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2009 Shannons Classic Vehicle Auction at MotorEx
Lot
24

1970 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 454/390 Convertible

$80,000

melbourne

Sold

Specifications

Engine V8, 454-cid
Gearbox 4-speed manual
Body Work Convertible
Colour Mulsanne Blue metall
Interior Black
Trim Leather
Wheels Steel Disc
Brakes Discs

Description

This lot is no longer available

Drawing inspiration from the Mako Shark II show car, Chevrolet's third generation Corvette (the Sting Ray badge was dropped temporarily) was introduced in 1968 and promoted as "all different all over." The C3 Corvette was a beauty queen with macho attitude, the pumped up 'Coke bottle' lines devoid of any superfluous detailing or chrome. Neat touches like the push button arrangement instead of door handles, hidden windscreen wipers gave a sleek, aerodynamic shape. The Corvette was sold in either of two body styles, namely a full convertible or the coupe, the latter actually featuring a targa-type roof arrangement with a pair of removable panels and removable rear window. Very few changes were made to the styling for the 1970 model year apart from a new grille design and fender vents, while the seats and belts were improved inside. The base model 1970 Corvette came with a 350-cid V8 developing 300 hp and a choice of either the Turbo-Hydra-Matic or four-speed manual gearbox. Included in the standard equipment list were vinyl upholstery, centre console and full instrumentation including tacho and an electric clock, disc brakes front and rear, a dual exhaust and tinted glass. Optional engines included the 350 hp L46, 370 hp LT1 or the 390 hp 454-cid big-block, along with heavy-duty manual transmissions to cope with the extra grunt - the 454/390 also had 500 lbs/ft of torque on tap. Chevrolet built 10,668 convertible Corvettes in 1970 and these pre-emissions cars still managed to turn some very respectable numbers - the big-block 454/390 was capable of reaching 0-100 km/h in a little over five seconds. Early chrome-bumper C3 Vettes are becoming increasingly popular with collectors, particularly big-block convertibles, and the car on offer here ticks all the right boxes.