Don - Congrats and welcome to the 72 LT-1 branch of the Corvette Family!! I'm still in shock about the final price - you are either one heck of a negotiator (mind coming with me on my next purchase?) or it needs A LOT of TLC as you had mentioned. Definitely get some pics posted, would love to see her. Enjoy it, they are a blast to drive!!

Gary

 

By the way, thanks to all for the corrections/clarifications to the info I posted guys - I was at work without access to the car or the black book and was going from memory - plus the fatigue of a stressful day was well under way - CKY, CYK, XYZ...it's all a blur....

 

G'day Gentlemen,
Here is the only image I have so far. The interior is a 7. I'll install new carpet and seats after rebuild. Most suspension rubber is hard and cracked. As soon as the engine comes out, I'll start from the front bumper to the rear. When I'm finished she will be new. As a matter of fact, today (I'm a tile contractor) I might just swing a paint from Rod Powell himself, fingers crossed. Question? I just completed installing new calipers, master, and master booster pump. Should I save the old items or just turn them in? Please advise, Thanks Don

ummmm, I seem, to not be able to insert an image. Please advise?

 

G'day members,
I'm enclosing a photo of my 72. Again, thanks for the input!!! Yes, I can relate to the decking and will pay very strick attention. What if... when I dismantle the engine and the tech finds that the engine does need decked???? In actual fact, on the way home with my prize... I thought I would pull the engine & tranny and put them away...I would then insert Crate or what ever, but, after talking to tech. he said dont worry about it... he will completely balance new rebuild and bore 20 over ect. Needless to say, I'm going to rebuild this 72 from head to toe. The interior is a 7 out of a ten. All leather (delux package). Question, I just installed 4 new calibers and master brake boster pump. Should I keep the old ones???? or turn them in? Please advise. Don.

PS. Bob, nice 72...very clean!!!! I'll keep everyone up to date. Also, inrregards to what I paid.... you know, the day before, that I actually seen the vette after traveling 6 hr. I decided not to buy. I have actually been looking (for one year now) for a bb and everything that is in this 72. Durring discussions (money) I learned that 20 woudl probably get the Vette. Thats why I decide not to offer as I thought that was too much. That night, in the hotel... is where I read about the (air) and the 240 72 Airs. So, at breakfast, just before we left for home, I called the seller, and explained the situation and offered 15, I thought they would decline. They called me back and countered with 17.5 which I countered with 16...SOLD!!!

For some reason, I can not upload a picture of the Vette. Please advise and again thanks!

 

Could anyone tell me where I can find engine specification on my LT-1 engine? The previous owner did tell me that the only thing that was done to this engine when he rebuilt it 10 years ago or so...what he did, was put a Iskey cam in it...that was as close to the original cam as he could get... How did he know what cam was in the LT-1?, which leads me to my original question. The reason he did the rebuild was because the engine did have a little bit of blowby. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Don

 

NO FAKING a 1972 LT-1. If you do and get caught its a federal offense for switching VIN# tags on the car. 72LT-1's had the 5th digit code of "L" for the engine code. My first Vette was a C-60 equipped 72 LT-1 coupe, OK car but I like mine w/o A/C, way easier to service. The C-60 equipped LT-1's have wide ratio Muncies, generally 3.55 rear gears and the 454 style 5600RPM redline tach (don't rev it too high, they will throw fan belts at over 6200RPM.) I think of the LT-1 as a "Pursang" type of ready to race Vette so I don't want an A/C car, to each his own I guess but, I have owned 4 LT-1s in my life and the non-AC car is my prefered choice. I'm sure some people will just have to have one of the 286/287 AC cars (I think that's the correct # it is MORE than 240 as some early information suggests.) I guess a C-60 equipped roadster would be quite the NCRS "prize" but, I'll take mine w/o AC!

 

This happened to me! I'm still so mad I can hardly see. good advice.

 

Hello Solid, Pete, & members...
Yes Solid, I can relate to what you say in regards to the AC and non/ac inregards to maintance. But, I think I was rather lucky in running across one and getting it at the price I did. It is my first Vette, and I did hold out for a whole year and a half in regards to finding one I really liked. And boy.... did I look at a lot of Vettes (chrome bummpers only). In actual fact, I owe this patience to a guy by the name of Steve whom had a 69 in the Cherryjublie here in Monterey, Steve told me... what ever you do.... take your time.... your vette will show up.

One of my questions is. should I keep for instance... the four brake calipers and brake boster pump that I replaced?

Where do I get information on exactly what is in the engine?

My build sheet should still be on the tank... is some of this information there? There is some rust in the tank, not much now as I have run a few tanks thoroug, but I do want to change the tank, so if it is there I will get it then.

Pete, I have already talked to the machine shop here in town. Nice guy, and is very reptiable. And believe me, he does know about the numbers and not haveg it decked. Thanks for the warning. Don

 

You definitely want to keep the master cylinder (hopefully it is original to the car) because it is a numbered part. Many would also keep the original calipers, but I'm not sure how improtant that is... in fact, lots of folks would tell you to save EVERYTHING you take off the car, except maybe the old oil.

 

Thanks Prndl.... that settles that question then, I'll keep eveything now. In actual fact, I am sure those original calipers could be machine sleeved with SS. if need be. Again Thanks & have a great weekend. Buddy Guy is playing tonight...should be good. Don

 

Feel free to email 'em to me & I'll put them up for ya...

