Garwood Motorboat Corvette
 

Garfield Wood was a successful businessman born in 1880 and had a passion for wooden racing boats. He built and raced many world record boats in the 20’s including numerous Miss America named boats.
He bought this 1970 Corvette new as a gift for his grandson, Garfield Wood III, when he graduated from High School.

Garfield Wood III drove the car on occasion for three years and for unknown reasons, put it away in 1973 with the original battery and air filter still in place. It had registered only 10,500 miles.

In 2019, the estate sold the car at auction as a non-running vehicle. The car was prepared for driving service by Dan Martin and run through the NCRS system. It achieved Regional and National Top Flight awards, Performance Verification award, and the Duntov Mark of Excellence award.

The second owner ordered a new ZO6 and put the car up for sale recently. I really had little interest in the car even though I had seen it at all its judging events, I just never inspected it the way I should have. I finally drove 40 miles to New Braunfels, TX to look at the car and fell in love with it.

The car now has 11,219 miles.

Part of my motivation for purchasing this car came from seeing Napa68 (Tim) and his beautiful 8,900 mile 1970 LS5. I fell in love with that car, also. This car reminded me of his green Corvette.

I'm hoping Tim G posts some of the other pics he has shared with me. This car is stunning!!!!

I had it on jack stands for cleaning, it's sitting high after lowering it.

Original battery has been fitted with a sealed battery and can be used for judging.

I've been to Gar Wood's mansion on Grayhaven island on the Detroit river, If you're interested do a Google search as there are a lot of crazy stories associated with that place.

Great car, love the color. Which dealer sold it?

The car was ordered and delivered to Wilkerson Chevrolet in Tulsa, OK.

----Tim,,,My Grandfather lived in Bal Harbour FL. and his next door neighbor was Phil Wood, Gar's brother. Gar used to stay with Phil when in Florida and my GF knew them both well. I road in a boat with my Dad, Gar and Phil when I was around 5 years old. My Dad had to tell me that as I didn't remember.
----This 70 looks absolutely beautiful. How is it optioned? I can see the deluxe interior....Bill S

The car has AC, that is noted in the wheel well.

:eek2: WOW :eek2:

Bill, I just saw your post. I absolutely knew you would have a Gar Wood connection.
I posted the tank sticker, nice options, but not too loaded.
I generally shy away from AC, but Dan converted it to 130, so it works fine. It was driven 280 miles to the Texas Regional for Flight Judging. That takes some guts, but the second owner was an Air Force pilot, so it was an easy ride relatively speaking.

Tim, wow another amazing car. Thanks for sharing we are all in awe of how well this car is preserved!!!

The exhaust was removed by Garfield in 1971 and replaced with Hooker Headers and sidepipes. He saved the one-year-old system with tips and tags in place, the entire system and exhaust manifolds were reunited with the car.

I am always stunned at what you "collector" guys find and acquire. Obviously, it was stored in a controlled environment to look, nearly, like the day it was delivered.
Congratulations on the new addition.

Which of your other special toys do you need to sell now, to make room. I'll start making plans to get into Fort Knox...:laugh:

Mitch, something will need to go. You’re a mind reader.

Naw, I just pay attention to the rotation when you pick up a new one...:wink:

Wow - just wow

No kidding:beers:

Congrats on getting it,what a head turner this car is.

Beauti-ous!! Amazing condition!!!

My 1969 L78 Camaro was sold new at Wilkerson Chevrolet. Rob

Gorgeous!! Congratulations

Sooo what are you selling? Asking for a friend!

I'll send a PM.

That is awesome. I was in New Braunfels this week as we have an office there.

Tim, congrats on this incredibly well preserved time capsule. I can't wait to see it someday.

I have had the good fortune of this car finding it's way to my shop. When Tim G purchased this car, I still had my green 70 LS5 coupe. I figured I did not need 2 of them........

I guess if something is meant to take place, one has to be a little patient and it will. A mutual friend to Tim and I had the car. It came up in conversation and a deal was had. The car has had 70 miles added to it since Tim had it, and it received a Bloomington Gold / Gold Certification in 2025. It's a killer car with a killer story. I'll keep this thread updated with progress reports

Damn, another beautiful Vette and exciting thread to follow. Congrats Tim.

The chrome bumper C2s look so sweet, then add the silver and it just works. Gorgeous car!!

Killer car! Congrats!!

Just Awesome! What a great car. Congrats man....W

Super cool...and the mansion that was formerly in Detroit....Wow! :worship:

Congrats on the purchase, looks like a good car. Would love to see some engine bay/underside shots.

Like most anything I ever get my hands on, it seems as though I have to take it apart in some way shape or form. This was no exception.......

I felt I could get it to run better. I started fiddling with ignition timing timing. It seems to like 10 degrees advanced the best (smooth stable idle). After that, I went about tuning on the carb. The passenger side idle screw was best with 2.5 turns out, the drivers side was 1/2 turn. In fact, I could shut the drivers side off and it would still run. I had no signs of a vacuum leak, so into the carb I go. I filled the carb on the bench, and did not see anything of concern. Internal leak that was richening up the mixture on the left side?
https://i.imgur.com/irs0kMAh.jpg

Who knows...... I put it back together with a fresh kit and the engine was more responsive to the idle screws. I now can idle the engine down to 700 rpm with the A/C on. Nice and steady. Wish I knew exactly what I did.
https://i.imgur.com/957hXTvh.jpg

All better. The power steering pump was leaking, and that simply was the pressure valve being a bit loose. So, tighten up the valve and thus the pressure hose, and all is good there.
https://i.imgur.com/tsB0QEGh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XUmAxqRh.jpg

Tim, I am sure you will get it going like fine sewing machine. That engine bay is immaculate.

I just can't imagine how low mileage this Corvette is. It sure could have been enjoyed more over the years but I guess it gets to the point where too much cuts into its appreciating value.

The car looks good, Tim. I'm glad you have it and you're getting it tuned up. I wish you could take it for a shake down run and report the findings.

Here ya go.........
As Tim had mentioned, this car has it original exhaust.....
https://i.imgur.com/ZaspqCfh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QMuApquh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/GQHu2r4h.jpg

And some chassis porn......
https://i.imgur.com/jVJHN1Wh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/neiTGwkh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/j7QMcibh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/GK7506yh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/iX0quYEh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/wKn7G3Ih.jpg

I know Tim G worked his ass off on this car (and it shows). As many of you know, this is one of those areas I like to dive into. I'll see if I can get it any further.

https://i.imgur.com/poT7Lu9h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PrJXK15h.jpg

----Two things I could use if mine would be a T+T column and power widows, but still just an amazing 70 big block Vette that I would love to own just as is....Bill S

I wish this car could talk. Why was it just stored in 1973 with the original battery and air filter still installed? Did it clean up on the streets of Tulsa in the early 70's. We will never know

I'll post up the receipts of the speed parts Gar bought. There was a GM ZL1 hood, Offy intake, Kustom headers / sidepipes. That explains why the original exhaust made it with the car. What gives me pause is the 3.08 gears?

Nonetheless, whatever the reasoning was......it preserved the car!

Here are some pics "as found"