Is this 1969 Corvette Stingray C3 the BEST generation?

The 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was the second year of the C3 generation of Corvettes. Under the hood is a 350ci V8 with a nice balanced 350 HP connected to 4 speed gearbox. Why is the C3 Corvette the longest running generation? Find out all the details!

[@Jorge_Magallon]

Early C3’s are beautiful. Great job.

[@RaitisRides]

So gorgeous! Thank you so much for watching!

[@ronaldholland2913]

I was searching your reviews and found this one on the 1969 Corvette. I will never forget the first C3 I saw; a new '68 427 just purchased by my next-door neighbor's friend. It was so different and beautiful. In those days the Corvette featured new GM technologies before they appeared on other cars. I still own my C3 coupe; a 72 model. I will present a different opinion pertaining to the side vents. They are functional. They were added during development when it was found the nose wanted to lift at high speeds. They allow air to exit from the under-hood area and thus reduce the lift.

[@BruceWayne-us3kw]

I love the contours on corvettes. It's why it's my dream car.

[@WhistlinDixie]

Yep....very sleek and aerodynamic lol 😜

[@mikestlouis5304]

I traded my 2012 dodge Cummins 3500 for a 69 C3 lemans blue with blue interior white top with matching blue hardtop. 427/390 4 speed and it’s absolutely mint. I’ll never sell it! New subscriber here.

[@RaitisRides]

Hi Mike thanks for joining the Raiti's Rides family! That is so very awesome of you to say!

[@truebetold65]

Man you got a real classic.

[@65stang98]

my favorite body style by far

[@RaitisRides]

It is the longest running as well.

[@twobighedz]

I love METAL BUMPER C3s!!!! Especially with side pipes!!!! My mom still has a mark on her legs from her friends C3 with Side Pipes! LOL!!!!

[@RaitisRides]

That is a great story! They really are just so gorgeous!

[@mikebrown1152]

C-3 are my favorites; especially before the domed rear window.

[@brentoatfield3607]

Pinnacle of the C3. Last of the high compression 427.

[@rex2100]

Corvettes are awesome!

[@RaitisRides]

Yes they really are! I actually love them all!

[@lilibethdoherty295]

THAT IS A MASTERPIECE!

[@RaitisRides]

Thanks for watching!

[@truebetold65]

Agree 👍🇺🇸

[@dylanthusing6211]

I love this true classic!! Thanks for the awesome video guys!!! So awesome you got a c3 this clean!

[@RaitisRides]

I am so glad Dylan that you can appreciate the classics as well! I really like bringing the variety!

[@dannyspitzer1267]

The C3's were technological dinosaurs (even back then), and rust buckets (the birdcage) but those lines never ever get old....good video Joe

[@RaitisRides]

Thank you for sharing your input and perspective! I totally agree on those classic lines!

[@dannyspitzer1267]

@@RaitisRides no problem, yeah I still would like to get a C3 one day (again), just have to check it carefully for rust in the "birdcage" and frame ...talk to u soon!

[@RaitisRides]

Thanks man for everything!

[@dannyspitzer1267]

@@RaitisRides no problem, you too 👍✌

[@WhistlinDixie]

One of the sharpest models out there....hands down in my opinion. Not much beats it in my eyes. Nice choice for those who choose em. 😍😍😍😍😍

[@steveludwig7605]

Nice 1969 Corvette, Round lights in front grill 4 shark vents on sides.

[@RaitisRides]

I am so glad that you like this one! Thanks for watching!

[@Vettester_Videos]

Love C3's!

[@RaitisRides]

they are sexy!

[@edmusick7794]

My dream car when I was a kid! Great video Joe! That front end is just perfect, tiny chrome bumper!

[@RaitisRides]

Thank you for the compliment and I am so glad that you enjoyed it!

[@doublek5583]

Nice car, 69 was my favorite

[@RaitisRides]

You have great taste!

