1971 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

1971 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

Back in 1957, members of the Tangier Shrine of Omaha, Nebraska, got the bright idea of forming a "precision driving team" and arranged a special order of 13 Corvettes, which they drove in parades and other events nationwide. The Tangier Shrine Corvette Patrol was such a hit that the members decided to buy a new fleet of cars the following year ... and the next ... and the next ... finally disbanding in 1981. Perhaps the most notable year was 1962, when the patrol cars were painted purple, (the official name of the hue, developed for Cadillac, was Royal Heather Amethyst).

For consignment, we offer the 1971 version of America's sports car. Sporting the 350ci 270hp base engine this car still delivers all the smiles that come with Corvette ownership. Although the car arrived with no battery and consigner states it has not run in many years. He has owned the car for the past 45 years.

ExteriorAll clean War Bonnet Yellow, (essentially gold), is covering the fiberglass panels of this sugar scoop 1971 Vette. Some slight bumps and a few faults are in the paint. It appears as though there was a previous repair on the driver's front quarter near the door gap, and upfront, between the hood and the hidden headlights are a few small bumps. Also, some chipping of the paint is noted on the passenger door gap. An egg crate vent is within the front quarters just aft of the wheel wells, and a Stingray badge is seen just above this venting. Chiseled doors with their handles embedded in the sills are framed below with a stainless steel rocker covering. Chrome for the bumpers is in nice shiny condition, and the egg crate front split grille remains nicely preserved. Chromed side view mirrors, and window trimmings are all good as well. The black canvas convertible top in good condition, disappears under a fiberglass hinged rear tonneau covering which doubles as storage when the top is in the up position. On back one of the snazziest rear ends you'll see in the Corvette lineup, there are split chrome bumpers and the quad of round tail lights in the angled rear panel. Gosh, I miss chrome! Rectangular exhaust tips with chromed bezel surrounds in the rear roll pan are below the split bumpers. Deep dish rally wheels are on all 4 corners and nearly perfect with no curbing seen on any of them.

InteriorSlipping inside, you'll pass by black molded door panels, some shiny knobs and actuators. Inside high back thin styled buckets with breathable vinyl mesh inserts and shiny bolsters are covering the chairs. Some dirt is within these inserts and they present as used and a bit tarnished, believed to be mostly from sitting for a while going unused. A nice center console races from back to front, and the automatic ball topped shift lever resides here. Just above is the sound system, which is still stock, and above that the aircraft styled gauge cluster of 5 gauges monitors all the necessary vitals. Deep inset round gauges are in front of an original rally steering wheel. Also within the dash are eyeball A/C vents and some horizontal vents in the center just above the gaggle of gauges. Black carpeting for the floors and rear storage/top down area, and all in clean fade free condition.

DrivetrainWithin the unrestored engine bay which shows some slight patina we see the orange/red painted GM block and valve coverings. A chromed air cleaner covering is hiding the 4-barrel carb, and a reminder this is a number matching engine, (1S119793 V0609CJK), which produces 330hp. A TH400 3-speed automatic transmission is on back. The rear axle is an AW stamped unit which denotes 3.08 gearing and Positraction.

UndercarriageSome surface rust is noted although any structural damage is not seen. The mufflers are rusted out, and the pipes leading to them are heavy with surface rust. Floor Pans within the horizontal steel struts are faded and have some road dirt but are sound. Rockers are good and solid and have slight surface rust. Standard C3 Corvette suspension is on front and rear, power steering is noted as is power disc brakes on all 4 corners

Overall a clean Corvette that the consignor has gotten good use of. The numbers matching engine and transmission are present although presently the car is not running.

VIN DECODE194671S1197931-Chevrolet94-Corvette67-Convertible1-1971S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant119793-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAGK18-June 18th BuildTRIM 400-Black VinylPAINT 989-War Bonnet Yellow

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.