THE 1970 THIRD GENERATION CORVETTE
Thank you for checking in here at Hobby Car Corvettes, as we continue with our C3 Vette Rundown Series. Two weeks ago, we shop-talked the victorious reveal of the 1969 C3 Corvette. As a result of hard work, ingenuity, and listening to the people, ‘69 was a great year! This made for a hopeful year to come in 1970.
So wasting no more time, let’s find out what the 1970 third generation Corvette brought to the table!
A DELAYED START
The reveal of the 1970 Chevrolet Corvette was slightly delayed, or let’s say… fashionably late. This was partly due to the backlog of production from the extremely successful 1969 year. It was also partially due to the UAW (United Workers) strike, beginning in May 1969. The strike caused the 1969 production to be extended 4 months, and the 1970 production to be cut short. The effects of both of these events had the 1970 C3 Corvette, reaching showrooms in February. But as they say, good things come to those who wait.
Because of the delayed starts, the production numbers were far lower in 1970, than in 1969. The total number of 1970 Corvettes built totaled 17,316, with 6,648 being convertibles and 10,668 being coupes.
CHANGES MADE
Even with 1969 having been a more fruitful year for the third generation Corvettes than 1968, try and stop Chevrolet from continuing to grow and improve. There is always room for improvements in the eyes of designers, inventors, technicians, and innovators. Make it faster. Make it sharper. Make it better. Keep growing.
The design changes of the 1970 C3 were revealed on a show car known as the Aero Coupe. The aesthetic changes that were apparent to the naked eye, led onlookers to view a subtle transition in style. The designers wanted to take the Chevrolet Corvette from strictly Sports Car, to a Luxury Sports Car.
The 1970 C3 Corvettes’ fender flares were designed into the body contours to reduce damage from wheel-thrown road debris. Egg-crate grills were added, replacing the previous four side gills. There were also matching front fender side vents and larger squared front directional lamps. The previously round dual exhaust outlets were made larger and rectangular in shape. The new rectangular exhaust pipe tips were recessed into the underside of the tail, a design concept inspired by the Mako Shark II.
The seats were once again tweaked to add additional headroom. Afterall, luxury demands spaciousness. Also offered on the interior, was a new deluxe option of combined wood-grain wood accents and higher-spec carpeting with leather seat surfaces. You could truly feel like royalty, surrounded by these high end details. Tuxedo Black was no longer available as an exterior color, although there were probably a few cars that were painted black as special orders.
DID YOU KNOW:
- In 1970, big block engines increased from 427 to 454 cubic inches and the powerful 370 HP LT1 small block engine made its debut.
- Also, the first ZR1 performance package appeared in 1970 (not 1990, as some might believe) and included the 370 HP LT1 engine and a host of other performance items.
- In 1970, GM President Ed Cole made the decision that all engines would be required to run on 91-octane fuel, a decision that was made in preparation for ever tightening emission regulations that would strongly regulate future automotive production.
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
The 1970 Corvette was not deterred by the delay in production. Quantity is not always a direct reflection, of quality. We believe 1970 was good year. To this day, each third generation Corvette continues to excite and impress us, which is why we are eager to continue this highlight series with you. Stay tuned to see what Chevrolet has in store for it’s 1971 release. You know you are curious.
In the meantime, feel free to reach out to us at Hobby Car Corvettes, located in Martinsburg, PA, if you have any questions or interest in owning your very own C3 Corvette. Your dream of owning your very own C3 Chevrolet Corvette is only one click away!
