1971 Chevrolet Corvette

Stingray 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, another military deployment) have and will occur shortly, 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.EngineInside 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, a Pro Comp aluminum intake, Rebuilt Quadrajet carb with original mechanical choke spring, Edelbrock valve covers and a chrome 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, new starter. The engine has approximately five miles on it. The car starts and will drive out at this time, and I will include a video of it running. It idles at 800 RPM and shifts great going down the road. New Corvette 4 core radiator installed at time of engine replacement. Valves will have to be adjusted and timing will have to be set with a timing light. I just changed the rubber coupler in the steering column a few weeks ago. One bolt hole of the starter was professionally heliocoiled during rebuild, but is holding firm and tight.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 BodyThe shell was repainted once- maybe 15 years ago. 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. The windshield pillars actually appear to be in good shape. Yanking on them doesn’t cause them to ‘give’ at all. No visible rust in the tell tale places. There is only minor surface rust in the door jams, and both doors close correctly. Both window regulators work well. Glass is complete everywhere with the original Corvette ‘Astro Ventilation’ windows. The windshield has no cracks.Headlights will come up… with HELP! They go back down nicely. Wiper motor is shot and the louver will not raise. Tires are somewhat dry rotted but are holding air for the time being. You can certainly drive this car, but probably best to keep it off the highway until its been thoroughly 'gone through'. Chrome beauty rings and hubcaps still shine nicely.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 InteriorThe 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. All of the vinyl is in excellent shape including the dash (top part and around speedo/tach/map case) in is 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 does not! 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 and 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 worn out. 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. 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 at all. Seats are complete but there are small tears and fade 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- good frames.DrivetrainI 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 shifts and works 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 do work, but are soft and need to be bled. The emergency brake works as well. ExhaustThere 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. ElectricalThe alternator was replaced at the time of the engine install and charges the battery well. There is a newer (November-ish 2010) battery installed. 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 emblems are all included and complete. Both front and rear emblems are 'newer' The tire carrier has a mini 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 L07Trim 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 Video of engine running and car driving out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY8TMxoZxaY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLuzA5kVhRI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS6M7_VMY-I Additional pictures available upon request!