for sale 1970 Corvette LS5 ONE OWNER SURVIVOR! SOLD

Matt Harwood · June 14, 2019

*SOLD* Some people get originality, some don't, that's cool. For those who do get it, this awesome Monza Red 'Vette will check all the boxes. First, the important stuff: 100% matching numbers, LS5 454/390 V8, factory A/C, power windows, leather interior, and it has been owned from day one by the same guy who bought it when he returned from Vietnam. It wears original paint, the leather interior is 100% original, and it shows just 58,344 miles. We've had a lot of Corvettes pass through our hands, but not many have been as appealing to me as this cool survivor.

For preservation-class competition, either AACA or Corvette clubs, this is a great choice. The code 974 Monza red paint still looks awesome after 50 years of life and Michael was able to really bring up a great shine. I see no evidence of repainted panels our even significant touch-ups, and the original owner (who is now in his late 70s) says it has never been hit, not even a little ding. That means bumpers are original with nice chrome and even though fiberglass doesn't dent, there are no chips or cracks in the usual spots. He drove the car and enjoyed it properly, so there are a few marks here and there, but it's also obvious that it's been loved all its life. The rubber weather seals are still supple and the T-tops lock down and don't rattle, a rarity in a vintage C3. The headlights pop up properly and even the windshield wiper door leaps out of its well when you hit the switch. Nice!

Code 403 is black leather and yes, that's original upholstery, original carpets, original door panels, original dash pad, and, well, you get it. All the gauges work properly except the clock and the fiber-optics on the center console all light up as they should. Gauge markings are crisp and bright, day or night, and we just converted and charged the A/C so it works well. You also get an AM/FM radio, power windows, and an automatic transmission, making this something of a luxury-oriented 'Vette that's very easy to live with. Yes, there's some wear and tear, with the most notable thing being a split in the carpet at the base of the driver's seat (not usually visible), but overall it's quite well preserved.

The engine is the original, numbers-matching LS5 454 cubic inch V8. This was the top engine in 1970 (oddly, the LS6 was not available in the Corvette), and the CGW-coded block grunts out 390 horsepower and a towering 500 pounds of torque, all with great road manners and a hydraulic cam so it's very user-friendly. It carries a matching partial VIN on the stamping pad and there's just no question this is a correct car. We cleaned it up but we didn't restore anything, which seems inappropriate. We did, however, have the radiator re-cored and it runs ice cold now. We also installed new correct hoses and clamps, installed a new master cylinder, and tuned it a bit, but it really didn't need much. You'll note it still has its original Rochester 4-barrel carb, factory ignition shielding including plug wires, and that's factory Chevy Orange paint on the block--we didn't touch it. Underneath, it's grungy the way a car that has been driven would be, but there's no rust and it has obviously never been used in winter weather. Critical areas like the kick-up ahead of the rear wheels are completely solid and the frame is straight with no signs of an accident. The transmission is a stout TH400 3-speed automatic that's virtually indestructible and still shifts crisply. There's a newer exhaust system that sounds right and offers correct rectangular tips and remarkably, it feels like it has 3.08 gears out back, which makes it a flat-out awesome high-speed cruiser. If you want a vintage 'Vette that can eat up miles of highway on a road trip, I can't think of many better than this (provided you can afford to feed it). Rally wheels and fat 255/60/15 Goodyears look great and fill the fenders perfectly.

I'm not a Corvette guy but I love this car. It's ferociously fast if you want it to be, but it's also relaxed and comfortable if you just want to turn on the A/C and sit back for a cruise. And as a survivor, it's really nicely preserved. If you don't need perfection but appreciate cars that have been properly maintained but never disassembled, this should appeal to you. It's also reasonably priced at $47,900, giving you a lot of pedigree and performance for the price of a generic 5-year-old C7. Thanks for looking!