Original 350: 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

This 1971 Corvette Convertible has had little use since 1981, but a previous owner returned it to a roadworthy state about 5-years-ago. It presents well from a distance, but it does have a few issues that the buyer will need to address. None of these are significant problems, making it a hot prospect for someone seeking a hands-on restoration project. Located in Greene, New York, you will find the Corvette listed for sale here on eBay. It represents an interesting conundrum for prospective buyers. The bidding has reached $14,644, but the reserve has yet to be met. There is also a BIN option of $16,500, and I wouldn’t be surprised if someone who really wants this one hits the button soon.

The first thing to note with the Corvette is that the paint that it wears isn’t original. It rolled off the line wearing Nevada Silver, which was equally the rarest color in 1971. Only 1,177 Corvettes wore this color, with Sunflower Yellow perfectly matching that total. It has undergone a color change at some point, and the quality of the work is less than brilliant. The seller says that it doesn’t look like the bumpers were removed to perform the work (!), and there is also evidence of edge lifting and peeling in a few spots. A repaint will be on the cards, and if I were to undertake this, I would have no hesitation in returning it to its original color. The panels look like they are free from cracks and fatigue, but the big news is when we take a peek under the Corvette. The frame has a dusting of surface corrosion in a few spots, but it looks structurally sound. The trim and chrome are presentable for a survivor-grade car, and there are no issues with the wheels or glass.

If the Corvette is considered a survivor-grade car, the Black interior could be left largely untouched. There are no major problems to be found, although there is some slight wear to the piping on the driver’s seat outer edge. The dash and door trims look good, while the carpet is presentable. The top of the console has some rippling, and some of the minor trim pieces show some wear, but unless the buyer is seeking showroom presentation, it could remain as-is. The interior isn’t loaded to the hilt with luxury appointments, but it does come with air conditioning and its original AM/FM radio.

It’s always a positive to find a car like this Corvette that is numbers-matching, which is the case here. It comes equipped with its original 350ci V8, which is bolted to a 3-speed automatic transmission. There seems to be a fair amount of positive news with the Corvette because it does run and drive. It has had limited use since 1981, but a previous owner returned it to a roadworthy state about 5-years-ago. This work entailed replacing the brake calipers, the carburetor, and the tires. The engine bay doesn’t present as well as I’d hoped, but it still looks reasonable for a survivor of this age. For those potential buyers who are concerned about the carburetor change, there is some good news. The original carburetor has now been rebuilt and is sitting in a box on the front floor. It should merely be a matter of swapping this back onto the V8 and refitting the original ignition shielding and air cleaner to have it all back to the way it was when it rolled off the production line. The owner identifies a couple of faults, including a slight noise from the left rear that he believes is the e-brake. There is also a small fluid leak from the transmission, but addressing this should not be difficult.

This 1971 Corvette Convertible has a lot to offer a buyer who is keen on a DIY project. It is structurally sound and is a numbers-matching classic. Returning it to its original color would make it stand out from the crowd due to that shade’s relative rarity. I believe that someone will probably hit the BIN button reasonably soon because it represents a straightforward restoration project. With those thoughts in mind, are you tempted to beat them to the punch by hitting the button first? If you do, I could hardly blame you.