Interest In The 1970 Corvette

[Kenneth B.]

It seems that there a lot of posts are about the 70 Corvette. In the day they were not that popular. What do you attribute this interest to. I always thought that they were neat cars & the last of the HP Corvettes. In the 80'S not many people were that interested in them. I bought my LT-1 with 18,000 miles on it from the original owner in 1981 for 9,000.00
KEN

[Tom H.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

I think 70's are interesting for the simple fact that 70 was a short production run. It was a neat year. First LT1, first 454, etc. Just a neat car. I had one a long time ago and really liked it.

[Warren F.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

I attribute this to the refinements brought to the '70, '71 models over the previous two years. Some external styling features as well as some interior features that give these models a nice touch.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

I have a 71 and I bought it and Sold my 65/ 365hp, side pipe convertable because my friend had a really cool White BB 70. I drove it and loved it. I did not know the HP/compression was dropped at the time.

And the valve covers were Orange,

[Warren F.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

Yes, but the front grilles aren't plastic.

[Steven G.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

There were 17316, 70' corvettes produced, lowest production since 1962. 70' corvettes were equiped with fiber optics, new design front + side grills, rect. ex. tips, slight fender design change, headlight washers, and a whopping 490 h/p b/b, some engines without emission pumps, none used cat. converters, just to list some features not found on other cars of that era, and shared with some close year corvette productions. I have often been told that since this was 3rd year production of c-3, the bugs were worked out better than previous years, that maybe a myth? I sure have had fun with mine !! Steve 70, L-46 cpe., #9.

[Stephen B.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

1970 represents the beginning of the end of the gilded muscle car era. The last year of the high compression engines.

[Bill M.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

I think that beside's the fact that they look great. They are more affordable than the mid years.

[Jack H.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

Yes, but you'd have to effectively double that production count of 17316 to take into consideration that 1970 Corvette production was delayed until January of 1970...

Do that 'normalization' exercise and you'll conclude the '70 Corvette was as popular as it was in years prior as well as years just after.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

Yes, but you'd have to effectively double that production count of 17316 to take into consideration that 1970 Corvette production was delayed until January of 1970...

Do that 'normalization' exercise and you'll conclude the '70 Corvette was as popular as it was in years prior as well as years just after.

JACK
I was refering to the later years in the early 80'S & up to a few years age. I was interested in them in the day for all the reasons listed here but I would have thought that they would have caught on earler than they did. Ken T. take heart both 454 HP ratings were overstated as well as the L-88 was understated. The 72 HP dropped again because HP was rated at the rear wheel. All the HP ratings were dictated & set by the sales dep. not a dino. I agree about the orange valve covers may be the retro 1967 look after crome in 70.
KEN

[Richard R.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

Another interesting fact of the 70 is every fourth car off the line was a BB. 17,316 total production and approx 4,500 were BB's.

[Marc K.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

Thank goodness we have appreciation in the lowly and often neglected 1970. Great posts abound about the strike, causing nearly half a year's production, and sometimes the strangely coded accessories. 1970 will be a year to watch for C3s in terms of appreciation and collector's value, especially those who have big blocks or LT1s. For all the fellow 1970 owners: UNITE!

[Philip C.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

It seems that there a lot of posts are about the 70 Corvette. In the day they were not that popular. What do you attribute this interest to. I always thought that they were neat cars & the last of the HP Corvettes. In the 80'S not many people were that interested in them. I bought my LT-1 with 18,000 miles on it from the original owner in 1981 for 9,000.00
KEN

Wow Ken that was a lot for that car in 1981, In 1980 I bought my 67 2-top, side ex, 427-400 38,000 mile all orig for $8250. And in 73 I bought my first vet, a 68 327-350 hp 2-top P/W P/S P/B A/C leather A01 A82 A85 G81 K66 M21 N36 UA6 U15 U69 and a luggage rack for $1800. That 68 was a good deal, They were going for about $3500 for one loaded like that. Those were the days Phil 8063 Oh yea I even got a set of studded snow tires on 68 rally wheels with it.

[Terry M.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

Marc,
I bought my 1970 in 1970, and I have been looking for something in writing since that time to confirm the rumor that a strike caused the late introduction of Corvette .. and I presume Camaro as well, in the 1970 model year. I have yet to have anyone produce such a report from 1969 or 1970. I have personally searched back issues of The Wall Street Journal and many automotive magazines from that time frame. There are numerous reports since then, but I am looking for a primary document so that the historical accuracy can be confirmed.

I welcome any and all submissions. I won't believe it until I see it.

[Jeff G.]

Re: Interest In The 1970 Corvette

What struck me about the 1970 was the short list of engine options for retail. I've knew about the intention of putting the LS6 454 in the line up that never materialized. (Darn those Chevelles.) I just found an article that took me back that mentioned a LS7 1970 Corvette with aluminum heads. It was tested for a magazine write up. I wonder where did that LS7 go? I assume this was part of a pilot group of cars that Chevrolet took back after testing.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1970-corvette.htm