A 1971 Corvette with its original drivetrain is always worth a closer look, and the example currently listed here on eBay offers exactly that: a matching-numbers 350/270-horsepower small-block paired with an automatic transmission, still sitting under those classic chrome bumpers. According to the seller, the car carries a clean title and shows 31,384 miles, though the listing notes that the mileage may not be fully accurate. Even so, what’s here is a solid foundation for a rewarding restoration.
The seller states that the car has a good frame and birdcage—two things that matter tremendously on any C3 project. The Corvette reportedly runs and shifts well, and it has already received several important maintenance items, including a new gas tank, master cylinder, brake booster, and calipers. That’s meaningful work for anyone planning to take on a project without starting completely from scratch.
Cosmetically, the car needs paint and general refreshing. The body is said to be very straight with good door lines, and the T-top configuration gives it the open-air appeal many buyers look for. The headlights are not currently operating, and the front grilles are missing, but both issues are common in C3 projects and comparatively straightforward to address. Inside and out, it’s clear this Corvette has been used, enjoyed, and now needs someone ready to bring it back to its former glory.
The engine bay houses the original 350 cubic-inch V8 rated at 270 horsepower—an appealing number for anyone looking to preserve factory authenticity. The car does have an intermittent starting issue that hasn’t yet been diagnosed, but the seller still describes it as a good-running car overall. Anyone familiar with early-’70s Corvettes knows that electrical gremlins aren’t unusual, and having a solid drivetrain to begin with makes the troubleshooting easier.
With its matching-numbers engine, chrome bumper styling, and largely complete presentation, this ’71 Corvette T-top seems like an ideal candidate for someone wanting a correct car they can restore at their own pace. Whether you lean toward a full repaint and show-quality finish or a mechanical-first refurbishment to get it back on the road, this car offers enough originality to make the project worthwhile.
Would you restore this Corvette to factory stock, or would you use it as a base for a mild performance build?
This is a nice platform to restore. Early C3’s are always nice in my book. If I had it, I’d drive it on Tuesday, tinker with it Wednesday and so on. Is that chrome box in the back electronic ignition? There’s your intermittent starting problem, probably.
I’m pretty sure that “chrome box” is ignition shielding, quite common on Corvettes, trying to improve radio reception by reducing ignition interference.
That chrome box is the stock ignition shielding. There could be anything under it from stock to aftermarket components. The car looks unmodified in general so it’s probably stock. Between paint, interior and mechanical you will be into this car for well over its value but if you can do everything yourself you may break even. If you really want a nice C3 just buy one for $25k to $35k and drive it.
I’m the type of guy who would take this and just mask it off and respray it in my garage may even just rattle can it so it looks good from 20 feet away. It would still be fun to drive and my kids would be like yep midlife crisis. But my oldest daughter would want to drive it. And some of my granddaughters could even help with body and paint and mechanical issues
Base engine, boring. Have restored two C3s, not cheap. My favorite generation. If it was an LT-1 I’d consider doing a third project.