The person who buys this 1971 Corvette might have some choices to make, but the good thing is that none of these decisions are urgent. That means that they can take their time to ensure that they choose the right path for them. It is a tidy and rust-free survivor, and the owner is only selling to keep the peace in his household. I think that we will have plenty of readers who have been there and done that when it comes to the question of classic cars. The Corvette is located in Conway, South Carolina, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $13,001 in what is a No Reserve auction.
It seems that the owner of this Mulsanne Blue Corvette likes these cars because this is 1-of-3 ‘Vettes that he has in his garage at present. That’s the mere tip of the iceberg because his garage is occupied by no less than eight cars in total. I can see why something had to give, but that’s all good news for potential buyers. The paint shines impressively, with only a few minor marks and areas of previous touch-up work. The fiberglass is also quite good, and once again, any flaws are small and hard to spot. There’s no doubt that a repaint would lift the presentation a notch or two, but if the buyer is seeking a very tidy driver-quality Corvette, this one would seem to fit that description. The owner supplies some underside shots, and this is where this car comes into its own. Forget worries about a rotted frame because there’s barely a hint of surface corrosion, let alone anything worse. The headlights operate as they should, although one does benefit from a helping hand. The windshield has a small crack in one lower corner, but the remaining glass and the chrome are pretty presentable for a survivor.
As if this survivor Corvette’s condition isn’t enough to attract your attention, the drivetrain should help to seal the deal. This is 1-of-1,949 vehicles from that year where the buyer chose to tick the box on the order form for the LT-1 engine option. This brute churns out 330hp, making its way to the road via a 4-speed manual transmission and a 3.55 Posi rear end. The original owner also chose to equip this classic with power steering and power brakes. The LT-1 is a legendary motor, and it produces enough mumbo to slingshot the ‘Vette through the ¼ mile in 14.5 seconds. What we find with this vehicle is one of those “good news, bad news” scenarios. Unfortunately, the car is no longer numbers-matching. It seems that the engine block has been changed at some point, although it is a correct 4-bolt block. The rest of the engine and its peripherals are correct, which is some consolation in this case. The owner has fitted a new carburetor, but the original is in a box to go with the vehicle. One of the most important factors to consider for potential buyers is that this is a turn-key proposition. The Corvette runs and drives extremely well, and it is ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel. The owner identifies a couple of minor issues, but once again, it seems that these could be tackled as time and circumstances allow.
When we open the doors and take a look around inside this Corvette, we find an interior that presents acceptably for a driver-quality car. It has a few issues, but lifting this interior to the next level would not be difficult or particularly expensive. The driver’s seat has a split, and the foam is beginning to collapse. That means a set of covers and foam would be a sound investment. While I had the seats out, I’d probably also drop in a fresh carpet set. The driver’s door trim has a significant split, which has deteriorated to the point of no return. With those items replaced, this interior would be a nice place to be. The owner has slotted a CD player in place of the original radio, and as is so often the case here, the fit isn’t fantastic. I think that spending $40 on a dash adaptor plate would be a wise move because these make an enormous difference to presentation in these situations. The dash and pad look pretty nice, while the console sports only a few minor marks and nicks. It is not likely to break the bank when you look at what is required to whip this interior into shape. Making these changes would also be a great way of occupying time during the upcoming colder months.
If you walked into a Chevrolet dealership in 1971 with a pocketful of cash, you could drive away in a pretty potent piece of machinery. While many enthusiasts will tend to focus on big-block Corvettes and the straight-line performance that they offer, the LT-1 cars offered a fantastic compromise. These could hold their heads high over the ¼ mile, but they would run rings around big-block cars the moment that the road threw some twists and turns the driver’s way. The fact that this vehicle isn’t a 100% numbers-matching vehicle will negatively impact its potential value, but if buyers look at it purely as a driver-quality Corvette, it has a lot to offer. The bidding hasn’t been quite as lively as I might have expected, and if this trend doesn’t change, somebody could become this car’s next owner at a very affordable price. With that thought in mind, is this an auction that you will be tempted to watch closely?
That’s a fun dry day driver for sure. Poor guy. No woman is worth getting rid of a cool ride, no matter how many cars he has.
Looks to be a solid driver 71 Corvette that you can enjoy as is. I love the blue color on this one and goes well with the black interior.
I would need some more info on the motor to verify that it is a LT-1 replacement engine. You can’t always believe the former owner’s statements.
Otherwise, GLWTS!
Loved these cars when they came out and love ’em today. Looks, power, etc.. What more could you ask for other than finding one like this today.
I second liking the Mulsanne blue color and I bet this ’71 LT-1 Corvette is a thrill to drive.
Blue always works with a Vette. I do like a dark green Vette as a close second.
No ac.
No AC on 1970/1971 LT-1 cars. Only on 1972 cars. Even if its a replacement engine, its still worth getting.
In 71, LT-1’s were not available with A/C
Did I miss how many mikes on engine?
No LT-1 badging on the hood?
its1969ok, No hard emblem on an LT-1, they had a decal , hard to see in the pictures the seller posted on eBay but they are barely visible . The seat covering is not a ’71 style. It’s bid to $18,1 K
18K is still cheap for a legit LT-1. The 71 is much more streetable due to the two point drop in compression. 71 still had the big Holley and solid lifters and among the best forged internals ever put in a Chevy V-8. I do own an LT-1, but as a retired Hemmings Muscle Machines editor got to drive several and I can tell it is my dream Corvette. So superior to a big block. I owned a 71 454 Corvette in 1976. That car is gone, but I now own a 73 coupe with a 4 speed. Not an L82, but the car is far superior to my former 71. I would love to get the blue beauty for my garage. The 72 was the only year for AC. If a 72 had AC, then the tach red line was 5600. If no air, it read 6500. I have driven many Corvettes in my 65 years. The LT-1 is the all around best engine Chevrolet ever made.
Aren’t modern very high hp chevy, etc. v8’s packed with good parts inside & out, as well?
No A/C no power windows, bare bones non matching #s needs interior
My guess is that this will end north of 25K. Maybe make it to 30K.
I got my hands on a 1971 LT1 back in 1974 from a friend of mine that raced sprint cars. He got a major sponsor then and didn’t use the LT1. So I got it from him and have never used it. Yet. It has CGZ suffix code and date of D171. I got everything but the original heads. I put a set of 1966 462 heads on it and an Isky hyd cam. It is rebuilt and standard bore still. I know that it’s one of 1949 made for a vette and I plan to use it some day hopefully.
Relisted several times, but finally SOLD for $20,000.