The Chevy Corvette for 1970 sported several body changes from the previous year. Fenders were flared to prevent rock and road debris damage, the previous vertical front fender slots were replaced with louvers, front grilles were a mesh-style as opposed to horizontal bars, the front marker lights were clear rectangular lenses with amber bulbs, and the round exhaust outlets were replaced with rectangular polished tips. Inside the Corvette’s cabin, seats were redesigned to allow better head room and access to the cargo compartment. A deluxe interior option was available for the first time, with leather seats, faux woodgrain panels on the doors and center console, and cut pile carpet.
The 1970 Chevy Corvette had new options for power. The Big Block displacement grew from 427 cubic inches to 454 cubes, with output rated at 390 horsepower. The base 350 cubic-inch Small Block was rated at 300 horsepower, with the optional L46 350 rated at 350 horsepower, and the new 350 cube solid-lifter LT1 rated at 370. The LT1 was available only with a four-speed manual transmission, and could not be ordered with RPO C60 Air Conditioning.
Our feature 1970 Chevy Corvette LT1 convertible is an award-winning example, having captured a Bloomington Gold certification in 2019, as well as a 2019 National Corvette Restorers Society Top Flight Award. It is finished in Monza Red over Saddle Leather with a Saddle cloth soft top. The 370-horsepower, 350 cubic-inch Small Block is the original, numbers-matching engine mated to the numbers-matching four-speed manual transmission. The odometer shows 50,000 miles, and given the car’s condition, it’s possible it has not turned over.
The paint finish on the Chevy Corvette LT1 is brilliant and glossy, showing great attention to prep and application. The chrome bumpers and trim appear to have either been re-plated or replaced, and the stainless looks to have been carefully polished. Painted steel Rally wheels wear beauty rings and center caps, and are shod in Goodyear F70-15 raised white letter bias-plies. All the turn signal and marker light lenses are haze-free. The Saddle-colored soft top shows only minor wrinkling.
The Chevy Corvette LT1’s cabin is done in deluxe trim, with the upgraded carpet, leather seats, and woodgrain panels on the door cards and console. The seats show next to no wear, just some minor creasing. Carpets are clean and plush. The Corvette is equipped with tilt/telescopic steering, the factory AM/FM radio, and power windows.
Under the hood of the Chevy Corvette LT1 is a beautifully detailed engine compartment is occupied by the 370-horsepower Small Block. All finishes and components appear to be in place on the numbers-matching engine, including the A.I.R. pump.
This beautiful Chevy Corvette LT1 convertible will cross the Mecum Auctions block at their Orlando, Florida sale taking place July 6th through the 9th.
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Comments
Great looking car I always liked that Stingray style. Good days for mussel and power.
You could certainly have a LS5 big block with C60. I don’t think you were supposed to be able to order C60 with any solid lifter car due to the higher rev limit. This applied to small blocks as well I believe.
Ed Jennings,
They turned the order down multiple times because of the 3:70 rear end and C60 air option. The salesman tried to Order another one like it for a customer and GM refused.
It had nothing to do with rear differential ratios. It had to with it being able to idle with the AC on. Which with the solid lifters and radical of the lT1 it would not. With the big block it would unless it had solid lifters. Did yours have solid lifters?
The dual quad 409 with solid lifters had the same restriction for ordering AC. However, one area rep in one of the southwestern states managed to order one for his company car. I would love to have that 64!
It was not my first Corvette, but was my last. I ordered every option that could be had, except for the Gymkana suspension upgrade. C60 air was due to the diligence of a salesman who sold a lot for GM. He died a few years ago and I thanked him in his obituary for helping me with both Vettes. I married my girlfriend and we had our first child so the little monster was no longer practical. We are still together after all these years but still talk about it when we go down memory lane.