OK so I am a newbie to this forum and classic vetts or classic anything I own a auto glass company in NC and we recently replaced a windshield in a 1972 vett coupe that I pulled into the bay and thought I have got to have one of these C3 vetts " 68 - 72 " So the search was on. Not knowing what to look for in a classic I found this 72 vett local with 97k miles showing very clean inside & out "nice paint as well" with matching numbers. all stock 350 with factory side pipes. So I bought it I am not much of a mechanic so I got one to put in on a lift and we check it out. ps module has small leak and a/trans lines have a leak, every thing else check out ok. may need to replace some bushings at some point. Don't know if I over $$ paid or not. What mods should i consider if any, mechanic suggested I go with electronic ignition. ??? Any thoughts are welcome.

 

factory side pipes?? if you are curious about whether you over paid...we would have to know what you paid. if the frame and bird cage are rust free, it looks like a pretty nice car. congrats! Rick

 

Welcome! Looks nice. First thing I would do is double check all the safety equipment: Brakes, steering, etc. Check the date code on the tires. A lot of these cars don't get driven a lot and the tires can look new but be 10 years old which can be a safety hazard. Best advice I received when I acquired my '73: Just drive it for awhile and let it tell you what it needs. And be advised, they can be a little needy.

I'm a fan of the electronic ignitions but you really don't need to upgrade. Especially if everything is working well with your current setup.

DC

 

I guess you know that no '72 came with side pipes, they were '69 only.

If you're looking to know if you got a deal deal or not, best have thick skin. Tough crowd here.

You don't need electronic ignition, possibly a new mechanic though.

 

To be 100% honest, electronic (HEI) ignition is pretty good. Downside is that if something in the system quits, you're walking. With a point type ignition, you at least get a chance to adjust the points and possibly get you home. For that alone, I'd stay with the point ignition in a car that was equipped from the factory.

 

If the numbers match and everything is original other than the side pipes, why is the first question "what mods should I do?"

 

you say all stock number matching 350....is this something you checked yourself, or is this info from the same guy that said "factory side pipes"??
Rick

 

Why do you have to modify anything? Why not drive it and enjoy it for the summer and fall and get to know the car?

Congrats. Looks like a nice car.

 

You thought it was a fair price or you wouldn't have bought it. All it takes is one or two people to say that you overpaid (and there are always some) for you to regret your purchase. Enjoy your car and don't worry about what other people think it's worth. They are only opinions.

 

Welcome! Nice looking 'vette!

 

Nice looking ride. Congratulations.

 

Car is beautiful, change nothing.
Make sure all the hoses,tires, and brakes are good.
Did I say beautiful car ?

 

I checked the #s on the block to the vin# but thats it. I know side pipes where not stock on a 72 but I checked the price on them and wow they don't come cheap. plus I do like them. 350 seems to be stock don't know if the quadraJet carb is the original or not but runs great.. overall very happy with this car and from what Ive seen on craigslist I did alright on the price. Think I will leave it as is and fix as needed, oh and enjoy.

Thanks all the good info and warm welcome guys

 

Good looking '72, and I love the sidepipes! I would love to stop by and see it.

 

Welcome to the club! Beautiful car... Love her, and she'll love you back (usually). Be sure and "save the wave"!

 

anytime Pete, I see you are in Wake Forest, thats almost around the corner. Just let me know when

Thx
Steve

 

the car looks great with the side pipes, drive it, enjoy it, and tinker on the little things along the way....welcome! Rick

 

As many have said; congratulations on the purchase of your beautiful new toy!

Best advise you have had so far is to just drive it for the summer. Do the basic maintenance of course, but, just drive it for now. If it needs anything it will show you. When that happens, you can then choose to repair, replace or upgrade that area. If it needs ignition work then think about points vs HEI.

The side pipes look great on your car and, as you know, they are not cheap. Consider them an added value to the car and part of your 'deal'. Price is relative to your personal needs and abilities and not some perceived market value.

Tim

 

Very nice looking car, I hope you enjoy it as much as the rest of us like ours and if you like the side pipes and whatever else you may want to change, it's your car and make it like you want it.

Just an FYI, while your car may truly be a "Numbers Matching" car, numbers matching goes way beyond the block, it's the heads, air pumps, carb intake, waterpump, transmission, exhaust manifolds, alternator,rear end etc, etc etc, so just because a block is original by no means makes it numbers(plural) matching.

 

I love it. Nice looking car. Enjoy it.
Of course I have a 72 too. As for ignition, yes the points distributor works fine. You also need to replace points and condensor and spark plugs on a regular basis to keep it running right. Nothing wrong with converting to electronics at all. I did, but that's mainly because I believe in the benefits of modern electronic ignition systems. I grew up in the 70's. I have maintained my own cars since I began driving at 16. That's 39 yrs of driving and wrenching on my own cars. I can count the number of of times on 1 finger when electronics left me stranded. (coil) On the other hand, how many times my pre electronic ignition cars ran like shi*t or plain wouldn't start "back in the day". Several. Got to the point where you kept a spare ballast resistor in the glove box of old mopars. While Chevy didn't use a ballast resistor they do have a resistor wire in the circuit to drop the voltage and keep the points from burning.