'70 Corvette LT1 Debut?

**mockingbird812** · #1 03-24-2010, 07:54 AM

What month did production start? When did they hit the dealerships? I understand that a UAW strike delayed the '70 Camaro debut and therefore the Camaro LT1 (Z28), but am not sure if the Corvette LT1 model was delayed too. Thanks!

**napa68** · #2 03-24-2010, 07:56 AM

I believe it was. I'll see what I can pull from the NCRS website. My car is #5694 produced in the 1st week of March.

LS6 RAT · #3 03-25-2010, 12:02 AM

The 1970 LT-1 Corvette along with all other optioned Corvettes began in January 1970. I just looked at one with a trim tag date of January 17.

**mockingbird812** · #4 03-25-2010, 01:29 AM

What held them up? Was there a UAW strike affecting them as well or was it the development of the new LT1 engine, or something else? What about the LS5 Corvette? Jan debut too?

**napa68** · #5 03-25-2010, 03:47 AM

[ QUOTE ]
The 1970 LT-1 Corvette along with all other optioned Corvettes began in January 1970. I just looked at one with a trim tag date of January 17.

[/ QUOTE ]

x2

71-LS6 · #6 03-25-2010, 07:01 AM

I don't think any 70' model Corvettes were produced before Jan. 1970. FWIW, LS5's were being built by VIN # 2730 for sure (I used to own that one), which I think corresponds to the first week in Feb.

**mockingbird812** · #7 03-25-2010, 08:35 AM

Was doing some research on Deuces and came across in Bob McClurg's new book that Don ordered the first order of Deuces on 16 Dec 1969. So I had assumed he had SEEN the Corvette LT1 and was inspired to use it in the Deuce. So I guess he was privy to the fact that the LT1 would be debuting in the Camaro and Corvette in or around January '70.

**Mr70** · #8 03-25-2010, 08:52 AM

The seperately released 1970 Camaro/Corvette Press kit,as well as at least one salesmans Communication film/record kit released near the end of '69 stated when these 2 cars were coming out & what to expect in the way of available engines/options.
February 13th I believe..

**Bill Pritchard** · #9 03-26-2010, 08:48 AM

Sam,

I don't think the 70 Camaro debut was delayed due to a UAW strike. I think it was just production issues related to the new body style. I believe the 69 style Camaros were produced into either November or December of 69. That's why the new models were usually referred to as ' '70 1/2 Camaros'. I will most certainly defer to Corvette experts on the intro dates of that model

LS6 RAT · #10 03-26-2010, 08:58 AM

Delorean had become GM of Chevrolet division, because of the spring strike, Chevrolet had a lot of unfilled orders for Corvettes and Delorean decided to fill those orders rather than send them back, so he ran the '69 model(which normally changes over beginning in the month of August)production another 5 months thru December of '69, causing the 1970 model to start 5 months later than usual.