New member...need help!
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
New member...need help!
Hey all...
I'm a new member of the forum. Not currently a Vette owner but it's been a dream of mine since I was a boy to sit behind the wheel of my own Corvette and just drive!
To that end, I could use some advice from anyone willing/able. I'm currently "scouting" a '72 Vette for sale...supposedly numbers matching, 350 engine, low miles, looks great in the pics. Obviously I'd like to do some research prior to making the plunge. Questions:
- How does one reassure themselves that the numbers match? Where do you look on the car for this info, and are there sources on the Web you can use to verify this?
- A '72 with a 350 engine would typically have how much horsepower?
- Is there anything I should be aware of with this year of Vette?
Any other advice/information y'all wish to offer me would be most appreciated!!
Frank
I'm a new member of the forum. Not currently a Vette owner but it's been a dream of mine since I was a boy to sit behind the wheel of my own Corvette and just drive!
To that end, I could use some advice from anyone willing/able. I'm currently "scouting" a '72 Vette for sale...supposedly numbers matching, 350 engine, low miles, looks great in the pics. Obviously I'd like to do some research prior to making the plunge. Questions:
- How does one reassure themselves that the numbers match? Where do you look on the car for this info, and are there sources on the Web you can use to verify this?
- A '72 with a 350 engine would typically have how much horsepower?
- Is there anything I should be aware of with this year of Vette?
Any other advice/information y'all wish to offer me would be most appreciated!!
Frank
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,742
Likes: 843
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,680
Likes: 3,134
From: Shamong, NJ
Welcome to the Forum!
Before going any further, read the post in the link below.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
Numbers matching seems to mean different things to different people, but generally it means that the engine in the car, is believed to be the engine it was built with. The original engine had a portion if the VIN number (known as the VIN derivative), stamped on a pad on the right front of the engine block. People have been known to "restamp" the VIN derivative, on replacement engines, so it really does take an expert to identify a numbers matching engine.
The base 72 L-48 350 was rated at 200 horse power, and the optional LT-1 350 was rated at 255 HP. The numbers are a little deceiving, as GM changed how they rated engines in 72. The same engines in 71 were rated at 270 and 330, respectively.
The 72 doesn't have any unique issues, so anything in the link above, basically retains most 68-82 Corvettes.
Before going any further, read the post in the link below.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-corvette.html
Numbers matching seems to mean different things to different people, but generally it means that the engine in the car, is believed to be the engine it was built with. The original engine had a portion if the VIN number (known as the VIN derivative), stamped on a pad on the right front of the engine block. People have been known to "restamp" the VIN derivative, on replacement engines, so it really does take an expert to identify a numbers matching engine.
The base 72 L-48 350 was rated at 200 horse power, and the optional LT-1 350 was rated at 255 HP. The numbers are a little deceiving, as GM changed how they rated engines in 72. The same engines in 71 were rated at 270 and 330, respectively.
The 72 doesn't have any unique issues, so anything in the link above, basically retains most 68-82 Corvettes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 822
Likes: 82
From: Columbus OH
This is the biggest thing. If you aren't familiar with Corvettes, and specifically C3's or about the year you are looking at, take someone with you. I would do this for any car that I am unfamiliar with. Find someone in the area that is knowledgable about what you are looking at and have them go with you. Many forum members on here enjoy looking at Corvettes and are willing to help out if they can.
Take your time and don’t be in a rush to buy the first one you see. There are a lot of Vette’s out there, do your research.
Happy Hunting,
~GRipp
Last edited by GRipp 73; Dec 20, 2015 at 03:25 PM.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks!!
Thanks to all who have replied; I appreciate all of the great advice!! I'll be looking at this particular car after the holidays as we'll be out of the area during the week between Christmas/New Years Day. Updates to follow...
In the meantime...enjoy your holidays one and all!
In the meantime...enjoy your holidays one and all!
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,348
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Get lots of pics of everything from a couple of angles and try to get it on a lift somewhere to get a good look underneath. Welcome aboard
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Since you are asking for input, I'll offer mine....but you have to accept that it may not be what you expect:
First, I would ask why you are so concerned with 'numbers matching'? The only real advantage to that being that such a car could theoretically command more money than an non-numbers matching vehicle...OR...that it could potentially win some acclaim from an [un-named] organization who judges Covettes in official competitions.To that end, such a car would, of course, cost you more to purchase which would probably negate any financial benefit achieved during a future sale.
So, unless you want the car to be judged or just because you want an "original" car, you might seriously consider non-numbers matching vehicles. They are less expensive and many have replaced drivetrain components that are more modern and less troublesome to maintain.
You can go either way, of course; but I think you should seriously think about the pro's and con's of going the route of "numbers matching" before you commit to it.
Further advice would be to focus more of your evaluation on the condition of the frame, drivetrain, and mechanical aspects of whatever vehicle you are considering BEFORE becoming enamored with the "image" of the car: paint job, shiny designer wheels, etc. If the mechanical aspects of the car are in poor condition, you won't be able to drive it around to show off the paint job!
