Vehicle Description
When the original owner was in the showroom picking out this 1971
Chevrolet Corvette coupe, he checked nearly every box on the
options list. From the brutal LS5 under the hood, to A/C and power
windows, to leather seats, this loaded 'Vette is one of the most
heavily optioned we've ever seen and it's simply gorgeous in every
possible way.
Purchased as an unfinished project, the body-off restoration was
completed in 2004 and it's just beautiful. They restored the
original code 983 Brands Hatch Green bodywork to better-than-new
condition, cloaking the dramatic Corvette curves in a very subtle
and elegant Corvette color. They spent a lot of time and effort on
the fiberglass, getting all the gaps to line up just so, making
sure the big block hood fit flush, and generally smoothing all the
surfaces with far more care than the factory could afford. The
result is a great shine and eyeball-searing color that glows in the
sunlight and shows no sign of stress cracks anywhere on the body.
The delicate chrome bumpers have been refinished and fitted snugly
against the fiberglass, and new headlight door actuators were
installed so the headlights snap to attention every time the switch
is pulled. Even the door over the windshield wipers works
correctly, usually the first thing to give up the ghost on vintage
'Vettes like this. Correct badges and fresh taillight lenses add to
the sharp look. Go ahead, just try to find a prettier one!
The standard black bucket seat interior was the overwhelming choice
of Corvette buyers in 1971, but when you upgraded to leather, it
took on a whole different feel. New seat covers, fresh door panels,
and correct carpets with the right weave and nap have been fitted,
and as I mentioned, it's loaded with options. There is, of course,
A/C, but you'll also find a tilt wheel, power windows, power
brakes, and power steering, all of which make this car a true
pleasure to drive. All the gauges, including the clock, have been
rebuilt and work properly, and the factory 4-speed snaps through
the gates courtesy of the original shifter. The original AM/FM
radio remains in the dash, the trick fiber-optic indicators on the
console are fully operational, and you'll be delighted to know that
all-new vacuum lines have been fitted, saving you that particular
headache-inducing job.
The engine is the original, numbers-matching LS5 454 cubic inch V8.
It's probably the best choice if you want a cruiser, because the
LS6 was de-tuned to 425 horsepower and you couldn't get A/C.
Instead, this LS5 was rebuilt to stock specs and runs beautifully,
with a smooth idle and a mountain of torque available at virtually
any speed. It was rebuilt during the frame-off restoration, and
given a few upgrades along the way like a Davis Unified Ignition
(DUI) distributor (which is based on GM's HEI anyway) and a
stainless steel Magnaflow exhaust system underneath. The brakes
have been augmented with stainless steel calipers, and as a
lifelong southern car, there's exactly zero rust on the frame in
any of the usual trouble spots. Out back, a new gas tank and fuel
lines have been fitted, and as a result, this fully sorted Corvette
starts instantly and pulls like a freight train. Bright Rally
wheels were standard-issue, and wear fat 255/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A
radials.
This well-documented Corvette is exactly what you want: fully
sorted, beautiful to look at, comfortable to drive, and matching
numbers. This is the way it was meant to be. Call today!