block remained available until 1972, but the engines fitted to the 1970 models were the most potent produced. The buyer received 370hp and 380 ft/lbs of torque, with this car feeding those ponies to a 4.11 Posi rear end via a four-speed close-ratio manual transmission. The seller claims this Corvette is numbers-matching, including every ancillary item, like the alternator and radiator. The level of preservation extends to the exhaust, which is the original system fitted on the production line. It has a genuine 27,000 miles on the clock, and verifying evidence is probably contained in the collection of included documentation. The new owner receives the original Tank Sticker, original Bill of Sale in its Yenko Envelope, Finance Agreement, Owner’s Manual, Warranty Book, and Protect-O-Plate. We receive no information on how this ‘Vette runs or drives, but the visual indications are positive.
The original owner didn’t focus solely on performance when ordering this Corvette. They opted to trim the interior in Black leather, adding an AM/FM radio for in-car entertainment. One item you won’t find is air conditioning because this option wasn’t available for any car featuring the LT-1 powerplant until 1972. This interior carries the hallmarks of a vehicle that has been treated respectfully, and its condition seems to support the claimed odometer reading. There is no evidence of wear or physical damage and no aftermarket additions. The carpet has avoided the typical fading issues, and there are no signs of crumbling or damaged plastic. An in-person inspection would probably reveal imperfections, but no significant problems requiring rectification are visible in the supplied photos.
This 1970 Chevrolet Corvette is a genuinely special car, and the Yenko links will undoubtedly appeal to some readers. Do they add to its desirability? That is difficult to determine, although this car’s originality, specifications, and odometer reading will have a more significant bearing on its potential value. I typically quote a figure at this point, and I have one in mind. However, I am playing my cards close to my chest on this occasion. I would be fascinated to gauge your feedback and estimates on the potential sale price. The fact this isn’t an auction means we will probably never learn the truth, but it will be interesting to see if there is some consensus on the figure. So, over to you.
These are cool 😎 and this one no doubt is a flyer w the steep gears ⚙️ and 4sp. But still rather have the big block 🙌🏁
These are strong running engines, I have one in my 55 F100, a crate LT1, .030 over with a big cam. As for a driver, I prefer these in the Vette over the BB. And with some work can surprise the bb at the light. Hope it finds a good home!
1966 396 4 spd Chevelle against my 1958 Impala with 365hp 327 4 spd and 4:56 gears. Beat him every time. But I knew when to shut it down.
“The 454 big-block produced more power and torque than the LT-1 but also increased the car’s weight by nearly 200 lbs. Most of the additional mass hung over the front axle,”
Incorrect. The center-line of either the small-block or big-block is approximately 18″ ahead of the front axle. To place either engine over the front axle would place the radiator and fan outside the engine compartment. Look at any Road and Track Corvette road test from the early C3 era and the image the side-view image that was part of all R&T road tests clearly shows how it.works. Thanks.
The big block is nose heavy, and the car isn’t as balanced. Does that work?
C’mon, Frank, you’ve been around long enough to know the point that was being made. Obviously, it is not a literal statement. The writer was using “hung over the front axle” statement so the readers could ‘picture’ the weight on the front end. Various sources put the weight bias at 47/53 for the SB and 53/47 for the BB.
BTY, it’s a very nice looking car and I would expect it to go for $50k + depending on in-person inspection. It is certainly not the ‘rarest of vettes’ but, at 1287 built out of a run of 17,316, it is certainly rare.
True
To be frank.
“The center-line of either the small-block or big-block is approximately 18″ ahead of the front axle.”
That would be extremely bad.
I hope you meant that the front axle is 18″ ahead of the c/l either engine.
I would certainly prefer the LT1 over the big block.
@JMB#7- I sure did get my center-lines mixed up! Thanks. And just for grins, there is no front or rear axle on the C3 Corvette. It has 4-wheel independent suspension. But most BF’ers know that simple fact. If anyone is interested, a 3/9/23 write-up from Jim O’Donnell features good images of where the engine sits in reference to the wheel-spindles.
That engine is correct for my 1970 Yenko Deuce Nova. I think I’ll buy this Corvette so I can rip the engine out and put it into my Deuce.
The fact that the Corvette was bought new from Yenko doesn’t add anything to the value. My neighbor has a 1984 Honda Civic bought new from Yenko and it’s still worth the same as a 1984 Honda Civic.
Because buying a Honda from a Yenko store and buying a ’70 Vette from Yenko Chevrolet are two completely different things.
It’s not the rarest of Vettes and there’s probably others of the ‘70 model year with less mileage but the documentation should go a long way in helping the price of this one. Provenance means a lot.
This is a very nice example if you prefer the LT-1 vs. the almighty bug block. I think the small block with a little less power handles way better & for some guy’s, myself included is what I prefer.
Hopefully I get a call back.
