Introduced for 1968, the third-generation Corvette continued its reign as America’s quickest and fastest true, series-production sports car. The wide range of powertrain choices remained essentially unchanged for 1969, an extended model year with unusually high production numbers, including 22,129 coupes and 16,663 convertibles. For 1969, three available big-block engine choices included the RPO L36 427 CI V-8 developing a factory-rated 390 HP and stump-pulling, tire-melting torque. Despite such massive output, the L36 Corvette mill was quite easy to operate with a maintenance-free hydraulic valvetrain. Costing just $221.20 over the Corvette’s base price when new, the L36 option was a fantastic high-performance bargain, with 10,531 so equipped out of 38,762 Corvettes built in all for ‘69. Today, these Corvettes continue to deliver outstanding performance with real-world drivability, compared to the other original powertrain options on the Corvette order form. Wearing Riverside Gold paint and retaining its original white soft top, tires and factory side exhaust, this L36-powered Corvette was sold new at Friendly Chevrolet in Springfield, Illinois, and held by its second owner for 45 years. The odometer reads just 6,750 miles. Offered in unrestored and highly original condition, it is highly equipped with its 427/390 HP L36 V-8 engine, automatic transmission, Saddle bucket-seat interior, AM/FM pushbutton radio, chrome bumpers, Deluxe wheel covers and whitewall tires. Highly decorated in top-judged Corvette circles, this example has earned Bloomington Gold, Gold Survivor and Gold Benchmark honors, plus induction to the Bloomington Gold Special Collection display. At NCRS events, it earned Chapter Top Flight honors on two occasions, plus Regional and National Top Flight awards, the Duntov Mark of Excellence, the 5-Star Bowtie Preservation award and Performance Verification, plus inclusion on the NCRS judging manual. Triple Diamond honors were earned at MCACN. Accompanying documents include the owner’s packet, Tank Sticker, Protect-O-Plate and a window sticker.
