1969 Chevrolet Corvette

Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Manual

194379S700273

Gasoline

THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER ERA IN THE AUTOMOBILE HOBBY WITH THE MYSTIQUE OF THE MUSCLE CAR ERA. THOSE OF US LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE LIVED THROUGH THAT TIME PERIOD REMEMBER THE DAY WHEN FACTORY HOT RODS, MODIFIED STREET MACHINES, AND GROUND POUNDING RACE CARS PROWLED THE STREETS. EVERY BACKYARD MECHANIC CREATED HIS VERSION OF A MUSCLE CAR. HOWEVER, THE MOST WELL KNOWN ,VALUABLE, AND COLLECTIBLE EXAMPLES TODAY ARE THOSE PRODUCED BY HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE DEALERS SUCH AS YENKO, BERGER, ROYAL OAK, GIBB, GRAND SPAULDING, ETC. POSSIBLY THE MOST FEARED OF THESE GREAT BUILDERS WAS MOTION PERFORMANCE IN BALDWIN, NY. JOEL ROSEN, IN CONJUNCTION WITH BALDWIN CHEVROLET, AND ON HIS OWN AT MOTION PERFORMANCE, CREATED SOME OF THE MOST EXTREME PERFORMANCE MACHINES OF THE ERA. ALTHOUGH PRIMARILY KNOWN FOR HIS CAMAROS AND CORVETTES, HIS INFLUENCE EXTENDED TO ALL MAKES AND MODELS, FROM SHELBY COBRAS TO VOLKSWAGENS. FROM HIS INITIAL SHORT STINT IN A SHOP IN THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS, TO THE OLD NECLAN SERVICE STATION IN BROOKLYN, TO THE VAUNTED MOTION PERFORMANCE HEADQUARTERS ON LONG ISLAND, MR. ROSEN APPROACHED THE MUSCLE CAR BUILD IN A MOST INNOVATIVE WAY. UNLIKE THE OTHER MAJOR PLAYERS, WHO ALL BASICALLY HAD A COOKIE CUTTER UPGRADE PLAN, MODIFYING ALL THE CARS ACCORDING TO AN ESTABLISHED BUILD, MOTION PERFORMANCE MODIFIED EACH VEHICLE ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, ACCORDING TO CUSTOMER PREFERENCE AND MR. ROSEN'S IMAGINATION. ROSEN CONFERRED WITH EACH CLIENT, LEARNED WHAT THEY DID OR DID NOT WANT, ADDED HIS INPUT, AND A UNIQUE STREET MACHINE WAS BUILT. Rosen moved to the Long Island facility in 1966, and soon after in 1967, began his relationship with Baldwin Chevrolet. This magical partnership ended in 1973, when Baldwin was sold and became Williams Chevrolet. The last Baldwin-Motion Corvette was a 1974 Medium Blue L-88. He obtained his first Corvette in 1961, a 1958 with a fuel injected 283. He and his employees were regular fixtures at the drag strips. His "Winning on Sunday, selling on Monday" work ethic propelled him to the forefront of the Muscle Car era. Government enforcement of the Clean Air Act of 1970 was the first indication that the Muscle Car era was threatened. An article in Car Craft Magazine featuring Motion's 1974 V-8 Super Vegas brought unwanted attention from both the DOT and EPA. The government conveyed a "Cease and Desist" summons to Motion Performance, demanded that he label many of his creations "Sold for export only", and from that point on Mr. Rosen was forced to work within the guidelines of his agreement with the Justice Department. The whole story is documented in an excellent book, "Motion Performance, Tales of a Muscle Car Builder", by Martyn Schorr. Although primarily know for his Street Machines that were ordered and modified through his partnerships with Baldwin and others, and also directly ordered from Motion, there were many other facets of Mr. Rosen's business. In the later years, he began selling many fiberglass components for popular vehicles, opened Motion Minicar in conjunction with Bill Mitchell, concentrating on specialty vehicles powered by modified VW engines, and also operated a thriving business modifying cars that already were owned by people. Customers were bringing in everything from Chevelles to Monte Carlos for the Motion treatment. Although known primarily for his big block ground pounders, in the '70's Rosen performed extensive modifications to small block vehicles. The Corvette offered for sale in this auction is believed to be one of those vehicles. The previous owner has supplied information, including name and address, of the owner from the '70's to early 2010. This owner transported the Vette to Motion Performance in the late '70's for modifications and upgrades. There are no documents or provenance from Motion Performance. However, a documented '68 Corvette catalog vehicle, a car that was built by another shop with Motion ordered parts, was previously