1971 Chevrolet Corvette 454ci 'Targa' Coupe (LHD)

Description

Drawing inspiration from the Mako Shark II show car, Chevrolet's third generation Corvette (the Sting Ray badge was dropped temporarily) was introduced in 1968 and promoted as "...all different all over." The C3 Corvette was a beauty queen with macho attitude, the pumped up 'Coke bottle' lines devoid of any superfluous detailing or chrome. Neat touches like the push button arrangement instead of door handles, hidden windscreen wipers gave a sleek, aerodynamic shape. The Corvette was sold in either of two body styles, namely a full convertible or the coupe, the latter actually featuring a clever targa-type roof arrangement with a pair of removable panels and removable rear window. By 1971, the interior had come in for some revision, the bodywork was made by a new resin process and some minor changes to the mechanical specification (mainly a small reduction in the compression ratio to allow for lower octane fuels). The base model 1971 Corvette was equipped with a 350-cid V8 and the standard equipment list included vinyl upholstery, centre console and full instrumentation including tacho and an electric clock, disc brakes front and rear, a dual exhaust and tinted glass. The optional 454-cid big block was available in two states of tune, with the RPO LS5 (costing an additional $295) rated at 365 horsepower and a thumping 465 lbs/ft of torque. With hydraulic valve lifters, cm and Rochester four-barrel 750 cfm carburettor, the LS5 could do the quarter mile in just 14.2 seconds and cover the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 5.7 seconds - impressive times for 1971. Early chrome-bumper C3 Vettes are becoming increasingly popular with collectors, particularly original examples equipped with big-block motors, and the car on offer here ticks all the right boxes.