1969 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Sport Coupe

This Chevy Corvette Stingray is powered by its original 427 cubic-inch, 435 horsepower L89 'big-block' engine that features a four-bolt main block topped with a pair of high-flow, lightweight aluminum heads. An aluminum tri-power intake manifold rested between the heads and used three Holley model 2300 carburetors. The L89 was rated as delivering the same horsepower as the iron-head L71, but it actually produced slightly more power due to its larger exhaust valves (1.84 inches compared to 1.72 inches). Additionally, it was about 75 pounds lighter, thus reducing weight from the front end, resulting in enhanced road performance.

All L71 and L89 came standard with a transistorized distributor. In 1969, only 390 examples of the Stringray left the St. Louis factory floor equipped with the L89 option.

This particular L89 Coupe was given a show-quality restoration in 2016 and achieved the NCRS Duntov certification in 2017 with a score of 99.3 Having already achieved Bloomington Gold certification and NCRS Top Flight certification, it achieved 'Triple Diamond' status at the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals in 2016. The Triple Diamond Corvette candidates are judged on a 1,000-point scale with deductions taken for any deviations from how the vehicle left the assembly line. The Corvettes are thoroughly inspected and analyzed by a team of Corvette specialists, checking inside, outside, and underneath. They check date codes, part numbers, fit and finish techniques, and more, to assure that any Corvette to make the grade are truly paragons.

This particular example is finished in Tuxedo Black with a Saddle interior. Options include power windows, Soft-Ray tinted glass, side-mount exhaust, audio alarm, Posi-Traction 3:70 differential, and four-speed close-ratio transmission.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2020