Winter has a nasty habit of seeming to drag on forever, especially as enthusiasts gaze out their windows at snow, slush, and rain. Summer can’t come soon enough because it means they can wheel a classic out of their garage for a spot of fine weather motoring. If your garage is empty and you’re considering changing the situation, this 1971 Corvette Convertible could be a strong contender. It is an unmolested survivor that the seller revived after years of hibernation. They have listed this classic drop-top here on eBay in New Baltimore, Michigan. Frantic bidding has pushed the price to $20,900 in a No Reserve auction.
After two years in production, the C3 Corvette underwent its first facelift for the 1970 model year. The changes were mild and subtle, although the fender flares were practical. Early owners experienced paint damage on the lower extremities from stones and debris kicked up from the tires. The flares eliminated the problem, a change that potential buyers welcomed. This Convertible is claimed to be a genuine survivor, which the first owner ordered in Sunflower Yellow. The seller acknowledges signs of minor touch-ups but that the paint appears original. Therefore, the presence of small chips and checking is unsurprising. The car retains an impressive shine, and its presentation is accentuated by a Black soft-top that appears to fit as tight as a drum. The seller located the ‘Vette parked in a garage in 2007, purchasing and reviving the car after years of hibernation. They discovered minor birdcage rust, having this repaired by a Corvette specialist. The frame has typical dry surface corrosion, but there is no evidence of steel penetration. The trim is in good order, and the immaculate Rally wheels are wrapped in new tires from the good folks at BF Goodrich.
This Corvette’s survivor credentials are emphasized by its interior, which is presentable but not perfect. The Black seatcovers show slight flaws and imperfections, although I believe a specialist may be able to address the shortcomings while leaving the leather soft and supple. The dash and console are impressive, with no significant marks or physical damage. The carpet exhibits the typical faded patches, but the lack of wear would prompt me to leave it untouched to preserve the car’s survivor credentials. The interior isn’t highly optioned, with creature comforts limited to an AM/FM radio. This is slightly surprising because nearly 53% of buyers ordered their new 1971 Corvette with air conditioning. Perhaps this Convertible’s first owner was happy to drop the top and enjoy what Mother Nature provides for free.
When buyers ordered their new 1971 Corvette, they faced the first signs of dropping engine power. Chevrolet detuned motors slightly to cope with lower octane fuel, a precursor to tighter emission regulations that impacted the entire Corvette range. This Convertible perfectly demonstrates the trend because while 1970 buyers received 300hp and 380 ft/lbs of torque from the entry-level 350ci V8, this car would have delivered 270hp and 360 ft/lbs when it rolled off the line. The change wasn’t dramatic, but it made itself felt under the right foot. The journey down the ¼-mile would have taken 15 seconds in 1970, increasing to 15.6 seconds in 1971. The seller revived this numbers-matching Corvette in 2007, handing it to a specialist to ensure the work was completed to a high standard. They invested $14,000 in the process, and the results justified the expense. They say it runs perfectly and that it is fun to drive. The claim is very believable, mainly because they include an embedded video in their listing. We hear the small-block purring like a kitten, with no smoke or odd noises.
Gauging the desirability of some classics is challenging, but the chrome-bumper C3 Corvette rarely raises a question. This Convertible is no exception, attracting forty-three bids at the time of writing. It is set to head to a new home in time for summer. It has been treated respectfully throughout its life, and I hope it finds a new home with one of our readers. That will guarantee the trend will continue and that this classic will still prowl the streets in another fifty-three years. Are you tempted to help that happen?
Mostly original paint? Wonder what that means. The door gaps, while never perfect on a vette, were much better than these. Perhaps that’s the non original paint. Altho, if it is, the driver side door needs more unoriginal paint.
Hater for no reason. Looks great to me. Find another C3 with perfect lines. Won’t happen. I have owned 12 of them.
Not a hater at all, and stated original door gaps were not perfect. It the fit looks right to you that’s all that matters.
……hahaha
The ad says the car has had birdcage repair in the door jambs so there’s that. With rust repair there I would surely go over the frame carefully. There are a lot of C3’s out there so no reason to buy a rusty one.
A true survivor,and rust repair? I don’t gunk so. The base of the A pillars aren’t the only rust issues that had. I hope the buyer has a chance to back out of the sale once the extent of the damage is revealed.
Both doors need some serious adjustment. The rear gaps are almost non-existent. It’s also an automatic…what fun is that?…and perhaps the 2-speed Powerglide (I don’t think that they had the turbohydramatic in this yet but what do I know).
I’m always leery of any northern classic. You have to believe that at some point in its life it was driven on salty roads.
Yet and still, I doubt that this closes out at less than $35K.
Corvettes from 1968 thru 1981 used the 3spd automatic. 1982, last year for C3 had overdrive 4spd automatic. 2spd powerglide used 1953 to 1967.
The slip n slide 2 speed was gone after 64!!
Sorry but powerglide was used thru ‘67, even behind the hydraulic lifter 427’s. See the link on one just sold on BAT
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1967-chevrolet-corvette-convertible-185/
This car is rusty, I certainly hope anyone thinking of buying it knows these things rust like crazy.
I like it. Color’s right, year is right. ruxvette is right about the paint. Had a friend who bought a new blue ’72 and the door jams looked like they had been painted with a brush. Didn’t stop it from being fun though.
$14k and it’s missing the chrome spark plug wire covers?
I’m amazed that some of you guys are saying the door gaps are off. From the angles these pics are shot I don’t see how you can say that. I’m thinking the Yellow paint & shadows by to doors it might appear they are off. Looks like a pretty Sharpe Vette to me & I built them from 76/06.
If you go to the actual ad site, there are straight side-on views for both left and right. The gaps are very apparent in those views. The angled views do not show them.
We had a few Vettes come through the shop in the ’80s and don’t remember any of them having any better door gaps than this one. The number of compound curves involved would, as Keith said, make the gaps look different from different angles.
Agreed!! They’re just desk top trolls that want to nickpick an argument!! Fanboys 🤣
Beautiful car and gaps look great for a C3. I have owned many.
Tough crowd
I went back to the ad to see what I missed. If went to the ad, and looked at the (for instance ) passenger side foto, and saw the 3/8-1/2″ gap at the front of the door vs the 1/16″ gap at the back of the door and are think they look great then I’m not in the tough crowd, I’m in the wrong crowd.
At the current 21K, not a bad driver chrome nose Corvette.
Seat covers are covers that go over an existing seat in my opinion!! So Adam Clark you need to just say the leather seats having natural patina being 52 yrs old should look brand new to you is not appealing!!
SOLD for 26K.