Just curious why the '70 454/365 roadsters are valued higher in the various pricing guides than the '69 427/390 roadsters? Just because fewer of them were built?

Are they actually selling for higher than the '69 427's?

Steve

Hrm, I would think the 69's would have a higher value.

Fewer numbers usually translates into higher prices. The '70 models were also the last of the higher compression engines as GM began kneeling to the Fed mandates in 1971. The '70 454 was rated at 390hp and by '74, the last year the engine was offered, it had dropped to 270hp (there was a 425hp version offered in '71, but less than 200 were produced).

I'll agree with Norsky on the limited numbers driving value. Wasn't the 454 a lower compression (rebuild may not be necessary) than the 427? That would make the '70 more compatible with todays gas then the '69s. I believe the '70 454 was also at the top in terms of sheer torque. The overall car was also considered to be an improvement over the '69 primarily because it had integral fender flares that prevented stone damage to the lower body. I know mine has picked up plenty of chips behind the rear tires!!!

I can also tell you that finding a big block '70 convertible is no easy feat!

I would think both '69 & '70 should bring about the same money. If you like the body tuck style more, then '69 would be the "refined version of the '68,69' style cars, if you prefer the flared body well style then '70' would be the choice for horsepower and torque combination as the highest for the '70 thru 72" years. I know the '71 LS6 is the exception (horsepower wise) as I own one of these, but they are rare and not easily obtainable to the average "vette" enthusiast. For todays ease of driveability I would think the '71,72' big block LS5 would the Corvette of choice because of our poor quality fuel and lower octane availability.

Hey Early Shark --- We need to see a photo of that '71 LS6 454/425! 1 of only 188 made, it's probably the rarest of all the vettes on this site! How long have you had it & where did you find it? How organized is all of your documentation and (if you don't mind my asking) what is your best guess at it's current value? Is the hood raised in the L-88 style? I know there's a good story here.

Bcliff & I saw one on e-bay a few months back that got up over $50K without hitting the reserve. I don't think it ever sold.

|UPDATED|9/9/2003 5:41:30 PM|/UPDATED|

Well Its a matter of supply
there were way more 69's built, I believe as far as the pricing guides go that is there basis less built means more cash for it now.
But when you look at how many of the 390 hp cars were built......

of course its all about which car you want It boils down to the exterior in my eyes I think the 70 454 was still doing great hell Ill take one anyday as long as its ontario orange..

There was an Auto Worker's strike in 1970 so that limited the supply of cars for that year. That is why the '71 Vette is almost the same as the '70 in design.
There were also many more small block Vettes built than Big Blocks. Those two factors raises the value of the '70 Big Blocks.

Bill

|UPDATED|9/11/2003 7:07:38 PM|/UPDATED|

Well, the 454 is the BIGGEST engine put in a vette, and '70 was the first year for it, plus '70 was still high compression. With all due respect to other years, I think there is a perception in some quarters that '70 was a high water mark in terms of the combination of styling refinement and power for the chrome bumper sharks; the pinnacle of those five years.

How about the comparison of 427/435, '67 vs. '69? Isn't a '67 double the price? Obviously, it's all about the body.

The NADA book shows the value of a good '69 427/435 to be around $46,000 compared to a good '67 427/435 which should fetch at least $80,000.