LT-1 or LS5?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 351
I have a few Corvette owning mates that live on the Wirral..
The '70 is the more desirable having 370bhp then 330 and lastly 255 but they changed the way these outputs were measured so the '70 & '71 were closer than the difference shown I believe. There's a Ontario Orange '71 LT-1 NCRS Top Flight for sale at the moment with an ask of £45k with a re-stamped decked block?
Your target seems to have shifted from a C3 to a chrome bumper C3 and now BB & LT-1's. All I would say is bide your time and buy the best you can as these things arn't cheap to fix up given the import penalties on parts and shipping costs.
Stuart
The '70 is the more desirable having 370bhp then 330 and lastly 255 but they changed the way these outputs were measured so the '70 & '71 were closer than the difference shown I believe. There's a Ontario Orange '71 LT-1 NCRS Top Flight for sale at the moment with an ask of £45k with a re-stamped decked block?
Your target seems to have shifted from a C3 to a chrome bumper C3 and now BB & LT-1's. All I would say is bide your time and buy the best you can as these things arn't cheap to fix up given the import penalties on parts and shipping costs.
Stuart
I saw the £45k one on eBay.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
When the LT1 and LS5 both debuted in 1970, the former cost the buyer about 54% more cash than the latter.
This no doubt contributed to the reasons why, between 1970-1972, only 4,977 LT1 cars were sold, while the LS5 ran to a total of 13,483 cars.
Since both options have always been desirable, rarity tends to play a prominent role in relative value.
This no doubt contributed to the reasons why, between 1970-1972, only 4,977 LT1 cars were sold, while the LS5 ran to a total of 13,483 cars.
Since both options have always been desirable, rarity tends to play a prominent role in relative value.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,875
Likes: 3,555
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
When the LT1 and LS5 both debuted in 1970, the former cost the buyer about 54% more cash than the latter.
This no doubt contributed to the reasons why, between 1970-1972, only 4,977 LT1 cars were sold, while the LS5 ran to a total of 13,483 cars.
Since both options have always been desirable, rarity tends to play a prominent role in relative value.
This no doubt contributed to the reasons why, between 1970-1972, only 4,977 LT1 cars were sold, while the LS5 ran to a total of 13,483 cars.
Since both options have always been desirable, rarity tends to play a prominent role in relative value.
It was not quite 4% of the the price of the car....or less than $200
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 330
From: Indy Indiana
given equal provenance, pedigree, dates, stamping, and both a no excuses cars to compare to, , i expect that both would be a high priced car.
yet the LT1 is a much more rare car. so several intangibles skew the price.
yet the LT1 is a much more rare car. so several intangibles skew the price.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
$289.65 + ~54% = $447.60.
With respect to the price of the car, the math would look like this.
The LS5 at $289.65 cost ~5.6% of the base price of the 1970 coupe at $5,192.
The LT1 at $447.60 cost ~8.6% of the base price of the 1970 coupe at $5,192.
5.6% + ~54% = 8.6%.
-----------------------------
1979 L82 M21 FE7
Classic White / Doeskin
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,875
Likes: 3,555
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
I was comparing the cost of the two options against each other. Among the 1970 engine choices available, the LT1 option was offered to buyers at a ~54% premium over the LS5 option.
$289.65 + ~54% = $447.60.
With respect to the price of the car, the math would look like this.
The LS5 at $289.65 cost ~5.6% of the base price of the 1970 coupe at $5,192.
The LT1 at $447.60 cost ~8.6% of the base price of the 1970 coupe at $5,192.
5.6% + ~54% = 8.6%.
-----------------------------
1979 L82 M21 FE7
Classic White / Doeskin
$289.65 + ~54% = $447.60.
With respect to the price of the car, the math would look like this.
The LS5 at $289.65 cost ~5.6% of the base price of the 1970 coupe at $5,192.
The LT1 at $447.60 cost ~8.6% of the base price of the 1970 coupe at $5,192.
5.6% + ~54% = 8.6%.
-----------------------------
1979 L82 M21 FE7
Classic White / Doeskin
How you worded it- sounded like you meant the LT-1 car sold for 50+% more...
I took an average price- $5400 and used a rounded up number of $200- So 3.7% added to the purchase price to buy the LT-1....
So if you were in the showroom back in the day-
Looking at an engine that needed 42% more bolts to hold the valve covers on-
4" longer and almost 4" taller
Over 100 CID more
Of course the Big Block sold more- a lot more engine for your money!!!
When I was 18 and bought my 71 LS-5 (1981) -
Can't tell you how many times I opened the hood as people were dumbfounded to see that big of an engine is a small car.
Back then- everybody was running around with a small block...
Just because less were sold - saying they are necessarily "rare"- doesn't always add value or desirability- Example 69 with a 3 speed manual....
Even Hagerty values the LS-5 as slightly more valuable-
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,048
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From: US-PNW
The difference is the point at which the two values are measured. Raw horsepower (HP) is measured at the flywheel and is the maximum power an engine can develop. Brake horsepower is the amount of power required to stall the engine at the drive wheels.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 779
From: Persona Non Grata
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Big block vs small block: I know someone who pounds nails for a living. He says the bigger the stick (meaning hammer, should there be any doubt) the smaller the dick. (I'll leave that to your imagination) 
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
I was referring only to the options, which I later clarified in response to your earlier inquiry. Again, what I was trying to say was...
