bobbarry

This forum has been invaluable for sorting the good from the bad among the Vettes I have looked at. Upon the recommendations in replies to my queries, I passed on a number of chrome-bumpers that needed too much work, and jumped on a '71 that was local to me and in extraordinary shape:






'71, originally white but repainted maroon last year. BB hood, but only a stock 270hp 350. Currently has chrome Edelbrock valve-covers, and while I was pricing out cast-aluminum factory-style valve-covers, it turns out a set come with the car. It runs ultra-smooth (it was idling at 400rpm in Drive, according to the tach), and drives nicely on the highway, but could use new bushings for the rear spring, as well as some detailing on the trailing-arms.



But no rust on the frame or birdcage, and all the body-mounts were intact, which was key for me.





Deluxe saddle interior with PS/PB/PW. I'll be figuring out the A/C, the one thing that doesn't work.

And while I would have loved a manual transmission, the condition and the price on this car were just too good to pass up, and I can always upgrade to a 5-spd (again, thanks to the experiences of people on this forum).

69Vett

how long did you look ?
and how many Vettes did you look at, before you found the keeper ?
Congradulations, on finding the right car for you.

7T1vette

Looks like you did your 'homework'. It may not be 'all-original'...but it's all-Corvette! Great find.

bobbarry

I've been steadily looking (forums, CL's within 200-miles, e-bay, etc) since the beginning of the Summer. I looked at two cars locally in-person, but considered an untold number based on seller's descriptions and pictures. I bid on one E-bay car, but got outbid by $1000.

I've been steadily studying these forums on a daily basis during that time for buying-tips, and learning from the troubles other people have had. My budget was in the $15,000-$20,000 range, with pretty broad search-criteria (chrome-bumper, not red, light-blue or white, ideally with deluxe interior and A/C, as well as big-block). I sacrificed the big-block and the manual-trans, but got everything else I wanted, most importantly a clean frame and body, for $16k. I still don't think it's sunk in that I own it...

Smadoo

Thats a nice car, I love that color. Am I correct in saying that it looks like Marlboro Maroon?

bobbarry

I'd love to say the previous owner had it painted a specific paint-code like the '70 Marlboro Maroon or '68 Cordovan Maroon, but he wasn't a Corvette enthusiast, so I think he just had the paint-shop paint it a color of his liking. But if the guy at the paint-shop did choose a standard Corvette color of that era, based on the pictures I've seen here I'd guess it's more like the 1969 Burgandy, as the '68 and '70 maroons have more of a brownish tint, while my car seems to have more of a reddish/purplish tint like the burgandy.

Today I'll be calling a number from a Craigslist ad for a set of PO2 wheelcovers; I didn't want to buy them before I had a car to put them on, but I think a restored set of those would fit the character of this car, kinda like this one but without the redlines:

xCCTer

gq82

Very Nice, great color combo...

Best of luck with your new ride and welcome to the 71 club.

GD70

You did very well, both on price & condition considering it's a north east car with so little surface rust. What's the milage and what kind of documentation did you get?
It's a beautiful vette! Good luck with it!
Glenn

bradc6

schmegeggie

CONGRATS!
Looks like you did well. If the AC doesn't work right now, take the belt off, that could help your idling problem(if it's not the gauge).
Don't forget the wave!

bobbarry

Thanks!

It's been garaged its whole life, and only shows 74,500 miles. I tend to believe that may be original, given the condition.

Only documentation was the owner's-manual.

No idea if there's a tank-sticker or not.

bobbarry

Actually, I wasn't saying that idling at 400rpm was a problem (though it's not spec; I'll go through and give it a full tuneup); I was just saying the motor was running THAT smooth, so I didn't even know how low it was idling until I looked at the tach.

929nitro

Looks real sweeeet. Enjoy the ride.

Alan 71

Hi Bob,
VERY nice looking 71. I think you're in for a lot of fun.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

Dantana

Awesome! Glad you found your car!

rydoc

Welcome and congrats...
That is one beautiful redhead


Rod

OURSHARK

Congratulations!! She is a beauty, good luck and have fun with her.

guappy

Welcome and that a good looking ride enjoy

13Days

Congrats on a fine looking machine.