When it comes to the world of Corvettes, there seems to still be a decent supply of vintage cars out there that haven’t had double digits of owners and triple digits of miles. And from a value standpoint, the early C3 models sometimes stand out as a bargain, especially the first 4 year models if you are of the opinion that the golden age of muscle cars ended in 1971. This 1970 Chevrolet Corvette has some positives and some negatives, but if you are in the market for an early seventies C3 and happen to be a frame man this one would definitely be worth taking a look at. Located in Webster, New York, it can be found here on eBay with a current bid of $6,100. There are just over 3 days left on the auction as of the time of this writing and the reserve has not yet been met.
Let’s talk about one of the issues right off the bat. There are some rust issues that the next owner will be facing. The fiberglass body often makes a Corvette appear better than it is upon first glance, especially on cars that have spent most of their lives in the north. If only fiberglass deteriorated at the same pace as steel, a Corvette would be easier to evaluate, but alas it does not so caveat emptor, let the buyer beware. Having said that, the seller is upfront in saying that the frame needs work and that there is some rust on the windshield pillars. There are a handful of photos of the underneath side of the car, and while the above photo kind of makes me want to go get a tetanus shot the rest of them don’t look as severe. Just know that there are some rust issues underneath.
This Corvette is powered by its original 350 cubic inch V8 engine, which boasted 300 horsepower in 1970, and also still has the original 4-speed transmission. The car has only had two owners and 78,600 since new, and the seller says that the current owner has had this car since 1972. No word on whether or not the engine or transmission have been rebuilt, but it is said to run and drive, although the carburetor needs a rebuild and the car has not actually been driven for over a year. A carb rebuild kit is included in the sale.
The interior and gauges are original, but no information is given about how much, if any, of the exterior paint is original. The paint has some blistering and there are some cracks in the fiberglass here and there, but I agree with the seller’s point that it would not take a whole lot of work to make this a decent survivor/driver car. The doors are said to shut fine, although there has been some sort of a repair made to the bottom of the driver’s side door. The wiper door and headlights are working and the car is also equipped with air conditioning, which has not been tested so the A/C may not be functioning at present. The big-block hood and side pipes have been added.
What are your thoughts on this 1970 Chevrolet Corvette? What do you think is a reasonable price to pay for what you are getting here?
Makes a good candidate for a custom frame/ chassis as this poor thing will need everything. Buy it at the right price for a project.
If it was an LT1 car or big block it’d be already gone at that price regardless of the condition li f the frame
Mike is correct. If a legit LT-1 with correct Holley, distributor, pulleys and smog I would be in my truck going to Webster NY. Be forewarned. A close friend of mine who has restored four C3s and a 427 67 bought a 350 hp silver coupe five years ago for $6,000. Seized engine but original. Just to Be of carbon. He rebuilt to NCRS standards. Correct high compression, etc. Perfect frame but rotted birdcage because the orig owner let it sit outside since 1976. Rain snow. You know these cars leak. He is $30,000 into it and did all the work himself. Still not done. You better have above average mechanical skills and money. You can buy new frames. About $4,500 I believe. But for a base 70 car. Run.
surprised wth that much frame rot that the panels still line up.Looks like it was driven every day that they put salt down on the roads.
I grew up in Northern New York. Back in the 50’s thru the 70’s salt was spread with abandon on roadways five or so months of the year. I have lived in the south since the late 70’s, and vintage cars from here do not have the catastrophic metal erosion issues of this car. As a rule, I avoid buying project from the rust belt.
I love the car, but I’d have to pay to have the work done, and I’d wind up with very expensive money pit, I’d pass
I’ve been told in the past that “bird cage” rust/rot is a real problem in these C3 Corvettes. It’s also an extensive repair as the windshield pillars usually rot all the way down to the frame attachment. What I’m reading here here is that there is serious bird cage rust and frame rot are present which likely will result in massive repairs, $$$$$!
The seller refers to the PO2 hubcaps. Those aren’t PO2 hubcaps, they are the Monte Carlo hubcap. The PO2 has a different center. The same hubcap was used on the Rivera too.
As was stated if this car was something special it may be worth the cost and time that it’s going to take to bring this back to the living. With that said and what the car is it’s unlikely to be sold for any where near the asking price. It’s very likely a decent parts car at this point in its life!
A lot of C3 restoration people out there and someone will buy this up and not blink a eye about the rust on this car.I am surprised how high it has got to.
By the time you see rot through the frame, it’s already eaten the windshield header and the pillars alive. Water runs down an then gathers in the frame. This is a massive repair.