Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

Tidy Driver: 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

While it may not be showroom fresh or 100% original, there are some sound reasons why this 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray deserves a closer look. It presents nicely, with no immediate cosmetic needs. The interior is equally impressive, while the car is in sound mechanical health. If you’re teetering on the edge and only need a slight push to pursue it further, the seller’s decision to offer it with No Reserve might prove the deciding factor. The Stingray is listed here on eBay in Miami, Florida. The bidding sits at $18,000, and with No Reserve in play, the Corvette is days away from finding a new home.

If complete originality is a crucial consideration in your search for a classic, this Corvette may not be your cup of tea. Its panels wear Elkhart Green paint, a shade Chevrolet only offered from the 1972 model year. That means the vehicle has undergone a color change, although there’s no information on when this occurred. I’m willing to stick out my neck and suggest it may have been recently because the paint shines impressively with no evidence of chips, scratches, or other defects. The fiberglass looks good, indicating that the painter probably repaired any cracks or other problems before applying the Green paint. The seller says the frame is clean, although there is no information on the birdcage. The lack of visible corrosion suggests that aspect of the Stingray should be structurally sound. The chrome shines as nicely as the paint, the glass is spotless, and I can’t spot any issues with the Rally wheels.

The Corvette’s interior presents well for a driver-grade car, and there are signs it is another aspect of this classic treated to some recent TLC. The seatcovers look new, with no wear or stretching. The same is true of the carpet, although the remaining upholstered surfaces and plastic appear original. There is a crack in the driver’s side of the rear console and some problems with the dash top on the passenger side, but nothing requires immediate attention. The factory radio has made way for a more modern radio/cassette player, but I can’t spot any further additions. Life on the road would be pretty pleasant thanks to the original owner’s decision to order the ‘Vette with air conditioning, power windows, and a tilt/telescopic wheel.

We’ve reached the point in this Corvette’s story where we delve into the great unknown. The engine bay houses a small-block V8, which should be the legendary 350. Bolted to the V8 is a three-speed automatic transmission, while the original owner added power assistance for the steering and brakes. The seller doesn’t indicate which version of the small-block this is but states it is numbers-matching. I have some concerns about the visible rattlecan work because there’s plenty of red overspray on brackets and other components that should be black. I subscribe to the belief that if a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. In the case of this motor, I would have been happier if the person responsible had left that area untouched. The seller recently treated this classic to a new master cylinder and brake calipers. They say the car runs and drives well, with no problems or apparent needs.

This 1971 Corvette probably won’t appeal to a purist due to the changed paint color. However, it is a strong candidate for an enthusiast seeking a tidy driver that they can enjoy immediately. It has already attracted thirty bids with time left on the auction for fresh bidders to throw their hats into the ring. I won’t be surprised if it hits $25,000 before the hammer falls, although auctions can be an unknown quantity. Sometimes a car will peak early, allowing somebody to sneak in and grab it with a single well-timed bid. Do you think that will happen here, or will the action remain hot and strong to the end?

Comments

  1. Avatar RoughDiamond

    This is a beautiful Vette. Since it’s a Miami car I would not consider it structurally sound without either a personal inspection or PPI.

    Like 2
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      This car is not from Miami, most likely. BF has featured cars from this seller in the not distant past, seems like a reputable reseller of Vettes.

      Like 1
    • Avatar Larry D

      @RoughDiamond
      And even if the car IS from Miami now, it’s hard to say where all it has resided in the past 51 years.

      But also, I fail to see where a car from Miami is good to have either. Miami has salt, ocean water and lots of humidity.

      Like 2
  2. Avatar gbvette62

    There’s no question as to which engine the car has. There were only two 350’s in 71, the base L-48 350/270 and the LT-1 350/330. Since the LT-1 was not available with AC or automatic, and came with an aluminum intake, finned aluminum valve covers and a domed hood, this can only be an L-48 350.

    Overspray on the door strikers indicate the car’s been repainted, and it does appear the color’s been changed, 71’s Brands Hatch Green is much darker. The seller doesn’t say anything about a color change, and there’s no picture of the trim tag, so there’s no way of knowing what the car’s original color was.

    Overall it looks like a pretty nice car. A couple short cuts may have been taken in fixing it up, but if the price doesn’t go to far from where it’s at now, it might be a good buy for someone.

    Like 6
  3. Avatar Ken

    I’m always wary of cars listed by this seller, have seen a few examples of him doing some questionable things on the vettes he resells.

    Like 2
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      If you value EBay reviews, then this seller rates really high. Just 1 negative and 1 neutral review over the past 12 months.

      Like 2
    • Avatar Frank Sumatra

      Not too much surprises me on Barn Finds anymore, but your statement without any facts really surprises me that it is allowed to remain up.

      Like 2
      • Avatar Ken

        Easy to search his seller ID on multiple corvette forums gives lots of details/photos.

        Like 0
      • Avatar PRA4SNW

        Ken, Thanks for the details. That helps to understand your comment better.

        Like 0
  4. Avatar PRA4SNW

    As an originality freak, it always bothers me when the chrome ignition shielding is missing.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Keith Montague

    I had a ’72 that looked just like this one. The only difference I could tell are the light covers in front. Mine were yellowish.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Marco

    Does it have birdcage?

    Like 1
  7. Avatar DH

    An automatic, too bad.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar george mattar

    Stay away from Florida cars. Have seen some Swiss cheese windshield frames from Miami. This one is Elkhart Green, not available until 1972. I owned a Brands Hatch Green 454 air coupe in the 70s. The color is 100 times nicer than this. Under the hood was rattled canned. And not to nit pick, but the ugly red heater hose is supposed to rest on top of the AC comperssor. If this is worth $18,000, then my correct and RUST free 73 coupe is worth more.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Ended:Aug 22, 2022 , 10:02PM
    Winning bid:
    US $20,400.00
    [ 40 bids ]

    Like 0

Leave a Reply to PRA4SNW Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.