1970 CHEVROLET CORVETTE STINGRAY (C3) CONVERTIBLE

KEY FACTS

• A sound example of the classic American sports car, with unique provenance and what is believed to be its original engine.
• On opening the bonnet, you are met by the 350 cu (5.7-litre) small-block V8, which produces around 300hp and drives the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission.
• Delivered new to the United Arab Emirates, this Corvette Stingray was first owned by Mana Saeed Al Otaiba Al Marar, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources under the presidency of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
• It was then acquired by a British engineer living in the UAE in the mid-1970s, who shipped the car back to his home country in 1979; finally registering it with the DVLA in 1983 when he returned to the UK permanently. After nearly 42 years of ownership, this Corvette was then sold to its next owner in July 2016.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• As a 1970 model, this Corvette features squared-off front indicators, ‘ice cube tray’ front grilles and wing louvres and more comfortable seats compared to its predecessor.
• While it had previously been resprayed in white during its time in the UAE, the car was returned to its original Cortez Silver hue once it was shipped to the UK.
• Equipment includes power windows, shoulder belts and a factory hard top.
• The car will be accompanied by various documents dating back to 1979, including service invoices and past MOT test certificates, as well as evidence of its prior ownership.

CONDITION

• No bodywork damage.
• The resprayed Cortez Silver paintwork shows this Stingray’s distinctive curves particularly well, and is in excellent condition.
• Its exterior brightwork and trims are also in good order, with a pleasing time-earned patina to their surfaces.
• The white convertible hood is very smart, with only one noticeable mark on the passenger-side, which may well clean off.
• Inside, the cabin is in fair shape, but does feature some general wear and tear. Notably, the stitching has come away on the base of the driver’s seat, the seat cover is cracking on the passenger seat and there are small scuffs and marks on the vinyl-covered door cards and transmission tunnel.
• There are no known electrical or mechanical faults.
• The car’s last MOT test was conducted on 8 August 2020 at 36,061 miles, which resulted in a clean pass with no advisories.

SERVICE HISTORY

• This Corvette’s most recent routine maintenance was an oil and filter change, which was carried out in August 2019 at an indicated 36,019 miles by T.J. Motors.
• Prior to this, a full service was carried out in June 2018, when the carburettor was also replaced.
• During the seller’s three years of ownership the car has required little additional maintenance, save for replacement of its windscreen wiper switch.

SUMMARY

Highly original and with particularly interesting provenance, this Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible is a fine example of the classic muscle car. While its interior would benefit from some refurbishment in due course, this C3 is ready to enjoy immediately, and will make an ideal summertime cruiser for its next owner.

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All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.