Hi. New member here. I have a bunch of questions regarding a Corvette available to me. The car is as follows: 1972 coupe. 454, 4-spd. A/C. Numbers matching. Elkhart Green / Saddle interior. 43,000 miles.

What I'm wondering are:

1.) How can I find production numbers? (How many like this one were built?)
2.) How can I find out exactly what options the car was born with?
3.) Is there a list of trusted Corvette restorers to choose from? (I, personally, am a well-established restorer, but I don't do fiberglass work and would want the best to do the body and paint on this car. I can do the rest.)
4.) Other than "book value", how can I realistically value this car? (It had a minor bump on the nose over 40 years ago and wasn't properly repaired, plus the seams are starting to separate, so it needs a total body perfecting and paint. Other than that and the wheels and exhaust, it's a very original and excellent condition car.)
5.) What should I expect to pay a good Corvette body restoration guy to do the body and paint?
6.) Is it common practice for a restorer to accept just the body and not do the chassis?

The black wrinkled looking thing on the front of the car is a bra, not damage.

Thanks, in advance. I've owned just a couple 'vettes, but have never done restoration on one. Just looking to be steered in the right directions.

 

The Corvette Black Book and other sources have production numbers, but GM did not keep records of color combinations or options, so you are not likely to find how many cars were exactly like the one you're looking at.

From original factory documentation with the car or the tank sticker.

Have it appraised.

Easily five figures.

For most folks, restoration includes all aspects of the car.

 

No idea where you're located, but I'd find your local Corvette clubs and start asking around to see who is trusted in the local body/paint world...and who is NOT. Then take your vette in for an estimate.

If you're really a "well established restorer", then it might be worth your while to learn how to do the fiberglass body work yourself. Lot's of help to found on this forum, if you look for it. Try the GENERAL CORVETTE TOPICS >> PAINT/BODY section of this forum.

 

Thanks. My forte' is pickup trucks and I can do the metal work, no problem. When it comes to glass, I'd rather just have someone with a good reputation do it. That stuff keeps me plenty busy, so I really just don't have an interest in learning another skill or taking on another task.

 

Whoever you have appraise or value your car, be sure they have experience on C3 Corvettes. Hypothetically speaking, its possible a "classic car appraiser" could look up your car in a guide, write down that number on a piece of paper, (or, write down a number you want to give your insurance company), ask you for $100 and get in his Volvo without realizing the front end glued on your car is from a 1982. You are looking for actual value for your own information I assume, not a puffed up insurance number, so get information from people who know precisely what they are looking at.