1971 Chevrolet Corvette

1971 Big Block Corvette for sale by owner.   My knowledge of the cars history is limited to the title and the time that I've owned it.   It was originally a Gold colored car with 454 (LS5 I think) and 4-speed transmission with black interior.   When I purchased it. I knew the engine was probably not the original but appeared to be fresh (upon further inspections. the inside of the engine appeared to be newly rebuilt). The car had been (badly) re-colored to red and very faded.    I bought the car as a project after verifying that it was running and drivable.   After driving it home. I found that it was in worse shape than I thought. so I parked it while I finished up a previous Corvette project.   I have to admit. it was in pretty bad shape and desperately in need of work and TLC.    After being parked for a year or so. I moved the car to my shop area and started deconstructing it.   After about five years of labor and many parts replacements. the car you see in the photos emerged from my garage.   Here's a list from memory of what was done over those years (car's history with me):

     Exterior/Body/Wheels:

            New Paint changing color to “Red Pearl Tintcoat”(a late model Buick/Cadillac tri-coat color).   The following parts were replaced with new items;  all emblems and lettering. rear bumpers. stainless exhaust bezels. stainless license bezel. tires with reconditioned wheels and new trim rings and centers. side aluminum trim pieces. radio antenna. front air dam. door lock tumblers.   Repaired non-working wiper door assembly. reconditioned grille. re-polished and realigned front chrome items.   After prep for paint in my garage. the final body prep and painting was done at a local body shop.

     Interior:

            New heater core. door panels with window felt. carpet throughout (red replaced black). center console. rear storage/battery compartment doors and trim. seat belts. neoprene seat covers (to protect original seats which are amazingly in good shape). weather stripping (including T-Tops). door sills. door handle bezels. wiper switch. A/C vents.

     Engine (under hood)/Drive Line/Suspension:

            Replaced all under-hood vacuum hoses along with vacuum motors as necessary to return all vacuum systems to operating condition. Replaced air conditioning compressor and brackets along with the compressor hoses; NOTE: the air conditioning system has not been vacuumed and charged.   Replaced front pulleys (including idler pulley for inside belt) in order to return to original belt configuration. Rebuilt original carb.   Replaced original valve covers with chrome (inside of engine is clean).   Replaced original ignition with an HEI and wire upgrade and also installed new distributor shield for the new ignition (original distributor and shield are available if requested).   Replaced the windshield wiper motor.   Replaced all radiator and heater hoses along with new V-Belts.

            Under the car. I noticed a small oil leak and a crack in the original bell housing.   Upon further inspection. the rear main seal had been improperly installed resulting in the oil leak.   The clutch was completely oiled out.   Replaced rear main seal (again. inside of engine is clean). replaced bell housing to include clutch fork and spring. replaced clutch including new throw-out bearing and new pilot bearing.   Transmission was disassembled and inspected then new seals were installed.   The shifter was difficult to operate so a rebuild kit was installed.   All U-Joints in the driveline were replaced.

            The exhaust system was replaced from the original manifolds back to the stainless tips.   All brake calipers were replaced with upgraded calipers with O-Ring style pistons. all rubber brake lines were replaced and new pads installed were installed on the rebuilt front hubs (new bearings and seals).   Brake system thoroughly flushed and bled.

            Replaced shocks. replaced sway bars and installed after-market rear composite spring (original multi-leaf spring was sticking and creating a very harsh ride).

FULL DISCLOSURE:  The windshield wiper motor needs replacing again.   When re-engineering the ignition swap. I did not allow enough room for engine movement under hard acceleration.   The ignition shield contacted the back of the wiper motor.   The motor works. but only when the switch is pushed and held.

Why Sell?  This car deserves better than to sit in my garage and only be driven a few times per year.   I've put about 500 miles or so on it since I've owned it. most of which were basically test miles.   I have a couple of other older cars that fight for attention during the short “classic car” driving season here in South Dakota (no rain. snow or road debris like gravel and sand from winter).   I've recently semi-retired and currently have a son in college.    Family first. one of the cars has to go. and this one is the most valuable of the three.   Please bid honestly for what you think the car is worth as I'm only trying to recoup what I've invested. no charge for my labor.

Also published at eBay.com

Want to buy this car?