1971 Chevrolet Corvette

Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

194371S121131

Clear

Gasoline

Up for sale is my 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. While the numbers are NOT matching at this time, included in the sale is the good original 350 engine block (minus internals, heads, intakes, etc.) that has been preserved for future use. The story behind the car I bought this car some years ago as a ‘project’ in an effort to fix it up and enjoy it. At the time, it had the original engine in it, which was the 270 horse 350 cubic inch motor. Wanting something a little more under the hood, I elected to purchase a motor from a reputable builder and eventually installed it myself. Unfortunately, about half way through the project, I ended up receiving military orders overseas for three years. I got the engine installed and running long enough to drive the car 2 miles and park it in a storage shed where it sat in a perfectly dry (though HOT) storage unit for those three years. Several ‘life-changing’ events (read marriage, kids) have occurred since that last drive, and long story short, I no longer have the time or ability to restore this classic car. I worked as a mechanic for several years before getting into the military and feel I can discuss somewhat knowledgably any issues or questions you might have about the vehicle. I am going to list out all the pros and cons as far as I can tell as it I was approaching this car to purchase it myself. I will include my number on here for those serious buyers in an effort to be ‘up front’ with what you are purchasing. Sadly, I have over $12k invested in this car, and I know quite assuredly I will never see a return on that investment. The car was a joy while I had it. Time to let her go. Engine Inside is a 383 Chevy motor with a 2 piece seal 1970 block, 010/020 casting content, cleaned, bored .40 over, new cam bearings, 0 decked, scat crank, main cap stud kit, Chevy rods with ARP bolts, speed pro forged pistons and 10:1 compression. It has a Comp Cams Thumpr cam, pushrods, valvesprings, guideplates, Proform roller rockers, Cloys Timing chain, ARP cam bolts, and chrome timing cover. It has Patriot Aluminum heads 2.02/1.60, cylinder head stud kit, an Edelbrock RPM intake, 750 carb, valve covers (included) and air filter. Seven quart oil pan with high volume oil pump, ARP drive shaft and stud, windage tray, one piece oil pan gasket, new distributor and wires (mechanical distributor converted to electronic ignition with the Igniter II electronic control system), plugs, balanced flexplate and a stainless engine bolt kit. The engine has approximately two miles on it. The car starts and will drive out at this time, and I will include a video of it running. Unfortunately, the Edelbrock carburetor just will not quite tune right at idle for me. The high rise performer intake and carb sit too high at this time to close the hood. I have the hood unbolted (included). A low rise normal Corvette intake should be installed, as well as a good Quadrajet (I can see the eyes roll on that one!) If you want it, I have a ‘like new’ Quad sitting in my toolbox ready to go, you are welcome to it with the sale of the car. A combination of those two will clear the hood. New Corvette 4 core radiator installed at time of engine replacement. The original block was WD-40’d and wrapped in saran wrap. It has not picked up any surface rust and looks to be a good block. No obvious cracks or problems showing. It was running at the time of removal. Unfortunately, the crate that contained the internals, heads, and most accessories was lost in the move. (Yes, I know… purists hate me right now.) I still have the original oil pan though. I have verified that this is the ‘numbers matching block’. The Body The shell was repainted once- poorly. It is an original silver car. Most of the paint is flaking, chipping or cracking. There is one small repair (done surprising well) behind the T-tops on the roof. The hood has a starburst crack in the center of the hood and there is the typical crack on the right fender well above the right front tire. The chrome on the car is in very good shape. It still polishes up quite nicely with no rust pits. There are some very minor surface scratches from cleaning over the years. The windshield pillars actually appear to be in good shape (as best as I can tell). Yanking on them doesn’t cause them to ‘give’ at all. There is only minor surface rust in the door jams, and both doors close correctly (though maybe the right sags slightly unless shut hard. Both window regulators work well. Glass is complete everywhere with the original Corvette ‘Astro Ventilation’ windows. The windshield has no cracks but one small chip where a rock hit it while driving long ago. It never developed into a crack- barely noticeable unless pointed out. Headlights will come up… with HELP! Wiper motor was replaced right before my move, but now louver will not raise. I think anything that was rubber under the hood (vacuum lines) is pretty shot now due to the heat. Tires are dry rotted but are holding air for the time being. Chrome beauty rings and hubcaps still shine nicely though- they definitely made chrome well in the early seventies! The undercarriage is the sad part of the story. The first two thirds of the car shows normal surface rust and is pretty solid. Once the frame makes the turn (the arch in the rear wheelwell) there are signs of significant rust and even rot. The car still drives and it certainly holds itself up fine but my gut tells me the body needs to be pulled and the ‘cancer’ cut out. At one time, it looks as it somebody filled