1970 Corvette

A UAW strike forced a two-month extension of 1969 production, which gave Chevy the time it needed to make the 1970 a better-built Corvette, and was doubtless a factor in 1969's record volume. But the strike also delayed the 1970s from reaching dealer showrooms until February, which pushed Corvette sales to its lowest point since 1962 -- a mere 17,316 units.

Total sales for the 1970 Corvette were down, reflecting a production start-up delayed to January 1970.
Total sales for the 1970 Corvette were down to the lowest point since 1962,
reflecting a production start-up delayed to January 1970.

Cosmetic changes for the abbreviated 1970 model year were slight. The extreme bodyside tuck-under was found to be susceptible to stone damage, so Chevy flared the aft portions of each wheel opening, which helped somewhat. The grille went from horizontal bars to a fine eggcrate pattern. (The real radiator air intakes, Duntov's original slots, were on the car's underside.) The eggcrate also appeared on the front fenders in place of the previous four "gills." Front parking lamps switched from small, round units to rectangular fixtures with clear lenses and amber bulbs. The dual exhaust outlets also shifted from round to rectangular.

Inside the cabin, seats were reshaped for better lateral support, more headroom, and easier access to the trunk. Shoulder belts, still separate from the lap belts, got inertia storage reels, thus ending some cockpit clutter. A redoubtable custom trim package was added to the options list that offered full cut-pile carpeting and fake wood trim on the console and doors.

Rear-deck vents eliminated the need for door vents in the 1970 Corvette.
Rear-deck vents eliminated the need for door vents in the 1970 Corvette.

Engines were again the main Corvette news for 1970. The LT1 was now genuinely available, though at a hefty $447.50. Lesser 350s returned unchanged. The mighty L88 and ZL1 weren't even theoretically offered, though Chevy continued to sell Can-Am engines to bona fide teams. Instead, big-block buyers got a 427 stroked out to a full 4.00 inches and 454 cid. Two versions were listed, one real, the other not. The former, RPO LS5, offered hydraulic lifters, 10.25:1 compression, single four-barrel carb, 390 bhp at 4,800 rpm, and a massive 500 pounds-feet of torque. Listed but never officially sold was RPO LS7, with aluminum heads, mechanical lifters, 11.25:1 compression, a higher-lift cam, and transistorized ignition. Depending on the source, output was given at either 460 or 465 bhp. Sports Car Graphic tested an LS7 Corvette and reported a standing quarter-mile of 13.8 seconds at 108 mph.

Like the previous year's enlarged small-block engine, a bigger big-block was offered in response to stricter emissions requirements. Also like the 350, the 454 produced less power per cubic inch than its predecessor, but a lower peak power speed gave it somewhat more torque, and thus more flexibility, at lower rpm. Road & Track tried an LS5 with an automatic and obtained 7.0 seconds for the 0-60-mph run, a 15.0-second quarter-mile at 93 mph, and a top speed of 144 mph. On the down side, testers found the suspension suffered from both excessive harshness over irregular surfaces and a certain floatiness at speed.

Not that these criticisms mattered much, because 1970 would mark the end for big-inch, big-power Corvettes in the traditional mold. Besides skyrocketing insurance rates and fast-falling demand for sporty cars, Chevy's top performance machines were doomed by GM president Ed Cole's desire to eliminate low-volume options. He also dictated that all engines be retuned to run on 91-octane fuel, anticipating the need for catalytic converters to meet ever-tightening emissions limits.

Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:

1968 Corvette
1969 Corvette1970 Corvette
1971 Corvette
1972 Corvette
1973 Corvette
1974 Corvette
1975 Corvette
1976 Corvette
1977 Corvette
1978 Corvette
1979 Corvette
1980 Corvette
1981 Corvette
1982 Corvette

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

  • Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.

Advertisement

1970 Corvette Specifications

The 1970 Corvette boasted a crosshatch-pattern grille and front-fender vents, plus deeper rear wheel-arch skirts so wheelspin in hard takeoffs wouldn't kick up so much debris. These and other improvements led to improved driving quality for 1970. Here are the specifications for the 1970 Corvette:

Corvette's 427 big-block became a 454 for 1970. The LS5 version delivered 390 bhp for just $290 extra.
Corvette's 427 big-block became a 454 for 1970.
The LS5 version delivered 390 bhp for just $290 extra.

