1971 Chevrolet Corvette

This 1971 Chevrolet Corvette is finished in Brands Hatch Green over a saddle vinyl interior and is powered by its original 350ci V8 paired with a Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission.  It has been professionally restored within the last three years and is one of roughly 3,000 produced in its color for the year.  With known history since new, the car comes with detailed documentation of ownership dating back to the first owner in Colorado.  Equipment includes positraction rear end, removable T-tops with new storage bags, and an AM/FM radio.  Located in San Diego, California, this C3 Corvette is now offered on a clean California title in the seller’s name.

The car is finished in its original color of Brands Hatch Green, a one-year-only color offered in 1971. The car was the recipient of a full level restoration completed within the past 2 years; the effort was originally started in 1989 but was stalled for numerous reasons until 2017 when a prior owner acquired the car in a disassembled state with the body in primer. Freddy's Fender in Frederick, Colorado, was commissioned to refinish the car in 2018, and many of the original emblems and parts were restored and retained on the car. The bumpers are finished in the original chrome plating from 1971, while the front grille inserts are original as well but have been refinished. All rubber and weatherstripping have been replaced. The original rocker moldings were retained and polished to original condition, while all hardware for the door latch mechanisms was rebuilt.

The original 15” steel Rallye wheels were sandblasted and refinished in Argent Silver. The original trim rings and center caps were also retained, being polished and repainted where necessary. New BF Goodrich Radial T/A white letter tires were installed on all four corners. The suspension features all-new shocks, upper control arm shafts, tie rod ends, leaf spring bushings, rear strut rods, upper & lower pinion cushions, and an alignment.

The interior is fitted with saddle-colored vinyl bucket seats, carpet, door panels, and dash, which is correct for what the car originally came with. The lower center console was replaced during the restoration while the upper portion is original and was restored. A fiber-optic system is equipped to provide information about the various lighting systems and is fully functional with the display mounted on the console. All components in the interior function as intended, including the original clock which was restored with a quartz movement rebuild kit. All new hardware was installed and the T-top panels were restored as well for proper fit and function.

Instrumentation includes a 160-mph speedometer and 7k-rpm tachometer, along with supporting gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and voltage.  The five-digit odometer reads 73k miles, which is believed to be original to the car, according to the documentation from the seller.

The matching-numbers 350ci V8 is original to the car and was factory rated at 270 horsepower.  It was compression tested at the time of restoration and features new gaskets for the oil pan, front & rear mains, valve covers, timing cover, water pump, and thermostat. A correct Rochester carburetor was rebuilt and installed with a new electric choke.  The battery was replaced in October 2020 along with a new starter and solenoid and spark plugs and wires, and oil and filter service.  Power is sent to the rear wheels through the original Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission and features a resurfaced flywheel, new clutch, throwout bearing, pressure plate, and new seals throughout. In addition, the fuel sending unit and fuel lines are new, shift linkage seals were replaced along with the transmission mount.  The original 10-bolt rear axle was recently serviced with new fluids and equipped with a 3.36 positraction differential.

The sale includes service records, the original owner’s manual, and historical documentation.