While it may have been sitting parked and unused in a garage since the late 1970s, this 1971 Corvette Stingray seems to have a lot of positive attributes, and could potentially be a really rewarding restoration project. The original engine hasn’t been fired into life since receiving a rebuild, while it is a car that was ordered with a host of very desirable optional extras. If a potent American classic is high on your wish list, you will find the Corvette located in Winter Garden, Florida, and listed for sale here on eBay. The auction has been set to open at $15,000 in what appears to be a No Reserve sale, but at the time of writing, there have been no bids on the Stingray. However, with 110 people currently watching the listing, you have to wonder whether this situation is set to change fairly soon.
The owner purchased the Corvette from his uncle back in 2007 with the intention of undertaking a full restoration, but with this car, it seems that the familiar story of a project stalling before it started means that nothing has happened in the past 13-years. The War Bonnet Yellow paint on the car appears to be largely original, although the uncle did add the extra metallic black “highlights” that you can see in various locations around the car. There is some damage to the fiberglass in a number of spots, but this has mainly been the result of misfortunes whilst the Corvette has been in storage and isn’t the result of any accident damage. The exterior, including the trim, chrome, and the wheels, is all original, but the side-pipes are definitely an aftermarket addition. These don’t appear to have any heat-shielding around them, so I’d either rectify this situation, or I’d more than likely ditch them entirely. There are no photos of the Corvette’s underside, but the owner claims that while the frame has a solid coating of surface corrosion, it does appear to be solid.
Lurking in the engine bay is the original LS5, 454ci V8. In addition, the Corvette was ordered with a 4-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The LS5 was good for 365hp and was capable of punching the 3,379lb Stingray through the ¼ mile in 14.3 seconds. The vehicle was silenced in the late 1970s by an electrical fault, but it isn’t clear just what this fault was, or whether it has been rectified. While it was parked, the owner’s uncle chose to have the 454 rebuilt, but it hasn’t been fired up since the work was completed. The owner says that the engine turns freely, but given the fact that the rebuild was completed prior to 2007, I’d be subjecting it to a pretty thorough inspection before I turned the key for the first time. It’s also a near certainty that there will be other work that will need to be completed, including a fluid flush, a check of the brakes, and all of those other tasks that generally need to be tackled on cars that have been in storage for decades. The owner also claims that the Corvette has a genuine 57,400 miles on the odometer, and if it really has been idle since the late 1970s, then this claim could be quite plausible.
In a rather odd twist, it appears that the owner has chosen to commence the Corvette’s restoration from the inside out. The interior is trimmed in Saddle leather, and the vast majority of the trim looks to be in pretty reasonable condition. The first task on the list was to replace the carpet, and it appears that this was also the last task. The passenger seat has been removed to facilitate the removal of the original carpet. The owner had intended to install the new carpet set, and while this never eventuated, the set is included in the sale. There are a few minor trim pieces that are showing some wear and tear, but replacing the carpet and bolting the seat back in should result in an interior of what could be termed decent driver quality. As far as optional extras are concerned, the Corvette scores air conditioning, power windows, a tilt/telescopic wheel, and an AM/FM radio.
There’s no doubt that this Corvette ticks a lot of the right boxes as a project car, and it is fitted with a lot of very desirable optional extras. There are a few areas that have a question mark over them, and I would be very inclined to contact the owner and see if he is open to potential buyers undertaking a personal inspection of the vehicle. If he is, and if the inspection doesn’t reveal any nasty surprises, then this could potentially be a pretty satisfying project car that would be a potent weekend cruiser once the work has been completed.
These appear to be Hooker side pipes, they don’t come with any heat shielding like the factory side pipes. They can be paired up with matching headers. You can still buy them new today.
Can still hear my leg sizzling the first time I exited my 68 before I put the heat shields in place on the factory side pipes. Yes, of course, I was wearing shorts at the time. Heat shields went on the same afternoon. I think you’d have to be a contortionist to get in and out of this one without contacting the pipes.
Looks in rough shape for 57,000 miles to me…. Why is the engine block painted blue? The rear wheel openings in rough shape….
Anthony, agree to all….pretty sure if the odometer had a 000,000 set up we would see a 1 in front of that 57.
The blue engine block, not sure anyone could justify their logic on that one to me (favorite sports team? AND THEN, UGH….paint only the valve covers orange…..right.
This is the year and drive train I want. Color is ok. Tan interior is not for me. WAAAYYY too neglected. Did not read far enough if it is a documented/matching numbers car and proof of it. 15K to start, sorry this is going to be a $100K restoration (+ ??) and not worth near 6 figures when done in #1 condition.
