Although the Corvette could be equipped with a host of great optional engines in the late sixties, even the standard 350 was a fine performer, delivering 300 horsepower in completely stock form as you drove away from your Chevrolet dealer in ’69. While that was decades ago, this 1969 Corvette here on Craigslist has had only 2 owners since then and retains all its original major mechanical components, plus many other factory parts. It’s also said to be a very reliable driver, so if you’re longing to become owner #3, this one’s located in Petaluma, California, and priced at $35,000. We’d like to thank reader Zappenduster for finding this mostly original C3 and sending us the tip!
Cosmetically, this one isn’t perfect, with nose repairs done in the 80s followed by a partial respray. The seller is upfront that if your priority is a great paint job, this probably isn’t the car of your dreams, since the finish is faded and has a few flakes here and there. However, the fiberglass appears to still be in excellent condition, and the presentation is certainly good enough for a nice weekend driver. Whitewall tires and wheel covers are somewhat uncommon to find on a ‘Vette, but they seem to blend right in here, as does the rear luggage rack.
The seller’s biggest financial investments centered on the mechanical components, and the original 300-horsepower 350 small block is said to have been rebuilt with many NOS GM parts. The owner refurbished several other original accessories rather than replacing them, including the starter, water pump, and air conditioning compressor. The Turbo 400 is also the factory transmission, and it’s been overhauled, along with the rear differential. A few things could still use some additional attention, but the owner says he went overboard with OEM parts and reports it’s very solid and roadworthy as-is.
With only the carpeting and seat covers listed as exceptions, the interior is stated as all original, and based on its strong condition, I’m guessing the 55,507 miles on the odometer are likely accurate. This one also appears exceptionally solid underneath, and the seller says he’s only driven it about 3,000 miles since the work was completed. Though this 1969 Chevrolet Corvette doesn’t quite score a 10 on the exterior, its mechanical condition might be very close to that number. Could this be the early C3 you’ve been holding out for?
This takes me back. Over 30 years ago my wife and I lived in a Garden Apartment Complex with garages. We had a neighbor who had an all original, low mileage red ’68. It was a 327, 4 speed, manual steering, manual brakes car. It had these same wheel covers on it which is what reminded me of it. He was the original owner and daily drove it when it was new, then, thankfully garaged it. It was in beautiful condition. One day he took it out for some “exercise ” I asked if I could come along and he let me. It was one of the most enjoyable rides in my life that I’ll never forget. Really, genuinely nice guy and neighbor. Thanks for bringing up the great memories Mike.
What a fantastic story- that’s my kind of neighbor! Thanks for sharing such a fond memory.
This is one of the huge benefits of Barnfinds. You never know what you’ll find, and what forgotten memories come up. Thanks again Mike.
This looks like a pretty nice 69 for a fair price. I’m sure someone will come on and say “I’d buy it if it was a 4 speed” or “it’s a shame it’s not a 4 speed”, as someone always does when an automatic Corvette is featured here, but the auto wouldn’t bother me at all.
If I was a potential buyer, I’d have some concerns about the originality of the engine’s stamp pad. The seller says the paint is original and faded and maybe it is, but it doesn’t look anything like 69 Daytona Yellow. That paint looks much more like 65 Corvette Goldwood Yellow, a pale milky yellow that looks nothing like 69’s bright Daytona Yellow.
Isn’t it Butternut Yellow?
Butternut was a 66-69 Camaro, Chevelle, Impala, etc color, Goldwood was an exclusive 65 Corvette color. Sunfire Yellow was the yellow offered on 66-67 Corvettes. Daytona Yellow is a 69 Corvette color that was also offered on Camaros and Chevelles (possibly as a special order on Chevelles?), and is a much different yellow than Butternut, Goldwood or Sunfire.
While similar to Goldwood and Sunfire, Butternut is a different color with a different paint code. 65 Chevrolets offered a yellow called Crocus that was actually the same color and paint code as Butternut, but with a different name. Corvette Goldwood and Sunfire are the same color and paint code.
I disagree with you re: the price. I believe that it is way too much for what is essentially a base model automatic that needs paint. With the escalating cost of a quality paint job, (particularly on a Vette) one would easily be 50 grand deep in the car, and I just don’t believe that there is that kind of value here.
At least the negative nellie’s can’t say that it doesn’t have A/C. Only 30% of them did.
I like the seller’s ad copy and quality/useful photos and wish them luck finding someone who will be as into the car as he/she is. It might take awhile and will have to tolerate a lot of tire kickers and low ballers.
Dealer installed luggage rack is icing on the cake – love it!
nice colors. good to see the paper trail as well.
Why the hideous luggage rack? Or as I call it, barbeque grille. Otherwise, stunning 69 coupe.
Oh George, quit already. The lady that ordered this car new was a adventurous young lady. At the time she ordered the car.
She had to have somewhere to put her stuff!
gbvette62
Thanks, that’s good information. My first set down with the salesman and go through the options code book ordered 72 Chevelle SS was the yellow for that year. I ordered the buckskin tan interior to go with.
Which yellow, I don’t recall but it was the more mellow offering. Wasn’t bright. If she were here today. It’s floating around Boise, ID or not. The kid i sold it to might still be there. Circa, 1978.
BTW, my comment to George is true. I spoke with the owner. If I’m anal about my cars this very nice man is off the charts. What attention to original Chevrolet detail about the restoration. The car is worth every penny.
Very nice man with wonderful history and knowledge.
The yellow on 72 Chevelles was called Cream Yellow and is a very nice color. The 72 El Camino has a picture of a very sharp looking 72 El Camino SS in Cream Yellow with a black vinyl top.