If it’s well-planned and built to high-quality standards, just about any vehicle can be turned into something cooler and more attention-getting than when it was born. However, one car in particular that seems to be especially responsive to upgrades is the Chevrolet Corvette. This 1971 Chevrolet Corvette here on Craigslist has received several upgrades, but everything here has been done in a tasteful manner, and it’s nowhere near as over-the-top as some ‘Vettes we’ve featured on the site recently. This one is in O’Fallon, Missouri, with an asking price of $47,995, which doesn’t sound unreasonable for all you’re getting here. Tony Primo, thanks for another excellent Corvette tip here!
The owner is quick to point out that this is no longer a numbers-matching C3, but one of the fun things about a Restomod is being able to take whatever liberties you choose, and the engine here appears to be one of them. There’s no information provided about what originally provided power, but in the bay now is a fine big block of the LS5 variety, a 454 that was introduced in 1970. Known for torque, the LS5 produced 360 HP in the SS models of the Monte Carlo and Chevelle during its inaugural year, but that number was upped to 390 for the Corvette. However, it was detuned a bit in ’71, and the date code is unknown here. We just get this one peek of the engine, but it’s said to have a Comp cam and Rhoads lifters inside, so I’m guessing this 454 is quite a capable performer.
It’s not specified what color this one began life as either, but the body is now coated in Torch Red paint, which was a very good choice for this build. It also features black striping and was themed as a tribute to the Motion Corvette creations from the days of yore, including the high-rise fuel cap. The L88 hood is reported to be a factory component, not aftermarket, and the wheels were taken from a 1982 Corvette and refinished. Side pipes and an extended front spoiler have been added as well, and I’m finding very little to complain about regarding the exterior’s appearance.
Plenty of attention has also been given to the interior, and I’m digging those red stripe accents on the black buckets. The light-colored gauges are also a nice touch, though it appears that the factory radio has been retained. It would be great if this were a 3-pedal car, but the shifter controls a Turbo 400 automatic, which is said to have recently received a new fluid filter. This 1972 Chevrolet Corvette seems well thought out in all areas, and I feel like the visionary nailed it here. What do you think?
No mention about that emergency brake lever that holds a couple of big gulps