| The story on this 1969 Corvette is simple: matching numbers 427, 4-speed, factory sidepipes, and a recent restoration, plus a ton of factory documentation including a tank sticker. Now look at the price, which isn’t a misprint. If you’ve been looking to join the exclusive 427 club, this is an ideal opportunity. Restored in its original code 980 Riverside Gold, one of the less common 1969 colors, this Corvette looks simply magnificent in the sunlight. Forget that nonsense about how all Corvettes are red, this one has a handsome, upscale look that is more grand touring than street brawler, and that’s just how it was supposed to be. The paint is two-stage urethane with an inner glow that no vintage enamel could ever match, and the way the light plays over the Corvette’s curves only emphasizes the shape. Sidepipes made a triumphant return to the options list in 1969, and checking the L36 option got you that cool big block hood complete with ‘427’ emblems. The slender chrome bumpers front and rear have been restored to show condition, and all the lenses and emblems are exact reproductions. This is the kind of car that doesn’t grab you immediately, but the more you look, the more there is to love. Black buckets inside are the right choice with Riverside Gold, and GM made numerous improvements to the ’69 cars to correct complaints about the ‘68s. New door panels added hip and shoulder room, the steering wheel diameter shrank by one inch thanks to power steering becoming more popular, and the cool fiber optic lamp monitoring system was added. The soft parts have all been restored in the not too distant past, including new door panels, seat covers, and carpets throughout. The gauges look so good that they must have been restored at the same time, and the mileage indicated is authentic. Options include a tilt wheel and a rare AM/FM stereo radio that works properly. Tilt the vented hood forward and you’ll find a freshly rebuilt L36 big block, which has been warmed over with a solid lifter camshaft and LS6 heads and intake. Rated at 390 horsepower, a recent dyno run indicates that this warmed-over 427 now makes 440 horsepower and a thumping 516 pounds of torque, enough to keep it neck-and-neck with the legendary L88. It was also nicely detailed while it was apart, with Chevy Orange paint on the block, chrome valve covers, and proper decals in all the right places. A chrome alternator is one of the few upgrades, along with updated sidepipes that sound amazing. The 4-speed slips through the gears, and the suspension has been freshened. The chassis is solid and rust-free, although not detailed for show and Vintage Rallys wear recent BFGoodrich radials. Documentation includes an owner’s manual, Protect-O-Plate, tank sticker, dyno sheets, cam card, and receipts. Look closely, because opportunities like this don’t come along often: a matching-numbers 427 Corvette with a ton of documentation and a recent restoration. Color codes from the trim plate. Built date is O07. 64,922 miles from the odometer. $44,995. March 14, 2012. |
