Reader-Owned 1969 Corvettes

This is my 1969 Daytona Yellow, 350/300HP Coupe. The 4 speed manual/M20 transmission is also stock and the other options include A/C, Power Steering, and Side Fender Louver inserts. It is all stock and original, less an A.I.R. pump (everybody took those off first and trashed them!). It is original and unrestored with just over 66,000 miles on it. The paint job with the ZL-1 theme is not original, that was done in 1996 along with the interior getting a facelift. It won "Best in Show" last year, and taken a trophy at every show I've taken it to. The previous owner even had several trophies from it's previous life, so my shelf is quite full.

I rescued this car from a not so enthused enthusiast. He had the car for just over a year and it sat most of that time. He never even changed the oil! C'mon!

I acquired the car at an agreed price and knew not what I was facing. I knew the brakes needed help, and the oil needed to be changed at a minimum. Well, day 2 of ownership, I stepped into my garage and was overwhelmed by the smell of gas! After safely looking around the tank, I discovered a pinhole leaking down into the spare tire well, across the support rail, and onto my garage floor. So, I replaced the entire tank (no, there wasn't a tank sticker! Darn it!) and sending unit. Well, then I tackled the brakes with all new o-ring calipers, lines, and a new Master Cylinder, that fixed it! Now I was ready for a cruise! Well...I thought. A short drive revealed a leaking radiator! Pulled that out and found that the support frame was shot! Fixed all that, along with new hoses, belts, and a few other goodies. Now I'm ready for a cruise, right! O.K.! Drove it to the area's finest car show in Ocean City, MD. and on the way back, the rear wheel bearing on the passenger side starts to go. I got to a point where I was afraid to drive it for fear of something else going wrong! Several thousand dollars later(I really thought I got this car for a good deal) I was able to drive it and have been driving it trouble free for over a year! I'm finally over that fear of driving it!

Future plans include rebuilding the suspension and taking it to Carlisle this year. Enjoy the pictures and don't forget to wave!

1969 Corvette, options include L-68 427 Tri-power 400hp, am/fm radio, power steering, manual brakes, 4spd. I purchased this car a year ago from a dealer. They were not sure just how original or restored this car was. With the paper work they gave me, I was able to get a hold of the original owner. What a conversation we had. Car has original 68000 on it but it sat outside for at least 60000 miles and 30 years of it. I also got a few original documents and some maps he had in the car. I am very pleased with my car and will be enjoying it for many years to come.

My 1969 Stingray built October '69. The car was purchased new by Ronald Smith, a 20 year old from Oklahoma. Ronald was an ASA Radio Operator in Vietnam on Hueys who was shot down and KIA November 1969. Ronald's brother kept the car for him until selling it in 1982, then with only 23K original miles on it. The car was raced at local gymkana events and then restored to original configuration. The car was sold again in 2007 to a man in Texas who regretted selling his after high school. I purchased the car a year and half ago. To date a second resto on leather gun metal interior and mechanicals begun with upgraded 410 hp roller cam, VB&P C4/C5 suspension, Steeroids rack and pinion, period correct American Racing S-200 mags. The car makes a nice addition to my '0dd year' Vettes, C1 and C5. The car still has 29k original miles.

Binnie writes:

Thanks very much for sharing the history of this beautiful '69 with us.

Here is a picture of my 69' stingray for your website, It is corvette bronze, not an original color for 1969 but I like it, it's a great driver, 350ci/300hp, auto, ps, pw, pb & a/c.

Retired and just enjoying driving the 69. It is an older frame off (1995) and engine is a ZZ502/502 M20 4 Speed with 3.70 rear gears. Recently upgraded to Guldstrand suspension components. Fathom Green is the correct color and interior is stock.

The car is a 1969. It was put together from boxes... L46 not original, engine is from '70, high rise manifold forced the big hood.

'69 350/300 OM, TH400, B&B'd engine, 361 heads, Holley intake, Edelbrock carb, frame off completed 9/2005, 10,350 miles since rebuild.

I am from Bluff City, Tn. I am the owner of a 1969 Corvette Stingray, L68, Tri-Powered 427/400 HP 4/speed with side pipes that were installed by the dealer and a 3:70 axle ratio. The paint is 'Riverside Gold' and the car has 87,000 original miles on it. The interior is the original black leather except for the steering wheel which is the 'wooden' type that came with the car. I have the original one. This is a California car purchased from the lady who was the original owner.

****** Winner of the CorvetteC3. ca Trophy for Originality *****

Chris (Car Show Judge) writes:

I was as thorough as I could be, given the time constraints I had but Steve's Corvette was absolutely the best of the bunch. The others, while certainly nice, could not measure up to what I saw in Steve's 1969! It was a testament to how well an owner can maintain his car to factory condition. I offer my congratulations to Steve and the others who attended this show.

Binnie writes:

Thanks Chris for the judging and making the presentation to Steve on behalf of Corvette-C3.com My congratulations go out to Steve as well for preserving this gorgeous '69 in the pristine condition that it is.

My car has the M22 Rockcrusher tranny, no Air/PS/PB with a birth date of March 10th of 1969. This is my replacement for my 1977 that was totalled on July 16th, 2010 on my 45th Birthday. RIP 'Blue Ca' as my 7 y/o called it. My wife Patti loves the roadster better.

Binnie writes:

No-one deserves that type of birthday present. Thankfully no-one was seriously injured and Steven has retained his passion for these cars. I have added a couple pictures of Steven's '77 after the accident.