Among the 1970 engine choices available, the LT1 option was offered to buyers at a ~54% premium over the LS5 option.
However, as I stated earlier... Since both options, LT1 and LS5, have always been desirable, rarity tends to play a prominent role in their relative value.
I love the way you maintain your LS5 engine compartment, shown in your photo above. Same for Last Triumph. They look like incredibly nice Corvettes. Thanks to both of you for the photos.
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1979 L82 M21 FE7
Classic White / Doeskin
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 351
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,875
Likes: 3,555
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
I agree. When I reread what I wrote it was ambiguous as to whether I was referring to the two cars, or just the two option packages. LT1 could refer to the whole car or just the option package. So I appreciate you bringing that to my attention.
I was referring only to the options, which I later clarified in response to your earlier inquiry. Again, what I was trying to say was...
Among the 1970 engine choices available, the LT1 option was offered to buyers at a ~54% premium over the LS5 option.
That is true whenever you compare an undesirable feature, like a 3 speed manual or an open differential, with a very desirable feature, like an LT1 or LS5. Then rarity is more or less irrelevant.
However, as I stated earlier... Since both options, LT1 and LS5, have always been desirable, rarity tends to play a prominent role in their relative value.
I love the way you maintain your LS5 engine compartment, shown in your photo above. Same for Last Triumph. They look like incredibly nice Corvettes. Thanks to both of you for the photos.
-----------------------------
1979 L82 M21 FE7
Classic White / Doeskin
I was referring only to the options, which I later clarified in response to your earlier inquiry. Again, what I was trying to say was...
Among the 1970 engine choices available, the LT1 option was offered to buyers at a ~54% premium over the LS5 option.
That is true whenever you compare an undesirable feature, like a 3 speed manual or an open differential, with a very desirable feature, like an LT1 or LS5. Then rarity is more or less irrelevant.
However, as I stated earlier... Since both options, LT1 and LS5, have always been desirable, rarity tends to play a prominent role in their relative value.
I love the way you maintain your LS5 engine compartment, shown in your photo above. Same for Last Triumph. They look like incredibly nice Corvettes. Thanks to both of you for the photos.
-----------------------------
1979 L82 M21 FE7
Classic White / Doeskin
My car originally was a LS-5- not my pic- looks a little different these days-
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,040
Likes: 672
From: FL
A small block is like the girl you take home to meet your mother.
A big block is like the girl you just take home.
As for handling, a big block with aluminum head, aluminum intake, aluminum water pump is very close in weight to an iron head small block.
Cooling. Good radiator, timing and carbs set right and the proper spoilers. No problem. My 496 will run at 180 all day in the FL heat and does not overheat in traffic.
And the torque is exhilarating. No downshifting needed. Punch the gas and you are there now. Mine break loose today on the on ramp flooring it at 50mph in 3rd.
A big block is like the girl you just take home.
As for handling, a big block with aluminum head, aluminum intake, aluminum water pump is very close in weight to an iron head small block.
Cooling. Good radiator, timing and carbs set right and the proper spoilers. No problem. My 496 will run at 180 all day in the FL heat and does not overheat in traffic.
And the torque is exhilarating. No downshifting needed. Punch the gas and you are there now. Mine break loose today on the on ramp flooring it at 50mph in 3rd.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I'm afraid that you won't find either of those C3/engine combinations in cars that are even close to 'decent' for 20K or less. If there was one for sale at that price, there MUST be some serious "stuff" going on underneath. I suggest that you either "raise the ante", or lower the sights a bit. A '71 or '72 BB would cost less than the LT-1 car, if they were in the same condition.
If you will personally do the work to refurbish the car, just find the lowest priced car where you have interest and make sure it is not a 'rust bucket'. Then fix it the way you want it.
If you will personally do the work to refurbish the car, just find the lowest priced car where you have interest and make sure it is not a 'rust bucket'. Then fix it the way you want it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,252
Likes: 767
From: Waterford WI
If you live in a hot area, it might be impotant to you that a small block radiates less heat into the passenger compartment. On the other hand, only in 1972 could you order LT-1 and AC (and you won’t find one of those for $20k or less unless it is badly wrecked), while you could get a big block with factory air in all 3 years. What is important to you?
Last edited by 62corvette; Dec 14, 2020 at 03:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 351
If you live in a hot area, it might be impotant to you that a small block radiates less heat into the passenger compartment. On the other hand, only in 1972 could you order LT-1 and AC (and you won’t find one of those for $20k or less unless it is badly wrecked), while you could get a big block with factory air in all 3 years. What is important to you?
What's important to me?
Bad-***.
Lots and lots of bad-***.
With an extra side of bad-***.
(As long as it was the same *** it left the factory with! LOL)
But, I can't afford either and the thread is not about my search, more just to learn a bit more about the cars I love and their place in history and the market.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 351
I had a Callaway once who's *** was reasonably bad, in a hair dryer woooooosh kind of way, soon followed by smoke and drips of oil and warning lights ad infinitum.... was like being married to a psychopath with a crack habit.