Really Big Block: ’71 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe LS5

The Corvette C3 was patterned after the Larry Shinoda’s Mako Shark Concept Car. It was a mid-engine design that excited everyone who saw it. But concept cars are supposed to be pre-cursors of the future. In this case it was, but the mid-engine was ditched in favor of the existing Sting Ray’s layout. Shinoda’s car was sent to Chevrolet Styling, where Harry Haga’s studio adopted it for production. The C3 also adopted the “sugar scoop” roof treatment with vertical back window from a Duntov design. The C3 was accidentally introduced to the motoring public not at some big hoopla reveal at the Detroit Motor Show like this year’s new Sting Ray. Mattel’s Hot Wheels was given permission to release an authorized model of the C3 called the Custom Corvette. Seems they didn’t get the memo on the release date. Today’s featured Sport Coupe is an LS5 and that means 454ci 365hp. That’s a lot of mojo although not the top powerplant offered that year. We like a lot of things about this C3 Coupe. It is a very original car with 35,000 miles with documentation. We also like the Brands Hatch Green with saddle leather interior. In addition to leather interior it has air conditioning and that is pretty rare. The next thing we like you might hate – it has an automatic transmission. Would it be more fun with a 4-speed? Probably but driving one of these with a 4-speed for any length of time might make one weary. No offense, but the next owner might be of a certain age to really appreciate an automatic. It is a good automatic so why not? The seller states the Corvette might be due for new paint but maybe you might want to hold off on that for a while. Valuations are pretty good on this model year C3. Hagerty has a range of $14,600 up to $44,000. Add this data from Sports Car Market Price Guide of $25,000 to $50,000 and you get an idea of what you should pay for this. Keep in mind the automatic is a clear deduction but the A/C is a clear add. They are asking $20,000 for it and that sounds like a great place to start. Click here to contact the sellers.