listed on the internet for $139,900. Our asking price is $26,500. This is a fair asking price for a nice 1969 four speed Corvette even without the Motion mods. We believe this is a great opportunity for a Corvette enthusiast, Motion fan, or collector looking for a unique Classic. You are welcome and urged to come and inspect the car in person if you are a serious buyer. It will not be a waste of your time. We purchased the Vette in 2010. The paint and Motion striping were deteriorated, so it was transported to the restoration shop. The car was refinished in Marina Blue base coat/clear coat. The Motion stripes were applied, then cleared over. Paint is fresh, smooth, and buffed to a mirror gloss. Fit and gapping on all panels is very good. Motion hood. Dual sport mirrors. Removable T-Tops. Removable rear window. All glass is in good condition. Bumpers have not been rechromed, but are in good condition. Dual exhaust exit at the rear valance cutouts. Original vintage Ansen Sprint wheels. Motion flared fenders. Louvered front fenders. Engine and engine bay are essentially unchanged since the modifications in the late '70's. Original 350 Cu. In., 350 HP L46 engine. Original carburetor has been replaced with an Edelbrock Competition Series four barrel. Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold. Vintage Accel dual point distributor. Accel Super Stock coil. Currently has Edelbrock valve covers in place, but the finned valve covers are with the car. Factory ram horn manifolds connected to dual exhaust. Muncie four speed transmission with Hurst shifter. Posi-Traction rear differential. Four wheel disc brakes. Hydraulic cam and valve train. Undercarriage is clean, but not detailed. Interior was redone back in the day. The bucket seats are black vinyl with blue cloth inserts. Seats are in good condition. Driver's and passenger's door panels were redone in black with blue insert to match the seats. Factory console. Factory tach and gauges. Aftermarket radio. This Corvette is sold with a transferable Rhode Island registration. Also have Rhode Island inspection. Vehicle is located in Sevierville, TN. Don't miss this opportunity. This is a unique Classic, and if you can do a history, you might have truly a great buy. Even without the documentation, this Corvette is well worth the asking price. CALL RANDY AT 847 456 7726 WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR TO ARRANGE AN IN PERSON INSPECTION. BANK WIRE IS THE PREFERRED METHOD OF PAYMENT. IT IS SAFE, SECURE, AND PROTECTS BOTH PARTIES. OPTIONAL PAYMENT METHODS INCLUDE BANK OR CASHIER'S CHECK, MONEY ORDER, PERSONAL OR BUSINESS CHECK WITH BANK LETTER, AND CASH(IN PERSON). VEHICLES PURCHASED WITH CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS WILL NOT BE SHIPPED OR DELIVERED IN PERSON UNTIL FUNDS HAVE CLEARED THE BANK. All other payment methods must be agreed upon by both parties before end of auction. A deposit of $500 required within 24 hours of auction end, unless other arrangements are made. Please contact us via telephone or email immediately after end of auction to discuss payment arrangements. Payment in full due within 72 hours of auction end unless other arrangements are made. BUYER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL TRANSPORT FEES. Please follow all the terms of sale for this auction, including deposit and final payment requirements. BUYER MUST ADHERE TO AND ABIDE BY TERMS OF SALE THAT ARE CLEARLY STATED IN THE PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RENDER THE SALE NULL AND VOID. WE DESCRIBE VEHICLES TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY. HOWEVER, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER TO CONFIRM THIS DESCRIPTION. WE REQUEST AN IN PERSON INSPECTION OF ALL VEHICLES PRIOR TO BIDDING. IF IN PERSON INSPECTION IS NOT POSSIBLE, WE RECOMMEND A THIRD PARTY INSPECTION OF VEHICLE. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ERRORS OR OMMISSIONS DUE TO A “SIGHT UNSEEN” PURCHASE. SOLD AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH NO WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES. ALL SALES ARE FINAL, NO RETURNS OR REFUNDS. PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU BID.