I just purchased a 1970 Corvette from the original owner (elderly owner, son sold it to me). With its original pink slip and license plates. The car has been off the road since 2009 and garaged all its life. Reported to have 66K original miles on the drivetrain (350 w/A/T)???. It has its original Donnybrook green paint w/ green interior. It has T-Tops, PS, PB,,AC,,PW.The body, paint interior and bird cage are in great original condition. Since it lived in Southern California it's entire life there is no rust/rot anywhere w/ no signs of ever being in an accident. Before buying the car, I inspected the numbers on the casting and compared it to the VIN. I don't think it's a number matching. I just ordered the Corvette black book to confirm. The engine was modified to over 400HP in 2009, sounds good but it's obnoxiously loud. (I have no documentation what was done to modify it, but I do have all the original parts that were replaced)

If it turns out to be a non-numbers matching car, I want to bring this car up to a reliable, jump in and have fun car. My questions are, #1. I was told to get a duplicate title and keep the original title for historic purposes. My thoughts are if the motor is not numbers matching does it really matter? #2. Where to get quality replacement parts? #3. If I do an engine swap I would go with a crate engine, what recommendation on crate engines do you suggest and from what company.

Being naive in the Corvette world and to a forum, I'm looking for guidance and advice to proceed...Thanks in advance

 

Welcome, for parts my first choice is always Paragon, after that I look at Corvette Central, Zip, Wilcox. there are a lot of vendors out there. Get yourself the Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) and the GM service manual. (Not Haynes) If you do the work yourself, you will need these. Do a search on engine swaps, LS swaps. There have been many done. I followed bluegtp, lot's of good information and a lot of good pics.
Good Luck, Bill

 

I'll buy the manuals and check out the websites

Be Safe,

Billy

 

Hey Billy, congrats on the new Vette!
The whole "numbers match" thing is WAY over rated. If the car runs and drive nice and you like it, nobody can tell or cares if the numbers match. It's still a cool Corvette.
Please share some pics with us!

 

If you're looking to go Bloomington Gold, the numbers matching does matter. I am in the NCRS, I enjoy it, but my car is not even close to being. For the amount of money I would spend to get top flight it was just not worth it to me. So, I am resto modding it. And I can still have it judged at NCRS in a different category.

 

Thanks guys, that is exactly what I wanted to hear. I got the car at a good very fair price so I can't really complain. I'll figure out how to post some photos and add it to this thread.

Thanks again and safe cruising,

Billy