Description

1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3

Targa top coupe; 5.7 V8 rated at 270bhp and 360lb/ft; current owner 22 years; DUI electronic distributor; well-maintained and sparingly used; transferable number plate; get yourself noticed! 

One of Harley Earl's most outstanding designs, the fibreglass-bodied Chevrolet Corvette was launched in 1953 and has remained in production in one form or another right up to the present day. The C3 cars (1968 to 1983) are particularly distinctive and were inspired by a combination of the Jaguar E-Type and a Mako shark that stylist Bill Mitchell caught off the coast of Florida. Low, wide and ultra-aggressive, the C3 really does look like something out of a Batman movie.

This Corvette C3 Targa Top dates from 1971 and has the 350ci (5,735cc) small-block V8 under the bonnet rated at 270bhp and 360lb/ft. Mated to TH350 automatic transmission, it can do the 0-60mph sprint in around 7 seconds with a top speed of 135mph and 16-20mpg economy.

Imported from Florida in 1990 when it had covered 60,100 miles (as warranted on the US Certificate of Title), it has now covered 74,156 miles, the gradual accumulation of mileage being charted by no fewer than 17 old MOTs on file.

Our vendor acquired the car back in 2000 from Spurr Classic Cars of Sheffield when it was registered as HDA 793J, a number he soon changed to WIB 115 which is transferable and goes with the car. We are told that Spurr Classics had rebuilt the engine and the braking system immediately before selling the car, but there are no invoices to substantiate this. The vendor has covered some 11,000 miles during his 22-year ownership and has had the car serviced regularly, as shown in invoices on file.

Repainted and rechromed since it arrived in the UK, it is otherwise pretty much original although it does benefit from an electronic distributor but with mechanical tacho drive, an expensive special order but “well worth it”, according to the vendor. Other expenditure includes: new power steering pipes in 2022; new rear brake pads in 2017; transmission serviced in 2016; new rear shocks in 2015; new front brake calipers in 2013; new alternator in 2003.  

Said to run and drive well and to have always proved very reliable in the current ownership, it has certainly been starting promptly and running nicely as we have moved it around on site. Supplied with an MOT until August 2023, it is only reluctantly for sale due to the advancing years of the vendor who can no longer hop in and out as nimbly as he once did.

An iconic slice of ’70s muscle, these voluptuous C3 Corvettes look fantastic value, offering rot-free, reliable motoring with styling that still brings traffic to a standstill.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com