72 LT-1 Automatic?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,503
Likes: 1,511
From: Little Rock AR
There were no LT-1 automatic transmission Corvettes. They never even built the lower HP L-46 350/350 cars with automatics trannys.
...but for some crazy reason they DID build early '70's LT-1 automatic equipped Camaro Z/28's .
-Mark.
...but for some crazy reason they DID build early '70's LT-1 automatic equipped Camaro Z/28's .
-Mark.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
so if you see one, don't believe the bs story that it came like that from the factory. Also be very skeptical when you hear the story about how the original LT-1 owner got polio and converted his 4spd original car to auto. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The THM-400 trannies were not designed for 7000 rpm. There is a strong possibility that the torque converter and/or some of the clutch packs could fail under those loads. I think GM didn't want the liability risk of making such a "marriage".
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
When it comes to these cars, never say never, but it's highly unlikely. There's always the chance it was made for a factory big shot, but it would take some heavy documentation to prove that.
There was at least the case I read about where a supervisor had an LT-1 made for himself (automatic and a/c) and disguised it as a standard C3. It was happenstance a different line supervisor picked that particular car off the line for a routine test drive overnight. As soon as he started off he knew something was amiss and that was no base car. It ended up with the first supervisor losing his job and the car being converted back to what it was supposed to be.
Is it possible that more cars were snuck out that way and not caught? That's why you never say never, but documentary proof is likely impossible to find.
There was at least the case I read about where a supervisor had an LT-1 made for himself (automatic and a/c) and disguised it as a standard C3. It was happenstance a different line supervisor picked that particular car off the line for a routine test drive overnight. As soon as he started off he knew something was amiss and that was no base car. It ended up with the first supervisor losing his job and the car being converted back to what it was supposed to be.
Is it possible that more cars were snuck out that way and not caught? That's why you never say never, but documentary proof is likely impossible to find.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Not rue. They put the 400s behind some of the L88s and some of the LS6 Chevelles so it could definitly take a LT1.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski