1971 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible 350/270, Muncie
4-Speed, St. Louis Build Why This Car Is Special The 1971 Chevrolet
Corvette Stingray Convertible occupies a unique position in C3
history. It was the last model year before GMs compression ratio
cuts took full effect across the lineup, and as a result, the 1971
Corvette still carried factory power ratings that buyers in later
years could only look back on with envy. The 350ci small block in
this car was factory rated at 270 horsepower a number that holds up
well even by todays standards for a naturally aspirated engine of
this displacement. By 1972, net horsepower ratings replaced gross
figures across the industry, and the perception of Corvette
performance shifted dramatically. The 1971 model year sits right at
the edge of that transition, making it one of the last old school
Corvettes before the emissions era fully arrived. Total Corvette
production for 1971 came in at 21,801 units across all body styles.
Of those, only 7,121 were convertibles exactly the body style youre
looking at here. Thats a minority of the total run, and
convertibles have consistently commanded stronger interest among
serious collectors than their coupe counterparts, especially in
desirable color combinations. This car was built at the St. Louis
assembly plant, which produced all C3 Corvettes from 1968 through
1981. Features List - 350ci 270hp V8 engine - Muncie 4-speed manual
gearbox with factory shift pattern plate on console - Positraction
rear differential - 4-wheel independent suspension, front and rear
- 4-wheel disc brakes - Power steering - Power brakes - Factory
dual exhaust with chrome tips - Factory tachometer - Factory 160
mph speedometer - Full gauge cluster fuel, water temperature, oil
pressure, battery - AM/FM radio - Headlight washers - Fiber optic
light monitoring system - Factory alternator - Factory hood release
(pedal-operated) - Rally wheels with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires -
Blue exterior - White convertible soft top (fold-down) - Blue
matching vinyl interior - Factory sport seats - Blue carpet -
Center console with storage - Door pull straps - Sport steering
wheel with crossed-flags emblem - Crossed-flags hood emblem -
Stingray badging - Chrome bumpers, front and rear - Side exhaust
vents - Clean undercarriage - St. Louis assembly plant build - 1 of
only 7,121 convertibles produced in 1971 Mechanical The engine
under this hood is the 350 cubic inch small block V8 in its 270
horsepower factory configuration. This was one of two 350 options
available for 1971 the base unit made 270hp, while the LT1
solid-lifter version topped out at 330hp. The 270hp variant used
hydraulic lifters, making it smoother and more streetable for daily
use, and it paired naturally with the Muncie 4-speed gearbox this
car carries. The Muncie name refers to the transmission plant in
Muncie, Indiana where GM produced its manual gearboxes, and the
Muncie 4-speed was the preferred choice for Corvette buyers who
wanted a mechanical connection to the drivetrain without the weight
and complexity of the close-ratio race-oriented units. Backing the
4-speed is a Positraction rear differential, which was standard
equipment on the Corvette and ensured both rear wheels received
power simultaneously rather than spinning the lighter-loaded tire
under acceleration. The suspension on all four corners is fully
independent a setup the Corvette had used since 1963 and one that
distinguished it from virtually every American muscle car of the
era, which still relied on solid rear axles. Four-wheel disc brakes
were standard on the 1971 Corvette, another significant advantage
over most of its contemporaries. The undercarriage photos confirm a
clean, solid structure with no visible rot or significant corrosion
an important finding on any C3 that has spent decades in service.
Additional factory mechanical equipment includes power steering,
power brakes, a factory alternator, an WeBe Autos Specializes in
Marketing and Advertising Muscle, Classic, Vintage and Specialty
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that Sells Cars. Let us showcase and sell your specialty car.
Please visit our website for more details. Keep in Touch, Michael
Runnalls Specialty Car Marketing & Media WeBe Autos Ltd. Long
Island, NY 11780
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