I couldn't agree more Alan !

 

wise words Alan.

Thank you

 

Shifter is bolted to the frame.

 

LT1's have the same hood as the 454's.

If those are original hubcaps they can fetch a lot of $$$$ alone.

 

TJ,

With the few indicators used, in just a couple pictures, I'm leaning more towards the side of it being a base motor AC car, looks like green/standard saddle? It's not uncommon for the console plate to have been replaced along with the (easily seen) non original hood.

Earlier, I posted as a question about the tach, in an attempt to "let you down easy", and hoped you might research it further. The way the car is sitting on the ground also makes me VERY concerned about it's frame. I can say through experience that, THAT car, will cost more to restore than you could sell it for. But to many that means absolutely nothing, like me. I want every last remaining Corvette, roaring down the highway!

Lastly, any '70 LT 1, IMO, has to have some factory documentation or I'll be a sceptic about it's true identity, period.

 

Very good point. I can say from personal experience, after having done two cars, extensively disassembled, then rebuilt, I have little desire to do another. The sense of adventure is pretty much gone, been there, done that. I'm currently on the fence as to whether I want to finish off my current Corvette. Depend on how much it will cost to have the body work and paint done, work I cannot do. I couldn't bring myself to do another, I'd prefer to buy one already done or a nice original. Two top to bottom projects are enough for me.

 

Thank you WB.
My friend with the car is getting married next month but when he returns from his honeymoon I'll be stopping by to take a look at the car closer.
You have a good eye, as he did say the car had been wrecked at some point.

 

As always, great advice from Alan 71!

 

true, Alan, but a free Corvette will at least always find its way home for a bit (if I'm offered one)

 

Grab that car

 

It would make an awesome track day car.

 

They will, pass on that car unless you want to take too much time parting it out. sitting in the dirt like that bet the frames rusted to death.

Sure free sounds good but may be too expensive. If it was worth it your buddy would have done it already he just wants some free junk removal.
Youll have years in it and more than it will ever be worth imo

 

If you don't have the money to refurbish that vehicle into a decent Corvette and then keep it for yourself....or take it as only a 'parts' car to disassemble and sell off...you should just take a pass on it. The amount of personal labor you would need to put into that car would never be recovered by the sale of the resulting car.

Restoring that car would have to be a 'labor of love'. And, it appears that it is not a real LT-1 car, anyway. There were no air-conditioned LT-1 cars in 1970.

 

I know this doesn't answer your question, but what about just saving it from its horrible grave ? Bring it home, just clean it up & sell it to someone who has the time , but not the money, to get into a big restoration. I've seen this many times. A person with very limited resources buys a vehicle that looks like its not worth anything, but its all they can afford. Five years later, they have a running car they can drive. But they did it with the few extra dollars they put aside each week.
Yes, I'm a bit of a romantic about these things. But I am a big supporter of " Bring Them Back From The Grave ". This car, or any one for that matter, deserves a better life than rotting away in a field ( or under a pepper tree ) If not you, then another member ?
Just my emotional opinion, Tim

 

Damaged beyond economical repair.

 

My 2c, if nothing else you can help finance your 71 by parting it out (while helping some members at the same time). Too bad it's so far away from me ;(

 

First, I would get it home, get it cleaned up, and then evaluate it. See what you need for your BB project, then decide what you want to do. Parting out is a real PITA especially when it interferes with the other projects!

Then advertise it online as a project car for someone else to enjoy

 

Parting it out sounds good...but what if the very first person to want a part chooses the crankshaft? Then you have to completely disassemble the motor to get at it--then clean it up and box it up--then ship it out.

Of course, you could say you will only sell the motor "complete", but you get my drift: you have to disassemble, clean, package and ship ANY piece that someone wants. And you can recover no costs for that work, OTHER than what you can fairly charge for that part. In many cases, since the parts are all USED, that amount would not pay for itself.

You should go whatever route you choose with this car; but you should be aware of all the 'negatives' involved with every possible scenario.

Good luck

 

Then you have all the dreamers/tire kickers who will inquire about some parts, they will want a few pictures, they will want a shipping quote, and then, they will tell you they don't have the money right now to buy said parts, money they did not have to begin with...

 

Correct.. and this car has AC which wasn't available in 1970 lt-1 cars plus I'd go looking at the driver inner fender for the TI amp box.. All LT-1 cars had TI ignition. (I own one).

To me the bottom line question is if this car is worth restoring.. In my humble opinion.. NO. We see this every week in our shop and as recently as three weeks ago where we re-framed a 1972 coupe. The cost to re-frame the car was close to the value of the car so it's like throwing good money at bad. We tried to talk the customer out of it but the car had sentimental value to it and he elected to do it.

If this car is free.. or if there is even a small cash transaction I'd gladly take it because there are too many valuable parts on the car to pass it over. If the hood is the real deal then that alone would cover your cost of removing the car.

Again.. It's just my opinion, but parts wise.. The suspension alone is worth 500, the rear the same, the hood the same (maybe more).. then you figure the small parts.. Seats, Dash pads if good..

I doubt this car is the real deal and you'd need more proof to go with it to say it's an LT-1. The tach, the rear end, the core support and fan blades, and the fact that this car has an AC dash seems to point to me that someone was trying to clone one in the past.

Willcox