1971 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible

First registered in the USA in October 1971, this Corvette Stingray Convertible has the base 350cu-in (5737cc) small block motor developing a declared 270bhp - the lower of the two power ratings available in 1971 (the high performance option was 330bhp). It has the 4-speed automatic transmission - although manual gearboxes were standard at the time.

It was imported to the UK from North-West Florida, near Pensacola, where it seemed to have spent all of its early life in the USA, covering around 24,000 miles.

From the “visiting forces” customs marker on the V5C and the location of its first UK MOT in Tunstall, Suffolk - it is very likely that the car was imported to the UK in June 1989 by a USAF serviceman from the nearby RAF Bentwaters or Woodbridge bases - maybe a pilot. At the time, the twin bases were home to the USAF 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, equipped with A-10A “Warthogs”, a rather uglier but no less impressive ride than the Stingray.

With the end of the so-called cold war, the two bases closed in the early ‘90s and the car was sold to its next owner in the Leytonstone area. It didn’t travel too far between its next two owners either; Romford and then Potters Bar.

The Corvette’s fourth and last UK owner was the Thunder Road Classic Car Hire company, based in Gillingham Dorset, who acquired the car in late 2008. Since then it has given faithful and, we must add, extremely well maintained service to scores of enthusiasts.

The Stingray now shows just 83,681 miles on the odometer - which is impressive for a 50 year old car but, based on the historical documentation, wholly believable.

On leaving Chevrolet’s St Louis, Missouri factory, this Corvette was painted in 979 Bridgehampton Blue. It has clearly been repainted at least once since and whilst the colour may no longer be exactly original, it is a similar shade.

Overall the paint and bodywork appears in a good condition with surprisingly few flaws and blemishes. There is a scattering of small stone chips on some of the leading edges as you might expect and a tiny patch of bubbles in the paint near hardtop mounting holes on the rear deck. We have to say though, that all things considered this is a cracking looking car and such an iconic shape.

The chrome bumpers and hockey stick trims (which were designed out in ‘73) surround the twin egg crate grilles and look in reasonable order. The matching front fender side vents are also picked out in a chromed finish.

The black fabric folding soft top is in a reasonably good condition and is likely not the original. It is a little creased in places from being stored folded and colour-worn where the frame runs underneath but it appears to fit well and folds away neatly. The frame looks to be the car’s original.

The optional black vinyl-covered hard top also seems in good order and it is quite a rarity to see one still present. For some years such cars have typically only been used on good weather days, so few people would ever have need of the tin-top and it would be tucked away and forgotten.

The Corvette sits on period-correct 15-inch Rallye-style steel wheels with hubcap spinners and trim rings. All appear in good condition and are fitted with Kenda Klever tyres on the front and Bridgestone Duelers at the rear all fitted in late 2013.

The interior trim looks to be the original 412 Dark Blue vinyl and plastic as supplied from the factory. Given the car’s age, the upholstery isn’t in bad condition. There is some creasing, marking and wear to the seats, some plucks here and there in the textured facings and a taped repair hidden under the seat back, but on the whole, the worst you could say about the seats is that they are lived in. The blue carpets throughout are also dated and a little baggy, but appear to be clean and intact.

The three-spoke, deep-dished steering wheel looks original and has the smooth finish to the rim facing the driver but corrugations for better grip underneath. The centre boss horn button badge is a little scratched but still carries the Corvette crossed flags logo.

The main instrument dials for speed and rpm are suitably enormous and take up all the space in front of the driver. Happily, and reminiscent of an old aeroplane (or Apollo spaceship), the centre console is consequently filled with an array of smaller auxiliary instruments for checking the fuel, oil, water, battery and time.

Mounted below is a period-correct AM/FM radio, with push-button station memory. Reproductions of these units are available that also have modern connectivity but this looks like an original. Below the radio is the fibre-optic based lamp monitoring system, which was discontinued the year after this car was built.

Under the front-hinged bonnet (hood), the engine bay appears in a mildly beautified, but honest condition. The block itself is painted in bright Chevy orange and the rocker covers and air cleaner are full-bling chrome numbers. Elsewhere though the ancillaries are tidy but carry the thin layer of dirt that you’d associate with a car that gets its fair share of use. However, all appears well looked after and there are no obvious signs of rust.

The undersides of the car are pretty clean and appear to be largely free of corrosion or damage. There’s a little bit of surface rust here and there as you would expect of a 50 year old car but nothing untoward that would bother an MOT inspector. There is evidence of recent renewal to the suspension and steering bushings on one side, and what appears to be an aluminised exhaust system looks in a fair condition, although one of the joints has been treated to a good dollop of paste.

The C3 Corvette doesn’t have a boot (or trunk) as such; the majority of the rear end of the car is taken up by the fuel tank and the underslung spare wheel. However, behind the seats there are a few compartments in which to stow a few small items and space in front of and below the folded roof tonneau cover. You often see Corvettes fitted with an external luggage rack on the rear deck to make up for the lack of interior storage.

The car’s last MOT certificate expired earlier this month but it has otherwise been tested annually at least back to 2006 (except 2007) when online MOT records began. During that time only 3 failures have been down to things like headlamp alignment and handbrake effectiveness - nothing structural.

As it stands, the car has no MOT and although exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it tested at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MOT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic car, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner and any subsequent purchasers but is also invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies.

This car comes with one of the biggest history files we’ve seen, including paper copies of its MOT reports back to 1989, when first brought to the UK. Successive owners from the early ‘70s in Florida, through to its last in Dorset have kept copies of pretty much all invoices for parts, repairs and servicing done to the car.

Most remarkable is the wedge of documents retained by the Thunder Road Classic Car Hire company who gave the Stingray everything it needed over 12 years to keep it giving good service to their customers. All the invoices from Hilltop Motors as well as numerous parts invoices from specialists is testament to how well they maintained the Corvette during their ownership. They looked after this car better than most private owners would; because their revenue depended on it.

Notable recent expenditure includes a new windscreen and top-frame and a new carburettor in 2019 and a top-end engine overhaul in early 2020.

Whilst the later unchromed C3s and subsequent Corvettes aren’t quite so attractive, the iconic designs and classic look of C1-C3 Corvettes up to 1973 have long been desirable and collectable.

This Stingray convertible, coming with a rare factory hard top, offers the best of both worlds when it comes to the unpredictability of the British weather. We suspect, though, that neither roof will get much use and the car will only venture out on dry, sunny days.

The car runs very well and sounds utterly amazing, and with its strong exterior condition and a very original looking, unmolested interior, we think this Corvette Stingray will fetch between £25,500 and £30,000. Although right-hand-drive conversions can be found, with the roof off there is excellent all round visibility so a left-hooker really isn’t an issue.

Despite being named for a small warship and a flat shark-like fish, the Corvette Stingray is more a favourite of pilots and astronauts than of mariners. But whoever owns this beauty next, will certainly have plenty of “the right stuff”.

Viewing is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.