I had a 71 LT1 way back when it was just another car. I've been looking for another lately and trying to catch up on C3 info. F & A Corvettes has 2 cars. A '70 and a '72 with A/C. The 70 is not as clean as the 72 but is complete and documented with tank sticker and all numbers matching. The 72 is one of the A/C cars and has the original engine but not sure about any other numbers or docs. They're asking
43-45k each. Any opinions or ideas? All input appreciated.

 

Price sounds a little high to me. I see alot of 70-72 LT1's in the 30's. Of course AC adds a bit to the price and it's hard to compare cars sight unseen. All due respect to dealers I would rather buy from a private party with a known car history. Good luck

 

Michael, I know it is hard for us long time Vette owners to come to grips with the higher prices we see advertised today. But when I see the $$ that the other cars (i.e. mopars, chevelles, camaroes, mustangs) are bringing, I think we are our own worst enemy. Especially when we are on the purchasing side. Be very skeptical of the 72 A/C LT-1, for only 250 or so made, they are popping up all over. I would have to see docs to verify or have a sister car right next to compare.
I have a 70 LT-1 and a 72 LT-1 with A/C and no way would I let them go for less than the $43-$45K price you indicate. Of course their condition can vary that quite a bit.




Bullshark

 

Short of a build sheet, what would you look for to confirm a '72 A/C car?
I think the PoP in is place. Like I said...I'm starting all over again. Thanks

 

I agree with Bullshark,prices for LT-1's have been strong and are only going to get higher.Without any pics or other info it would be hard to tell you if they are worth the 43 and 45k asking prices.

 

If the two cars were in absolutely equal condition, which would be more valuable? My guess is the '70 due to the much higher performance engine. For that reason alone I'd take the '70. Then again, I might be kind of partial:

 

 

The 72 w/ a.c. is very rare indeed. Chk which trans/rear gear combo the 72 has. A.C. only available w/M20 an 3.55's to the best of my understanding, choosing a M21 and/ or a steeper gear would delete A.C. option that year. Maybe others w/ 72 LT-1 knowledge will chime in. Vin. makes it easier to spot REAL LT-1's in 72, the 70 and 71 you need to do alot more homework/or have documentation. Preferably you have both. As far as which is worth more, I would think the 70 would come out on top. The difference between the 70's 370hp (GROSS) and the 72's 255 hp (NET) is substantual, but its NOT 115hp difference! More like a REAL 45hp difference. But hey, 45hp is still alot of hp to lose. At least the comp. ratio in the 71 and 72's is down enough to run on pump gas and still keep the engine in proper tune. $40,000 for a documented LT-1 sounds like all the money, but condition will dictate price. A popular/desirable color combo would help also. From the dozen or so LT-1 cars that I personally have seen, they seem to be more of a "bare bones" type car, w/out alot of options. I dont have option production numbers to back that up, just an observation. One w/ a few options might stand out from other Lt-1's (more $$). Good luck w/whatever you choose.

 

Red3644,

72 LT1 has sage advice here.

 

 

IMHO I would have to have good documentation before I would consider buying a LT-1. Again, IMHO a LT-1 w/o documents is a coupe. If I were buying, I wouldn't worry about HP ratings, I would worry about authenticity. The car is worth what someone is willing to pay.

 

The P.O.P. will have the suffix on it. I believe (but not certain) that the LT1 with air should have a different suffix than one without. Check it out.

 

Personally I would prefer the extremely rare, authentic 72 LT-1 with A/C. As I recall the issue with A/C in an LT-1 was they would throw the belt at high rpm, so did the A/C cars have a lower redline than all the others? Also, the allowable combos that 72LT1 describes would make it less likely the engine would get over-reved,

 

Thanks so much for all the info. I'm wondering about the prices since I
see such a variation. I've found 2 cars in the low 30's that are supposed to be restored and these 2 are in the low 40's and would need
attention. Just sold my very nice DeTomaso Pantera and I'm looking for
a replacement. Thanks again.
Michael
confused in San Antonio

 

I restored a 72 LT-1 air coupe in the late 80s'. The tank sticker was next to useless. Fortunately, there are two or three telltale signs of a real air car. The 72 had the motor designation in the VIN so you could tell a LT-1 car. AC equipped cars had a small fiberglass "tunnel" that ran in the right front wheel well to house the AC hose from the condenser. All AC equipped cars should have had this piece. I never saw a replacement for sale so it would have to be on AC equipped cars only. I understand the nose can be spliced. You already heard about the 6600 RPM redline tach. Trust me, the belt does come off over 7k RPM. Under the rear storage area rug, you will find the "C 60" painted onto the fiberglass. It was there so the assemblers would know that the Astroventilation flapper valves were to be glued closed. There was no vacuum actuator for the flapper since it wasn't used on the AC cars.
There is nothing that can't be faked, including paperwork. Just remember. The AC LT-1 cars were all built between January and April of 1972, if I recall. There was a limited availability period to order.

 

No! I only alluded to a lower redline, didn't know it was 6600. What is the redline for a 72 LT-1 (without A/C)? That is a lot of nice detailed info on the A/C cars and the kind of stuff an informed buyer would want to look for.

 

1970-71 C3's with LT1 engine options could not order A/C. 1972 LT1's did have A/C and are very rare (actual production...several clones have been fabricated). Engine compression ratios dropped to 8.5:1 in 1971, so the 70 LT1 is the best performance vehicle. But, I would take the 1972 LT1 w/A/C if it was really original build. Otherwise, take the 1970.

 

72 LT-1 with A/C tach has a redline at 5500 for the vary reason mentioned above. I haven't taken a close look lately, but unless I am getting altimers, the 70 LT-1 redlines at 6500

Bullshark

 

Also ALL non A.C. Lt-1's (regardless of year)have 6500 rpm redline. LT-1 engines in 71 and 72 only dropped to 9:1, but 70 is still the better performing car.