A 1971 Corvette Stingray Targa T-Top 454

A 1971 Corvette Stingray Targa T-Top Chassis: 194371S100419 Bill Mitchell, designer of the replacement Corvette of the 1960s stated his creative ethos thus, "Pick up a billiard ball and it's boring. But pick up a baseball with all that texture and stitching and you play with it for hours." Detail and plenty of it was the order of the day with lots of added extras. This 1971 Corvette Stingray in Brands Hatch racing green underwent a full restoration in 2003. Fitted with a 454 cubic inch motor with aluminium heads to LS6 specification it has a Holley 850 double pumper, Edelbrock Torquer II 2.0 manifold intake; ignition is from an electric Bosch-type distributor by Ignition Developments and exhaust is by extractors into dual side-pipes with hot dog glass packs; the drivetrain is M40 T400 automatic, 2,000 rpm hi-stall torque converter with 3.73 ratio limited slip differential. In excellent all round condition this car has been lovingly maintained by an American collector who made his home in Australia many years ago. This automobile comes with the original tank copy of the factory order. This copy of the factory order was affixed to the top of the fuel tank during manufacture for each Corvette and verifies the specification. The scanned tank copy shows: - that the order for this car was received in the factory on 24/07/1970 - expected production completion date was 29/08/1970 - car was genuine 365hp 454 LS5 engine with M40 auto transmission and 3.83 optional rear axle ratio - options included N40 power steering, N37 Tilt-telescopic steering wheel, J50 power brakes, A31 power windows, C60 air conditioning (which was not re-installed at restoration because it was ineffective and drained power), U79 AM/FM stereo radio, PU9 white lettered tires, and P02 Deluxe Rally wheel covers - Custom 'Saddle' (colour) leather interior - 'War Bonnet Yellow' (colour) exterior paint which was changed at restoration to a more attractive 'Brands Hatch Green' - the original Warranty Booklet and Protect-O-Plate (scanned and included in folder) which shows car was sold at new to John Alford of Lubbock, Texas on 23/12/1970. The dealer was Modern Chevrolet of Lubbock. The car was brought to Australia in July 1987 by owner George Melham of Rainbow Beach, Queensland and converted to right hand drive by Newport & Associates of Karana Downs, Queensland, as shown by correspondence, Certificate of Inspection for ADR Compliance and Queensland Department of Transport Approval Document for Right-hand Drive Conversion. All the originals of these documents are scanned and included in the accompanying folder. At the end of the 1990's the car was purchased by James Russell of Sunbury, Victoria who commenced restoration. He upgraded the engine to LS6 specification with aluminium heads and performance enhancements including Edelbrock Torquer II dual plane manifold, forged pistons and a Holley 850 double pumper carburettor, as well as performance improvements to the T400 auto transmission and an Electronic Bosch-type distributor by Ignition Developments. By the end of 2000, the above drive train improvements had been completed however Mr. Russell had run out of enthusiasm to proceed further with restoration of the car's chassis, suspension, running gear, body and interior. The car was purchased from Mr. Russell in February, 2001 and underwent a full and high-quality restoration, including installation of the side exhaust pipes. A quick scan of the restoration invoices totals some $81,500 after the purchase price paid for the vehicle of $20,000.The car's VIN number is 194371S100419 and the engine number is CE36375. The current owner was informed by the previous owner that the original factory engine had been replaced under warranty. Estimate $ 45,000-50,000