the hollows in the frame with foam to keep out the water. Obviously not a good idea. I think it further exasperated the problem. The driver’s side is worse than the passengers- with the passenger’s being ‘not as bad’ (In my opinion). The Interior The pieces of the dash are all there- however most of the trim has been cut on and chopped. An aftermarket Pioneer stereo has been installed and does work- but the installation was junior varsity. None of the original screws are there and most of the brackets have been cracked or broken. Sad really. The upper dash (top part and around speedo/tach) itself is in good order and pretty nice with no cracks or fading. The tachometer works, as well as the fuel, oil, amp, and water gauges. The clock was fixed three years ago, but as you can probably guess it’s stopped once again. This was an Air Conditioned car and three years ago it blew cold. As we were mounting the AC back up (after the engine install , my friend slipped an broke the AC line right before our eyes. I watched as my precious R-12 bled away. My biggest stipulation for buying this car was a working AC!!! At the time I lived down south. I assure whoever gets this car, the compressor worked perfectly up to that time. It is the ‘big’ compressor which apparently makes a difference in the Corvette world. The carpet is shot. Included with the sale is a brand new ‘deluxe’ carpet set… for the front and back. Door panels are in good shape and the locks work with the keys. Speakers work. Interior gage lights work- though courtesy lights keep blowing a fuse. Battery box, jack box, and third box behind driver look good. Fiberglass… so no rust or anything like that. Back window is good. Rubber around all the windows is old and torn in several places… though serviceable for a little longer. It would keep the rain out for the time being. The t-tops are complete and original but have definitely seen better days on the exterior. Interior.. not bad. Seats are complete but there are small tears from wear throughout. Seatbelts are in place. Retractors sometimes work but often do not. Seat foam is breaking down. Seats do slide forward and aft with ease though. Drivetrain I installed a new shifter cable and the transmission shifts smooth. It has a B+M 3500 stall torque converter on it mounted to the Turbohydromatic 400. Transmission shifted and worked great. I replaced the rear leaf spring with a new steel spring one as well as added the aftermarket air lifter shocks. The car has a great stance. The brakes work, though I have done no work to them. The emergency brake works as well. Exhaust There are headers and a complete exhaust system on the car including some nicer sounding (if not older) turbo type mufflers in the back. Unfortunately, the headers will not quite line up correctly with the Patriot heads and I think they were designed for the older cylinder heads vs the newer ones. Either way, no matter how much you tighten there seems to be a small exhaust leak around the headers. New header pipes for older cylinder heads are most likely needed. Electrical The alternator was replaced at the time of the engine install and charges the battery well. There will NOT be a battery in the car for its sale. Otherwise, all exterior lights, blinkers, hazards work. There is an electric fuel pump mounted now as well as an electronic ignition system. All outside lenses are complete. Misc. The Stingray emblem fell off the driver’s side. It will be included in the sale. The front Corvette emblem is cracked. All other emblems are complete but worn and included. The tire carrier has no spare in it. So having said all of that, this Corvette is for the not-so-feint hearted. She needs a good restore. It might be best as a parts car but should definitely go to someone who knows and understands how to work on them. She is an original 1971 Nevada Silver, AC, Automatic car which as I understand is somewhat rare. Clean title. I don’t believe the car has ever been wrecked. At least the usual signs of fiberglass repair is not evident when feeling up under the bumpers and around the edges. To the best of my ability I will provide receipts and documentation of my work to the car, including engine purchase. Chevrolet L07 Trim 400 905 Paint Buyer responsible for shipping. Car is ‘as-is’ with no warranty intended or implied. Real sellers include their number: Chris 757-589-5637 Before 9PM EST please. 1968,68,1969,69,1970,70,1971,71,1972,72,1973,73,1974,74,1975,75,1976,76,1977,77,1978,78,1979,79,1980,80, vette, cuda,challenger,mustang,camaro,chevrolet corvette On Aug-10-11 at 17:42:04 PDT, seller added the following information:Engine running video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl9O5e2V39UOn Aug-12-11 at 12:52:42 PDT, seller added the following information:8/12/2011 A gentlemen came by today to inspect my engine and my original block. We popped the valve covers off and he wanted a look 'inside' the 383 to 'verify mileage'. I took a few pictures before re-installing the Edelbrock valve covers that are supposed to go with the car. Also, I changed out the rubber steering coupler today with a new one. There was some slop in steering when driving around the block and I wanted to tighten it up a bit for the next owner. I think the heat dry-rotted the one that was on there! I will either include pics in the listing of the original block, 383 rockers, and steering coupler or add an external link tonight. Thanks for looking. Keep the questions coming!On Aug-12-11 at 13:06:16 PDT, seller added the following information: Newest photos from today's work can be seen at: http://s1139.photobucket.com/albums/n547/c2airdale/