 

Hello Tony, I would be happy to send you pic's. As a matter of fact, yesterday, I pulled out the Vette and washed it so I could take the before of the after Pic's. (Noticed I said AFTER)smile. After I took the pic's, I put it away and dropped the gas tank. Must report the build sheet was a bit rough and will submit that pic aswell. The build sheet does verify the (C60), looks to be a 3.55 rear end, 255 Turbo-Fire special 35, Transmission says... Base Transmissions. Q. What is the base transmission? Is that the close ration M21?

Tony, my email is Donniechaney@aol.com. I'll send the pic's via reply. By the way...Buddy Guy was great! Don... OH! what is the Turbo_Fire Special 35 and if you may, what does the 35 stand for? Thanks in advance.

 

My guess was pewter the minute I saw the pic. That color is about as rare as the LT-1/ac combination dude !!! In 1972 I sold Chevrolets for a large dealer that sold lots of Corvettes, and it wasn't until a friend of mine bought one from another dealer that I ever saw one. It had saddle interior which made it even more unusual. I've had 2 LT-1s, one of the first and one of the last (w/ac).

Interesting side note here (and since it was the original question of the thread... what does LT-1 stand for?)... when I had my first one it was pretty unusual even when it was new (maroon/saddle vert), but the big block guys in my Corvette club ribbed me all the time... said LT-1 stood for "little tiny one"

 

I'm definitely with u on the NO a/c thing... LOL Of my 10 Corvettes (61-73), only one had a/c... and one was enough. I had to change plugs so often on my 70 LT-1 that I even removed the ignition shields. I was thrilled to find my current 73 w/o ac... or power anything. I can actually work on it... LOL

Just to give u guys an idea how rare these LT-1s with a/c are... when I was selling Chevrolets in 1972 (big Corvette dealer), we NEVER even heard a/c was available on the LT-1s. It was probably 10 years later that I stumbled onto one in Hemmings... and of course immediately I figured it was a fake of some kind. Not unlike Z-16 Chevelles and Yenkos, lots of this rare stuff didn't even surface for years.

 

Don, she looks good! Great deal!

 

7 WOWs... u got the steal of the century man !!! I was analyzing those photos, and I'm still trying to figure out where the "needs TLC" remark came from... LOL So how many miles are on it, and is the paint or interior original? I'd say that car was a steal at the asking price :-) I'm envious as hell is an understatement. I'd have to keep that car the rest of my life, just for the best deal trophy part of it... lol I bought my 72 LT1AC in 92 for $10K, which was a steal then... and sold it 2 years later for $7500 (but that's a chapter in my Corvette book).

Forgive me if someone already answered these questions, but from what I can see (I still have the original owners manual from my 72 LT1AC), the AC versions only came with the M20 4 speed and 355 was the standard rear axle ratio with that combination. I'm guessing that Special 35 meant Special 350. I still have the build sheet from my 70 LT1 and my 2 73s. They changed the build sheet format in 73, and M20 code was WO and M21 was WK. I'm not sure if those codes were changed for 73 or not.

 

TOTALLY....what a steal....what a deal...........gee-zo...Im looking at the pics and thinking where the hell does it need any TLC?! It looks great!
When my vette arrives I only hope it looks as good as yours....and its nothing special like an LT1 (well its special to me!)....and I didn't get it for a price like that either..........dam-it!
Far out, sometimes I dont like visiting this forum......makes me feel like I wasted my money.....

 

Goodevening Gentlemen,
Thanks for the 7 WOWs 73LS4 !!! You guys are starting to make me feel guilty for the previous owner, smile. Wayne (previous owner) kept saying...Quote: This is a real car!!! Needless to say, he knew it was a air car, he just did not realize that there were only approx. 240 of them, ummmmm. The funny thing is, I hate air!!!! I guess I was in Asia too long, in reference to the humitity and aircon... Kids were always getting sick and so were we. Humitity out and Air in the house. Anyway, I much prefer the freash air. Gotta love the T-top!

In reference to the TLC... hey, I've got some time in already (armarol). When I poped the hood for the first time, (at previous owners house), there were mice nest on each valve cover. Bits and pieces of acorns all over, and needless to say... mouse ****ttt !!! LOL. I made the deal, and drove it to Autozone on a Sunday to change out the water pump in their parking lot. I had no tools and had to buy them tooooo... OMG! From there it was a wild 7 hour ride back to Montery with no brakes with the girl friend in tow, and needless to say...shaking her head. Of course I must let you in, on her frame of mind.... she knew... I didn't have a license either, (suspended) Damnnnnnn!

73LS4, in reference to Paperwork... do you have any plans for the 72 Owners manual as it is missing here. Advise.

Hey there Cosmicvette, sound like your is on it's way. Congrats. Hey, I used to live in Perth, Albany and Gearldton on the West coast. Australia is way too kool. Loved it there. You will have to send pic's when you get enlightened!!! Enjoy! Don

 

73LS4, the paint is orginal War Bonnet, but the first owner changed it to red. The second owner whom I bought it from took it back to glass and repainted to WB... It has 133,000 and all the rubber (suspension) is worn and cracked. I have the complete rebuild on the way. I will do this after I take out the engine this weekend. The engine will be gone through to perfection. I have a great guy to do it. Very proffessoinal and long standing in the community. I am going to rebuild starting from the front chrome bummper to the rear chrome bummper, smile. I plan on have it painted next spring. I'm going hard as you might imagine. And...with a smile I might add... cheers!!!!

 

BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL AND MAKE SURE THE ENGINE REBUILDER DOES NOT MESS WITH THE #'s ON THE PAD! And make sure he knows what your talking about. Those #'s are key in holding the value of the car!