My favorite Vette – 1970 LT-1 Convertible!
I checked the VIN on the 1970 Corvette Registry and it isn’t listed there. Someone will add it, based on this ad.
No reason to doubt the provenance with the tank sticker and all, but more photos would help a lot.
Not pricing something usually means that the seller is looking for way too much money.
My first car was a new 70’, Mulsane Blue LT-1 convertible, ordered from the factory through Daniels Chevrolet in Colorado Springs. Delivered in June 1970. Mine had the 3.55 rear end (15.5 mpg). I registered it on a 1970 Corvette registry a couple years ago hoping to find a current owner, if it still exists. Need to check back again
Air Conditioning’s overrated
Not in Florida, where you MAY be able to drive it 4 months a year, but still be sweating plenty.
You couldn’t get AC with 1970 and 1971 corvettes with the LT-1. Only 1972 LT-1 vettes were able to have AC as an option.
Also anyone ordering an LT-1 is actually WANTING that 411 or higher rear end ratio to make this cars scream! I had 2 of them and they are amazing performers!
LT-1 ‘vette… 👍👍👍 One of the most desirable on our list.
Any Chevrolet Muscle Car form Yenko Chevrolet will get a higher sale number then if not from Yenko. Past auctions will prove that fact over and over. A honda from Yenko is irrelevant.
This is not a 1984 Honda Civic lol, My conditioning is definitely not overrated in a Corvette. Have you ever driven a Corvette On a day which was pouring rain. And the wind is rolled up in the summertime. Believe me, I have. In my 1973 Corvette. And believe me it wasn’t pleasant. I really wish I had air conditioning in that car. It gets very, very hot.
I’ll second that with both a Tiger and Pantera. (in Florida) You just leave them in the garage.
Besides lighter weight vs the big block, the LT-1 is notable for having solid lifters. That’s the reason it couldn’t have A/C until ‘72 — the engine could be revved so high that it would spin the belt off the compressor, until they finally found a solution.
An old wives tale. The 72 had solid lifters.
Cool car but 4:11 gears is a bit much
Drop in a 5 speed.
Brad, I agree with you. for roadability, mileage and for weekend Autocross racing, 4:11 is excessive. My 3:55 was plenty adequate for all but street drag racing 454 Chevelles, and Hemi MOPARs. etc. I held my own with MOPAR 440’s as I recall. The LT-1 had the 454 hood, so I was often challenged to race by those big block hot shots who wouldn’t believe me when I said that it was a small block..
I had a buddy with a 1970 Camaro with virtually the same engine as my ‘70, LT-1 but rated at 360HP. I think it had points versus the transistorized ignition in the ‘Vette. Anyways, he had the 4:11 rear end but it ran super high RPM (4000ish vs. 3000ish in my 3:55 rear end at 70mph. That was 53 years ago, so my mileage numbers may be foggy.
Also, with a 4:11 rear end, there is much more engine wear for the same odometer miles…
Back in the eighties my supervisor at GM said he had an LT-1 in a ’71. Owned it in the years BC, before children. Said it was his favorite car and he would have only changed it to have power steering.
The roadster is appealing a coupe sales were overtaking convertible about this time. T-tops no doubt played a role.
I returned from a duty assignment in Okinawa back to the US in 1971, the wife and I picked up a 72 Volvo 1800E for our daily driver. One day in 1972 I drove by a used car lot and spotted a gold colored 1962 corvette for sale. Ut had both tops, and was in decent shape. I took it for a drive and was floored with how quick it was. It was obvious it had a low rear gear for straight line acceleration. I bought it. Those Borg Warner T10 transmissions were not as stout as the later Muncies. I ultimately had to pull the transmission and replace 2nd gear twice after stripping the teeth power shifting. I noticed under the car that the oil pan had been brazed. This obviously meant rod parts came through at one point. So I then questioned the motor. It had the routine finned aluminum heads on it that would have came out on the stock 327. But when I checked out the history I discovered the original 327 was gone but a replacement motor from a wrecked low milage 70 Z28 had been put in its place. They set the corvette valve covers on it, and put the braised reparied pan on it to fit the cross member and T10 transmission. That car was the most fun car I’ve ever owned. 370 hp in that light bodied corvette was incredible. It had cherry bomb mufflers, that would tick like a bomb when engine was shut off. Had tons of memories from driving it, until it slipped a timing chain. I parked, and someone kept stopping by to try and buy it. I ultimately sold it to him. Always thought about building another on some day
And what crossmember was that?
Very nice find, Adam!
This one deserves to fetch all the money, just sublime perfection!
👍🤓
To me the Lt1 is the best small block of all time.
Drop an Hei in it and leave it carbureted.
I know the later versions with sensors and fuel injection are probably better, but I would give up the fuel injection and sensors for the simplicity, Yes I have the 5.3,changing the fuel pump in the tank versus the 2 bolts on the side of the Lt1 is just one of the time savers.
