As with most projects, this 1971 Chevrolet Corvette has both pros and cons to consider, one of the former being that the engine and transmission are still factory components. It’s also currently running, and the $10,500 price seems reasonable for a C3 of this era in this condition, so I’m thinking the positives outweigh the negatives here. However, there’s still plenty of work to be done, but it sounds like the 350 is already prepped for the next owner to enjoy some trouble-free operation. This one is located in Cape Coral, Florida, and can be seen here on eBay, with our thanks going out to reader Curvette for finding this Corvette and sending in the tip!
Four engine options were available in the Corvette for ’71, including a pair of big blocks along with a couple of different variants of the 350. It would add some desirability here if this one were equipped with a 454, but the 350 is hooked to a 4-speed manual transmission, so that’s certainly a plus. It’s recently undergone extensive fuel-system work, such as a new gas tank, sending unit, fresh lines, and a new fuel pump. There’s also been a tune-up performed, with the engine starting easily and sounding strong in the video provided by the seller. One anomaly is the 350-horsepower sticker on the air cleaner, since the two factory ratings for the small block this year were 270 for the base offering, or 330 for the LT1.
The only information we get about the body is that the hardtop is the sole roof present, with few other specifics, so we’ll have to rely on the photos to do the talking here. For the most part, the fiberglass actually appears pretty good, but there’s a small crack on the driver’s side quarter near the top that will need to be repaired. There are also holes in the rear deck where a luggage rack has been removed, but sourcing a replacement and reinstalling it will easily solve that problem. Up front, some paint is flaking off, and the area behind the headlight doors and part of the left fender appear to have been partially mended, so these sections will likely require additional work before this ‘Vette is ready for a respray.
Things inside will also need sorting out, but some of the removed components are included, so hopefully many of them will be in good enough shape to salvage. The seller also mentions that the frame isn’t rusty and is free of rot, so perhaps the next owner won’t have very much work to do down under. Overall, this Stingray seems to be at a pretty decent starting point, though there is undoubtedly still a lot left to do here. Is this 1971 Chevrolet Corvette one you’d consider taking on as a project?
The C3’s don’t sell for a lot of money, this needs a lot of work and has a rebuilt title. It has the base engine, which is the 270 horsepower passenger car version. Potential buyers really need to go over this car with a fine tooth comb and do their research before spending their money.
Steve R
My first question is what’s the reason for the rebuilt title. Manual brakes, manual steering, no A/C, but it is a 4 speed chrome bumper convertible (that needs cosmetics.) $10,500 seems OK in todays evaporating dollars, after all, what’s getting cheaper?