427/4-Speed: 1969 Chevrolet Corvette
1969 was a hot year for big blocks in the Corvette. Even the small block offering had grown from 327 to 350 cubic inches, which was offered in standard form producing 300 horsepower right out the door, with the step-up version boosting horses to 350. But the big block was king, with no fewer than four variants of the 427 for ’69, five if you count the ZL1, but we’ll save the story of the latter for another time. This 1969 Chevrolet Corvette is a numbers-matching 427 example, residing in Saint Joseph, Minnesota, and can be seen here on eBay where bidding is already up to $20,700.
The car is being offered by Thunder Valley Classic Cars, who have been Corvette restoration specialists since the mid-eighties and have apparently performed over 45 frame-off rebuilds on both C2 and C3 models through the years. But this one’s being let go as it is, with the seller describing the car as all original and numbers-matching. He says it’s a two-owner vehicle and has had very little work performed on it through the years.
Under the hood is the factory 427, the tamest one on the ’69 big block food chain but still rated at 390 horsepower. A little over 79k miles have been driven, with the passenger side cylinder head being one item that has received attention, as it’s got a different month code indicating that at some point it was replaced. The engine is running, but there’s a small leak that is causing coolant to mix with the oil, plus the cam is going flat, with the owner describing the big block as good enough to run when the car needs to be moved or for a short drive down the road, but not to run for long periods of time. The transmission and rear end are also original components.
All of the Corvette’s body panels are stated to be original, with only one small crack in the fiberglass above the driver’s side rear valance. We actually get to see more photos of the car on a lift than on the ground, and just about everything on the underside and in the fender wells looks to be solid and decently preserved.
Things inside show the normal wear you’d expect for an original interior of this vintage, but overall it looks pretty good and mostly complete. The seller thinks this Corvette would be a good candidate for either a full frame-off restoration or maybe just an engine rebuild and some drivetrain work to enjoy as a driver. What would you do?
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Comments
wonder why they are not restoring this one
We specialize in Corvette restoration and repair, we have done 45+ complete frame off restorations on C2 and C3 corvettes over the years as well as lots of repair and maintenance work and have numerous NCRS and Top Flight awards for customer cars and my own cars
Hey Mike ,you seem to be an honest man.
Much respect.
Pretty solid original there. Wouldn’t need much to make it show worthy.
For those who grew up with hot wheels and saved their milk money. Too nice to have fun with. A convertible driver with strong small block and sidepipes would be my route.
Four-speed – check
Original numbers matching – check
Big block – check
Low miles- check
I would take a punt on this 69 Vette, and for sure I would sort the engine (hopefully just a head gasket, and not a collapsed block oil/water gallery??) and check all vital systems for safety, that’s it…..and drive it guilt free, and like I stole it!
If this ‘Vette could talk, I think it would love that! 😎👍
Definitely rebuild the 427, but I’d build it to better than factory specs, sort out the suspension and brakes and then enjoy it every day the sun was out. Very cool vette for not a lot of money.
I bought the orange 72 coupe on barnfinds about 1 month ago. I should have asked for pics of the frame-bad rust-I should know better but at auction time 6900 sounded good.I, still like the car and am in the process looking for a frame at a good price.It is a 4spd,t-top car and last of the chrome bumpers. the 350 is not running since it has sat a long time. 87k miles It might run but i dont care since its a smog low h/p motor when i pull the motor i hope to tend to the frame.This 69 is really neat with the big block.Sounds like a motor is in need of a rebuild. Its always nice to have a fresh motor.Thats all i would do for the most
Erik, Sorry to hear about that. That Corvette flipper on EBay in Miami is definitely buyer beware. He dresses them up to look okay in the pictures, but I’d bet that most of his inventory are loads.
Glad that you have the ability and are still going to work with what you got. Hopefully the frame can be repaired without a full replacement, but you might have to pull the body. Lots of work, but not impossible.
Made it to $27,099.99, Reserve Not Met.
It’s been re-listed.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/165889304693