[@KenseisGarage]

Another amazing classic, great stuff Joe, 👍👌

[@RaitisRides]

I am so glad that you really liked this one!

[@tenmeikujou3916]

That's a fine, curvy beautiful Corvette Stingray ever. Thanks Raiti's Rides.😀👍

[@RaitisRides]

I am so glad that you liked this one!

[@CrazyPetez]

That’s a very nice 1969 Riverside Gold (one year only color) convertible. The front three side gills are functional, the rear one is not.

[@michaeljordan6008]

It's a beautiful Corvette. The color, hood and wheels on this car are perfect. My favorite is the 66 or 67 big block which is an awful daily driver and after that I'm a C4 guy.

[@RaitisRides]

Thank you for sharing your input and perspectives on Corvettes! I really love them all but the C4 holds a special place in my heart!

[@CrazyPetez]

The front three gills on the ‘68 & ‘69 C3 Corvettes are functional. Honest!

[@RaitisRides]

I agree with you!

[@hanscramon9040]

The Corvette c3 is a masterpiece of art on four wheels!!

[@truebetold65]

I agree with you 100 percent..you have very good taste.

[@Rico_Suave-bk8le]

Great video man!! Love corvettes

[@mountainbikelife2526]

Excellent description raiti I'm going for a ride in a 69 Chevrolet Corvette stingray 350 hardtop 4 speed I have rode in a 79 it's very comfortable And relaxing a real driver's car I can not agree more

[@bobclapper2672]

Great Stuff , More Corvettes , More Muscle CARS . Thanks

[@RaitisRides]

Thank you so much sir for your support! I will be bringing more!

[@andersonrodriguez8258]

Most iconic corvette and the most beautiful one ever made and back when GM use to make one of the best cars in the planet reliability wise now is a joke

[@RaitisRides]

I am so glad that you liked this one!

[@andersonrodriguez8258]

Raiti's Rides the one in the movie rush hour is my favorite of all time with the weird roof that has to be the most iconic one

[@RaitisRides]

That was a beautiful black Corvette!

[@andersonrodriguez8258]

Raiti's Rides it has to b the most expensive nd iconic one of all time just cause the roof design doing what jeep doing witht he new gladiator but in a car

[@RaitisRides]

That is so true!

[@kirkendicott5521]

loved the c3 generation I had a 70 and 72 with the side exhaust.

[@RaitisRides]

That is so very cool! Thank you so much for taking the time to watch!

[@c3dk]

Yes it is...…..69 is the c3 year. I also own a 69 L46 Riverside gold, 4 speed convertible :- )

[@RaitisRides]

Thanks for sharing that!

[@DungarooTV]

This a classic muscle car that I actually would drive. Has a nice body shape and looks clean and menacing. Would be tough as nails in black.

[@RaitisRides]

I am so glad that you liked this Corvette! I think you hit the nail on the head with the color. Black would look so sinister on this car.

[@peterhanson3391]

That is a pretty Vette. I love that steering wheel and the side pipes on that beauty. Glad to see that ugly luggage rack wasn't put on it.

[@RaitisRides]

Thanks for letting me share it with you!

[@BluesBoy-ij2rb]

Sweet fuckin car............I have 1977 I'm obsessed with !!!!!

[@truebetold65]

Beautiful car, 77🇺🇸👍

[@gen3v8]

I love these cars! Especially with a Big Phat V8

[@RaitisRides]

I am so glad that you like these! I try to bring the variety!

[@IG-kn6ne]

sweet car

[@RaitisRides]

I am so glad that you like this one.

[@CONTENDER791]

Why is he calling it a 1971 Corvette ? Cmon man at least get the year right.

[@RaitisRides]

It's a 1969, I tripped over my thoughts.

[@Pantera-wu9ty]

Shouldn't do a review on a car he knows nothing remotely about...………….sad and pathetic!

