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1970 LS7 Corvette

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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 10:01 AM
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Default 1970 LS7 Corvette

Thought I would introduce my newly purchased C3 here:

It's a 1970 LS7 Corvette convertible

Original paint with a bit of patina for sure. The car has been given a look over and signatures by many big names of the 1970 corvette engineering group - Mr. Langdon, Gib Hufstaeder, Zora's right hand man, and international road race-winning L88 Owens-Corning team member - included.

The original owner was disappointed the LS7 was cancelled (Gib has also provided a copy of the original GM bulletin officially cancelling the LS7 for the 'Vette) so he went about ordering parts to build his own - the car has an LS7 engine assembly, ZL1 solid cam , 2nd-design L88 aluminum heads, factory L88 hood with L88 air cleaner assembly, factory L88 dual-disc clutch, M22, L88 aluminum radiator assembly, full heavy-duty J56 brake package, and a rare set of OK Kustom headers and side pipes that were provided by GM engineering for L88/ZL1 road racers, they have GM part numbers stamped in them. It'a cool car - the guy even went so far as to have the pad gang-stamped with a CLZ suffix code, apply an LS7 12:1 console plate applied in the original position by the shifter (removing the original LS5 454 390 HP plate) and apply an LS7 emission sticker in the engine compartment. I expect it to be a beast.













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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 10:19 AM
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The car GM shoulda built!
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by PRNDL
The car GM shoulda built!
Indeed. All the parts were purchased and work was done on the car in around '71 or '72. Diamond Racing Engines in Detroit built the engine. It has emerged from a long slumber we are doing general refreshing and dyno-tuning now for road-worthiness. Can't wait for summer - got my big drum of Cam2 racing gas on order
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 10:46 AM
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Very cool car - thanks for sharing the story with us !!

Last edited by MCMLXI; Mar 13, 2013 at 12:36 PM.
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 10:46 AM
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Congrats on a truly rare find!
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 11:30 AM
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She's a real beauty !
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 12:09 PM
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Very cool
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 12:58 PM
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Very cool indeed! Thanks for sharing that. The car I would have loved to build back then. I had all the desire but none of the money!
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 01:02 PM
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Nice set up. I have an original crate LS7 in mine. It's since been modified with aftermarket parts.
Thx for sharing.
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 01:42 PM
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Nice looking with the hardtop on it!

I've seen this car in person, and it is indeed a beast.
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by MidShark
Nice looking with the hardtop on it!

I've seen this car in person, and it is indeed a beast.
thanks MidShark - your top looks great on her
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by MidShark
Nice looking with the hardtop on it!

I've seen this car in person, and it is indeed a beast.
WOW! I saw this thing up at MW the other day too. Didn't realize thats what was under the hood. Awesome car!
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 08:38 PM
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What a sweet ride! Are you planning a full restoration on it?
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 09:21 PM
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I have to agree with the others, a car I would have loved to have built back in the day. What a great collection of GM hi/perf parts. I bet it's a blast to drive. Enjoy!
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Old Mar 13, 2013 | 09:29 PM
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Could I interest you in a matching coupe to go with the roadster?


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Old Mar 14, 2013 | 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by C3 4ME
What a sweet ride! Are you planning a full restoration on it?
nah, it'll be driven just as she is as long as I own it.
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Old Mar 14, 2013 | 08:10 AM
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Hi V2G,
Thanks very much for the pictures!
It's especially interesting to see those Kustom headers and pipes!
Regards,
Alan
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Old Mar 14, 2013 | 09:08 AM
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Nice to see another LS7. I have one in a '69 chevelle. The sound these things make is just amazing. Especially up around 7k rpms
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Old Mar 14, 2013 | 09:22 AM
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the strangest thing for me is that I really don't like yellow cars - but the combination of parts and the potential to scare the s#$t out of myself with it just won me over. And, yes, the sound from those pipes is unreal - sonically, I'd put it up against a Ferrari V12 any day, total big-block symphony

anybody have any insight on the tach design? I am used to 5700 RPM yellow line and 6500 red line in hi-perf Chevrolets. This thing doesn't yellow until 6200 or so...

Last edited by Vette2Go; Mar 14, 2013 at 09:25 AM.
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Old Mar 14, 2013 | 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Vette2Go
And, yes, the sound from those pipes is unreal - sonically, I'd put it up against a Ferrari V12 any day, total big-block symphony
I pulled a set of those OK Kustom pipes off my 70 LT1. I wrestled with leaving it as a period correct racer, but decided to start heading back towards stock.

I really dig the subtle little pin stripe on your car too.

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