Corvette fans can reel off the numbers in their sleep; numbers that represent, what are to many, the Holy Land of high performance. Like some Speed Shop auctioneer, the ascending numbers just fly off the tongue: 265, 283, 327, 350... Then comes a pause, the volume increases and the numbers get bigger: 396, 427, 454. These are, of course, the Corvette V-8s, the great engines of America's sports car. (And yes, I am deliberately leaving out the 305 of the 1980 California-spec 'Vette. That ain't anybody's mantra.)
When Corvette lovers climb the displacement mountain, seeking the peak of absolute big-block heaven, when they want the biggest production motor ever to grace the engine bay of one of Zora Arkus-Duntov's great two-seater dreams, they're looking for just one motor, the mighty 454. If you're that guy looking for one of these classic rockets to howl down the road at speeds that will get you locked up until the third Bush administration, oh does Benchmark Classics have your ride.
Benchmark Classics, America's Hot Rod, Custom, Specialty and Muscle Car Playground in Madison, Wisconsin has a spectacular 1970 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible with the legendary 454. This 390 hp beast channels its 500 feet of torque (!) through a 4 speed, just the way God intended. Oh, and these are the original, numbers matching units, nicely refreshed, so you can tell the next traffic patrol officer you talk to just how well it runs!
The car is Mulsanne Blue, a great mid-blue you'll instantly recognize. The matching blue interior has all been replaced, as has the black convertible top. The reams and reams of restoration receipts for this beauty will testify to the depth of work and attention to detail that has gone into this car. Here are two examples: 1) among the original options that make this car so appealing is air-conditioning. An air-conditioned Corvette convertible of this era just doesn't show up everyday. But what makes this one unique is the massive replacement job done on the air conditioner; it wasn't just fixed, it was methodically replaced, piece -by-piece. The receipts are all there. 2) Among the interior bits that have been replaced are the shoulder harnesses and their support units. This would seem minor until you realize that fewer than 500 Corvette convertible buyers opted for these units in 1970. This is one of those cars.
In fact, "this is one of those cars" in so many ways. It looks so right, very serious of purpose but very appealing. To those who are listening, it very clearly says, "Drive me!" This is NOT a garage queen (though it would have "place of pride" in most garages.) This is a driver, in the very best sense: A car that was designed to drive, built to drive, equipped to drive and restored to drive. Yes, you'll probably keep it parked most of the time. Who wouldn't want to worship a 454 Vette? But, if you're the person that we think you are, you'll also keep it ready to drive ALL the time! This car wants to be driven and driven hard. And, in spite of that monster motor ahead of you, it'll be perfectly happy tooling down to the hardware store on a Saturday. However, if you were me, that hardware store would be about 25 miles away, down some big, open stretches of blacktop! When they say, "Run with the Big Dogs" you'll know that, with your 1970 454 Corvette Stingray Convertible, you are now "The Leader of the Pack."
This special 454 Corvette is awaiting your command at Benchmark Classics, in Madison Wisconsin. Now is your chance to "Release the Beast!" |
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