Great options. Should be restored for sure BUT by the guy who owns it now.
5 digit odometer.
Engine was rebuilt (claimed). So that’s why it was painted.
The eBay add says the engine was painted blue when it was rebuilt. The owner painted over the blue on the rocker covers. Hooker sidepipes could be purchased as fake headers, but most were like these, headers that exit under the door into the sidepipe mufflers, mimicking IMSA race cars.
Blue engine block? That’s what can happen when you have someone else do it. Do it yourself to get it done right.
Looks like old uncle was going for the Baldwin Motion paint scheme.
“that while the frame has a solid coating of surface corrosion, it does appear to be solid.”
Hmm first Time I have heard that combination of words. Looks pretty decent but the frame and birdcage would be the deal breaker. Inspection by some one knowledgeable would be mandatory. six bidders over 16 large now. Good luck and caveat emptor.
Cheers
GPC
You wont start due to electronic issues.
damn yuu I’ll show and park you till whenever 😆😜😉😁🤣🙃
Ok does anyone buy the story?
A Chevy dealer or garage could have singled out the issue…:.
Lets hope uncle picked a pro to rebuild non started engine 🧐
I don’t know about you but…a bottle feed fuel to carb would have started..and if i put cash on rebuild. Then its starting up right away…
My pro engine was dyno tested prior to install….
Electronic issues? The only electronics in this car were the radio and the alternator. An electronic ignition was available with some engine options, but usually that was found on the LT1 or LS6.
I think they mean that there is an electrical problem. Old wires are easy to short out.
I agree. A couple of wires with alligator clips and you should be able to start this. Since no dyno sheet or proof of engine condition is offered you would have to assume (hate that word) that you’re starting from scratch on the motor.
Eventuated????
Good word, just needs a N is all.
“Neventuated”?
As in (possibly) an event that never uated?
How come you never hear of gruntled employees?
“Electrical fault”? “Rectified”? I see what you did there…
Why rebuild an engine with a little over 50K miles?
Why rebuild an engine with less than 60K miles? And then not start it up? Doesn’t need too many electrical connections to get it to crank over.
Sounds like someone didn,t know anything about mechaincs and depended on someone else. Their is alot of people out their who are too lazy to learn and afraid to get their hands dirty. A friend of mine had one back in 74.His was a 454 with automatic transmission. I remember when he would put it in reverse.The back end would raise up/ His was ontario orange with half vinlyn top and it had air ,but no vents. You couldn,t go to the beach and check out the babes, The damn thing would burn your feet up. I liked the chrome bumpers on it and couldn,t figure out why they never put vent in it to let in air to help keep your feet cooler. That 454 held in alot of heat on the floor board.
Ebay listing claims built October 1970 first month of production. My 1971 has tank sticker and door sticker built 09/70 number 1714 and trim tag for body built B04 meaning September(second month production) 1970 I don’t know where the seller gets his info. Usually production on new model years, at least back in the day began in late July most times August. So 1971’s would start production in August 1970 etc..
I had a 74 big block car and found the small block cars much better balanced and a much more comfortable ride. The big block car felt much more like a car wrapped around a huge engine. Excellent fun in a straight line in small doses. Yes, this has a good set of matching options and the big block cars are worth more, but as a driver give me a decent small block any day. That and the overall condition and questionable engine health would make me pass on it.
“The big block car felt much more like a car wrapped around a huge engine” which is PRECISELY why I love my big block cars :) They are beasts, but up here (6000-9000 feet) displacement helps things out a lot…
Skutterboch,
Nice color..
Its a 10k car at best restoring your self would take about 15k
In 1976, I bought a Brands Hatch Green 71 LS5 coupe from a friend. Never crashed it has chrome Hooker side pipes. My girlfriend burned her leg getting out of the car one day. My car was optioned with only a radio, ps and air cond. No custom interior of tilt or pw. I had it years. Never dropped the tank so I guess the Corvette Order Copy was still on the tank. I enjoyed the car, but the timing chain let go and bent all the intake valves. That engine is a low compression POS. Sold it to finance college to a guy in Boalsburg, PA for $6,000. He still own a it today since 1978. It had those horrible Steel Radial 500 recall tires. He drove out to Florida that summer and both front tires shredded at like 75 mph. Front fenders destroyed. Big blocks handle like a snow plow. Today, I have a small block 73 coupe with 4 speed of course. Superior car in every way. This Warbonnet Yellow car does bring memories. Good luck to the new owner.