Sorry for the length of this post but I wanted to get some purchase advice. I've been looking for a chrome bumper C3 for a few months and I've narrowed my choices down to these two 1972 coupes. (Both are local so no travel/transportation costs involved.) I'm curious which of these two similar--yet very different cars would be worth while to get based on the way they're configured. Condition wise, (if I've done my job inspecting them properly) they are roughly about one step apart using Hagerty's rating scale. Its with some trepidation that I ask since I realize that many on here are very pro-originality but the knowledge base here is so vast I'd appreciate your feedback.

The first car is a 1972 coupe with the base 350 and 4 speed car that has original engine, trans, rear end. Not much for options other than leather, tilt/tele, P/S,P/B. It shows 60K miles and its obvious its had brake calipers, fuel tank, exhaust and a repaint several years ago. Its stock down to the original rally wheels. Things such as a front end rebuild, rear trailing arm bushings, rear axle bearings, half shafts, etc have never been done. It has a presentable repaint but its far from show quality and the entire car rates (subjectivily by me) at number 4 good condition. No documentation of ownership or any receipts, etc. The owner only had it for about a year and its priced in the low 20's.

Number 2 is also a 1972 coupe that had the base 350 engine and 4 sped. However, it currently has a NOM modified 350. Compression is 10.25 and the cam, carb, heads and intake are close to 1970 LT-1 specs. Its a vinyl interior, P/S, P/B, Tilt/Tele. It shows 90K documented miles thru 3 owners. However, It also has headers, scatter shield, Hurst shifter, etc although the car appears stock on the outside and interior with a stock type shift lever bolted to the Hurst shifter, rally wheels, etc. The car has an exceptionally nice (nearing show quality) paint and has receipts for everything- such as front and, rear end, body seals, etc all being done on this car. I'd rate it at 3 very good on Hagerty's scale--maybe even a bit higher like a 3 plus. There's documentation of all 3 owners and all receipts for everything done on the car. This coupe is priced in the high twenties.

At my age I'm not as enthused about modified cars as I used to be but the superb condition of the #2 coupe is enticing. Plus, either car would need a Vintage Air kit installed since I live in southern Arizona and that's a modification in itself. However, I always look ahead and if I have to sell due to health issues (very possible at my age) I know that a lot of Corvette guys want an original engine even on a common Corvette like a base engine C3. So that's a concern even though I could live with either one. Thanks in advance for your feedback on which would be the better buy.

 

Based on your description I would personally be more interested in car number 2. If the mods are done right it wouldn’t bother me at all. I would certainly expect to spend several thousand rebuilding the front and rear suspension on car number one so the money is subjective, spend now or later. How much money you spend later depends on if you work on the car yourself. My 02.
Eddy

 

Numbers-matching means very little unless it is something special. EVERY 71 Nova with a straight 6 was numbers-matching. L88-LT1-L71 numbers (try to) prove the special option drivetrain is original. The rest ALL had 4bbl 350's. Get the nice one. #2. Do more homework.pull the kick panels and check #2 body mounts. Put a piece of paper towell in there. Slam door a couple of times. Look for rusty flakes on the white. Unfortunately the 10 rules sticky had the first post deleted. There was a lot of good info.

 

I urge you to go with #2......a big reason is the paint and trim.......but headers and the Hurst are items I love......I will never own another Vette with a stock shifter and this is worth a $1000 to me......seals and the rear end cinch this deal for me......
I own a 72'.....I wanted a NOM car because I wanted to build a bruiser engine for it......it was a 350/200 4 speed and in 72' I think that only real LT-1 or LS-5 cars are worth the number match pedigree......

Jebby

 

Jebby, I must disagree with you. Originality is originality on any level, whether its a base coupe or a LS-5. I love original cars (although I also think restomods are great and can be a work of art). But I guess I have a champagne taste on a beer budget. I cannot afford a original LS-5 nor am I sure I would want one since I would be scared to drive the damn thing.

