Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

Should They Have Stopped? 1970 Corvette

Every time I think we’ve covered all the possible abominations beautifully modified Corvettes out there, someone finds another one. What started as a 1970 Corvette is now for sale here on eBay. As I write this there have already been 53 bids placed, which I suppose is not surprise considering it’s at no reserve (and has just broken $1,500)! It’s located in Galion, Ohio.

The seller tells us that the modifications are from the Ecklers catalog and that the work was done in the 1980s. Unfortunately the gentleman that was completing the modifications got sick and they were never finished. This $2,900 kit appears to be the closest thing Ecklers sells now, but it doesn’t include the all-important wagon extension! The fender flares looks very similar to some John Greenwood designs.

What do you think of this shooting brake design? I’m not the biggest fan, but maybe that’s because I really like the C3 shape as it left the factory. I do like the wheel design, and it’s nice to see that the original modifier considered the flare size when they chose the wheels. There’s very little that looks worse to me than huge flares that aren’t filled with correspondingly wide wheels.

As you can see, the interior will require major refurbishment. At least you won’t have to keep everything original as the car has been so modified already. We’re told that the dash looks good, so that’s one thing you might not have to change right away.

The engine is non-operative at the moment, but being a 1977 small block 350 I’m sure it wouldn’t take much to fix things. Naturally, the car has power steering and power brakes along with the automatic transmission to make cruising easy. No, this isn’t a racer, and somehow the automatic fits with the whole wagon idea. What do you think? Should the builder have stopped earlier, or do you have a place in your heart for a Corvette shooting brake?

Comments

  1. Avatar Mr. Bond

    Unfortunately, there’s no profanity allowed. I love the factory design too. So, I really have nothing else to say!

    Like 0
  2. Avatar LAWRENCE

    Love those Daisy’s….

    Like 0
  3. Avatar mark

    The question is not whether the builder should have stopped. The real question is why the builder started?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Vincent

      God smote the builder for doing this to a C3.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar RoKo

    I’m thinking how much money it would take to remove all that garbage and make it a proper Corvette again and the seller might just have to pay me many thousands to take it off his hands.

    Like 0
    • Avatar mark

      The motor is a 1977 350. Which would have made about 165 HP (if it was running). The 350 motor that came in this in 1970 would have made about 300 HP. For reference a 2006 PT Cruiser with a 2.4 liter 4 banger makes about 150 HP.

      Like 0
      • Avatar gbvette62

        The seller lists the engine as a 77 350, CLA suffix code, which is the base L-48. The 77 L-48 was rated at 180, not 165.

        It’s really not fair to compare the horsepower rating of the 70 350, to what the 77 was rated at. In 72, GM changed the way they rated horsepower, switching from gross to net. The 77 L-48 would be more like 250 under the 1970 gross rating system, and the 70 350 would be closer to 210 under the 77’s net rating.

        It’s also hardly fair to compare a 2006 computer controlled, fuel injected 4 cylinder, to a 77 carburated V8. In 77, the typical 4 cylinder, such as Pontiac’s 2.5 liter “Iron Duke”, put out about 85 horsepower.

        I’m not saying that the 77 350 was a fire breather, but it was about as good as it got in it’s era.

        Like 0
  5. Avatar CanuckCarGuy

    The shooting brake would be a good fit – sans flares, scoops, wings and disco inspiration…

    Like 0
  6. Avatar TriPowerVette

    Don’t you people have any better sense than to send this around at supper time? I just threw up a perfectly good meal. Thanks… a… lot!

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Adam T45 Staff

    I’ll just use this as my safe fall-back. I don’t think I can get into trouble this way!

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Pa Tina

    The wheels are OK.

    Like 0
    • Avatar dan

      Ditto

      Like 0
  9. Avatar Bobby Member

    The American Racing wheels are kinda cool.

    Like 0
    • Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

      The side pipes aren’t bad as are the wheels. The rest is questionable.

      Like 0
  10. Avatar ACZ

    Actually makes the “Corvette Summer” car look good.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Alex K

      Hey now, Luke Skywalker was great in that movie lol

      Like 0
  11. Avatar Troy s

    Those rims would look really good on another Corvette.

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Joseph Wayne Haddock

    Absolutely should have left the rear lights alone, at least….

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Sparkster

    I would love to see what this car does in a wind tunnel.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Chris In Australia

      Shed lots of bog ( bondo to you blokes) and fibreglass?

      Like 0
    • Avatar rod

      Create more turbulence than a brick wall?

      Like 0
  14. Avatar J Paul Member

    Just for curiosity’s sake—do any of the Corvette experts here know how much it would cost to make the exterior stock again?

    I realize that it’s probably a foolish thing to consider, but just HOW foolish?

    Like 0
    • Avatar MFerrell

      Just shopping new fiberglass panels, maybe $5k for the outer shell. Then add chrome, underlying brackets, lights, and misc parts. Just a replacement grill for a 1970 is almost $1500.

      It would probably be better to find a donor car with a rusted out frame.

      Like 0
    • Avatar gbvette62

      Considering that you can buy a really nice 70 Corvette for $20000-$25,000, it would be cheaper to just buy a car.

      That car pretty much needs a whole body. To do the wagon conversion, the roof and rear deck, from the t-tops back, has to be cut off. To use the later round rear bumper, the stock tail lamp panel and spoiler was also cut off. The tilt front is a one piece aftermarket item, that was added in place of the stock nose. The stock t-tops are there, and the original rear quarters, may be under the rear pontoon fenders. The stock doors are there too, but with the extensions for the pontoon fenders bonded to them. You might not need a whole body, but you would need a complete rear clip, and a full nose, at the bare minimum.