Lastly, go to a lot of local car shows and look those C3's over very carefully. Talk to their owners and ask them lots of questions--they like that and like to talk about their cars. You can learn a tremendous amount about these cars from present owners...what they like about them; what they don't like about them; why they decided on the car they have, yada, yada, yada. You get the idea. Basically, the more you know about C3's and the various model years, the better decision you will make when you go to buy one.
Good luck!
First, I would ask why you are so concerned with 'numbers matching'? The only real advantage to that being that such a car could theoretically command more money than an non-numbers matching vehicle...OR...that it could potentially win some acclaim from an [un-named] organization who judges Covettes in official competitions.To that end, such a car would, of course, cost you more to purchase which would probably negate any financial benefit achieved during a future sale.
So, unless you want the car to be judged or just because you want an "original" car, you might seriously consider non-numbers matching vehicles. They are less expensive and many have replaced drivetrain components that are more modern and less troublesome to maintain.
You can go either way, of course; but I think you should seriously think about the pro's and con's of going the route of "numbers matching" before you commit to it.
Further advice would be to focus more of your evaluation on the condition of the frame, drivetrain, and mechanical aspects of whatever vehicle you are considering BEFORE becoming enamored with the "image" of the car: paint job, shiny designer wheels, etc. If the mechanical aspects of the car are in poor condition, you won't be able to drive it around to show off the paint job!
Lastly, go to a lot of local car shows and look those C3's over very carefully. Talk to their owners and ask them lots of questions--they like that and like to talk about their cars. You can learn a tremendous amount about these cars from present owners...what they like about them; what they don't like about them; why they decided on the car they have, yada, yada, yada. You get the idea. Basically, the more you know about C3's and the various model years, the better decision you will make when you go to buy one.
Good luck!
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Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 160
From: new iberia la
Since you are asking for input, I'll offer mine....but you have to accept that it may not be what you expect:
First, I would ask why you are so concerned with 'numbers matching'? The only real advantage to that being that such a car could theoretically command more money than an non-numbers matching vehicle...OR...that it could potentially win some acclaim from an [un-named] organization who judges Covettes in official competitions.To that end, such a car would, of course, cost you more to purchase which would probably negate any financial benefit achieved during a future sale.
So, unless you want the car to be judged or just because you want an "original" car, you might seriously consider non-numbers matching vehicles. They are less expensive and many have replaced drivetrain components that are more modern and less troublesome to maintain.
You can go either way, of course; but I think you should seriously think about the pro's and con's of going the route of "numbers matching" before you commit to it.
Further advice would be to focus more of your evaluation on the condition of the frame, drivetrain, and mechanical aspects of whatever vehicle you are considering BEFORE becoming enamored with the "image" of the car: paint job, shiny designer wheels, etc. If the mechanical aspects of the car are in poor condition, you won't be able to drive it around to show off the paint job!
Lastly, go to a lot of local car shows and look those C3's over very carefully. Talk to their owners and ask them lots of questions--they like that and like to talk about their cars. You can learn a tremendous amount about these cars from present owners...what they like about them; what they don't like about them; why they decided on the car they have, yada, yada, yada. You get the idea. Basically, the more you know about C3's and the various model years, the better decision you will make when you go to buy one.
Good luck!
First, I would ask why you are so concerned with 'numbers matching'? The only real advantage to that being that such a car could theoretically command more money than an non-numbers matching vehicle...OR...that it could potentially win some acclaim from an [un-named] organization who judges Covettes in official competitions.To that end, such a car would, of course, cost you more to purchase which would probably negate any financial benefit achieved during a future sale.
So, unless you want the car to be judged or just because you want an "original" car, you might seriously consider non-numbers matching vehicles. They are less expensive and many have replaced drivetrain components that are more modern and less troublesome to maintain.
You can go either way, of course; but I think you should seriously think about the pro's and con's of going the route of "numbers matching" before you commit to it.
Further advice would be to focus more of your evaluation on the condition of the frame, drivetrain, and mechanical aspects of whatever vehicle you are considering BEFORE becoming enamored with the "image" of the car: paint job, shiny designer wheels, etc. If the mechanical aspects of the car are in poor condition, you won't be able to drive it around to show off the paint job!
Lastly, go to a lot of local car shows and look those C3's over very carefully. Talk to their owners and ask them lots of questions--they like that and like to talk about their cars. You can learn a tremendous amount about these cars from present owners...what they like about them; what they don't like about them; why they decided on the car they have, yada, yada, yada. You get the idea. Basically, the more you know about C3's and the various model years, the better decision you will make when you go to buy one.
Good luck!
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,348
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Be wary of barn finds as alot of them are field finds and the frames tend to be rotten. Just something I've observed since buying mine. As stated above I wanted a car I could update with modern suspension, L88 style hood, side pipes, etc... while still keeping the original look. I eventually found it and the key selling point to me was the solid frame and birdcage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX