I am looking at a 1972 Vette for sale locally that i was told was originally a big block car. Where do i get info on verifying this and production numbers/value of a 72 big block?? I have had my 96 LT4 for a year and absolutely love the Vettes but am somewhat new to them. This forum has helped me more than any source i have tried so thanks in advance for any help!!!!

 

Are you talking about this one? If so i think he's asking a bit too much unless he still has the big block engine that came with it. That color isn't stock either.

 

Just looked at that listing too.
Forget about the value of a '72 BB, unless you can locate the original engine. It will have the correct production/date stamping numbers and partial matching VIN to the car. Without that, it's just another NOM Corvette with some things on the car that came standard on a BB. It does not have a BB hood on it.
Your biggest concerns are things that can not be seen easily. If you don't know about frame rust on C3s, or what a Birdcage is, you should stop right now and start doing some homework.
This is nothing at all like buying a C4. I also had an '88 Z52 coupe until last year.
Mark

 

Judging by the old Coupe, Impala and C6 in the other pictures, it may very well be a nice car, albeit on the high end of the price scale. Looks like it's for sale by a "car-guy". Like to see under the hood and any mods he may have made to brakes, etc. Obviously new springs all around by the way it's sitting up.
I see that it's a standard interior with no power windows or A/C. Can't tell without under hood pics if it has pb or ps.
Ever driven a C3 without power steering and/or brakes before?
As I mentioned above though, the unseen things on C3s are the things nightmares are made of. Just sayin'...

 

Heh...funny comment. going from a c4 to manual brakes and non hydraulic clutch was eye opening for me. Boy, I still question what feels right and what feels like there's a problem sometimes.

 

1972 was the last year for chrome bumpers at both front and rear, the vacuum actuated pop-up windshield wiper door, as well as the removable rear window common to all 1968-72 coupes.[10] The key activated anti-theft alarm system became standard. The increasingly popular choice of an automatic transmission was installed in most corvettes for the first time, with nearly 54 percent so equipped.[11] This year SAE net measurement for horsepower was now utilized (away from the previous SAE gross standard), and was largely responsible for the much lower engine output figures such as the 200 hp (149 kW) rating on the standard 350 cu in (5.7 L) motor. This was the final year for the LT-1 engine, rated at 255 hp (190 kW), and the ZR1 racing package built around it. Although the M22 HD 4-speed was no longer a Regular Production Option, it continued to be fitted to cars outfitted with the ZR1 package.[7] The LT-1 could now be ordered with air conditioning, a combination not permitted the two previous years. The LS5 454 cu in (7.4 L) big block was again available and came in at 270 hp (201 kW). Noteworthy is in ’72 the LS5 was not available to California buyers.[11] This was the beginning of a trend where Chevrolet restricted certain power train choices to California buyers due to that state's practice of applying more stringent emission (smog) standards than mandated by federal regulations. Convertibles were a vanishing breed by ‘72,[12] and the Stingray was no exception. It sold only 6,508 copies, amounting to 9% of the market, placing it number three;[13] it was beaten by the number one-selling Cutlass Supreme, with 11,571, but beat the Impala's 6,456 and the Mustang's 6,401.[13] Rare options: ZR1 special engine package (20), shoulder belts with convertibles (749), LT1 engine option (1,741).

While the Big Block engine was an option they dropped the compression in the engine in this year to meet the new Low Lead or Unleaded fuels standards.

1971 was the last year of the true Muscle car ERA.

Personally I would jump on it since it is rare to see a Big Block engine in 1972 so you would have a rare car if all the numbers match.

 

The OP said it was a big block car, implying it is no longer. Unless the OP plans to restamp a block, there doesn't appear to be any value in numbers here.

 

Looks more like to me that he is attempting to verify the fact is was factory big block engine and still installed and not a drop in that someone modified which happens in many cars.

So I am going to redirect him to this PDF on a site that will verify model years on engine codes. Which I should have done in my original post but was not doing a google search then just excited that he might have a rare breed with a LS5 engine. They dropped the LS5 in 1972 and while they had a 454 in 1973 it was really not a LS5 engine.

http://www.corvettecenterusa.com/Cor...ne%20Codes.pdf

 

By the way the OP worded it, I can't tell what he means. It could be a BB thats he thinks is (was?) original... or it used to be. We need clarification, OP!!!

 

The vin will tell you if the car was originally a big block.

 

It does not have the big block now. It now has a 350. Sorry for the confusion and thank you for the replies!!!!

 

Yes, this is the car!!!! And I agree the price is a little high. I just have a soft spot for a 72! LOL

 

Yep. W code.

 

I talked to him when i was looking for a C3. I don't think he has the original engine. It's not a bad looking car but it's priced on the high side for what it is. Go look it over carefully. Cash TALKS. If you can get it for the right price who cares if it's original? He's had it for sale for awhile.

 

Btw....don't know what your budget is but this looks like a very nice vette.....again cash talks prices are never set in concrete.



http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/ctd/3821887863.html

 

"While the Big Block engine was an option they dropped the compression in the engine in this year to meet the new Low Lead or Unleaded fuels standards.

1971 was the last year of the true Muscle car ERA. "


I must disagree with this statement, there really was no difference between 71 and 72, engines are the same, it's the measurement of HP that was changed. Other than the fiber optic light monitoring system 71 and 72 cars are pretty much identical in look and function.

Sully

 

Actually, there are a lot of little changes between the '71 and '72's. Change in the instrument lighting color, radio faceplate & *****, engine data plate, pedal trim, seatbelt design, buzzer, signal stalk design, astro vent ball pulls, custom interior seat pattern, center console controls, etc.

 

All true; but on the point he was making, I think it's safe to say the engines are essentially identical in all the important factors for making power (compression, heads, cam, intake and exhaust, etc).

 

OK then, back to the original questions: it doesn't matter if it "used to be" a big block. Right now its just another NOM, with a selling price that should reflect that. Verfication and original production info is irrelevant, unless you are a seller trying to pump the tires.

PS: if it really was a BB, where's the hood?

How much is this high price we keep hearing about?

 

Seller is asking 17k