I have a few questions for the C3 gurus out there. I am strongly considering the purchase of a 1972 hard top (T Tops) equipped with the original 350, A/C, auto tranny and all power. Here is the kicker; it is a verifiable 1 owner car with 49,000 (plus some change) miles. The owner was a lady who is from California where the car was purchased as a college graduation present by her parents. The car resided with her (physician) husband until she passed recently. They lived in Nevada and never drove the car in snow. Here is the good:
1. It has a nice royal blue paint job which the owner claims is original. The paint has a very few pinhole size chips mostly around the headlight popups.
2. The A/C blows cold air.
3. The engine purrs like a kitten.
4. The interior exceptionally clean for a 44 year old car and almost looks new.
5. New tires and the wheels are all orginal. The owner told me that the chrome rings around the wheels have a few broken clips, but they stay on so far.
6. Most of the gauge work.
7. Frame has no visible rust, not even surface rust.
Now the questionable:
1. The paint inside the door kind of looks like overspray over what appears to be white fiberglass. Is this normal for a 72?
2. The radio has been replaced with an aftermarket stereo.
3. Clock is there and looks nice, but does not work.
4. Tachometer was working when I was running the car, but owner said it is a little erratic at times.

The car seems to be a stunning survivor car and owner has many of the car’s maintenance records.

Is there a way to confirm paint is original? Any ideas on the value of this car?

 

If you open the drivers side door, and look inside above the hinges, there should be a "Trim Tag" there, it will tell you the code for the color that the car was originally painted, also the color of the interior, if it was standard (vinyl) or deluxe (leather).
In 1972 there was not a option for a Royal Blue, but there was a color called Bryar Blue code #945 which was kind of dark, and there was Targa Blue code #979, I think this was a lighter shade of blue, but I'm not certain. As far as value goes, it's really hard to say, it does sound like a really nice low mileage one owner car.
If you can post up any pictures of the car, plus any of the interior and engine bay, I'm sure some of the members on here could give you a good estimate.
Good luck, let us know what you decide to do with it.
Regards
Roy

 

Whats the owners asking price? It sounds like it could be a nice car for you around $20k

 

The color sounds like it could be what you describe as Bryarr blue. The interior is blue. I saw the tag you are describing, but I did not photograph it.

The guy is asking 30K, I am thinking about making an offer of 25K. The guy went on vacation today, but I may email him an offer.

 

Hi c,
From your description it sounds like this might be a pretty nice car.
If you're intrigued with the idea of it being a very original car that can be described as a 'survivor' you might be wise the verify that the long list of parts that indeed make it a 'survivor' are still on, or at least with, the car.
A car with even the relatively low mileage of 49,000 could still have had a few or even many of the parts that were originally on the car removed for various reasons.
As an example, if this car should be considered a survivor it should still have things like the original alternator, water pump, radiator on it. These are the sort of things that were sometimes replaced as a matter of servicing the car over the years.
The list of parts that people check when looking at a survivor car is surprisingly long.
I mention this just so that you don't end up paying too much for the car.
Remember if you buy it because of it's lowish miles and originality you'll need to be careful just how much you drive it and how you maintain it so that you don't actually end up decreasing it's value by diminishing it's originality.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

 

I went ahead and made a deal today to buy the car. The owner is on vacation so I emailed an offer and he accepted it, so on August 26 I will pick the car up. Unfortunately I go on vacation to Europe the next day. Oh well it will be here when I get back.

 

Congratulations!!! Post lots of pics when you get back!!!

 

If this helps here is my Bryar Blue, no repaint.

72, Bryar Blue, 58K miles

Thanks,

Mike

 

Here are some #'s to look for when you get back
Carb should be Rochester Quadrajet # 7042202
Dist s/b 1112050
Alt s/b 1100544
I'm sure others will chime in

Good luck with it and remember to WAVE

 

That is defintely the color.

Thanks
Don

 

Ooohhhh!

Photos please soon.
Should have paint code 945 on the trim tag!

Mike

 

Actually I was wrong, my car is targa blue, code 979. I wonder why they made 2 sort of similar shades of blue in 1 model year. Maybe it depended on when the car was built?

 

2Vettes - Nice car brother !
C - Post the pics up when you can mate !

 

Here is Targa Blue, liked it so much I put it on my '78 haha

 

They did have both Bryar Blue and Targa Blue in 1972. To make it even more confusing, the paint code you mentioned, 979, is correct in 1972 for Targa Blue. However, Chevy also used code 979 for Bridgehampton Blue in the two prior years (1970-71). Twice I've gotten the wrong paint when trying to match my 979 Bridgehampton Blue on my '70 LS5.

 

Mike beautiful looking 72 in agreat color Bryar Blue.Love the blackwalls also....

 

Mines Lemans blue. Wish it was Bryar Blue or Steel Cities Gray

 

CDavis, I love that colour bud ! Looks awesome

 

Rescue...Steel cities with a Baldwin stripe !

 

Just freakin Fabulous. Ya that is nice. Good job!!!!


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