SPECS
MODEL | 1970 CHEVROLET CORVETTE |
GENERATION | C3 |
BODY STYLE | Two-door convertible/coupe, front engine, rear wheel drive |
MANUFACTURING LOCATION | St. Louis, Missouri |
EXTERIOR
COLORS |
Classic White, Monza Red, Marlboro Maroon, Mulsanne Blue, Bridgehampton Blue, Donnybrooke Green, Daytona Yellow, Cortez Silver, Ontario Orange, Laguna Gray |
INTERIOR
COLORS |
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Saddle, Red |
CONSTRUCTION | Uniconstruction: fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP or “fiberglass”) body, backboned by a steel cage outlining the passenger compartment. Principal members – underbody, front and rear end assemblies, dash panel and hinge pillars are bonded, riveted, or bolted together and to each other. Hood is plastic with bonded plastic reinforcement. Coupe: two removable roof panels and removable rear window. Frame: all welded, full length, ladder construction with 5 crossmembers. Side Rails and intermediate crossmembers box section; front crossmember box girder section. Eight body-mounting points. |
VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN) | 194370S400001 – 194370S417316 |
TRANSMISSION | 3-speed manual (standard), 4-speed manual (optional), 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic (optional) |
ENGINE SUFFIX | CGW: 454 CUBIC INCH, 390 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CRJ: 454 CUBIC INCH, 390 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, TRANSISTOR IGNITION CRI: 454 CUBIC INCH, 390 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION, TRANSISTOR IGNITION CTD: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION CTG: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CTH: 350 CUBIC INCH, 350 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION CTJ: 350 CUBIC INCH, 350 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION, AIR CONDITION CTK: 350 CUBIC INCH, 370 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION, TRANSISTOR IGNITION CTL: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION CTM: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMMISSION CTN: 350 CUBIC INCH, 350 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMMISSION CTO: 350 CUBIC INCH, 350 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMMISSION,AIR CONDITIONING CTP: 350 CUBIC INCH, 350 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMMISSION, TRANSISTOR IGNITION CTQ: 350 CUBIC INCH, 350 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMMISSION, AIR CONDITIONING, TRANSISTOR IGNITION CTR: 350 CUBIC INCH, 370 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMMISSION, TRANSISTOR IGNITION CTU: 350 CUBIC INCH, 370 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMMISSION, TRANSISTOR IGNITION CTV: 350 CUBIC INCH, 370 HORSEPOWER (ZR1), MANUAL TRANSMMISSION CZU: 454 CUBIC INCH, 390 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMMISSION |
ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER | 3970010, 350 CUBIC INCH, 300 HP, 350HP, 370HP
3963512, 454 CUBIC INCH, 390 HP |
HEAD NUMBER | 3927186, 350 CUBIC INCH, 300HP, 350HP, 370HP
3927187, 350 CUBIC INCH, 350HP 3964290, 454 CUBIC INCH, 390HP 3973414, 350 CUBIC INCH, 370HP |
CARBURETOR NUMBERS | ROCHESTER Q-jet #7040202: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300HP, AUTO