So I looked for a nice original base car, something that I can restore and work on, improve its originality the best I can and enjoy driving it without fear that I have a fortune invested in it.

To the OP I think you need to decide for yourself which type of car you want. If its a original car then number 2 is not for you but I also think neither is number 1. I feel that next to rust and originality, paint is the next most important thing to look for since its the most expensive improvement to do later. Find a car that has nice paint and pay a little more for it, your car number 1 sounds overpriced!

Good luck Ike

 

High 20s, flipper perhaps? Youre gonna have to rebuild everything under the car then what? Youre in a 350 vette for 30 something. Pass.
20s gets you a real nice chrome bumper without a bunch of issues.

 

Car #2 for me. Looks, performance and reliability are more important to me then numbers. YMMV

 

Door Number One.

 

For me, the second car has more appeal. If I had to choose between the two, I would focus my attention on trying to get the price of the second down closer to that of the first. Condition will help you more on resale as long as the price is in line. NOM hurts the price and your offer should reflect that.

 

Go with #2, with the quality paint job and front & rear already done, you will enjoy it now instead of throwing tons of money at it.

 

price difference on a base engine original vs NOM is not too much. and the lower the condition is on the original one, the less of a price difference it is.
don't buy a car you have to paint.
don't buy a car you have to put thousands into
buy on condition for your first corvette

on the other hand. I would not buy a car with headers, scattershield, cam, etc . I would know it has had lots of spirited rpm and driving. discount the car accordingly.

buy the one that is not rusty.

with today's chinese parts, new suspension parts and new calipers can last 1 year or 10. consider that

 

Thanks to all for the feedback. While I'm still trying to decide I wanted all of you to know the feedback is appreciated. Currently, I'm still leaning toward the #2 car simply because of the overall condition and updating on it, Even though the #1 car isn't that shabby, it is a solid step down (condition wise) from the #2 coupe. So the amount of money put into #2 is evident, I guess it'll come down to, as it always does, on what I can negotiate the price to.

My only issue with the #2 coupe is that I'm really not that keen on the modifications. I'm certainly not an originality freak mostly because of all the Tri-Five Chevy's I've had. Those cars are worth more as restomods than as original stockers. I guess its just a nostalgia thing with me since I owned four C3's back in the early seventies on through the mid-eighties and they were all stock. Back in the day, at least where I lived and the gearheads I ran with, you pretty much left a Corvette stock and you hot rodded a cheaper/simpler car like a Camaro, Nova, Chevelle, etc. Since a chrome bumper Corvette is kind of a nostalgia thing for me I prefer stock condition,

 

I'd lean towards #2. It will cost you a lot more than the difference to get #1 into #2's condition.

I got a great deal on my 80, and enjoy fixing her up. But I was specifically looking for a NOM with a 5-speed. The matching numbers engine and 4-speed are great fun, but also an albatross around my neck.

 

Seems to me that both are a bit pricey in today's market.

 

 

Unless bin number on block is that important to you, #2 is way better option. You can replace the headers and scatter shield easier, quicker and cheaper than you can than rebuilding-painting #1. And what are you complaining about age for? Pic in your avatar, I would say you were mid-30's. Kinda cute too...

 

With the high cost of a first class paint job, I would lean toward #2. However, I agree with Joewill. A car with a scattershield tells me its made a lot of 1/4 mile trips.

 

I would pick the one with less rust on the birdcage.

 

Just as an update: I'd finally decided to go with Corvette #2 so I contacted the owner yesterday. Problem was, he'd just received a deposit that morning, So that one is gone.

Then decided to look at Corvette #1 a second time today and made an offer on it, However, I found that the owner of #1 Corvette wouldn't budge any off his so called "asking price." In fact he became rather offended I offered $2K under his price. (I just don't understand why he put "asking" in the ad if he was actually firm on the price? Oh well, I guess I should have asked he was firm right off the bat instead of wasting time on the car.)

So the search continues on. Thanks again for everyone's input.