LT-1 question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,347
Likes: 9
From: Salinas Ca.
LT-1 question
Hello members,
Could someone please tell me what (LT-1) actually stands for? I'm looking at (purchasing) a 1972 LT-1 numbers matching. The Vette has orginal air. It is my understanding that there is only 240 of these air cars. Please advise on price? Thanks in advance, Don
Could someone please tell me what (LT-1) actually stands for? I'm looking at (purchasing) a 1972 LT-1 numbers matching. The Vette has orginal air. It is my understanding that there is only 240 of these air cars. Please advise on price? Thanks in advance, Don
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
"LT-1" is a GM option code. It doesn't have any meaning that you can decypher, like the "L" means something, the "T" means something, and the "1" means something. There are plenty of online sources that will tell you all the year-specific option codes (like if your car has a tank sticker, it should show "C60" for the A/C).
An air LT-1 is a rare car and you should go to great lengths to authenticate it as such. Lucky for you it's a '72 since the car's engine is a component of the VIN so you can tell if the car is a real LT-1 and if it has its original engine by checking the engine stamp pad against the engine codes and matched to your VIN. Only way to tell if it is an original air car is the previously mentioned tank sticker and the tach redline difference.
Price depends on condition and the authenticity of the car in question. I'd be very careful here since there are a lot of uninformed and unscupulous people out there who will try to pass off a base-engined car as an LT-1 through cosmetics. If you are not well educated in Corvettes it would be a wise investment to find someone in your area who is that you can take along with you or consult with. You might also want to get an NCRS manual so you will be aware of what to look for.
An air LT-1 is a rare car and you should go to great lengths to authenticate it as such. Lucky for you it's a '72 since the car's engine is a component of the VIN so you can tell if the car is a real LT-1 and if it has its original engine by checking the engine stamp pad against the engine codes and matched to your VIN. Only way to tell if it is an original air car is the previously mentioned tank sticker and the tach redline difference.
Price depends on condition and the authenticity of the car in question. I'd be very careful here since there are a lot of uninformed and unscupulous people out there who will try to pass off a base-engined car as an LT-1 through cosmetics. If you are not well educated in Corvettes it would be a wise investment to find someone in your area who is that you can take along with you or consult with. You might also want to get an NCRS manual so you will be aware of what to look for.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
I agree, the NCRS manual would be very helpful in this case & have a trained eye look this one over.
Another tip, if it's a very original LT-1 AC car, the fan should have 7 blades...I believe most non AC small blocks had a 5 blade fan.
You have any more details on this car? Pics?
Another tip, if it's a very original LT-1 AC car, the fan should have 7 blades...I believe most non AC small blocks had a 5 blade fan.
You have any more details on this car? Pics?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 5
From: Upstate South Carolina
Muddy. Like stated above LT-1 is just the engine option code. No different from L-46, L-82, or L-88. But the LT-1 had certain requirements, restrictions, and other details that made it different from most cars. For example, transistor ignition was standard with the LT-1 in 70 and 71 but not offered as an option on any other cars. (Also came standard with LS-6, another engine code). A/C was not available with LT-1 in 70 or 71 but was offered on a limited basis in 72 which gives the 240 number above. This makes a 72 with A/C a fairly rare car. Look for documentaion before paying the big money. There are fake LT-1s, but it takes some effort to fake an LT-1 well. There are many unique LT-1 features like no fuel return line that are more than just cosmetic changes.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 244
Likes: 2
From: Miramar FL
DEFINITELY do the research on this one. Do the basics and then start asking for and verifying all the documentation/history you can. As stated above, the VIN should have an "L" for the fifth digit, the engine code should end in "CYK", the tach should redline at 6500 - much higher than a base 350, original carburator was a Holley (base and others were Rochester). If she passes these basics, then you can be pretty certain it's an LT-1. From there, I'd have to rely on lots of documentation (tank sticker would be ideal) and owner history. I have a # match 72 LT-1 with no a/c, but I can't tell you how many guys (including a Vette mechanic) have told me how easy it would be to drop a/c in there, so I assume it's been done on more than a few LT-1's. For the record - while the convenience would be nice, I don't want to damage the originality of my Vette. Good luck and post some pics if you can. If you're looking at the real thing, I would venture price would be at least near or above 30K.....
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Originally Posted by corvette427
DEFINITELY do the research on this one. Do the basics and then start asking for and verifying all the documentation/history you can. As stated above, the VIN should have an "L" for the fifth digit, the engine code should end in "CYK", the tach should redline at 6500 - much higher than a base 350, ...
