Advice on this '72
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 70
Likes: 34
From: Sherman Oaks, CA (Los Angeles)
Advice on this '72
What are your thoughts on this car on eBay? https://www.ebay.com/itm/11524725707...0AAOSwJAhiC5I4
I've just started learning about these C3 Vettes and am in the market for one and this forum has been really helpful in my education. From what I've learned, based on the listing here's what I think:
I've just started learning about these C3 Vettes and am in the market for one and this forum has been really helpful in my education. From what I've learned, based on the listing here's what I think:
- it says new door panels but they are obviously from a car with black interior
- I think that if a car has wood door accent panels and wood trim on the console then it was originally also with leather seats and these look like vinyl with leather trim
- console shows 350/350 so that means it's an L46 motor right (assuming the console is original)?
- price seems reasonable if it's truly in good condition and has the L46 motor
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,728
Likes: 193
From: Scottsdale Arizona
The last year you could get the 350 350HP was 1970. Those are vynal seats the only leather you could get in 72 was black and tan so the wood trim was added. It looks like a nice car just some things that are missing like the shielding and the original air cleaner
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 124
Likes: 99
From: Wayne, IL
The console is for the base motor and only the '72 had the torque value. '70-'71 had horsepower.
Late '70 and '71-'72 had dual snorkel enclosed air filter except LT1's and the '71 big block. This car has an open element filter.
Late '70 and '71-'72 had dual snorkel enclosed air filter except LT1's and the '71 big block. This car has an open element filter.
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
The biggest problem I generally see in buying from a dealer is the constant use of phrases like "appears to be" and claims to be" and this listing is loaded with those. So the dealer can claim everything is new, rebuilt, working fine but has no real proof or responsibility.
"Motor is claimed to be rebuilt and it is believable" but again they say the car is "Claimed to be 32,700 actual miles". Logic says with that low of mileage, why would the engine need to be rebuilt? More than likely it has just been cleaned and painted. Again, a dealer's soul motivation is profit driven so every penny that can be saved, will be saved. At $32,000 this car should have zero excuses but it just doesn't show that well.
The non working A/C can cost $1,500 to rebuild. It NEVER just needs a recharge. Dealer does state that the repaint is showing it's age but check the 3rd picture which shows the engine bay. Notice how poor the reflection of the fluorescent light is in the top of the passenger fender. In fact the paint shows quite poorly in all of the larger photos. Carpet is very worn, stained and faded. Wrong color door panels are laughable. Extra hole cut into shifter trim plate. Parking brake dust slider is missing. Only one of the three interior light bulbs is on with the doors open. Rear glove box compartment light does not work. Clock does not work. Factory alarm is missing parts so it does not function either. Wrong seat belts and passenger side shoulder retractor does not look to be functioning as belt is hanging all the way out and both retractor covers have been cut out for after market speakers. Windshield wiper over ride switch **** missing. Wrong exterior mirrors. Exhaust tips crooked. And, as stated above, wrong intake manifold, carb and air cleaner. All under car suspension components look to be original and show much age/cracking. So a complete front and rear suspension rebuild are way overdue. Most likely parking brake will not work either. Front end shows lots of undercoating sprayed on suspension parts. Is this an eastern car? Air shocks on the rear, completely deflated.
All of these things are easily spotted in the pictures posted so you can figure there is probably going to be more issues. All of these items will need to be addressed. Some are big some seem small, but they will all add up to thousands of dollars in the end.
So, $32,000 for a "claimed" 32,000 miles. I would bet heavily against that being correct.
You can find a much nicer car for the money if this is the price range you're shopping in.
Cheers, Greg
"Motor is claimed to be rebuilt and it is believable" but again they say the car is "Claimed to be 32,700 actual miles". Logic says with that low of mileage, why would the engine need to be rebuilt? More than likely it has just been cleaned and painted. Again, a dealer's soul motivation is profit driven so every penny that can be saved, will be saved. At $32,000 this car should have zero excuses but it just doesn't show that well.
The non working A/C can cost $1,500 to rebuild. It NEVER just needs a recharge. Dealer does state that the repaint is showing it's age but check the 3rd picture which shows the engine bay. Notice how poor the reflection of the fluorescent light is in the top of the passenger fender. In fact the paint shows quite poorly in all of the larger photos. Carpet is very worn, stained and faded. Wrong color door panels are laughable. Extra hole cut into shifter trim plate. Parking brake dust slider is missing. Only one of the three interior light bulbs is on with the doors open. Rear glove box compartment light does not work. Clock does not work. Factory alarm is missing parts so it does not function either. Wrong seat belts and passenger side shoulder retractor does not look to be functioning as belt is hanging all the way out and both retractor covers have been cut out for after market speakers. Windshield wiper over ride switch **** missing. Wrong exterior mirrors. Exhaust tips crooked. And, as stated above, wrong intake manifold, carb and air cleaner. All under car suspension components look to be original and show much age/cracking. So a complete front and rear suspension rebuild are way overdue. Most likely parking brake will not work either. Front end shows lots of undercoating sprayed on suspension parts. Is this an eastern car? Air shocks on the rear, completely deflated.
