Found a 71 LT 1 coupe with PS,PB, tinted glass,m-21 with Tank sheet. Matching #'s brands hatch green with black interior. Needs paint. What do I need to look for to make sure it's an original LT 1 and what's it worth? 20K?
Thanks

 

TTT Anybody??

 

The 6500 redline tachometer, single fuel line from tank, 3 hole transistor ignition piece or mount holes on the drivers side forward wheelhousing.

I'd say low 20's if the rest of the car is nice and it just needs paint.

Greg

 

If you have access to the tank sheet, that should tell all. If the motor numbers match then the car is probably original for the most part.

Of course motors can be restamped and even tank sheets forged.....

 

Documentation is the key imho. If you have a good build sheet with #'s to correspond, you should be okay (mine says 350-330 hp turbo-fire) on the sheet. Look for the other LT1 anomalies to be sure. 20k doesn't seem too bad to me. I just bought a 71 coupe this summer it had some paint issues and minor flaws in the low 20's. Good luck, if I can help holler!

 

I am not sure that the transistor ignition was mandatory on the 71 LT-1. From what I read it was an option on the LT-1, but mandatory on the big 454 only. I could be wrong, but this is quoted from the Corvette Restoration Guide by Richard Prince.

 

"dfellinger",

Transistor ignition (RPO K-66) was phased out as a stand alone option very early in the 1970 model year (with very few documented examples known).

After early 1970 and through the end of the 1971 model year, transistor ignition was only installed on solid lifter engines in Corvette applications and was included as part of the engine option that it was used on. These engines/packages included 1970-1971 LT-1s, 1970-1971 ZR-1s, 1971 LS-6s, and 1971 ZR-2s. 1972 LT-1s used a standard contact point distributor.

If the car in question has a matching numbers driveline, 6500 RPM redline tachometer, transistor ignition (or evidence of installation), single fuel line, cap/bolt differential yokes, and a host of other items, then it probably is the real deal. Throw in a legitimate build order copy (aka "tank sticker") and you've got yourself an LT-1.

Restored (to NCRS or Bloomington Gold standards) 1971 LT-1s are pushing almost $55,000 for convertibles and $45,000 for coupes. Figure what it would take to bring that particular car to that level and you'll know if $20,000 is a good price or not.

Regards,

 

I think (for what it is worth) that the $45,000 figure for a coupe is a little high. In the real world I think $35,000 would kill MOST 71 LT1 coupes even with a top flight award. I may be wrong (I hope I am) I am starting the NCRS trail with flight judging my 71 LT1 next week.