Gorgeous Lemans Blue C3 L71 Corvette Earns Gold Status

Holding Up

Some restorations last longer than others, but it's safe to say that this immaculate C3 Corvette is holding up just fine after receiving a frame-off redo back in 2005. Now, the nicely optioned ride is headed to auction at Mecum's Indy sale on May 14-19.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

One of Few

Aside from its immaculate condition, this particular Corvette is noteworthy for its number of tasty options. Originally sold at legendary Nickey Chevrolet in Chicago, the C3 is one of just 2,898 L71 tri-power 427/435 cars built in 1968.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

>>Join the conversation about this C3 L71 right here in Corvette Forum.

Forged Internals

At the time, that was about as good as it got not only in the world of Corvettes but also the world of performance cars. And much to the chagrin of hot rodders, the L71 was packed with forged internals for added strength.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

>>Join the conversation about this C3 L71 right here in Corvette Forum.

Street Racer

Add in a pretty lumpy solid lifter cam and aggressive 11:1 compression and the L71 was basically a reliable race engine for the street. 

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

>>Join the conversation about this C3 L71 right here in Corvette Forum.

Triple Carbs

This legendary engine was capped off with free-flowing rectangular-port heads, as well as the tri-power's signature calling card - three two-barrel Holley carbs sitting on top of an aluminum intake manifold.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

>>Join the conversation about this C3 L71 right here in Corvette Forum.

Powerful and Reliable

In a time when high performance often meant decreased reliability, that just wasn't the case with Chevy's mighty big block. Credit quality components and progressive carburetor linkage for that.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

>>Join the conversation about this C3 L71 right here in Corvette Forum.

Stunning Thing

Of course, the L71 isn't the only thing that's appealing about this beautiful C3. Finished in Lemans Blue metallic paint with a Medium Blue interior and white soft top, it's also quite stunning to look at.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions.

>>Join the conversation about this C3 L71 right here in Corvette Forum.

Quite the Pedigree

Those good looks and pedigree were enough to net this 'Vette coveted Bloomingdale Gold Status. And it comes with plenty of documentation to back all of that up.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

>>Join the conversation about this C3 L71 right here in Corvette Forum.

Collector's Dream

Included in the sale are this car's original tank sticker, hand-written order form, sales invoice, down-payment receipt, and Protect-O-Plate.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions.

>>Join the conversation about this C3 L71 right here in Corvette Forum.

Pretty Much Perfect

Throw in a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission and F41 heavy-duty suspension, and there just isn't really anything not to like about this C3 Corvette. To us, at least, it's just about perfect!

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions.

>>Join the conversation about this C3 L71 right here in Corvette Forum.

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