All of these things are easily spotted in the pictures posted so you can figure there is probably going to be more issues. All of these items will need to be addressed. Some are big some seem small, but they will all add up to thousands of dollars in the end.
So, $32,000 for a "claimed" 32,000 miles. I would bet heavily against that being correct.
You can find a much nicer car for the money if this is the price range you're shopping in.
Cheers, Greg
Last edited by Greg; Mar 5, 2022 at 04:14 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
appears to be is right up there with "untested" on ebay. if you read untested, it means guaranteed to be dead. buy from an individual who owned and loved the car. he wants his car to find a new caretaker as much as he wants to get paid. the dealer wants to get paid. and he has to pay the owner then mark the car up 5 to 10k so HE can get paid. and as far as the dealer is concerned, the less you know, the better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
If you click on the dealership, they claim they have been around since 1960. Longest run of classic car dealers.
A Corvette / Classic car dealership has a reputation to uphold. They want a good name, continued good feedback and returning customers.
Buying a Corvette from an individual out of their garage, has no reputation nor a reputation to uphold. It's a one-time sales.
I would trust a classic dealership any day over somebody's private garage. A dealership is more likely to correct any small issues before the sale is finale. Again, they have a "rep to protect". An individual does not.
If this Vette is close by, then by all means go test drive it, write down any issues before you go to the bartering desk. Make an offer.
A Corvette / Classic car dealership has a reputation to uphold. They want a good name, continued good feedback and returning customers.
Buying a Corvette from an individual out of their garage, has no reputation nor a reputation to uphold. It's a one-time sales.
I would trust a classic dealership any day over somebody's private garage. A dealership is more likely to correct any small issues before the sale is finale. Again, they have a "rep to protect". An individual does not.
If this Vette is close by, then by all means go test drive it, write down any issues before you go to the bartering desk. Make an offer.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 70
Likes: 34
From: Sherman Oaks, CA (Los Angeles)
The biggest problem I generally see in buying from a dealer is the constant use of phrases like "appears to be" and claims to be" and this listing is loaded with those. So the dealer can claim everything is new, rebuilt, working fine but has no real proof or responsibility.
"Motor is claimed to be rebuilt and it is believable" but again they say the car is "Claimed to be 32,700 actual miles". Logic says with that low of mileage, why would the engine need to be rebuilt? More than likely it has just been cleaned and painted. Again, a dealer's soul motivation is profit driven so every penny that can be saved, will be saved. At $32,000 this car should have zero excuses but it just doesn't show that well.
The non working A/C can cost $1,500 to rebuild. It NEVER just needs a recharge. Dealer does state that the repaint is showing it's age but check the 3rd picture which shows the engine bay. Notice how poor the reflection of the fluorescent light is in the top of the passenger fender. In fact the paint shows quite poorly in all of the larger photos. Carpet is very worn, stained and faded. Wrong color door panels are laughable. Extra hole cut into shifter trim plate. Parking brake dust slider is missing. Only one of the three interior light bulbs is on with the doors open. Rear glove box compartment light does not work. Clock does not work. Factory alarm is missing parts so it does not function either. Wrong seat belts and passenger side shoulder retractor does not look to be functioning as belt is hanging all the way out and both retractor covers have been cut out for after market speakers. Windshield wiper over ride switch **** missing. Wrong exterior mirrors. Exhaust tips crooked. And, as stated above, wrong intake manifold, carb and air cleaner. All under car suspension components look to be original and show much age/cracking. So a complete front and rear suspension rebuild are way overdue. Most likely parking brake will not work either. Front end shows lots of undercoating sprayed on suspension parts. Is this an eastern car? Air shocks on the rear, completely deflated.
All of these things are easily spotted in the pictures posted so you can figure there is probably going to be more issues. All of these items will need to be addressed. Some are big some seem small, but they will all add up to thousands of dollars in the end.
So, $32,000 for a "claimed" 32,000 miles. I would bet heavily against that being correct.
You can find a much nicer car for the money if this is the price range you're shopping in.
