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

Estimate: $48,000 ­ - $60,000

Chassis Number: 194671S121024
Decoded: 1=Chevrolet Division; 94=Corvette; 67=Convertible; 1=1971 model year; S=St.
Louis, MO assembly plant; 121024=21,024th 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

● Most Powerful Corvette Available That Season
● Striking Color and Interior Combination
● Rare by Production, Rarer by Survival

The Model: America’s Sports Car was still able to flex some muscle in 1971 when the original owners would specify the mighty LS5, 454 cubic inch big-block V8. A total of 7,121 convertible were produced that season, a ratio of just over 2­-to­-1 when compared to the T­-top coupes, and while Chevrolet didn’t keep track of engine installations by body type, by using simple mathematics, one can assume that no more than 1,665 of those cars were fitted with the LS5. With a base cost of $5,259 plus an additional $295 for the 454 V8, other accessories being tacked on raised the price of these cars to well over the $6,200 mark in many cases, which at the time was a fairly expensive car. However, with a long list of standard equipment, many still considered the Corvette a bit of a bargain, and worth every penny paid.

The Car: One of the most memorable colors offered for the 1971 Corvettes was Ontario Orange, with a total of 2,269 of these sporty cars received this special color which really accentuated the design of these cars. This LS5 equipped convertible stands as a monument to greatness and the supremacy that American cars had in the early 1970’s. It is fitted with the Turbo Hydramatic transmission and heavy-­duty suspension, as required with the installation of the big­-block V8. Soft and supple Saddle leather bucket seat are part of the well detailed interior where all of the gauges are clear and readable plus the original AM/­FM radio works like a dream. Mounted on a set of original Rally Wheels, it is riding on a fairly fresh set of raised white­ letter radial tires. With a luggage rack on the back, the tight fitting white top in place, this is one Corvette ready to go places.