I’ve been in an Lt1 and they are screaming beasts!
I get the big block thing too, the only real solution…is to have both.
I’m not bashing the 289 or 318 or 340 they are great too.
This is highly desirable for me. I’m guessing that the seller is looking for 50K plus. And a matching numbers, documented, low mileage LT-1 in obviously very nice condition is going to attract more than a few Corvette aficionados. It’s out of my reach financially but that doesn’t mean I can’t fantasize. BTW take a gander at a few ‘Vette dealers websites for example Pro Team. See what you’ll pay them for something like this. GLWTS.
Bamapoppy said it, “provenance means a lot” and in a car like this, it means even more. IMO this is a collectible, not a driver, and should be viewed differently. Drop in a 5 speed, change the ignition, etc aren’t part of the equation when you are dealing with a car that the owner has gone to the trouble to keep pristine, and “correct”. When the alternator goes out, you don’t go to the Napa and get one, you have the original re-built to maintain the originality. This car will draw “all the money” because there is a serious collector out there who wants a 50+ year old, correct, all the right boxes checked, low mileage car that was bought from a seriously performance minded dealership, with no story. These cars will do all the money, and set the bar for all the others to work from. Couple that with the fact that I like white cars, and my opinion is that this is a great find for the above mentioned collector. Very little to pick on this one.
I totally agree with you Rufus!
This is a time capsule! You don’t rip stuff out of it and replace with generic hot rod parts, you keep it factory original!
Rufus, we can agree to disagree. If you don’t drive it why buy it? Dropping in a 5 speed will make it a nice cruiser car and is completely reversible.
Or, keep it bone stock (as it appears) and smile when you go into your garage.
Your choice.
Original tires too?
Now here’s a candidate for an LS swap-
I have suspicions about this car. Look at pic 7 on the CL ad – rust and bondo. Where does rust come from on a Corvette body; are the inner doors steel? Then look at the pedal pads in pic 22. Much too much wear for 27K miles.
Rust is a big problem with corvettes and rusty ones are worthless,I agree it looks like the odometer has been rolled back. The shift ball wear seems heavy .Anyone who wants one with a claim like this is much better off buying from known reputable source,you may pay more but you can sleep at night after purchase.
A small block Vette has and will always outhandle a big block. And a big block will almost always beat a small block (both stock) in a straight line. Those are facts of life. It all depends on what you want. I’ll keep my bone stock ’71 LT1 with 4.11 gears and my bone stock ’02 Z06 just the way they are. Both are perfectly balanced machines.
Oh my, an og LT-1 Corvette sold from Yenko Chevrolet? With under 30k documented miles? Holy moly! Take it from someone who grew up in SW PA, this car is going to sell for some serious coin. Doesn’t matter if it was tuned by Yenko or not, anyone claiming provenance doesn’t matter has never read a car magazine or coffee table book about classic cars in their entire life, let alone watched any major auction. Don Yenko Chevrolet was THE PLACE to go in the tri-state area if you wanted to buy a fast car from a dealer who concentrated on high performance vehicles, bar none.
Wish I was in the market and was still living in Pittsburgh (you forgot the “H”!), because I’d pester the owner until I could make an appointment to see it in person. I’d happily sell a kidney for the opportunity to buy this Corvette! Then I’d rub it lovingly with a baby diaper and whisper in its ear how special and beautiful it is every single day. And then I’d drive the heck out of it every day the sun was out!
Although Yenko sold some unique hi performance cars back then, I wouldn’t be surprised if they also sold a higher number of standard performance models – like the featured car – than any other Chevy dealer.
Wow… From a Western PA Boy this is an Awesome find. I’d LOVE to own it.
What else can I add about this one. This is a investment grade car and the only way to know it’s every thing the ad and seller says it is you should seek an expert inspection. It might cost some money but it will be well worth the money. As nice as this car is the seller fell to provide more detail and pics. But if it is everything It should be for a 27k mile car then it’s worth all the money a desirable Vette of this vintage can bring.
Hey Dale I would definitely buy the vette for $1,224.00 ,so what are you really asking,I would be interested in buying it if the price is right, let me know thanks.
I emailed the guy selling this car two or three days ago for a price & he never got back to me. Might be sold already
One of less than 1300 total production,no breakdown of ragtop numbers. I’d say she is rare considering it’s over 50 years old. Personally I think it’s one of the cleanest looking vettes ever made without being too flashy and certainly rivals the looks of any domestic or foreign car but to each their own.The sale from Yenko would not influence my purchase since it’s not a Yenko conversion and adds no value and is merely a marketing ploy.
I agree, Yenko Schmenko. It’s just a Corvette sold from Yenko. Yenko sold thousands of cars over the years. Don’t read into it more than what it is..