383/4-Speed: 1971 Chevrolet Corvette

Any 1971 Corvette that left the factory with the company’s LT1 V8 under the hood is considered desirable. That was the story behind our feature car, but unfortunately, the LT1 disappeared in the 1980s. The seller recently took matters into their own hands, bolting a potent Crate Motor to the front of this classic’s transmission. With some tweaking and tuning, this promising project could show almost anything within that year’s offerings a clean set of heels. The Corvette is listed here on eBay in Armonk, New York. They have received a single bid of $10,000 in what appears to be a No Reserve auction.

There’s a lot to consider with this Corvette because it has led a life of constant change. The existing Gold paint isn’t original, with this car 1-of-3,706 ordered in War Bonnet Yellow. This was the most popular shade that year, with Brands Hatch Green running second on 3,445. The paint has seen better days, and the buyer faces stripping it back to the gel coat to achieve a flawless finish. The fiberglass looks reasonable, with no cracks or damage requiring professional attention. The birdcage has some limited rust on the top, although the frame is perfect. The buyer might choose to replace or restore some trim pieces, but there are no glass issues.

This Corvette’s interior is a case of what you see is what you get…except for the parts the new owner won’t receive. The existing seats fall into the latter category, as they are merely there for fitting and moving the vehicle. The door trims are gone, as is the carpet. There is a hole where the radio should be, with a similar issue in the console. Locating secondhand seats or seat frames is possible via online auction sites, pick-a-parts, or new reproduction items. The remaining parts aren’t hard to find, but the successful bidder must consult the Tag to determine the color and material required. The buyer could tackle the shortcomings in a home workshop but must decide how much they wish to spend.

Lifting the hood reveals a disappointing story with the Corvette, although it may be a cloud with a silver lining. The original owner ordered the car with the desirable LT1 V8 that sent 330hp through a four-speed manual transmission to the road. That allowed the Corvette to storm the ¼-mile in 14.5 seconds, which performance enthusiasts considered impressive in 1971. Sometime in the 1980s, a charming individual felt that motor would look more at home in their car than this one. They stole it, and it seems the car sat for years before receiving a recent transplant. We now find a 383ci Stroker produced by the vastly experienced people at BluePrint Engines in Kearney, Nebraska. The seller holds dyno sheets confirming a power output of 489hp, and if the driver successfully applies that to the road, a mid to low 13-second ET should be there for the taking. The seller spent over $6,000 on this engine, including receipts and dyno sheets in the sale. It runs and drives but requires attention to some finer details before being classed as roadworthy. Therefore, the successful bidder shouldn’t plan to fly in and drive home.

Although the LT1 was not a cheap option in 1971, it proved surprisingly popular. From a sales total of 21,801 cars that year, an impressive 1,949 buyers splashed the additional $483 above the ‘Vette’s sticker price for the LT1. That represents a take-up rate of 9%, but as this article proves, that figure is now reduced by one car. That will impact this Chevy’s potential value and make it more difficult to justify spending mega-bucks on a build. However, with no significant rust, the restoration process appears straightforward. That could make it a prime candidate for an enthusiast willing to roll up their sleeves and put in the hard yards. With only a single bid submitted, that opens the possibility that someone could score this classic for a song. Would that be enough to make you consider pursuing it further?