Corvette Icons On The Move: LS5 454 Big-Block History & The Current Market

What is an icon? What does it mean to be iconic? Oftentimes, words like these are thrown around in enthusiast circles without any real meaning behind them. However, in the Corvette world, we know that every generation is full of icons, whether it’s the first V8-optioned 1955 model from the C1 or the hair-raising 1,064 horsepower ZR1 from the C8; there is no shortage of iconic ‘Vettes. In this exclusive CorvSport series, we rediscover some of the Corvette greats, then visit the largest online collector car auction, Bring a Trailer, to get a snapshot of how they are performing in today’s market.

The Mighty Big-Block LS5

Today, we visit the big-block glory years of the Corvette and delve into the first two years when the 454 cubic-inch beast was shoehorned under the sleek, curvaceous hood of the third-generation Corvette — 1970 and 1971. By the dawn of the ’70s, the muscle-car glory days were running into a brick wall of emissions mandates. Overnight, the era of unchecked horsepower was facing extinction. Yet GM wasn’t ready to let the Corvette lose its performance swagger. Their solution? Engineer around the red tape—and bring out a new brute: the LS5 454 big-block.

Even as smaller engines gained traction across the industry, GM knew Corvette buyers still wanted real firepower. So for 1970, they introduced a stroked-up evolution of the 427: the 454-ci LS5, rated at 390 hp and a stump-pulling 500 lb-ft of torque. Paired with the new LT-1 small-block option, it signaled that Chevrolet wasn’t backing down from the performance fight just yet. The result was a 1970 Corvette capable of sub-7-second 0–60 runs and mid-14s in the quarter—respectable, especially on the verge of the emissions era.

The LS5 came with classic big-block architecture:

Cast-iron block with forged-steel crank (2-bolt mains common; 4-bolt rare)
Forged steel rods and forged aluminum pistons
4.251″ bore × 4.00″ stroke (454 ci / 7.44L)
10.25:1 compression (1970)
“High-Performance” hydraulic camshaft (#3883986)
2.06″ intake / 1.72″ exhaust valves
Low-rise cast-iron intake with a Rochester Quadra-Jet 750 CFM carb

As emissions rules tightened, the LS5 was progressively detuned:

1970: 390 hp
1971: 365 hp
1972–1974: Dropped to 270 hp (now rated in net horsepower)
Before its retirement after 1974, the LS5 also powered heavy hitters like the Chevelle, Monte Carlo, El Camino, and Chevy’s C/K-Series trucks. It became one of the last high-displacement big-blocks to roam freely before government regulations closed the chapter on GM’s golden age of cubes.

CorvSport Takeaway:
The LS5 might not have been the wildest big-block to grace Corvette history, but it represents something even more meaningful: the final stand of GM muscle in a changing automotive world. It’s the last big hit before the lights came back on in the performance party—and that alone earns it serious Corvette street cred.

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Corvette Icons On The Move:

Snapshot BaT Sales Of 1970 & 1971 LS5 Big-Block Stingrays

[Ranked from oldest to newest comps]

#5 — 1970 Corvette Coupe LS5 454/390 HP

Hammer Price: $35,500

A Big-Block C3 with Documented History

This 1970 Corvette Coupe pairs its factory-correct Corvette Bronze finish with a matching Saddle interior and the mighty LS5 454 big-block. Backed by a Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic and a positraction rear axle, this C3 represents the height of early ’70s big-block Corvette performance. Documented with its Corvette Order Copy, the car shows long-term West Coast ownership before settling in Washington, where it has remained with the current owner since 2007.

While the car presents well overall, its history includes accident repairs under both prior and current ownership. Work has included refinishing of the right quarter panel, re-chroming the bumpers, and various cosmetic corrections. Visible paint mismatch and fiberglass cracking at the hood scoop and fenders remain. Mechanical systems, however, have been meaningfully refreshed, including suspension, steering, and brake components, as well as a comprehensive engine refurbishment completed in 2014.

Inside, the Saddle vinyl cabin has been extensively updated with new carpeting, seat covers, weather stripping, heat barriers, and a restored audio system. The cockpit retains classic C3 instrumentation with full auxiliary gauges and a functional analog clock. The five-digit odometer shows just over 8k miles—believed to have rolled once—with approximately 6k added by the current owner.

Under the hood, the matching-numbers LS5 454ci Turbo-Jet V8 delivers its factory-rated 390 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. The engine features a rebuilt Rochester Quadrajet carburetor, PerTronix ignition, stainless 3″ exhaust, and updated cooling and fuel-system components. Paired with a rebuilt Turbo Hydra-Matic in 2014, the driveline retains its factory configuration and performance character.

Key Specs

Engine: LS5 454ci V8 (matching numbers), 390 hp / 500 lb-ft
Carburetion: Rochester Quadrajet 4-bbl (rebuilt)
Transmission: Turbo Hydra-Matic 3-speed automatic (rebuilt 2014)
Rear Axle: Positraction
Exterior: Corvette Bronze (993), removable roof panels
Wheels/Tires: 15″ Rally wheels w/ BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial redlines
Brakes: Power-assisted 4-wheel discs (refurbished calipers/pads)
Steering: Power steering (replacement pump/hoses)
Suspension: Updated shocks, wheel bearings
Interior: Saddle vinyl; refreshed upholstery, carpeting, door panels, weather stripping
Mileage: Odometer shows just over 8k miles (TMU)
Documentation: Corvette Order Copy (“tank sticker”), restoration guide, tools, spare, jack

CorvSport Conclusion

A documented, matching-numbers LS5 is always worth a closer look—especially one with meaningful mechanical upkeep and its factory big-block pedigree intact. While cosmetic imperfections remain, the underlying performance lineage and preserved driveline make this Bronze C3 a compelling representative of the LS5 era.

The Bring a Trailer Impact:

Views: 9,829 Watchers: 800 Comments: 49 Bids: 26

Date Sold: 11/12/2021

Offered By: Private Party

View The Full Listing

#4 — 1970 Corvette Coupe LS5 454/390 HP

Hammer Price: $35,750

Torch Red Big-Block with Documented Provenance

Completed on July 23, 1970, and delivered new to Sam Leman Chevrolet in Illinois, this C3 Corvette represents the height of Chevrolet’s big-block era. Under its repainted Torch Red fiberglass bodywork sits the LS5 454ci V8—factory-rated at 390 horsepower—paired with a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic and a Positraction rear differential. The car has received consistent mechanical attention under current ownership, supported by an NCRS Shipping Data Report, Protect-O-Plate, and long-term documentation.

Originally finished in Daytona Yellow, the car was repainted in 2019, with refreshed weatherstripping and vacuum hoses for the headlight and wiper systems. The exterior retains its classic C3 cues—removable roof panels, pop-up headlights, chrome bumpers—and rides on Rally wheels wrapped in Cooper Cobra radials. Interior updates include replacement panels, visors, and trim components, though age is evident in the seat foam and dash cracks. Instrumentation is traditional C3: full-analog gauges with a 160-mph speedometer and a 7k-rpm tachometer.

The matching-spec LS5 has benefitted from recent upkeep, including a rebuilt carburetor (2022), new plugs, belts, and a fresh battery. Cooling, braking, and suspension updates—rear bushings, shocks, calipers, pads, and lines—round out the car’s mechanical improvements. The odometer shows 72k miles, though true mileage remains undetermined.