1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 454 T-­TOP COUPE
Designer: William “Bill” Mitchell

Estimate: $48,000 -­ $60,000

Chassis Number: 194371S101212
Decoded: 1=Chevrolet Division; 94=Corvette; 37=T­-top Coupe; 1=1971 model year; S=St.
Louis, MO assembly plant; 101212=1,212th 1971 Corvette scheduled for production at the St.
Louis plant
Engine: 454 cid OHV V8
4-­barrel Carburetor / 365 bhp
Turbo Hydramatic Automatic Transmission
Power Assisted Four Wheel Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Mileage: 91,170

● Numbers Matching Power­Train
● Very Desirable Color Combination from New
● Maintained and Turn­Key Ready

The Model: It was no secret that the forces behind the eventual demise of the muscle­car era were the insurance companies plus imposing government regulations. Affected in the fall­out were other performance machines such as America’s Sports Car, the mighty Corvette. For 1971, the big LS5 454 V8 could be found in under the hood for an additional $295. While most of the Corvettes produced that year had the small­-block standard 350 V8, those willing to pay the extra for the big block, as well as increased insurance premiums, found a spirited and lively machine in their command. Part of the restricted performance on these cars was the exhaust system, mandated by law and responsible for considerable loss of HP being delivered to the rear wheels. Ultimately, the bean­counters had their say in how fast a car could go. Regardless, Corvette was growing up and remains a legend to this day.

The Car: Finding a nice, unmolested coupe from this era of the Corvette isn’t an easy thing to do, especially when the Corvette convertible outsold the T­-top beauty by nearly a 2­to­1 ratio. Finding one with a number matching LS5 and in the condition this example is one that shouldn’t be overlooked. In addition to the big V8, this Corvette also is fitted with power steering and disc brakes, as well as air-­conditioning which is, like the rest of the car, in great working order. Also included os its original set of Rally wheels, it also features the trunk mounted luggage rack and full instrumentation. One upgrade is a modern sound system. During our inspection the body appeared to be flawless with the paint in very good to excellent condition all around. With a proper high-­performance drive train and excellent presentation, this Corvette deserves to be a collection of quality cars.