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[Joel]

A customer of mine has a few Corvettes in his barn said there are in the 1970 era, any thoughts on best or worst year.
Going to set up a time to go look at them soon.

[Puzzled]

In that time frame, (68) 70-72 were metal bumper cars. Add a big block and a stick and it'd be a fun car. 73-82 I think were all a similar body style.

1970 Corvette LT-1
When the muscle era was reaching its performance peak, the meanest Corvettes were the big-block monsters with 427- and 454-cubic-inch beasts under their hoods. But just when it seemed that all 'Vette glory was going to be earned with cubes, along comes the sweetly balanced, nicely detailed and still dang quick LT-1 powered by a 370-horsepower, 350-cubic-inch small-block V8.

Actually, that 370-horse rating was likely an understatement. The solid-lifter, 11.0:1 compression ratio, four-barrel carbureted LT-1 engine (also used in that year's Camaro Z/28) likely made closer to 400 hp. But with insurance rates rising, there was no reason to shout about such details. And by 1971, impending emissions regulations and low-lead and unleaded gasoline meant that compression ratios dropped and solid lifters became more problematic. In 1971 the LT-1's rating dropped to a realistic 330 hp and the last LT-1 built for 1972 ran at a claimed 255 hp.

[2k]

Personally, if it don't have chrome bumpers it's too new. '72 was last front & rear, '73 had front. '74up.......plastic. But all are nice, go with what your wallet can stand. BTW, '75 was last convertible of that era which to me makes it collectible.

[Yellow09SERG]

Always liked the 427 tri power cars, but short of the true L88 cars, I think they are all pretty equal in collection value anymore if your talking 68-72

[FLSTFI Dave]

68 to 82 pretty much the same car.

My first choice would be 68-72, with a big block and manual, then the same years with a small block and manual.

Next any big block car year with a manual.

next 78 pace car.

Stay away from 82 with crossfire injection. 

Parts are widely available for them.  Sold my 80 last August after 31 years of ownership.

[*58Vette]

I've had several corvettes in that body style.  After years of setting they will need all new brake calipers, the power steering will be leaking, exhaust is likely to have the mufflers rusted, points and cap will need replaced, carburetor rebuilt and all fluids replaced.   That is normally a minimum to get it back to the road.

[ultrarider123]

Personally, if it don't have chrome bumpers it's too new. '72 was last front & rear, '73 had front. '74up.......plastic. But all are nice, go with what your wallet can stand. BTW, '75 was last convertible of that era which to me makes it collectible.

Amen, Jimmy.  Would love a '72 in the garage....just before the bumper change and prior to all that oil crunch/smog pump hooey really choaking the motors/industry

Good luck on the site visit, Joel.  Hope you find something worthy....and don't forget the pictures for the rest of us...

[Joel]

I'm expecting mechanical repair needs as these have been parked for many years.
We own a automotive repair shop so mechanical repairs won't be a problem, body repairs can be traded out.
Not sure on the years available yet as the fellow that has them said he loaned money, they are the collateral and the guy has disappeared.
Not sure if concrete was involved, 2 guys go hunting and 1 comes back type of thing.
Will be setting up a time this coming weekend, get pictures and car information, do research and decide.
My thought is buy, fix, sell. Unless it is a real keeper.

[charles05663]

How about posting pictures if you can get them?  I am sure there would be lots of interest here to see them.
 

[sadunbar]

I had a '68 and a '79.  I liked them both.  The '79 had more "modern" conveniences, if that matters.  If there is a big block in the mix - that's where I would go...
 

[smkymtnboy]

I had a '68 and a '79.  I liked them both.  The '79 had more "modern" conveniences, if that matters.  If there is a big block in the mix - that's where I would go...
 

no replacement for displacement!!