This rare 1971 Corvette Convertible LS6 was one of the last high-powered cars of its generation.
The early 1970s were a mixed bag for the Corvette (and most every other car on sale at the time) as the horsepower wars peaked just before the impending oil crisis brought the whole thing crashing down. As a result, the early ’70s were a glorious time for hot rodders, as well as a period when power was quickly choked away via various types of smog devices. This rare 1971 Corvette Convertible LS6 up for grabs at Bring a Trailer is a perfect example of this pivotal moment in U.S. and automotive history, too.
One of just 188 built, this particular 1971 Corvette Convertible LS6 features a recent restoration that helped it garner a host of notable accolades, including a Triple Crown certificate, Bloomington Gold certification, an NCRS Top Flight award, Vettefest Gold Spinner honors, a Chevy Vettefest showcase appearance, and Bloomington Gold Survivor awards.
This Classic White beauty certainly looks no worse for wear thanks to its fresh paint job and and shiny chrome, along with all of the original goodies such as a removable hardtop and 15-inch rally wheels, which are wrapped in Firestone whitewall tires for a vintage look. Inside the cabin, a perfectly contrasting Saddle leather interior is equally sanitary and fitted with a Delco AM/FM radio, retractable shoulder belts, and an odometer that shows 47k miles, though actual mileage is unknown.
On the mechanical side of things, this special C3 is powered by GM’s aluminum-head 454 cubic-inch LS6 V8 that was originally rated to produce 425 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. That prodigious amount of power flows through an M22 four-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels via a Positraction rear end, while four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes help slow the sports car down in a hurry.
Accompanied by a host of documentation, this award-winning C3 LS6 model has already been bid over $100k as of this writing, and for good reason. It’s a truly rare and desirable machine, but it’s also one of the very last high-powered cars of its era, and that’s something worth remembering every now and then.
Photos: Bring a Trailer
Keyword: Rare 1971 Corvette Convertible LS6 Is One of Just 188 Built