Occasionally, time catches up with enthusiasts, and advancing years mean they are no longer able to enjoy their beloved classic. Such is the case with this 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. It has spent a few years in storage, but its elderly owner feels it deserves a new home with someone who can appreciate a C3 with a big-block under the hood. It presents well, and the deal includes parts to lift its interior appearance. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this wonderful classic listed here on eBay in Vero Beach, Florida. Bidding has raced to $20,100, and with No Reserve in play, that new home is only days away.
After performing a few styling tweaks in 1970, Chevrolet left the C3 Corvette largely unchanged for the 1971 model year. Sales had begun to climb following the previous year’s slump and would continue to do so for the rest of the decade. This Convertible looks stunning in Bridgehampton Blue with a White soft-top. The paint shines richly, and if there are any cosmetic flaws, they are fairly minor. The fiberglass is free from cracks, and the top looks pretty respectable. The seller supplies a couple of underside shots, and this is another area that looks remarkably clean. The tinted glass and trim look very impressive, as do the Rally wheels. Overall, this Corvette could seemingly be considered an extremely tidy driver-grade classic.
One change Chevrolet made for the 1971 model year was to reduce engine compression to cope with lower-octane fuel. It was an industry-wide practice, and the Corvette wasn’t immune. This car features the LS5 version of the company’s 454ci V8. The big-block had produced 390hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque in 1970, with those figures dropping to 365hp and 465 ft/lbs when this car rolled off the line. The first owner teamed the 454 with a three-speed automatic transmission and power steering. The power and torque figures may have dropped, but this Corvette would still be an impressive performer. The seller believes that the current owner purchased the car around 2005, which corresponds with the tire date code. He has been unable to drive the car for a couple of years, and with circumstances not improving, he decided to part with this classic. It is unclear whether the ‘Vette is genuinely roadworthy, but the spotless engine bay and lack of apparent fluid leaks are positive attributes. Since it hasn’t sat for decades, any potential revival work should be relatively straightforward.
The Corvette’s interior, trimmed in Dark Blue vinyl, generally looks fairly respectable. Its most significant shortcoming is deteriorating seatcovers. However, that isn’t bad news, because the deal includes new seatcovers and foam to return the seats to their best. I noticed slight damage to the lower door trim corners, but that appears to be as bad as it gets. The carpet is clean, the dash is excellent, and there are no signs of cracked or broken plastic. Some components for the air conditioning are missing, and a Sony radio/cassette player occupies the spot where the factory radio used to be. The tilt/telescopic wheel is a welcome feature, allowing the driver to tailor their seating position for maximum comfort.
I always find it sad when enthusiasts are forced to sell beloved classics, but the harsh reality is that the aging process eventually catches up with all of us. However, it is admirable that the owner chose to sell now, rather than leaving this ’71 Corvette languishing in a shed, deteriorating with each passing day. It has generated enormous interest, with ten bids and ninety-two people placing it on their Watch List. The No Reserve factor guarantees it a new home, but are you tempted to make it yours?
If your going to get an autoloader equipped Vette…🏁