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Period Custom: 1969 Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevy Corvette was a totally new automobile in 1968, following in the design tracks of the Mako Shark concept car. The third-generation sports car was popular with buyers, who scooped up 10,000 more copies in 1969 than they did in 1968 and the design would run through 1982. The ’69 Vettes were only minimally changed over the ’68s, with new safety features being at the top of the list. This Corvette is a two-owner car that was treated to custom paint and a fuzzy interior some time ago. It looks as though a lot of time and money went into the project, but it won’t appeal to everyone. Located in Galion, Ohio, this special Chevy is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $20,000. Thanks for the “glowing” tip, Geo!

Under the hood, the ’69 Corvette had a 350 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor (300 hp) as standard equipment. This replaced the 327 from years prior. Buyers could upgrade to a more powerful version of the 350 (350 hp) as well as four iterations of the 427 big-block. The seller says his car has a numbers-matching 350 with a 4-speed with no indication that the wild changes to this car are anything other than cosmetic. The odometer reading is 61,000 and that may be accurate.

A record 38,762 Corvettes were sold in 1969, of which 16,633 were convertibles like this one. That would be the peak for Corvette demand until 1976 when the number would top 40,000 units for the first time. However, some of this ’69 growth can be attributed to a two-month extended production run because labor issues delayed the start of the 1970 model season.

For a car that has only had two owners in 53 years, little information is imparted about this car. Especially when it comes to the wild, one-of-a-kind paint job, and equally unusual interior. When was this done and – more importantly – why was it done?  We’re guessing someone wanted a cool show car rather than a daily driver or a street racer as this is not something you’d want to take out in the rain. If you got the interior wet, would the crazy materials that were used – even on the dashboard – ever dry?

The asking price for this Corvette is $5-10,000 less than what a stock edition might go far, so the seller realizes that just the right buyer has to come along. You wouldn’t buy this auto to take it back to original style paint and interior materials. You’d have to want and love it just the way it is.

Comments

  1. Avatar Cadmanls Member

    I like the 70’s vibe! Although it hasn’t gotten a lot of luv under the hood. Bottom side could be a little messy too. The warm spring air and cold steel collect quite a bit of condonsation up there. Lived up there almost 50 years and was a problem I experienced with my cars in my pole barn. But back to that paint, nice fade. Remember a few tequila sunrise paint jobs in the era.

    Like 5
    • bobhess bobhess Member

      Might be an understatement on the engine compartment, especially compared with the body and paint. Nice artwork but the interior sure takes away from the theme of the paint. Looks like it came out of a hearse.

      Like 8
      • bobhess bobhess Member

        ….. and I also remember a few tequila sunrises….sort of.

        Like 8
  2. Avatar Denny N. Member

    “Period Custom” is right! I’ll take the red PU in the background instead.

    Like 3
  3. Avatar alphasud Member

    Looks like a lemon that is in the ripening process. I would prefer either color by itself but not together.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar CraigR

    I was ok with the paint and then I saw the interior.

    Hard Pass.

    Like 11
  5. Avatar angliagt Member

    That interior looks like this ‘Vette was owned by a pimp.

    Like 9
  6. Avatar AndyinMA

    I worry so much for that red pickup, I hope it isn’t next in line for the custom treatment

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Frank Sumatra

    Thank you NCRS!

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Rw

    I’m fine with under hood not molested to bad,cool vette.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar Claudio

    When i bought my near mint convertible corvette, i refused to take it out until the rip on the seat was corrected
    So , i would certainly not be seen driving around with this barfy looking interior , i could laugh and say the paint is so eighties because it really is but xnay on that interior

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Jerry Bramlett

    I remember when Huggy Bear gave this car to his mom in the episode entitled “What the Parrot Saw”. It was far out, man.

    Like 4
  11. Avatar Butch Smith

    I lived and remember the early 70’s well, I saw plenty of great trick paint jobs on everything. But this one, Puff Puff, Pass! Pass Pass Pass!

    Like 2
  12. Avatar randys

    A quick rattle can for the valve covers and radiator shroud/fan would do wonders for the engine bay.

    Like 1
  13. Avatar Chris

    Pretty cool I would drive that .Period correct

    Like 3
  14. Avatar RMac

    Exterior I could live with but why would anyone glue fur all over the dash, door panels and console an interior trim kit would definitely be a must before being seen in public. The wheels while period correct- eh.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Mark

    Hideous paint and interior.

    Like 2
  16. Avatar dogwater

    I learned a lesson a long time ago its going be harder to sell a personalized car custom paint interior etc

    Like 0
  17. Avatar That Guy

    I love the paint. The interior, not so much. It would look the business in a lowrider, though it might actually need more flamboyant detailing in that case. It’s remarkable how well the custom work seems to have held up. So often cars like this fall into disrepair because they really weren’t intended to last beyond a few seasons on the show circuit.

    Like 1
  18. Avatar Paul G

    Love the paint work and if you’re a fan of period customs this is it.
    I’ll take it just the way it is!

    Like 3
  19. Avatar Greg

    definitely ‘Shag-A-licious’

    Like 0
  20. Avatar PRA4SNW

    I’m amazed that the paint has survived that long in that condition, because no one would do that paint and interior since the early 80’s.

    That interior can be put back to stop for relatively little money, and a lot of it might be removable.

    Like 1
  21. Avatar John Traylor

    Ugly paint and just as ugly interior.

    Like 0
  22. Avatar george mattar

    Cars like this were on the cover of Hot Rod and Car Craft in the 70s monthly., It is what it is. About 1976, everything changed from these butt ugly changes to stock. NCRS started in 1974. As Frank Sumatra says, “Thank you.”

    Like 0

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