Sitting in Cape Coral, Florida, this 1971 Chevrolet Corvette convertible being offered on eBay could be the perfect project car for a father and daughter.
So says the current owner of this chrome-bumper Stingray. While the price might be too high for some, others note the positives. It’s running. It’s numbers matching. It’s a 4 speed. And at $15,500, it’s priced where dreamers and do’ers overlap.
The seller bought the car about a year ago out of Georgia, rolled up his sleeves, and started doing the unglamorous but essential work that separates “someday” projects from “almost there” ones.
He replaced the fuel tank, sending unit, rubber lines, fuel filter, and even ran a new metal hard line from pump to carb. The fuel pump is new. The carb got cleaned and fitted with a fresh accelerator pump. The ignition system got new points, a cap, rotor, and plugs. The 350 received a high quality oil change with Penn Grade, and the Muncie 4 speed manual got fresh gear oil.
He even dove into the vacuum system, replacing an actuator and two control valves so the pop up headlights behave like they should.
The small block 350 fires easily and sounds healthy in the seller’s video. The air cleaner wears a “350 horsepower” sticker—optimistic, considering 1971 small blocks were rated at 270 or 330—but the important part is this: the engine and transmission are original to the car.
The brakes work. The tires hold air. The car moves under its own power, though the shifter is sloppy and will need adjustment or a rebuild. The rear differential should get fresh gear oil—the posi clutches are grabbing—but that’s a weekend job, not a crisis.
And the frame? No rot. Another positive in a 53 year old convertible.
The Corvette comes with its hardtop only, and the fiberglass has a few minor problems. There’s a crack on the driver’s quarter. The front end shows flaking paint and evidence of past repairs behind the headlight doors and along the left fender. The rear deck still wears the holes from a removed luggage rack.
The interior is a mix of “almost there” and “not quite yet.” The newer carpet is just sitting in place. The seats and door panels need proper installation. Some pieces are included but not mounted. The parking brake console and door panels don’t match—one hint among several that this car has lived a few lives.
But the bones are here. The parts are here. The potential is here.
The seller recently updated the listing: the car has a Florida transferable rebuilt title in his name, ready for insurance and plates.
That detail sparked debate among enthusiasts:
Some worry about flood history—Cape Coral saw serious hurricane damage in recent years.
Others point out mismatched interior parts like the seats from a late C3, surface rust under the hood, and the lack of A/C in a Florida car.
A few note that rebuilt titles usually come from accident, theft recovery, vandalism, or flood—each with its own implications.
The seller calls it a great father/daughter project. This isn’t a concours restoration candidate. It’s not a museum piece. It’s a car that wants to be worked on, learned from, and enjoyed.
It’s a convertible with a 4 speed and chrome bumpers—three things that make any C3 more fun and more desirable. It’s running. It’s numbers matching. It’s priced where real people can still get into the hobby.
And it’s waiting for someone who sees not just what it is, but what it could be.
Every project car is a gamble. Every project car is a story. This one has already had several chapters—Georgia, Florida, a year of mechanical revival, and a rebuilt title that hints at a past it doesn’t fully reveal.
But the next chapter? That’s up to whoever rolls it into their garage. Is that you?
Source:
eBay Motors via BarnFinds.com
Related:
Eight Generations of Corvettes to Tempt Your Wallet at Mecum Glendale
Corvettes for Sale: Ex-Stu Hayner 1989 Corvette Challenge Race Car on BaT
Corvettes for Sale: 680-Mile 1990 Corvette ZR-1 on Pcarmarket.com
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So… hate to say it but… sure looks like it has been resting about one fathom down for quite a while. (a fathom is six feet of water). If the seller would consider knocking about $13,000 off the asking price I would be happy to come and remove it from his driveway. Let me know. ([email protected]) That’s all, TWS.
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