1972 LT1 questions
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 68
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From: Wilmington NC
1972 LT1 questions
Hi all,
I am looking at a 1972 LT1 convertible. The vin includes the "L" and the owner reports the numbers to match through the drivetrain and reports correct numbers for everything including the heads and the carb. The car is about 800 miles away and I plan to make a personal inspection at the time of purchase.
The car has the 6500 rpm tach. It is a 4 speed. Most of the easy stuff checks out. What else can I look for to make sure I am getting a real LT1 car?
The biggest concern I have so far: the car is advertised as an AC car. Now I will confirm that the car has AC dials, it has the vents in the center and it looks vintage. But I don't believe the LT1 AC cars had the 6500 rpm tach. Is that correct? I suspect someone added the AC console unit but there is probably no duct work behind it.
Additionally the block suffix is CRT which was not marked for AC as far as I can tell.
Just for additional conversation/information, the car is gorgeous inside and out with great paint and interior and it is priced in the mid 20s.
I look forward to your thoughts, suggestions and especially to those of you eager to tell me what an idiot I am.
I am looking at a 1972 LT1 convertible. The vin includes the "L" and the owner reports the numbers to match through the drivetrain and reports correct numbers for everything including the heads and the carb. The car is about 800 miles away and I plan to make a personal inspection at the time of purchase.
The car has the 6500 rpm tach. It is a 4 speed. Most of the easy stuff checks out. What else can I look for to make sure I am getting a real LT1 car?
The biggest concern I have so far: the car is advertised as an AC car. Now I will confirm that the car has AC dials, it has the vents in the center and it looks vintage. But I don't believe the LT1 AC cars had the 6500 rpm tach. Is that correct? I suspect someone added the AC console unit but there is probably no duct work behind it.
Additionally the block suffix is CRT which was not marked for AC as far as I can tell.
Just for additional conversation/information, the car is gorgeous inside and out with great paint and interior and it is priced in the mid 20s.
I look forward to your thoughts, suggestions and especially to those of you eager to tell me what an idiot I am.
Last edited by bsewell; May 12, 2011 at 08:28 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
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CRT is the correct code for LT1 with manual and A/C. Unless you're very experienced with stamp pads, hire somebody to inspect that part of the car for you. Make sure the AIR system intact, that's pricey to replace.
Mid 20s sounds quite reasonable for a convertible in excellent condition.
Mid 20s sounds quite reasonable for a convertible in excellent condition.
Last edited by Mike Ward; May 12, 2011 at 08:12 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
If it's legit for that price grab it and run before the owner changes his mind.
Good luck and post pics or have the current owner send you pics, of EVERY aspect of the car before you make a 1,600 round trip.
Good luck, Glenn
Good luck and post pics or have the current owner send you pics, of EVERY aspect of the car before you make a 1,600 round trip.
Good luck, Glenn
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 68
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From: Wilmington NC
I think I'm going to try to hire an independent inspector to check it out before I go. Seems like a couple of hundred bucks well spent.
Anyone have a suggestion for an inspector in South Florida?
Anyone have a suggestion for an inspector in South Florida?
Race Director
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From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
Just curious.... Are you saying that the '72 LT-1 car without A/C came with a 6500 [tach] redline...but the same engine with A/C came with a 5600 redline? I thought the GM engineers finally relented on putting A/C in an LT-1 car because the '72 engine wouldn't really wind that high anyway. 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,157
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From: Pensacola FLA
Engine suffix should be CKY and the 72 LT-1 motor will wind just has high as a 71 and 70. The 5600 tach was installed to deter the owner from winding the motor too high to prevent from slinging the ac belt off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,220
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From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania
The block suffix CRT is a rare find. It doesn't have anything to do with the car having air conditioning. It is thought to be for the LT-1 California A.I.R. cars. Most 72 LT-1s had the CKY suffix with or without air conditioning.
The only way to be sure if the car is supposed to have air conditioning is by the order copy or window sticker.
The only way to be sure if the car is supposed to have air conditioning is by the order copy or window sticker.
Last edited by garage-ghost; May 13, 2011 at 09:01 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,606
Likes: 839
From: PA
I know a gentleman who's brother purchased a '72 LT-1 with C-60 new in California... His brother sold it to him in 1976 and he's had it ever since. I've offered to buy the car a few times and have even driven it, but I don't remember what the engine broadcast code was. Next time I head back to my home town, I'll look him up and find out what it is.
As you mentioned, the C-60 LT-1s that I've seen have been coded CKY just lile the non-a/c LT-1s.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,606
Likes: 839
From: PA
Just curious.... Are you saying that the '72 LT-1 car without A/C came with a 6500 [tach] redline...but the same engine with A/C came with a 5600 redline? I thought the GM engineers finally relented on putting A/C in an LT-1 car because the '72 engine wouldn't really wind that high anyway.
I picked up an LT-1 with C-60 a while back that sold new from a dealership in Maryville, TN... You wouldn't be the one responsible for beating the **** out of this car, would you?
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,468
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From: Sherman CT
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
St. Jude Donor '24-'25-'26
Hi all,
I am looking at a 1972 LT1 convertible. The vin includes the "L" and the owner reports the numbers to match through the drivetrain and reports correct numbers for everything including the heads and the carb. The car is about 800 miles away and I plan to make a personal inspection at the time of purchase.