ROCHESTER Q-jet #7040203: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300HP, MANUAL ROCHESTER Q-jet #7040204: 454 CUBIC INCH, 390HP, AUTO ROCHESTER Q-jet #7040205: 454 CUBIC INCH, 390HP, MANUAL ROCHESTER Q-jet #7040207: 350 CUBIC INCH, 350HP, MANUAL ROCHESTER Q-jet #7040212: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300HP, AUTO ROCHESTER Q-jet #7040213: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300HP, MANUAL ROCHESTER Q-jet #7040502: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300HP, AUTO ROCHESTER Q-jet #7040503: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300HP, MANUAL ROCHESTER Q-jet #7040504: 454 CUBIC INCH, 390HP, AUTO ROCHESTER Q-jet #7040505: 454 CUBIC INCH, 390HP, MANUAL ROCHESTER Q-jet #7040507: 350 CUBIC INCH, 350HP, MANUAL ROCHESTER Q-jet #7040513: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300HP, MANUAL HOLLEY R4489A #3972123: 350 CUBIC INCH, 370HP, MANUAL HOLLEY R4555A #3972121: 350 CUBIC INCH, 370HP, MANUAL |
DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER | 1111464: 454 CUBIC INCH, 390HP
1111490: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300HP 1111491: 350 CUBIC INCH, 370HP, TRANSISTOR IGNITION 1111493: 350 CUBIC INCH, 350HP 1112020: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300HP 1112021: 350 CUBIC INCH, 350HP |
ALTERNATOR NUMBER | 1100825: 350 CUBIC INCH, 370HP
1100833: 350 CUBIC INCH 350HP, 454 CUBIC INCH 390HP 1100859: 350 CUBIC INCH, 300HP |
AXLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER | CAK: 3.36:1 RATIO
CAL: 3.08:1 RATIO CAN: 3.55:1 RATIO CAP: 4.11:1 RATIO CAS: 3.70:1 RATIO CAV: 3.08:1 RATIO CAW: 3.08:1 RATIO CLR: 3.36:1 RATIO |
POSITRACTION AXLE | CAM: 3.36:1 RATIO
CAO: 3.70:1 RATIO CAT: 3.08:1 RATIO, HEAVY DUTY CAU: 3.36:1, HEAVY DUTY CAX: 3.36:1, HEAVY DUTY CAY: 2.73:1 RATIO, TURBO HYDRA-MATIC TRANSMISSION CAZ: 3.55:1 RATIO, HEAVY DUTY CFA: 3.70:1 RATIO CFB: 4.11:1 RATIO, HEAVY DUTY CFC: 4.56:1, HEAVY DUTY |
PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE | JANUARY 1979:402261, FEBRUARY 1970: 405183, MARCH. 1970: 407977, APRIL. 1970: 408314, MAY 1970: 410652, JUNE 1970: 413829, JULY 1970: 417316 |
Options Codes, Production, & Pricing
CODES | DESCRIPTION | QUANTITY | RETAIL PRICE |
19437 | Base Corvette Sport Coupe | 10,668 | $5,192.00 |
19467 | Base Corvette Convertible | 6,648 | $4,849.00 |
– | Custom Interior Trim | 3,191 | $158.00 |
A31 | Power Windows | 4,813 | $63.20 |
A85 | Custom Shoulder Belts (std with coupe) | 475 | $42.15 |
C07 | Auxiliary Hardtop (for convertible) | 2,556 | $273.85 |
C08 | Vinyl Covering (for auxiliary hardtop) | 832 | $63.20 |
C50 | Rear Window Defroster | 1,281 | $36.90 |
C60 | Air Conditioning | 6,659 | $447.65 |
G81 | Optional Rear Axle Ratio | 2,862 | $12.65 |
J50 | Power Brakes | 8,984 | $47.40 |
L46 | 350ci 350hp Engine | 4,910 | $158.00 |
LS5 | 454ci 390hp Engine | 4,473 | $289.65 |
LT1 | 350ci 370hp Engine | 1,287 | $447.60 |
M21 | 4-Speed Manual Transmission, Close-Ratio | 4,383 | $0.00 |
M22 | 4-Speed Manual Transmission, Close Ratio Heavy Duty | 25 | $95.00 |
M40 | Turbo-Hydro-matic Automatic Transmission | 5,102 | $0.00 |
NA9 | California Emissions | 1,758 | $36.90 |
N37 | Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column | 5,803 | $84.30 |
N40 | Power Steering | 11,907 | $105.35 |
P02 | Deluxe Wheel Covers | 3,467 | $57.95 |
PT7 | White Stripe Tires, F70x15, Nylon | 6,589 | $31.30 |
PU9 | White Letter Tires, F70x15, Nylon | 7,985 | $33.15 |
T60 | Heavy Duty Battery (std with LS5) | 165 | $15.80 |
UA6 | Alarm System | 6,727 | $31.60 |
U69 | AM-FM Radio | 14,529 | $172.75 |
U70 | AM-FM Radio, Stereo | 2,462 | $278.10 |
ZR1 | Special Purpose Engine Package | 25 | $968.95 |
We currently have the following 1970 corvettes for sale:

Just Arrived
1970 Burgundy Corvette 4spd For Sale
350 engine, 4 speed manual transmission, 4,394 miles on the dash (title is exempt for mileage), aftermarket Borgeson power steering, rally wheels, black interior, Hooker
Manual
350
4,394 on dash