OPTIONS
DOCUMENTATION
SPECIFICATIONS
-Code 973 Mille Miglia Red
-407 Red Vinyl Interior
-RPO LT1 330 H.P. Turbo Jet 350
-K66 Transistorized Ignition
-M20 4-Speed Transmission
-Posi-Traction 3:55 Ratio
-Firestone Wide Oval whitewall tires
-Soft Ray Tinted Glass
-Pushbutton AM/FM Radio
-Audio Alarm System
-330 Horsepower
-360 lb-ft Of Torque
-Solid Lifters
-Special Performance Cam
-Holley 4 Barrel Carburetor
-Wide Ratio 4-Speed Transmission
-Posi-Traction Rear Axle
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-Delivered New to VV Cooke Chevrolet in Louisville KY
-Promotional Tow car for the General ZL1 race car
-60k Documented Original Miles
-One owner until 2016
-Original Trim Tag
-Original Motor
-Original Transmission
-Original Rear End
-NCRS Shipping Report
-Original Retail Order Form
-Owner’s Manual Packet
-Welcome Folder
-Protecto Plate
-Complete Owner History
-Listed in the Corvette LT1 registry
-NCRS Top Flight Award-Score of 97.1
The General and the LT1 out of hibernation
Doyle Patton rebuilding a prototype ZL1 engine
The General racing circa 1974
1971 LT1 promotional tow car and the General ZL1 race car
Factory Documentation
HISTORY
This rare 1971 Corvette coupe was ordered by Doyle Patton from VV Cooke Chevrolet in Louisville Kentucky and he took delivery on February 8th 1971. Doyle worked with GM engineering including the ZL1 engine project as well as drag racing Corvettes in his spare time until he quit racing to spend time with family in 1978. He received a Corvette every year until 1971, when he ordered his final Corvette, a Mille Miglia Red LT1 coupe.
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Regular Production Option (RPO) LT1was an option that was planned for the 69 model year but first debuted in 1970 with 1297 cars built. It featured solid lifters, a special cam, big 780 4 barrel Holley carburetor, transtorized ignition and a big block hood with distinctive LT1 decals and hood stripes.
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The RPO LT1 option continued for the next year and only 1741 Corvettes were built in 1971with the potent LT1 mighty mouse 350 engine option, adding an additional cost of $483.00 to the sticker price.
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This rare red/red 1971 LT1 coupe still wears it's original lacquer paint, factory original interior, original M-20 Muncie wide ratio transmission, original posi-traction rear end, and the original numbers matching CGZ coded engine which has never been out of the car. The engine compartment and chassis still wears it's original inspection marks and factory finishes.
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A true piece of Corvette History, this car was discovered by the second owner Paul, in 2016. A friend of the original owner, he knew Doyle had a Corvette but was in for a big surprise when he opened the garage to reveal this all original 71 LT1 parked next to the famous "General" Corvette race car. The General race car lit up NHRA drag events with it's monster ZL1 all aluminum engine. This LT1 was the promotional tow car for the General race car and both cars are listed in the Kentucky racing Hall of Fame together. Hemmings covered the story as well as Barnfinds and numerous publications making the General and the LT1 one f the top barn finds of the year. You can read more here:
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Barnfinds Story:
https://barnfinds.com/incredible-corvette-found-buried-garage/
Corvette Society Story:
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Corvette Blogger Story:
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Hemmings Story, watch on Youtube:
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Documented with extensive documentation including owner history back to new, NCRS/GM shipping data report, owner’s manual packet, protecto-plate, and the dealership retail order copy.
In 2024 the car will be attending Bloomington Gold where it will be going though Survivor, Gold Certification and Benchmark judging. In addition it will be showcased at The Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) in Chicago and going through Triple Diamond judging and NCRS Top Flight judging.
