454/4-Speed: 1971 Chevrolet Corvette

It seems that we will have times here at Barn Finds where a number of examples of a particular model will appear on our desks in a short period. That has been the case in recent weeks with C3 Corvettes, and their condition has ranged from the stunning through to the pretty ropey. This 1971 C3 looks like a good one and the fact that the engine bay houses its original big-block is a bonus. Barn Finder Pat L spotted it for us, so thank you so much for that, Pat. It is located in West Babylon, New York, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The price for this automotive powerhouse is $29,500, although the seller might entertain trades.

The first thing that we probably need to consider with this Mille Miglia Red Corvette is what we can’t see in the exterior photos. Rust could potentially be an issue with the frame and birdcage, but what can be seen of this car looks promising. There is a single photo of the underside, and while it isn’t of great quality, it shows little more than the occasional light dusting of surface corrosion. Looking around the Corvette at various unpainted steel components, there is nothing that would indicate that this is a classic that has spent time in a damp or salty environment. That should give us some confidence that there are no problems with the birdcage. The fact that the doors align well and open and close properly is also a good indication that all is well structurally with this car. The paint shines nicely, with no evidence of any significant flaws. The fiberglass is also free from issues, and the owner says that it has never had any hits. Most of the chrome and trim seem to be in excellent condition, but the rear bumpers are starting to show their age. If the buyer is concerned about this, there are a couple of options to consider. It would be possible to send the bumpers to the platers for restoration because there is no evidence of physical damage. The other would be to find a pair of replacements, and there are plenty of suppliers who stock reproduction sets. Prices vary significantly, but they generally hover around $700 for a pair. The issue here can be quality because, as is the case with so many non-genuine parts, the fit and finish can be a lottery. In cases like this, I like to look at enthusiast forums. These offer a wealth of useful information on the subject, and it usually costs nothing to join. Beyond that, the tinted glass is spotless, and I can’t see any issues with the wheels.

The Corvette was created as a sports car, which means that it is only right that it should be “sports car” fast. We’re not let down here because not only is this a numbers-matching classic, but the engine bay houses the LS5 version of the mighty 454ci big-block V8. This would be pumping out 365hp, which finds its way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. The Corvette also comes equipped with power steering, which should help make light work of driving chores. With all of those ponies waiting eagerly under the right foot, it is no surprise that this vehicle should be capable of demolishing the ¼ mile in 14.3 seconds. However, that is really only half the story with the LS5 because it also produces a mountain of torque. While the LT1 version of the 350 V8 could punch out 360 ft/lbs, the LS5 produced an incredible 465 ft/lbs. This provided a lot more flexibility at low speeds and meant drivers didn’t have to row through the gears to get respectable acceleration levels. The seller says that the Corvette drives very well, and it seems that it is ready for some comfortable and effortless cruising on those upcoming sunny days.

The seller says that this Corvette offers prospective buyers no surprises. It seems that any defects that the car has are visible in the photos. That means that when you look at the supplied photos of the interior, there isn’t a lot to criticize. It is claimed to be original, with the seats upholstered in Black leather. This seems to be free from wear and defects, while the rest of the upholstered surfaces present superbly. There are some faults. The most obvious is wear and fading on the carpet. How the buyer approaches this will depend on how they view the car. It would be acceptable for an original survivor, but given how impressive the rest of this classic is, I would be sorely tempted to replace it. If so, I wouldn’t mess about but would do the whole lot to ensure color uniformity. This will cost around $300, but I believe it would give the interior a real lift. There are also some marks on the console side, so these will need to be addressed. For comfort, the Corvette is a big-block that comes equipped with air conditioning, while the original AM/FM radio is still in situ.

While I appreciate a good custom build, I do tend to be slightly old-fashioned when it comes to the question of classic cars. I find the concept of original and unmolested vehicles attractive, and that’s what we seem to be looking at with this Corvette. It isn’t perfect, but whoever buys it should not feel any shame when they head out of their garage for a drive or to attend a Cars & Coffee. The seller states you won’t find a cheaper, better, numbers-matching, big-block Corvette than this one at the asking price. This is a bold claim, but it is one that would seem to stand up to scrutiny when you also consider the optional extras that this car was ordered with. If this Corvette is as good as the photos and description would lead us to believe, then it has the makings of a pretty canny buy for the right person.