C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

[Greg F.]

I have a 71 vette that is very original (small block, AC/PS/PB,convertible, 4 speed). I've spoken with all the previous owners and have documented a lot. The original owner didn't have the window sticker or bill of sale, but he did order the car in 1970 and took delivery in 2/71. The car is Brandshatch green with dark saddle interior. I know Mike Antonich's production numbers state there are 499 vettes that are not accounted for. Since my car was ordered and my color/interior combination was not a normal production combination, it means my car is 1 of those 499, correct??!!! Whooohoooo, I have a rare collectible vette!!! Just kidding.

Thanks,
Greg

[Paul O.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

Greg that interior/exterior combination is not unusual. My 71 built Sept 70 s/n 1914 not ordered was dealer inventory was also Brands Hatch Green and Dark Saddle vinyl. I have seen a lot of 71s in this combo. Paul 18046

[Randy C.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

What does "499 Corvettes unaccounted for" mean? I've never heard of this.

Randy C.
'71 coupe red/black vinyl

[Tom H.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

I don't think there are actually 499 unaccounted for cars. If you total up the production numbers vs. the color breakdowns in the Corvette Black Book, you get 499 less cars in the color report than in the production report.

I think all cars are accounted for, there are just 499 out there we don't know what color they are !!

Simply put, the color breakdown in the black book is not 100% accurate and it is noted as so in the book.

[Greg F.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

Greg that interior/exterior combination is not unusual. My 71 built Sept 70 s/n 1914 not ordered was dealer inventory was also Brands Hatch Green and Dark Saddle vinyl. I have seen a lot of 71s in this combo. Paul 18046

Thanks for ruining the value of my vette, Paul!!! Ha!

I figured I was looking at it wrong. I'm nowhere near an expert. I was looking at the production numbers and didn't see my Brandshatch/Saddle combination in the numbers. My first thought was it has to be one of those 499. Oh well. I'm still d*mn proud of that car! I have documented discussions with the previous owners and they love cars. It gets compliments everytime I park it somewhere. Thanks again.

Greg

[Paul O.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

Greg did not mean to rain on your parade. But when I got my car back in 1974 I just loved that Brands Hatch Green color and the Dark Saddle set it off just right. In my opinion that is dark green PO2's raised white letters whats not to like plus an LT-1 under the hood. Paul 18046

[Greg F.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

Greg did not mean to rain on your parade. But when I got my car back in 1974 I just loved that Brands Hatch Green color and the Dark Saddle set it off just right. In my opinion that is dark green PO2's raised white letters whats not to like plus an LT-1 under the hood. Paul 18046

LOL...it was a "curiosity question", so I knew I had to have it wrong anyway. No worries....I agree with you about the combination. I like a lot of other combinations too, but none like mine!

Thanks again!
Greg

[Paul C.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

I have a Brands hatch green / saddle leather convertible doing a body off. Question, the rear axle housing numbers are: back cover 3871375 / front cover 3899143. Please interpret ?

[Kenneth T.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

Greg,

I have a '71 BH Green and dark saddle leather. It is my understanding that it is a one year only color, unless someone knows otherwise, so your car is special.

A lot of guys don't like green Corvettes, but the girls do

Ken

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

I have a Brands hatch green / saddle leather convertible doing a body off. Question, the rear axle housing numbers are: back cover 3871375 / front cover 3899143. Please interpret ?

Paul------


Not too much to interpret here. The casting numbers you mentioned are the correct casting numbers for the carrier housing and carrier housing cover for all 1967-77 Corvettes.

[Paul C.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

Joe... Thank you. I wasn't sure if the "99" was correct in the front cover. The rear cover "71" was aligned to the 71 year.

[Jack H.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

One aspect of the color combination 'mystery' is while each model year had its own unique set of recommended colors, it WAS (and still is, the last time I checked) Chevy's policy to allow buyers to have the car built in ANY combination of regular production colors/fabrics. That would generate production vehicles that fell outside the recommended color combination matrix...

For example, for whatever reason(s), in 1971 a red exterior with tan/saddle interior was NOT a recommended color combination. But, it WAS in both '70 and '72...

Some of these red/saddle cars WERE built in '71 and that may be why that combination returned to the recommended list in '72...

[Edward J.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

One aspect of the color combination 'mystery' is while each model year had its own unique set of recommended colors, it WAS (and still is, the last time I checked) Chevy's policy to allow buyers to have the car built in ANY combination of regular production colors/fabrics. That would generate production vehicles that fell outside the recommended color combination matrix...

For example, for whatever reason(s), in 1971 a red exterior with tan/saddle interior was NOT a recommended color combination. But, it WAS in both '70 and '72...

Some of these red/saddle cars WERE built in '71 and that may be why that combination returned to the recommended list in '72...

My 72 blue /blue car has a black delete on the interior which was a recommended color comb. with Blue exterior.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

Joe... Thank you. I wasn't sure if the "99" was correct in the front cover. The rear cover "71" was aligned to the 71 year.

Paul-----


If any relationship exists between any components of a part number (e.g. the "71" as part of 3871375) it is PURELY COINCIDENTAL and has absolutely no relationship to the year model that the part was used on.

[Steven B.]

Re: C3 - 1971: Silly/Curious Question about my vette

'some other factory delivered cars I have seen with unique combinations are '63 Daytona Blue coupe with red interior and early 70's blue convertible with red interior and white soft top. Also, a silver with green interior, Warbonnet Yellow with green interior, and a blue with green interior.