Dusty & Rusty – 1971 Chevrolet Corvette 4 Speed – $7,100

For a long time the C3 Chevrolet Corvette, produced from 1967 until 1983, got a pretty bad wrap as salesman sports car or something your dad bought when he turned 45. These days, the wrapping is being ripped off to reveal a fun car that packs quite a bit of bang for the buck. While the latter half of the C3 generation suffered most of the ridicule because of sad horsepower ratings due to lower octane fuel and mandated catalytic converters, 1971 didn’t do any favors for this one. This 1971 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray on Craigslist near Columbus, Ohio snuck off the production line just in time to beat the new regulations, but does that mean you should drop $7,100 on a base model? Let’s take a closer look.

In an era when dealers were flooded with muscle, you’d think America’s Sports Car would get its fair share of ponies. Nope. It seems most of them went to any Chevelle wearing an SS badge. This Corvette is equipped with the base 5.7 liter 350 c.i. V8. In 1971 it produced a tearful 270 horsepower. While the seller claims it turns over, it’s going to need to be gone through to make it street worthy.

Other engine options for the year included a high performance LT-1 package for the 350, which made 330 hp, and the LS5 454 c.i. produced 365 hp. For 1971 only a buyer could order the LS6 454 c.i. that cranked out 425 hp. Surprisingly, only 188 buyers decided to do so.

If this particular Corvette’s power train has any redeeming qualities, it’s that its got three pedals and a four speed sitting between its buckets. Speaking of seats, the interior is going to need its fair share of help too. New seat upholstery, door panels and repairing the center console would do a lot for this car. Among the best parts of the inside, is the ability to look outside through the T-Tops.

The seller claims this 1971 Chevrolet Corvette is a barn find with less than 60,000 miles on the clock. That’s pretty impressive, and it does look the part to an extent. Obviously being a fiberglass car you won’t find rust in the body, that doesn’t mean it isn’t hiding elsewhere. The seller states rust has set in on the rear of the frame. The rest of the car, though tired and chipped, looks to be pretty straight.

The Corvette is iconic, no matter what generation you’re talking about. Sure, some are less desirable than others, but heck, you still got a Corvette. For $7,100 you can call yourself a Corvette owner, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be driving one, not yet anyway. Is this your ticket to ride or is this Corvette far too fried?