454ci 4bbl V8/NM Muncie M20 Manual/3.36 Posi Axle/T-Tops/Stunning Profile

1971 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

”You’ve changed. We’ve changed. Gradually. Over the years. We’ve changed Corvette when and where we could to satisfy the high expectations of our owners. However, one thing has never changed: when you buy a Corvette, you buy a lot more than a car. You buy an image. A car that looks all hood and wheel. A car with no compromises like jump seats for the kiddies. A car that says, ”I believe in engines and gears and the feel of the road”. A car whose form follows its function”. A lofty bit of prose from the 1971 sales brochure. 

For consignment, a 1971 Chevrolet Corvette convertible showing 33,631 miles, but the true miles are unknown due to a PA title exemption. Just 21,801 Corvettes were sold in 1971 with two thirds of them being coupes, just over 14,000.

Exterior
Not ironically, the first page of the ’71 sales brochure shows a red Corvette on the beach at sunset with a bikini clad admirer in the background and it’s not lost on viewers that the sensual lines of the car, accentuated by the glow of golden hour, have a distinct similarity to the other beachgoer. Yes, the Coke bottle shape is purposeful and stunning, and here bathed in Marlboro Maroon, applied this time in two stages, basecoat and clear coat. The slender trim around the epic fender vent helps it to stand out, as it should, and it is topped by the Stingray emblem in script. And like a shark, there is a vertical tail with a slight spoiler integrated into the fiberglass body while polished side pipes complete the epic Stingray profile with 15-inch 5 spoke ARE wheels at each corner. Imperfections include some inclusions in the paint, bubbles throughout, and cracks in the fiberglass under the front bumper.

Interior
Dark red is contrasted by the basic black of the interior, beginning with the solid door panels and their distinctive rising armrest, here with a paint matched faceplate to the lock panel, a nice little touch. Both panels are clean and provide the gateway to the tall bucket seats, two part pieces with robust padded leather and also in great shape. The 3 spoke steering wheel frames two main gauges in front of the driver, the ever important speedometer and tach, while a series of five gauges, including a clock, reside in the center stack in a frame of hard, body matched plastic above a Blaupunkt AM/FM/Cassette radio. A multi tiered storage pouch resides where the glove box would be and the center console houses the vent finger wheels and the chrome topped shifter with shift diagram and engine specs expressed on adjacent panels. Black carpet covers the floor nicely and also the rear cargo area while the inside of the T-tops remains clean.

Drivetrain
Under the hood you’ll find a clean 454ci V8 from 1990/91 with a 4-barrel carburetor and it’s connected to a numbers matching Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear axle with 3.36 gears and Positraction.

Undercarriage
Driver quality and dry conditions are found underneath where polished headers lead to sidepipes and disc brakes are found on all four wheels. Suspension includes coil springs in front and a five link system with transverse fiberglass leaf spring on the independent rear.

Drive-Ability
Upon start up we note the oil pressure is very low at idle and while it does come up when higher RPMs are applied, we’re just going to stay in place and test the functionality. Plus, the car is rolling on 35 year old tires. Everything works well with the exception of the reverse lights and horn, both of which don’t work.  While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

If a big block C3 has been on your bucket list, this one checks all the boxes and includes nice paint, a clean interior, an L88 style hood, and a four speed manual transmission at your beck and call. If you’re ready for a Corvette Summer, not to mention spring, fall, and possibly winter, your chariot has arrived!

194371S101720

1-Chevrolet
94-Corvette
37-Coupe
1-1971
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
101720-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

B04-September 4th
TRIM 420-Saddle Leather
PAINT 983-Brands Hatch Green Poly

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that’s more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit [hidden information] or call us at [hidden information]. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price. All prices are before state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer. Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV office to ensure compliance with your state’s titling and registration process.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!