[@bdulrahmanarzani27]

1974Pantera everybody makes mistakes stfu smartass.

[@Pantera-wu9ty]

@@bdulrahmanarzani27 It's little bitches like you that always have to talk shit. The guy shouldn't open his mouth about a car he has no idea about...….

[@bdulrahmanarzani27]

1974Pantera if there is a bitch in here it’s you fucktard, the guy clearly replied to the comment saying “I tripped over my thoughts”! So get over it and stop being such an asshole.

[@dfw1fast143]

No doubt those were beautiful cars. But my favorite version has to be the C2 and specifically the 1963 C2 with the Z06 option. But then again that’s dream land which I like to live in every once in a while when it comes to cars.

[@RaitisRides]

Thank for sharing that dream of yours! I am a big fan of the C1, but I truly love all Corvettes!

[@joevette6290]

Of course it is!!! in 20 years time C-3's especially 69-72's will surpass most C-2's in value and looks with their coke bottle sexy shape and real sporty looking interiors

[@mr.desiii1504]

Hallo 🙋‍♂️. Sehr schöne Corvette und eine tolle Vorstellung von Dir 👍😊 Viele Grüße von Blue Mako Shark II Pilot Tino aus Deutschland 🇩🇪

[@RaitisRides]

Hello! Thanks for watching!

[@davidjones4920]

awesome classic 💓💓💓🖒🖒

[@RaitisRides]

I am so glad that you liked this one!

[@Revon-Feuer]

This is the last well built stingray

[@plk7592]

C-3, my favorite corvette style. great video Joe.

[@RaitisRides]

Thank you Paul! I am so glad that I can bring the variety to the channel and people enjoy it!

[@sorinrobinson9237]

I'm holding out for a c3 blue t top manual. I'd sell all my cars for that

[@RaitisRides]

That is a dream car for sure!

[@sorinrobinson9237]

@@RaitisRides love your videos by the way. Most of my car knowledge comes from you and it's helped fuel my love for cars (and driving them of course)

[@petercarey6883]

Oh my. Thank you for this "quickie." I had to put my Lobster Bib on while watching. lol In answer to your question, yes the '71 was the best, especially in the one-year only color of Brands Hatch Green (which by the way has never been resurrected) w/saddle interior. Hmmm, I wonder why I feel that way? lol Just curious Joe, your thumbnail specifically references the '71, but the one you're reviewing is a '69. FWIW, this Vert is very, very nicely done. Mods are very tasteful and like most Vette owners try to do, nicely personalized AND driveable. Must now go wash my bib in preparation of the next upload. Thanks again. The Flowing Fountain Pen.

[@RaitisRides]

Thank you so much for sharing in the Corvette Fun! Right now I am dreaming of a Corvette Summer! I totally tripped over my thoughts on this whole review. I was really feeling off that day! There is more Corvettes to come!

[@petercarey6883]

Don't worry about tripping. There'll always be someone here to keep you upright. :-)

[@petercarey6883]

As respects the '71 Vette, here's a trivia question for you. Do you know what came standard on the Coupe, but was not standard on the Convertible?

[@RaitisRides]

Thank you Peter! I am playing the lean on me song right now!

[@RaitisRides]

You got me on this one! My head hurts! lol

[@circleh5173]

Did 1969 come with side mirrors on both sides mine only has one on friver

[@thud9797]

Chrome mirror driver side only is the way they came but a dealer installed matching passenger side mirror became available in 1973.

[@gilbertovarela2031]

I don’t know why but I really just want to open that fuel cap

[@RaitisRides]

I love this comment. It looks like something off of an old race car!

[@jorgegomez3026]

classic old school very nice

[@RaitisRides]

I am so glad that you enjoyed this C3!

[@elvinrinoa2027]

It’s a beautiful classic car 🚗 but u know I’m a Mustang guy bro 😎🏝🌴

[@RaitisRides]

I knew you could appreciate it though! Thanks for watching!