The car has the 6500 rpm tach. It is a 4 speed. Most of the easy stuff checks out. What else can I look for to make sure I am getting a real LT1 car?
The biggest concern I have so far: the car is advertised as an AC car. Now I will confirm that the car has AC dials, it has the vents in the center and it looks vintage. But I don't believe the LT1 AC cars had the 6500 rpm tach. Is that correct? I suspect someone added the AC console unit but there is probably no duct work behind it.
Additionally the block suffix is CRT which was not marked for AC as far as I can tell.
Just for additional conversation/information, the car is gorgeous inside and out with great paint and interior and it is priced in the mid 20s.
I look forward to your thoughts, suggestions and especially to those of you eager to tell me what an idiot I am.
I am looking at a 1972 LT1 convertible. The vin includes the "L" and the owner reports the numbers to match through the drivetrain and reports correct numbers for everything including the heads and the carb. The car is about 800 miles away and I plan to make a personal inspection at the time of purchase.
The car has the 6500 rpm tach. It is a 4 speed. Most of the easy stuff checks out. What else can I look for to make sure I am getting a real LT1 car?
The biggest concern I have so far: the car is advertised as an AC car. Now I will confirm that the car has AC dials, it has the vents in the center and it looks vintage. But I don't believe the LT1 AC cars had the 6500 rpm tach. Is that correct? I suspect someone added the AC console unit but there is probably no duct work behind it.
Additionally the block suffix is CRT which was not marked for AC as far as I can tell.
Just for additional conversation/information, the car is gorgeous inside and out with great paint and interior and it is priced in the mid 20s.
I look forward to your thoughts, suggestions and especially to those of you eager to tell me what an idiot I am.
The L in the VIN confirms that its a real LT-1, if it came factory equipped with C60 (air conditioning) it would have a 5600 rpm redline on the tach, 6500 rpm was the redline for all the non a/c LT-1's. The last couple of LT-1 w/ac cars I have seen on ebay and here on this forum have sold for around 40k.
Mid 20's for a "gorgeous inside and out with great paint and interior" sound like a very good buy, but, like everyone here will tell you a personal inspection is warranted in this case. I suspect the a/c was added on at a later date, as someone mentioned above, the only true way to tell is if there is a copy of the build sheet.
Let us know how things turn out.
Regards
Roy
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi bsewell,
You asked about an 'inspector'.
You REALLY need to have someone very knowledgable about Lt-! cars take a look at this car. A 72 LT-! with a/c is quite a find if it's really as described. But, you need to be sure what you're spending your money on.
Why don't you pm Rowdy Rat (Stan) and ask for some suggestions of people he might know who can do this for you.
Regards,
Alan
You asked about an 'inspector'.
You REALLY need to have someone very knowledgable about Lt-! cars take a look at this car. A 72 LT-! with a/c is quite a find if it's really as described. But, you need to be sure what you're spending your money on.
Why don't you pm Rowdy Rat (Stan) and ask for some suggestions of people he might know who can do this for you.
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
Just curious.... Are you saying that the '72 LT-1 car without A/C came with a 6500 [tach] redline...but the same engine with A/C came with a 5600 redline? I thought the GM engineers finally relented on putting A/C in an LT-1 car because the '72 engine wouldn't really wind that high anyway.
Nothing in the engine code tells whether or not it had A/C. Things to look for - does it have a washer bag? Does it still have the original alternator(non A/C would be 1100950, A/C would be 1100544)? Does it have the rear vacuum actuators for the Astro Ventilation?
I think what has happened is that an aftermarket A/C system (or one from an A/C car) has been put in. If the 6500 tach is still there, then noone has really tried to pass this off as a 'rare' 72 A/C LT-1.
And to the OP, if you're not aware yet about why the fuss over whether the car had A/C. 72 was the only year that LT-1's were optioned along with A/C, and only 240 were sold, so it's a very rare option, and that makes them collectible/valuable.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 160
Likes: 3
What is the VIN?
What is the complete information on the engine pad stamping
V???? CRT ?
What is the trim tag information?
Post the answers for all the readers to see the answers.
Regards,
Drew Papsun
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 223
From: Sherman CT
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
St. Jude Donor '24-'25-'26
Plus I just re-read the original post and noticed you said it was a convertable, I don't really know how many people that ordered a vert would also equip it with a/c.We all know that in Forida a/c is allmost mandatory.
Let us know what you find out.
Regards
Roy
Let us know what you find out.
Regards
Roy
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,606
Likes: 839
From: PA
There's a 1972 LT-1/C-60 convertible currently for sale in the "Cars For Sale" section of the forum. It's a nice car and has done really well in NCRS flight judging. Asking price is around $75,000 which is actually a good buy for a car like this... Before the economy tanked, these were $100,000+ cars in similar condition.
Drew knows as much about the LT-1/C-60 cars as anyone I can think of and has been keeping a survey of them for years. He also owns a pretty darn nice one too!
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Drew knows as much about the LT-1/C-60 cars as anyone I can think of and has been keeping a survey of them for years. He also owns a pretty darn nice one too!
Regards,
Stan Falenski