Corvettes for Sale: Original LS5-Powered 1971 Corvette Stingray Offered on Craigslist

Apr 23, 2026

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Corvettes for Sale: Original LS5-Powered 1971 Corvette Stingray Offered on Craigslist

The owner of this 1971 big-block Corvette believes the odometer reading of 53,000 miles might be accurate, based on the condition of the car and receipts.

It’s hard to argue with that assessment based on the photos of this early C3 beauty, which features sparkling Nevada Silver paint over a black standard interior.

Despite its appeal, the owner has decided it’s time to let someone else enjoy it. The car is listed on Craigslist in the San Francisco Bay Area for $44,500, with the seller noting he’s a “motivated” mover.

This ’71 checks the boxes collectors like to see:

• Original 454 big block (LS5)
• Original four speed manual transmission
• Matching numbers drivetrain
• Factory hardtop included
• Power steering and power brakes
• New exhaust system
• Clean title in hand

The LS5 was rated at 365 horsepower gross (285 net), and paired with the four speed, it remains one of the most desirable powertrains of the chrome bumper era. The seller says the car “looks, runs, drives, and sounds great,” and the photos back that up — the paint shines evenly, the interior presents well, and the underside shows no obvious rust issues.

Nevada Silver was one of 10 colors available in 1971, and it’s a shade that can easily fade or go patchy over time. This Corvette shows none of those issues. The black soft top fits clean and tight, and the factory hardtop included with the sale turns it into a genuine all season driver while giving the car an especially sharp silhouette.

Inside, the car is straightforward and honest: black vinyl, manual windows, no A/C — a spec that suggests the original buyer cared more about performance than creature comforts. The cabin looks tidy, with fresh looking carpet and clean plastics. If the radio isn’t original, it’s at least unobtrusive.

The seller recently installed a new exhaust and says the car is ready to drive. For someone looking for a big block C3 that doesn’t need a long punch list of repairs, this one appears to be a turnkey option.

At $44,500 OBO, the price sits comfortably within the market for a numbers matching LS5 convertible with both tops. And with the seller openly motivated, a patient buyer might even land a deal.

For fans of early C3 styling and big block torque, this ’71 offers originality, condition, and usability — the kind of Corvette you can enjoy immediately and be proud to show anywhere.