While the C3 Corvette isn’t universally loved, it’s hard to deny how killer they look with a period widebody kit. I get that not everyone is into a car like this, but there’s no denying the work done here changes the personality of this 1971 Chevrolet Corvette quite permanently. The seller refers to it as a Daytona Widebody kit that was conceived to replicate the appearance of the Trans Am and IMSA race cars of the same period. Thankfully, when they built this Corvette, it went all the way, down to the super-wide BBS wheels, side-exit exhaust pipes, and wild paint job. Amazingly, it retains its numbers-matching 350 engine. Find the Corvette here on craigslist for $13,900.
Now, you can snicker at this car all you want, but there’s no denying at one point, an ambitious owner sunk untold hours and dollars into converting their Corvette into a wild street custom. There was nothing cheap about this, because even after the bodywork was painted and molded to the body, the original builder went out and dumped a few thousand on that wheel and tire package. The only real shortcoming here is that they didn’t touch the drivetrain, as you’d expect for a car this crazy that the engine would have been enhanced to match the flares and spoilers we see here. As the seller points out, however, the next owner can change that as the Corvette is smog-exempt in California and there’s all manners of restomod drivetrain swaps that would be well-suited to a showstopper like this.
The interior isn’t in bad shape, although it’s definitely tired in places. The seats are from a later model, and a previous owner has retrofitted digital gauges. The seller isn’t sure how accurate they are, so I wouldn’t get too confident in the engine temperature reading until some further diagnostic work is done. The listing notes the driver’s side power window works only when it wants to, and that the tilt/telescoping steering column has a broken pin inside and doesn’t feel tight. There’s no radio, which is somewhat ironic as if nothing else, I’d expect a Corvette like this to have a booming stereo. Nothing here is impossible to fix, however, and could likely be remedied over a few weekends.
As mentioned, the Corvette does run and drive, but the seller recommends performing the usual assortment of deferred maintenance before hitting the open road. If it were mine, the original engine would be safely stored on a shelf so as to install the customary LS1 or another modern engine swap, but something slightly crazier to match the body – perhaps a supercharger? The seller confirms this Corvette is a life-long California car, so the frame is in good shape underneath. With no major rust to worry about and bodywork that you don’t dare touch, this seems like a straightforward case of mechanical reconditioning while improving the interior and tightening up any remaining loose ends – just don’t touch that paint.
1971? with the whole rear clip replaced? Would take a close look, accident damaged then modified? Many questions.
I imagine they meant to type 1981 as that’s the nose and tail treatment. 81 was the last for a carburetor as well.
Must of meant 81 cause it’s inside is 81 seats and back is too
@Don- Side marker lights are also 1980’s
Reminds me of a cross between two movie cars; Navin R Johnson’s Firebird in the Jerk and the stolen Vette in Corvette Summer.
What a mess
This car looks 80’s to me . I probably would have liked this car in 1980 . When I was 11-12 years old . Now it looks gaudy and bloated .
That back end – It looks like its trying to give birth to another Corvette
Or purge it.
Thousands of dollars were WASTED creating this early ’80s-looking Frankenvette, and I fully agree with Mike that in the back it looks like a Corvette giving birth to another! I also agree with Greg that this car should be checked out for major damage that would have led to such desecration. Yes, I know that one person’s desecration can sometimes be someone else’s work of art…and that beauty is in the eye of the beholder… In my opinion, though, an unmolested 1971 Stingray is a far better and more desirable car.
You lose the race, you lose your car!
Kit looks similar to the one in The Wraith.c
I would have lost the race on purpose.
I’d like to know more about the C-2 sitting on the trailer that’s been pulled out of the mud….
When the thumbnail popped up in the email list my first thought was the movie corvette summer but now I’m thinking why? I would have preferred just a stock corvette.
Good buy IF you are looking for a Widebody Corvette.
Those wheel alone would cost $2K-$3K to replace/duplicate. Next is the body kit, the installation and the finish body work. Easily $10K-$15K in today’s labor and parts market.
Modernize the drivetrain with a LS engine/transmission combo along with many of the modern suspension bits offered by Detroit Speed, Ridetech or VanSteel and you will have a pretty neat 1970’s-1980’s Widbody Corvette for $20K or less!
I’m not a Vette guy. But I like these. Particularly the front , the back end is difenitly not it’s best side but over all I think it’s cool
Definitely not a ’71, and it sure is ugly !
That is a late model dashboard. You’ll have to check the VIN number to certify that it is a 1971 Corvette versus a 1981 Corvette
Located in Vista, CA
It definitely is a ’71 – just look at the VIN. Why is that so hard to believe?
Any chassis can be rebodied and when this was done, it was a 10 year old car, no big deal.
For an almost 40 year old custom, this is still in great shape – someone cared for it. Most of these ended up in back yards or beat to crap after the trend ended.
Wow , 5000 pounds of plaster pounding on the bumpy roads , im not sure of this thing
ISMA racecar clone. Cage it, big brakes all around, suspension work, badass high reving small block or a built LS and swap a four/five speed into it. Black paint red interior paint and seats. It would be a badass weekend racer.
I am the seller on this car. Whether some people like it or not doesn’t really bother me either way. It is not for everybody and that is fine. What does bother me is irresponsible posting without the knowledge to back it up. I just had a guy back out of the deal because of these posts with no basis behind them. It is definitely a 1971. The VIN pictured on the car is a 13 digit number and matches the title I have in my hand. 1981 VINs are 17 digits and look nothing similar to that. The picture of the matching number engine stamp clearly shows the original CJK suffix stamp for a 1971 350/270HP Corvette. Using more modern body parts or seats to build a Hot Rod doesn’t automatically make it a 1981.
Amen Todd!
Lots of know-it-alls around here. You learn to suffer through their posts.
This was something to behold back in the day, and not an uncommon thing to do to early 70’s Vettes when all they were was a used car.
Sorry to hear about the loss, but anyone who would believe what they read here wouldn’t have appreciated this build anyway. Someone worthy will come along.
Here’s a challenge:
Anyone who thinks this is an ’81, go ahead and pull a CarFax (first year that you could) using the VIN provided.
LOL!
iv never seen a long rear window 71 vette
Now you have.
Original body parts come off, custom body parts go on.
It’s a cool highly customized Vette. So much so whether it’s 51 or 41 years old seems immaterial to me some how. But that’s just my opinion.
The car also has it’s original Trim Tag. It was originally a 989 paint code Warbonnet Yellow with black interior. Anybody that is saying it started out as a 1981 instead of a 1971 is just plain wrong.