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by corvette427
the engine code should end in "CYK", the tach should redline at 6500
Also, all LT-1's w/ AC were built late into the '72 production run...May?, June, July...So if its build date was in like November of '71...it's most likely a fake.
Last edited by tonyk72; Jun 16, 2005 at 12:18 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Black Book shows four correct codes for the '72 LT-1, depending upon application. I suggest you proceed with caution and agree with the others who say you should do your homework before writing a check for this car. LT-1 air cars are rare and originals fetch big bucks; that provides enough incentive for these cars to be counterfeited. Make sure the documentation (which should accompany this car) is very, very good.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,455
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From: Upstate South Carolina
Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Black Book shows four correct codes for the '72 LT-1, depending upon application.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,347
Likes: 9
From: Salinas Ca.
My LT-1 (Air)
G'day Gentlemen,
Wow, thanks for the resonses!!! You guys are great. Well, I must report, that I did purchase the LT-1 and I did it soley witht the the black book. In actual fact, I was not going to buy the Vette as it needs quite abit of TLC. It wasnt until I was back in my Hotel room that I realized how rare this Air Vette might be,(inregards to the 240 airs). I bought the vette soley on the (L) within the Vin #. The Vin is...1Z37L2S517944 and the Engine Pad # 12S517944 V0317CYK. The Fan has 7 blades and the tach red line starts at 5600... The Vette all options w/power windows and the radio works!!! Wish the clock did, smile. Well, by what you guys say, looks like i got the real deal. The asking price was 23,900 and we settled on 16,000 even, smile again!!! The engine was rebuilt approx. 10 yr's ago without a bore. I also must report that she runs like a bat out of hell. smile again!!! The only thing I dont have is the orginal smog equipt.ummmm. In actual fact, I have already been to a very reptial machine shop here in town to rebuild the block. He said he would like to take it to 20 over and balance. Anyone have opinions on this? Please advise. I will post pic's asap. Again, thanks for the info and everyone have a great Father's Day!!! Needless to say... I certainly will!!!!
Don
Wow, thanks for the resonses!!! You guys are great. Well, I must report, that I did purchase the LT-1 and I did it soley witht the the black book. In actual fact, I was not going to buy the Vette as it needs quite abit of TLC. It wasnt until I was back in my Hotel room that I realized how rare this Air Vette might be,(inregards to the 240 airs). I bought the vette soley on the (L) within the Vin #. The Vin is...1Z37L2S517944 and the Engine Pad # 12S517944 V0317CYK. The Fan has 7 blades and the tach red line starts at 5600... The Vette all options w/power windows and the radio works!!! Wish the clock did, smile. Well, by what you guys say, looks like i got the real deal. The asking price was 23,900 and we settled on 16,000 even, smile again!!! The engine was rebuilt approx. 10 yr's ago without a bore. I also must report that she runs like a bat out of hell. smile again!!! The only thing I dont have is the orginal smog equipt.ummmm. In actual fact, I have already been to a very reptial machine shop here in town to rebuild the block. He said he would like to take it to 20 over and balance. Anyone have opinions on this? Please advise. I will post pic's asap. Again, thanks for the info and everyone have a great Father's Day!!! Needless to say... I certainly will!!!!
Don
Team Owner
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
You may want to also make sure(a written promise?)by "your" machine shop that he DOES NOT deck the ORIGINAL NUMBERS off of the block or you will DEVALUE your car's future monetary worth GREATLY 
Make absolute sure YOU show him and HE UNDERSTANDS what you are asking of him or else you will highly regret it if you don't-trust me
Make absolute sure YOU show him and HE UNDERSTANDS what you are asking of him or else you will highly regret it if you don't-trust me
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by Paul Borowski
You may want to also make sure(a written promise?)by "your" machine shop that he DOES NOT deck the ORIGINAL NUMBERS off of the block or you will DEVALUE your car's future monetary worth GREATLY
Make absolute sure YOU show him and HE UNDERSTANDS what you are asking of him or else you will highly regret it if you don't-trust me
Make absolute sure YOU show him and HE UNDERSTANDS what you are asking of him or else you will highly regret it if you don't-trust me
Paul is right. If you lose the numbers off the pad in the machining process, you devalue your LT-1 air car.
Does your face hurt? Considering what you paid and what you've got, you must STILL be smiling. Cruise and enjoy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Originally Posted by tonyk72
Bullshark, care to sell off all your restrictive & horsepower reducing A.I.R. emissions equipment? 
When I do, the car goes with it! 
Easy Mike, It's Pewter
Bullshark