Vehicle Specifications
Convertible
Coupe
Wheelbase, inches
98.0
98.0
Length, inches
182.5
182.5
Width, inches
69.0
69.0
Track, inches
front: 58.7 rear: 59.4
front: 58.7 rear: 59.4
Height, inches
47.9
47.9
Curb weight, pounds
3,720
3,425

Mechanical Specifications (2-door convertible/coupe)

Suspension
front: Independent; upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar
rear: Independent, lateral leaf springs, struts, U-joint halfshafts, trailing arms, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers

Wheels/Tires
8x15

Brakes
front: 11.75-inch disc
rear: 11.75-inch disc

Transmission
3-speed Hydra-Matic
4-speed manual

Standard axle ratio
3.36:1

Engine Specifications

Typeohv V-8
ohv V-8
ohv V-8
ohv V-8
ohv V-8
Displacement, liters/cu inch
5.7/350
5.7/350
5.7/350
7.4/454
7.4/454
Bore × stroke, inches
4.00 x 3.48 4.00 x 3.48 4.00 x 3.48 4.25 x 3.76 4.25 x 3.76
Fuel Management
1 x 4-bbl.
1 x 4-bbl. 1 x 4-bbl. 1 x 4-bbl. 1 x 4-bbl.
Horsepower @ rpm
300 @ 4,800 350 @ 5,600 370 @ 6,000 390 @ 4,800 460 @ 5,600
Torque @ rpm, pound-foot
380 @ 3,200 380 @ 3,600 380 @ 4,000 500 @ 3,400 490 @ 3,000

Published Performance Numbers

Acceleration
390 hp, 3-sp automatic
460 hp, 4-sp man.
0-60 mph, sec
7.0
NA
0-100 mph, sec
NA
NA
1/4-mile, sec @ mph
15.0 @ 93
13.8 @ 108

(Sources: Road & Track; Sports Car Graphic)

Vehicle Production and Base Prices

Car Type
Production
Price
2-door convertible
6,648
$4,849.00
2-door coupe
10,6685,192.00

Options and Production

Option
Production
Price
Custom Interior Trim
3,191
$158.00
Power Windows 4,813
63.20
Custom Shoulder Belts (std w/coupe)
475

42.15

Auxiliary Hardtop
2,556
273.85
Vinyl Covering
832
63.20
Rear Window Defroster
1,281
36.90
Air Conditioning
6,659
447.65
Optional Rear Axle Ratio
2,862
12.65
Power Brakes
8,984
47.40
350 hp Engine
4,910
158.00
390 hp Engine4,473
289.65
370 hp Engine
1,287
447.60
4-speed Manual Transmission, close ratio
4,383
0.00
4-speed Manual Transmission, close ratio, heavy duty
25
95.00
Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission
5,102
0.00
California Emissions
1,758
36.90
Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column
5,803
84.30
Power Steering
11,907
105.35
Deluxe Wheel Covers
3,467
57.95
White Stripe Tires, F70 x 15 nylon
6,589
31.30
White Letter Tires, F70 x 15 nylon7,985
33.15
Heavy Duty Battery (std w/LS5)
165
15.80
Alarm System
6,727
31.60
AM/FM Radio14,529
172.75
AM/FM Radio, stereo
2,462
278.10
Special Purpose Engine Package
25
968.95

Color Choices (Production numbers not available)

Color Choice
Color Choice
Color Choice
Classic White
Monza Red
Marlboro Maroon
Mulsanne Blue
Bridgehampton Blue
Donnybrooke Green
Daytona Yellow
Cortez Silver
Ontario Orange
Laguna Gray
Corvette Bronze

Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:

1968 Corvette
1969 Corvette1970 Corvette
1971 Corvette
1972 Corvette
1973 Corvette
1974 Corvette
1975 Corvette
1976 Corvette
1977 Corvette
1978 Corvette
1979 Corvette
1980 Corvette
1981 Corvette
1982 Corvette

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

  • Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Loading...