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Incredible Documentation: 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Buying a classic car can be a fraught experience, especially if you want to try to track the car’s history to ensure that it is what the seller claims that it is. That should not be a problem with this 1971 Corvette, because it comes with a full history and documentation tracing the car all the way back to “day one”. Barn Finder Roger referred this fantastic classic to us, so thank you so much for that Roger. The Corvette is located in Longmont, Colorado, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. If the Corvette really appeals to you, then it can be yours simply by handing the current owner $30,000.

The Ontario Orange that graces the Corvette is original, with the car having never undergone restoration or a repaint. There are a few very minor marks on the paint, but at the end of the day, we are talking about a paint job that is 48-years-old. The car has spent its life not only garaged, but also covered. That’s a pretty decent recipe for keeping a classic in good condition. The exterior trim and chrome all appear to be in good condition, while the car’s fiberglass shows no signs of crazing or fatigue. The owner makes no mention of rust issues, and if the Corvette has been pampered as the owner suggests, then I would be surprised to find any issues. Still, an inspection will never go astray.

The Corvette is a numbers-matching car, with the 270hp version of the 350ci V8 occupying the engine bay. This is backed by a 4-speed manual transmission, while the car is also fitted with power steering and power brakes. Now is the time when this Corvette’s story becomes impressive. All of the owners of the car, both past, and present are all known to one another. Tracing the history of this classic really is going to be a piece of cake. It appears that every person who has ever owned the Corvette has been pretty meticulous about their record-keeping. Every piece of servicing and maintenance documentation, and we’re taking in excess of 100 pages of documents, are present and will be included with the Corvette. In addition, when any items such as the water pump, air conditioning compressor, distributor, etc. have been replaced, the original component has been retained and boxed, and all will be included in the sale. Given the sheer level of documentation included with the car, I have no trouble believing the owner’s claim that the Corvette has covered 82,000 genuine miles.

Now we arrive at one of the few areas of the Corvette which is not completely original. The owner describes the interior as having been renewed, but then only specifies items such as the seat covers and foam. The rest of the interior essentially presents faultlessly, so I suspect that there are other items that have also been replaced. One thing that the owner does emphasize is that everything, including the clock, works as it should. The car is nicely equipped, with air conditioning, power windows, a tilt/telescopic wheel, and AM/FM radio all part of the package.

This 1971 Corvette is a really nicely preserved survivor that just happens to come with one of the best and most extensive collections of documentation that you could ever hope to find included with a classic car. It would seem that this is a car that inspires confidence, and I suspect that it is a car that will sell pretty quickly. Does the documented history give you enough confidence to consider taking on this beauty?

Comments

  1. Avatar Socaljoe

    Nice car and an awesome garage for which I am truly envious. Too much money for a base 350 car however. Good luck to the seller.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Frank Sumatra

      $30,000 may not be so far off.

      Like 1
  2. Avatar jerry z

    You keep posting these C3 Corvettes, I hate you! Need to have a set of napkins next to the computer from all the drool…

    Like 4
    • Avatar Ike Onick

      These cars are missing a great opportunity to market BF logo drool cups. No imagination.

      Like 2
  3. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    Good looking car, too much IMO pricewise for what you’re getting but that’s my opinion. Wish the seller best.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Frank Sumatra

      86- I am re-thinking my original testimony- I now think this Corvette is a bargain at $30K. Great year, great colors, great options, a great car to drive, and all of the information and documentation any reasonable buyer could ask for. This is the real deal and one has to be prepared to pay for the real deal.

      Like 1
      • Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

        Frank
        I won’t disagree but IMO it’s still overpriced like all C3’s are at this time. For every car there’s a buyer with the money to buy it. For whatever reason, C3’s are the new C2’s, people are willing to pay a premium for them. Not that many years ago they were just old Chevy’s and priced accordingly, but not today.

        Like 2
  4. Avatar Mike D

    Nice car. Well equipped, 4-speed, long maintenance history. I think the price is not far off.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    Skinny tires – i suppose that was stock base size in ’71?
    I know the prior gen, say in ’63 got even skinnier tires.
    I wonder if you could get a ’68-73 vette with manual steering & manual brakes. I wonder if they considered a hidden radio antenna in the windshield on these cars, like on 2nd gen f-bodies, tho with those the radio reception was not as good.
    With the nice wide footwells on these, what were the designers thinking with the way too narrow ones on the ’84 !

    Like 0
  6. Avatar moosie

    @ Joe NYWF64, As I recall standard size tire on my ’71 LT-1 was an F70X15 which corresponds to a modern size 235 tire, not really that skinny , but wider then the 7.75 X 15 that came on the ’67 coupe I owned tho. Windshield antenna wouldn’t be good for a fiberglass car due to ignition and alternator noise being picked up, that is why they mounted the antenna on the rear deck. Power steering & brakes were an option on early C3s. Narrow footwells on the C4s were probably due to a different frame configuration than the earlier cars.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar TimM

    Nice drivable car and I think the price point is not to bad!!!

    Like 1
  8. Avatar BTG88

    Posting expired. Maybe sold already.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar John Oliveri

    Nice car, not so special motor, 48 yr old paint, if not stored in ideal situation is going to deteriorate at the speed of sound, now you got a 45,000 71 small block Vette

    Like 0

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