      $500 for a used clip, $2500 for a decent used nose ($5000 for a new one), $1000 for bumpers, $1000 for headlights, easily $10000-$15000 for paint and bodywork, plus emblems, tail lamps, weatherstrip, radiator and core support, complete interior, etc, etc, etc. You get the idea.

      Like 0
      • Avatar J Paul Member

        Thanks for the response, and for indulging my curiosity. Seems like the best direction for this car (besides off a cliff, which I’m sure someone will say) is for the new owner to either use it for parts, or go full-bore into the 1970’s custom metalflake disco vibe.

        Like 0
    • Avatar Pa Tina

      $2.50 for a gallon of gas and there probably are some matches in a kitchen drawer.

      Like 0
  15. Avatar UK Paul

    I like it a bit apart from the rear lights that are definitely not to my taste.
    Change the lights and imagine it in a dark 70’s metalic green with tonnes of gold flake?
    Dark green velour seats … it wouldnt be a bad place to be.

    Like 0
    • Avatar ccrvtt

      Yeah, it would.

      Like 0
  16. Avatar Duffy

    The Gentleman has a great imagination who ever did this. Completely revamped a car to the point you might not know what it is. His ideas are good but should have stopped at some point. A little less might have been better.

    Like 0
  17. Avatar leiniedude Member

    I wonder what they will be saying about this in 40 years? https://www.callawaycars.com/homepage/cars/callaway-corvette/callaway-aerowagen-package/

    Like 0
    • Avatar Mike W H

      The first thing that comes to mind is “why?”

      Like 0
  18. Avatar MSG Bob

    I’ve seen these wagon conversions (of various types) before, and that part of this thing doesn’t look too bad. However, there seems to me to be a critical mass of change to a ‘vette that one should not exceed or the whole effort implodes. The front half takes it over the top, IMO.

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Ronald G Bajorek jr

    It’s fantastic! I Love It! I’m Putting in a Bid

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Tom Justice

    Is this supposed to be the Corvette Europa?

    Like 0
  21. Avatar troy

    michigan guy here… this is awsome …. where are the pictures of the back inside… what was the plan for the finishing? whats your bottom line ..
    email me goinghome1970@gmail.com

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jamie Palmer Staff

      Troy, we’re just reporting on the find. You’ll have to ask the seller on eBay for that info :-)

      Like 0
  22. Avatar PeterK

    One mans taste is another mans toilet…..

    Like 0
  23. Avatar Tort Member

    I was told years ago if you cannot say anything nice about anyone or thing keep your mouth shut!

    Like 0
  24. Avatar Bruce Jackson

    Per the Calloway Aerowagon conversion link (thank you @leiniedude), that is a, how shall I phrase it, a more compelling wagon conversion. As to the subject vehicle, I am trying to visualize it “finished” (whatever that means), and I am just not getting the same vibe that the Aerowagon is conveying to me.

    I agree with others who have already intimated that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, but you almost have to wonder that, maybe on paper this seemed like a good idea, and then they got so far with the project (illness notwithstanding) and realized, “Oh my–what did we do to this ‘Vette!”

    Like 0
  25. Avatar Classix Steel

    Keep the chassis and drive train and chuck the body! Sell it to a Quaker Steak Lube to stick on the wall or to someone with a rusted frame ! Heck even possibly find a kit car to bolt on the frame (63 split or maybe a Willys outlaw )

    Needless to say what a waste for a Vette !

    Like 0
  26. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    Shooting Brake indeed…I can’t decide whether to shoot it or to break it!

    Like 0
  27. Avatar stilbo

    Nothing an entirely new body and interior couldn’t fix.

    Like 0
  28. Avatar Reid Hall

    One thing is for sure, this is a project car, and can, and could possibly cost a lot of work, time, and money. If someone is not very experienced in fiberglass, they should pass on this. Also if it were me l would put a newer model rear glass and throw away the rear top.The bad thing is looks like from the pics.,they did some other body mods.,to the inner rear tub interior, so if this true, maybe it would be best to leave the back top.Also complete interior redo to be done.The motor with the car, not that great, to bad the factory motor is long gone.

    Like 0
  29. Avatar James

    Opinions are like a–holes, Every one has them good or bad.

    Like 0
  30. Avatar Classic Steel

    Someone buy the Porsche pos to put on this frame (-)

    Like 0
  31. Avatar Mark J. Soderberg

    Hey! Like it or not. See the discussion it created! A perfectly restored classic won’t get this much buzz!

    Like 0
  32. Avatar Dean

    I really don’t mind it, not saying I’d want own it, but if I saw it finished, in the right colour with the front lowered down I’d probably give it a second look.
    You can imagine back in the 80s this car would have been something.

    Like 0
  33. Avatar Ronald G Bajorek jr

    Shave the Wing off the Back, put together a decent motor/Tranny…quality paint and billboard message and you have a cool advertising piece… I dig it

    Like 0
    • Avatar Tom Member

      That is they only way I could get on board with this car. Advertising.

      I think I just threw up in my mouth!! :(

      Like 0
  34. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Ended: Jan 04, 2018 , 10:21AM
    Winning bid:US $4,417.00
    [ 86 bids ]

    Like 0
  35. Avatar Dt1

    I’ll pass on,this one

    Like 0

Leave a Reply to Jamie Palmer Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.