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I've been hunting for a C3 project that was drivable while I slowly fixed it up, and found the right car this weekend: 1971 LT-1 4 speed numbers matching , bought for the sweet price of $9K! Car was built in the 80's and they did some 80's stuff to it: Flares, non OEM paint job, monza headlights, incorrect big block hood, 81 interior (WHY?!), 81 mirrors, bubble tail lights, crager wheels, and I'm soon more to be found! Paint is full of blisters, but looks good from 10' .. Engine runs and is the correct numbers matching LT-1 block. Timing is off and and have to time it and tune it up. OEM intake, incorrect carb and valve covers. Cars runs and drives and everything works. My current goal is to go through it mechanically and make it a safe driver. Do cosmetic and mechanicals to it slowly while I enjoy the car. Perhaps in the future I'll return it to the original Bridgehampton blue, LT-1 hood, and proper '71 black interior.
Pics below - If you have any parts for sale that I need, please let me know!
I have been following, with great interest, your thread on restoring your 71 LT1.
I have a 72 Targa Blue coupe that I bought in 1973 that is pretty much stock. Even though I have owned this Vette four 50 years, I have learned a lot from your experiences restoring your 71. When considering what exhaust to use, I would suggest GM 1969 factory side pipes. This was a 1 year only option and I think they look and sound great. I put them on my 72 many years ago. They look like they belong on the car and have a deep rumble. I'm going to try and include a picture or two.
Thanks, I didn't think I could get a chrome bumper that wasn't a wreck for this cheap either. When I saw the ad for this car, I called and got the vin and block numbers: Confirmed it was an LT-1 and went straight to the bank and picked up my trailer!
VIN and Block numbers below, to my knowledge everything is correct, hopefully you experts don't see any red flags:
I got the timing dialed in : It initially had a base timing of 20! Got the timing dialed and the engine started to run much better, and there's obviously a cam installed because it has some nice chop! I had to do some carb tuning as well, as it was running rich. Then I put new AC Delco R45 TS plugs in. That LT-1 runs great now!!!!! engine has a clean bill of health, and it's time to start ordering part!
4 rubber brake lines. first thing to order. just about everything else you wanna disasemble-clean-adjust-evaluate before you buy a replacement. this car is gonna have you ordering parts from now until the day you sell it or leave it to your kids.
4 rubber brake lines. first thing to order. just about everything else you wanna disasemble-clean-adjust-evaluate before you buy a replacement. this car is gonna have you ordering parts from now until the day you sell it or leave it to your kids.
haha I know it will! I'm going to start with the front brakes/suspension and then work my way to the back. My next action item is to fix the instruments, because I don't have oil pressure or temp gauges currently! Oil is pumping up to the lifters thought, so I know it's safe to idle in the garage.
(will it be ready for the Hot Rod Power Tour in June or Cruisin the Coast in Oct????)
Thanks! Glad I got a Louisiana person in the thread!!
I'm expecting to have this on the road by the end of the month, but it won't be ready for road trips. Hopefully I can take this to Cruising this year, if not I'll take my C4 ZR-1. What are you taking out there?
Thanks! Glad I got a Louisiana person in the thread!!
I'm expecting to have this on the road by the end of the month, but it won't be ready for road trips. Hopefully I can take this to Cruising this year, if not I'll take my C4 ZR-1. What are you taking out there?
Thanks! Glad I got a Louisiana person in the thread!!
I'm expecting to have this on the road by the end of the month, but it won't be ready for road trips. Hopefully I can take this to Cruising this year, if not I'll take my C4 ZR-1. What are you taking out there?
Sounds Great! and back at you!
ZR-1 LT5 engine made by one of my favorites; Mercury Marine! We love C4's.
For Cruisin the Coast, I have been signing up my 72 LT-1 every year for the past 3 or 4 years, but it is never ready, LOL's!
In final primer now, finished 600grit and ready to paint if it ever warms up, maybe 2022 is the year for my 72, ha!
So, we have been taking the better half's C7 which is still fun. We lived in Baton Rouge for almost 30yrs, moved north of Lafayette some time ago now. Never leaving Louisiana.
(looks like a good engine pad stamp and vin matches, so at first look, looks like a matching numbers engine, not NOM which I thought meant "not original motor"?
WOW, super buy, where did you find this one and what is the story??))
And me and the better half think it looks pretty cool as is, you might consider just making it safe to drive and enjoy it for awhile.
Last edited by 20mercury; Feb 8, 2022 at 09:59 PM.
WOW! You're on my level man! Quasar Blue with a Haibeck 510 package = I'm drooling!
My '90 is pictured above. It has the '96 body work, fully ported, tuned, SW LT's, and Corsa Exhaust. I love the car, drove it to Autozone this evening to get parts for the '71!
Sounds Great! and back at you!
ZR-1 LT5 engine made by one of my favorites; Mercury Marine! We love C4's.
For Cruisin the Coast, I have been signing up my 72 LT-1 every year for the past 3 or 4 years, but it is never ready, LOL's!
In final primer now, finished 600grit and ready to paint if it ever warms up, maybe 2022 is the year for my 72, ha!
So, we have been taking the better half's C7 which is still fun. We lived in Baton Rouge for almost 30yrs, moved north of Lafayette some time ago now. Never leaving Louisiana.
I actually went to school at ULL, I love Lafayette! Do you have a build thread for your car? If you got any '72 parts for sale let me know, I'm missing all kinds of original stuff!
I actually went to school at ULL, I love Lafayette! Do you have a build thread for your car? If you got any '72 parts for sale let me know, I'm missing all kinds of original stuff!
I put the car on Jack Stands tonight and pulled the wheels off to start doing inspections of the mechanicals. To my pleasant surprise, the PO completely overhauled the brakes before the car was parked! (including the rubber lines) no leaks and they work great, hopefully they stay that way! Then when I got to the back: Has freshly rebuilt trailing arms, with fresh black powder coating!!!! Car just keeps getting better!!!
No rust on the frame, body mounts, bird cage, floors, etc: car is solid!
Control arms look original, but ball joints have been changed at some point, because they're bolted in. Control arms will be easy to overhaul when I need to!
Has power assist steering and the ram is leaking fluid, will have to overhaul this.
Now you have a great project to keep you in out of trouble
I'm south of B.R. at a stand-still with my project.
Keep us updated with pics while you work on the car
I got more projects then I can handle between my 4 acres, home I'm renovating, farm equipment, corvettes, and Jeep, But I keep dragging **** home, because I'm a car nut! lol
1971 LT-1 Resurrection thread
We love C4's.