[@DD69corvette]

That is not a 71 vette unless they changed the front fenders.

[@elvinrinoa2027]

U welcome 🙏🏻 bro 😎🏝🌴

[@toycorvette]

I like to see C5 review 😊

[@RaitisRides]

I will get that together for you. I

[@toycorvette]

@@RaitisRides Thank you very much. I love to see your videos 👌 especially ”super cars” videos. If it’s possible that you make full review of the C5 🤔

[@adamrandell7946]

Classic body shape, Holden were going to use that chassis for the Monaro XU2 GTR-X back in the mid to late 70's. But the government got involved in the car industry with the "no more kid killer's" movement and it got binned, thus the Australian nanny state was born. It put the Australian car industry back 20 years and in the long run probably ended up being the death of it as our tech was way behind others around the world from not being able to push the boundaries, they started releasing some monsters from the factory in the 2000's but I think in the end it was too late. You could already get comparable higher quality cars from European makers so there was no point in buying a Ford or Holden big thumper V8 although some did (mostly Bogans), Just not enough to keep them alive without government contracts and bail outs.

[@RaitisRides]

Thank you for sharing that info and history! Australia has some serious car history!

[@Joe7166]

The car is a 69 and FAR from being correct..with parts from other years

[@RaitisRides]

Thank you for sharing that extra info and input! I appreciate you watching!

[@Jonhobbs64]

Yeah but it would look great sitting in YOUR driveway , right! Lol

[@Jedi391]

Who cares.....it’s a cool car.

[@Yankeededandy62]

Not so bad. The side pipes are 69-correct, but have been added later on (you can see this by looking at the rear below the bumper. The original cutout for the rear exhaust is still visible. The steering wheel and probably the column are after market. So is the gas cap and the hood. Let's skip the engine. Still overall a nice looking and visually fairly close to original car. Sorry for the nerdy stuff.

[@peterl4614]

@@Yankeededandy62 Don't forget the 73 and newer hood without wiper cover. Riverside Gold (on black) is a great color!

[@ckstaff]

Why did you call this a 71? Not sure that is the correct hood for a 350 and there is no wiper door. Looks like a combination of various year C3's. I do want the red line tires though.

[@RaitisRides]

Thanks for that great info!

[@prizmetrix]

The side vents WERE functional.

[@RaitisRides]

Thanks for that extra info Jan.

[@truebetold65]

1969

[@hellraiserx9490]

Nice car to braid it doesn’t have the 427 !350 is a boat anchor.

[@hellraiserx9490]

Too bad even ! DAMN IPAD

[@RaitisRides]

I would love a 427 tripower!

[@RaitisRides]

It happens to me all the time!

[@polklovesrt10]

Old school huh...

[@RaitisRides]

Do you like the variety? Anything in particular you would like to see?

[@polklovesrt10]

Oh definitely, I'm all over the place with multiple car variety ...

[@maverickmason4946]

😮

[@RaitisRides]

I take it you like this one?

[@814chappy]

No zonks

[@lilibethdoherty295]

Far from original,aftermarket hood and hideous gas filler incorrect air cleaner ,funky looking steering column!

[@RaitisRides]

I appreciate you sharing your input and perspective! Thank you for watching!

[@t3chnica11y5]

my z3 looks like a camry compared to this

[@jamesbradford8574]

Polish with a diper.... LOL.

[@RaitisRides]

Thanks for letting me share some laughs with you!

[@goodboyringo9716]

The steering wheel has to go ! Why or who would want a gas cap like that ?

[@wtre428476]

Nope...C5...lol

[@RaitisRides]

I had a feeling you were going to say that!

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Sadly from 2030 on all combustion cars, trucks and busses including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing petrol stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime... :-(

[@truebetold65]

Strange, that you only use this comment on C3 corvettes. What's wrong are you scared of other cars. I believe so.

[@stevengraham3138]

1969