Vehicle Description
The sight of a dialed-in, beautifully restored 'Lil Red Corvette is
a virtual lock to brighten the mood of any car enthusiast, and when
it packs the big block power of this 1971 Chevrolet Corvette LS5
454 Convertible, that happiness becomes outright euphoria with just
a tap of the accelerator. Wearing its original colors inside and
out, including an absolutely magnetic shade of Mille Miglia Red
stretched over those gorgeous curves, this C3 is in good shape with
over $70K worth of restoration/maintenance work completed in the
last ten years. Killer good looks, plenty of power, and a top that
goes down - this is the kind of Corvette that Prince wrote songs
about.
Decked out in period-perfect Code 973 Millie Miglia Red paint, this
'Vette looks like a life-size version of that Hot Wheel you just
had to have all those years ago because its sheer visual
awesomeness meant certain victory in match races. That eye-catching
hue is in very nice condition here, with a smooth texture and a
strong shine that follows you as you circle the car. No longer a
perfect show car, the 10-year finish on this slick drop-top
impresses all that come near it, with a top driver quality
presentation that's been well-cared for throughout the years.
Third-generation Corvettes like this '71 model have an outstanding
timeless stylishness about them - they get their curved form from
the Mako Shark II concept car that stunned car expo audiences in
the mid-'60s with its futuristic appearance. The body lines on this
classic are in great order - everything matches up neatly, and the
doors and big block hood show nice, even gaps. All exterior
fittings, including the legendary chrome bumpers fore and aft, the
rocker panel trim, and the useful luggage rack out back, present
very well. The front windshield and side glass are all in very good
condition as well. For those occasions when the skies darken,
there's a black vinyl convertible on hand that's ready to be raised
for shelter from the storm. Although if you're like me, that baby
will be stowed away at all times to let the sunshine in.
The black vinyl interior also appears to have been treated to a
thorough refurbishment a decade ago, and thanks to conscientious
ownership ever since, it's still in great shape today. The
high-backed buckets retain their original configuration and sport
covers that have yet to develop any creasing as they straddle a
center console in similar, clean condition. Corvettes of this era
sported cockpits that left most of their competitors in the dust as
far as aesthetics were concerned, and the one on display here is a
terrific, period-perfect representative, with its extensive
assortment of clear gauges (both ahead of the driver and in the
center stack) and an unblemished, uncracked dash pad. The black
carpets are slightly faded, which is understandable for a
convertible that loves to show off on sunny days. Still, with newer
'Stingray' scripted floormats and fresh-looking matching door
panels at the flanks, the cabin looks super slick. Options include
factory A/C (needs service), a retro-style AM/FM/AUX stereo in the
stock slot, a tilt/telescoping wheel, and a set of OEM seatbelts.
Like all Corvettes, there's minimal storage space behind the
foldable seats, but for longer trips, the luggage rack out back
comes in handy.
The engine compartment in this chrome bumper 'Vette has been very
well cared for - it's in fantastic condition, in fact, and houses a
thumping 454 LS5 V8 engine that is believed to be built up to
replicate an LS6. Augmented with square-port heads, an LS6 intake,
and a big 4-barrel carburetor, it's an incredibly smooth and
powerful runner that's believed to have been fully rebuilt just 150
miles ago, and with how well this baby pulls, it certainly seems
that fresh. The valve covers and block come properly dressed in
Chevy Orange enamel, with a chrome air cleaner and distributor
cover adding a bit of flash to the engine bay that's been fully
detailed to show off. It teams up with a numbers-matching TH400
3-speed automatic transmission to provide a great driving
experience that won't leave you dreading stop-and-go traffic, and
with a big aluminum radiator up front keeping temperatures at bay,
this droptop is ready to hit the road today. Road manners are
drastically improved thanks to power steering and responsive
4-wheel disc brakes, along with big sway bars fore and aft that
help it track true. A fresh stainless-steel dual exhaust system
ensures the big block breathes easy, and it sounds amazing both at
idle and full bore, and the rolling stock rides on shiny Rallye
wheels wrapped in period-correct F70-15 Firestone Wide-Oval
white-letter tires.
Documented with build receipts and restoration photos cataloging
this C3's extensive restoration and maintenance, this dialed-in
Corvette convertible is primed and ready to show or go today. Big
block power, killer good looks, and a top that goes down - what
more could you want in a vintage icon? Call today!
