I'm looking at a '72 and need some advice from the experienced ones on the forums.

'72 350 4 speed. Paint is okay - many chips have been painted over; suspension is new, exhaust new, don't see ant rust, steering good but not great. Shifts good. Engine is original but has a double-pumper and tall valve covers on it, and seems strong. Interior good (not great), all guages, lights, vacuum stuff appears to work. Good blower, though the AC is disconnected. PS has been removed, but I can handle it. Question 1: What is it worth?

Potential issue: at about 80 there is a rumble coming from the rear end. It seems to be present when maintaining power or accelerating, but not when coasting. The owner (a dealer) says that it's probably due to the gear ratio in the diff. I have a '75 automatic and it's not that noisy at 80. I don't get nervous in the '75 until about 100, when it feels like I might need to back off. Question 2: Is this rumble an issue, normal, fixable, or what?

I appreciate any insight that anyone has on this. I've had the '75 for about 12 years and am loathe to get rid of it, though the '72 seems like a good upgrade.

 

72 are a good year, a lot of last year componets. the noise at the rear end is rubber bushings,ujoints,or trailing arm bearings, the first is the easyest to fix, if its a t-top 12-15,conv 18-20. greg

 

Anything is fixable. The rumble could be minor or major but it is fixable. A lot depends on condition of the car. You did not mention anything about the bird cage or rust. Check both of these very carefully. I also like the 72s and have owned one for years. 10 to 12 might be a good starting point on worth of the car but pictures and a good looking over of the car is needed fro a real valueation.

 

Tell the dealer that "there is something definitely wrong with the rear end (then remind him how expensive 'vettes are repair). Then ask him for his bottom line., Time are tough right now. It is a buyers market. It hurts him more than you if you walk away.

 

Okay, here's another question: I've got a '75 that I'm going to either fix up (it needs paint, has a gas odor, the lights don't all work, the guages don't all work either, leaks, no AC, etc.) or trade on the '72. Everything works on the '72 which makes it tempting. But the price is 22,000 (t-tops).

A bonus is that the guy will take the '75 off my hands, though he hasn't seen it yet - probably will lowball me on it, blah blah blah.

Knowing that I'm heading to Germany in a couple of months (and taking the car) should I upgrade or not?

 

Your choice on whether to trade, but you will find repairs to the rear cheaper in the USA than in Europe.