1969 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

It's hard not to love a C3 Corvette, especially from one of these early years of that generation, before the 1970s and '80s added too many straight edges and power-robbing emissions equipment, and removed the chrome bumpers. In the year of the first moon landing, the Corvette was still a curvy, sultry thing with chrome bumpers and plenty of horses under the hood.

This year, 1969, was the only one for which side pipes were a factory option on the C3-chassis Corvette. This little red Corvette is equipped with those glorious noise-makers. They provide an accent along the full length of the running boards, exiting the engine bay just below the Stingray's heat-venting gills. This car's red paint is good for a driver: It's not pristine, but that just means you shouldn't feel bad about wanting to take it out every weekend. Properly wide tires-BFGoodrich Radial T/As in a 225/70R15-are mounted on stock rally wheels, a combination that just looks right. Around back you'll find a luggage rack on the trunk and those iconic round taillights.

As with every Corvette, there's room for two people inside, on those refreshed vinyl seats. Remove the T-tops before slipping in for open-air cruising. A telescoping, three-spoke steering wheel will help you get comfortable, and the shifter falls easily to hand for this car's four-speed manual transmission. Seats aside, the interior appears to be mostly original but in good condition, showing only wear appropriate to the car's age. Floor mats with the Corvette's logo adorn the footwells. Useful engine gauges are mounted in the center of the dashboard, right above the AM/FM radio. Give the key a twist and the engine will beckon you to explore the upper limit of that 160-mph speedometer.

Under the front-hinged hood lies 350 cubic inches of numbers-matching V8 for you to ogle. It's an HZ-code engine with stock manifolds, rated at the factory for 300 roaring horsepower. The only change from original is to a Holley carburetor. Everything else under the hood appears to be stock. It's a clean place to be and mostly in original, unrestored condition. Underneath the car is a similar story: it appears unrestored and original. The independent suspension design, with its transverse-mounted leaf springs, is a concept so effective that it carries through even to today's C7-generation Corvette. Disc brakes at all four corners provide ample stopping power.

Take advantage of that trunk-mounted luggage rack and go away for a weekend. Remove the T-tops and set yourself free on a long drive. It'll be just you, your Corvette, the open road, and those beautiful side pipes singing their V8 song to keep you company. Call today!