This 1969 Chevrolet Corvette coupe is said to have been purchased new in Costa Mesa, California, and has remained in Southern California since that time, including a 29-year period in storage beginning in 1992. The car was acquired by the current owner from the reported original owner in November 2018 and underwent a mechanical refurbishment the following year that included rebuilds of the 350ci V8, carburetor, front suspension, and brakes, along with installation of a replacement air conditioning compressor, water pump, fuel pump, fuel tank, dual exhaust system, shocks, and tires. Equipment includes a three-speed automatic transmission, a limited-slip differential, removable T-top roof panels, power steering, power four-wheel disc brakes, air conditioning, and power windows. This C3 coupe is offered by the seller on behalf of the current owner with service records and a California title.
The right front of the car was damaged and repaired, and the entire body was reportedly repainted in its factory Riverside Gold during previous ownership. The seller notes the presence of subsurface paint defects. Exterior features include body-colored T-top panels, along with a windshield wiper door and pop-up headlights that are vacuum-operated. Both door latches are replacements, as are the door seals and driver-side mirror. The right headlight cover is misaligned, and the light is slow to raise. There is free-play in the windshield cowl.
Factory 15″ Rally wheels with chrome trim rings and center caps are wrapped in BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires mounted during the refurbishment. A rebuild of the brakes included replacement of the master and booster cylinders, calipers, and flex lines. Work on the steering and suspension system consisted of replacing the ball joints and bushings, sway bar bushings and end links, and all four shocks. The tie rod ends were also replaced.
The bucket seats are trimmed in gold-piped black vinyl with a matching dash pad, door panels, and carpeting. Features include power windows, tilt/telescopic steering, head restraints, and air conditioning. The aftermarket cassette receiver does not work, and the speakers and wiring have been removed.
The three-spoke steering wheel fronts a 160-mph speedometer and a 7k-rpm tachometer with auxiliary gauges located in the center stack. The five-digit odometer indicates 67k miles, approximately 100 of which were added since completion of the refurbishment.
The 350ci V8 was reportedly rebuilt to stock specifications with work including installation of a replacement camshaft, pistons, valves, and valve springs, along with resurfacing the block and cylinder heads and balancing the rotating assembly. The carburetor and distributor were rebuilt, the radiator was cleaned and pressure tested, and the exhaust manifolds were refurbished with the A.I.R. system installed but deactivated. Additional service consisted of replacing the fuel and water pumps, belts and hoses, spark plugs and ignition wires, and the battery.
A photo of the engine stamp taken prior to the rebuild shows the sequence 727277, which matches the last six digits of the vehicle’s serial number. The HZ suffix corresponds with a 350ci/300hp V8 paired with an automatic transmission.
The dual exhaust system was replaced during the refurbishment, as were the fuel tank, fuel sender, and fuel lines. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and a Positraction rear axle, both of which were serviced and resealed during the refurbishment. The driveshaft was balanced and fitted with replacement U-joints.