Cheers, Greg
"Motor is claimed to be rebuilt and it is believable" but again they say the car is "Claimed to be 32,700 actual miles". Logic says with that low of mileage, why would the engine need to be rebuilt? More than likely it has just been cleaned and painted. Again, a dealer's soul motivation is profit driven so every penny that can be saved, will be saved. At $32,000 this car should have zero excuses but it just doesn't show that well.
The non working A/C can cost $1,500 to rebuild. It NEVER just needs a recharge. Dealer does state that the repaint is showing it's age but check the 3rd picture which shows the engine bay. Notice how poor the reflection of the fluorescent light is in the top of the passenger fender. In fact the paint shows quite poorly in all of the larger photos. Carpet is very worn, stained and faded. Wrong color door panels are laughable. Extra hole cut into shifter trim plate. Parking brake dust slider is missing. Only one of the three interior light bulbs is on with the doors open. Rear glove box compartment light does not work. Clock does not work. Factory alarm is missing parts so it does not function either. Wrong seat belts and passenger side shoulder retractor does not look to be functioning as belt is hanging all the way out and both retractor covers have been cut out for after market speakers. Windshield wiper over ride switch **** missing. Wrong exterior mirrors. Exhaust tips crooked. And, as stated above, wrong intake manifold, carb and air cleaner. All under car suspension components look to be original and show much age/cracking. So a complete front and rear suspension rebuild are way overdue. Most likely parking brake will not work either. Front end shows lots of undercoating sprayed on suspension parts. Is this an eastern car? Air shocks on the rear, completely deflated.
All of these things are easily spotted in the pictures posted so you can figure there is probably going to be more issues. All of these items will need to be addressed. Some are big some seem small, but they will all add up to thousands of dollars in the end.
So, $32,000 for a "claimed" 32,000 miles. I would bet heavily against that being correct.
You can find a much nicer car for the money if this is the price range you're shopping in.
Cheers, Greg
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 956
From: Central Florida
2024 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
What are your thoughts on this car on eBay? https://www.ebay.com/itm/11524725707...0AAOSwJAhiC5I4
I've just started learning about these C3 Vettes and am in the market for one and this forum has been really helpful in my education. From what I've learned, based on the listing here's what I think:
I've just started learning about these C3 Vettes and am in the market for one and this forum has been really helpful in my education. From what I've learned, based on the listing here's what I think:
- it says new door panels but they are obviously from a car with black interior
- I think that if a car has wood door accent panels and wood trim on the console then it was originally also with leather seats and these look like vinyl with leather trim
- console shows 350/350 so that means it's an L46 motor right (assuming the console is original)?
- price seems reasonable if it's truly in good condition and has the L46 motor
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,189
Likes: 830
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
IMHO too many issues for $32k. The black door panels really has me scratching my bald head.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 4,186
Likes: 68
From: Iron Range MN
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 515
Likes: 66
From: Grosse Pte. Mich.
I'd rather have this one.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...lue-coupe.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...lue-coupe.html
This does however show what you can find from a decent private owner if patient.
This brings up an interesting point. At that price point you're most apt to find half the cars aren't worth considering for all kinds of reasons, while a large percentage will be. As you go higher in price, your odds are better to find a decent automobile. Conversely, drop below 30k, more of the cars will be not worth the effort in terms of repair/restoration dollars needed. It's really a tricky price point, you just have to be really careful, and patient.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 515
Likes: 66
From: Grosse Pte. Mich.
What are your thoughts on this car on eBay? https://www.ebay.com/itm/11524725707...0AAOSwJAhiC5I4
I've just started learning about these C3 Vettes and am in the market for one and this forum has been really helpful in my education. From what I've learned, based on the listing here's what I think:
I've just started learning about these C3 Vettes and am in the market for one and this forum has been really helpful in my education. From what I've learned, based on the listing here's what I think:
- it says new door panels but they are obviously from a car with black interior
- I think that if a car has wood door accent panels and wood trim on the console then it was originally also with leather seats and these look like vinyl with leather trim
- console shows 350/350 so that means it's an L46 motor right (assuming the console is original)?
- price seems reasonable if it's truly in good condition and has the L46 motor
FWIW, I'm concerned with the appearance of the paint on the nose, between the hood & the bumper. Looks a little rough in terms of finish as viewed in the reflection of light. That's a problem prone area, with the rivets that are under the surface. I wonder if someone did a poor job of restoration in that area.
Not that Volo Cars is trying to conceal anything, (they've actually been around with quality cars for a long time), but just too many variables in this car's history for my comfort zone. This plus that price would have me looking elsewhere. JMHO.
