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probably does work and need recharging. but it will need recharging again in a week or an hour... but the parts are easy to find and relatively inexpensive and simple to replace. you pass on a car because of the frame and/or bird cage and body issues. one concern is the rear trailing arms. 117k is actually high mileage for a 1972 car. it would be nice to know that the trailing arms had been done already.
When I purchased my 73, which I found for sale entered in a car show, I knew nothing about C3 Corvettes, so I hired someone who was suggested by my bank to inspect the car.
He placed a value on it which was much higher than the asking price.
He used the Haggerty Valuations in his estimate.
Now, I believe he over valued the car and probably didn’t know any more than I did about Corvettes.
The ac “needed recharging” because the system worked but just didn’t blow cold air and it had a couple of other minor mechanical fixes which was normal for an all original 73 with 108,000 miles.
Did I mention it is beautiful.
I did some research and found what it would cost to have the entire ac system rebuilt and the other minor issues repaired.
I contacted the seller who had reduced the price by $1500.00 after the car show, and made him an offer on the new price minus $1200.00 to rebuild the ac and another $500.00 to have the other items repaired.
He accepted my offer and we made the deal.
In my humble opinion, for $30k everything on this 72 should work without exception and should come with a new set of tires all the way around.
If you are comfortable paying $30k for a 72 and the estimate comes in at over that amount, then make the seller an offer minus the price to rebuild the ac system.
I’m no professional, but I see this 72 as a $25k to $27k car with everything working.
Did I mention, that it is a beautiful car and appears to have been well cared for through the years.
I’ve started to negotiate on the car, and it looks as if the seller is going to get it inspected for me next week.
The door jamb area is fine. Apparently there was a weird reflection.
The car desperately needs tires. It currently has 245 60R15, and the seller recommended BF Goodrich. I saw this recent thread but it’s for the bigger engine ‘72. This is the base engine.
This particular Craigslist ad has already been the subject of a thread in the “for sale” section. I’ve been corresponding with the owner at length, and have talked to him a few times on the phone. I am seriously considering a purchase. It’s way out of state, and before I send someone over to inspect it for me, I wanted to ask some questions here based on the information I have so far.
The owner seems very honest, and has owned it since 1974. He’s told me the history of the car, paint issues, etc. It’s not a show car, but a nice car. He’s clearly loved and maintained it well since then, and it’s been garaged since the 1970s. He says there’s no rust on it. The rear underside and mufflers are painted black.
He’s been maintaining it himself for decades. For personal reasons, there were long periods of time where he didn’t drive it at all (around 13 years) so the mileage (117k or so) is genuine. It’s drivable right now but definitely needs new tires and most likely an alignment. He suggests 245/60R15 BFG Radial TA tires.
It’s the base 350 4-speed engine.
The suspension is stock. He said he put some heavier duty Monroe shocks on it in the 1970s. He’s had bigger maintenance issues such as a valve job (1982, at 79k miles), timing chain (1982, 86k miles) and clutch work (1985, 92k miles) in a shop. The radiator and heater core have been replaced. He’s recently worked on the lower ball joints, idler arm, water pump, PS control valve, master cylinder, and RR caliper.
The factory A/C works but needs recharging. The tachometer does not work. He said he fixed it, it worked for about 3 weeks, and it broke again. He said something about the gears being stripped.
He joined a Corvette club early on, so that impressed upon him to keep it as stock as possible.
I don’t have a lot of photos. This is pretty much what I have. I don’t think I’ll be receiving any more photos. Again, I intend to send someone out to inspect it, but before I do I wanted to see what else to ask or look for.
Again, my goal is to get a ‘69-‘72 4-speed to enjoy driving around town on the weekends, and not a project car. From talking to him, it seems as if there are some things to fix, but it’s manageable. The long term ownership and near-stock condition is very attractive. Again, as a total novice, I don’t want to get in over my head, so I’d appreciate any feedback or suggestions.
from pictures only , it looks like a clean car , however keep in mind it does have 117k miles on her and has been driven .things will start to break . Frame and chassis are important as well. In my opinion only , 31k is a little high for the base motor but if has a newer paint job 28 to 29k would be a fair price .. also shipping now a days is very expensive.. I read on a forum someone shipped a car from Minnesota to Florida it the cost was 5k . Best Good luck
When I called yesterday to give them my credit card number, I ended up speaking with the owner (Doug) for about an hour. He explained the inspection that he will do, and gave me some things to think about on a car that has been sitting unused for a while. He is very knowledgeable and experienced with these cars. I also explained my situation (as described here), that I’m not a mechanic, and do not have the ability to work on my own car. I’m just looking for a good reliable car in good condition for me to drive around on the weekends. That is, I want him to evaluate the car through both an objective lens, and also with an eye on my (lack of) mechanical skill set. So, a car that may be perfect for someone with the skill and experience that many on this forum have might be too much work for me, and I need to look at cars that are more restored.
Thanks. My neighbors in ID own a car carrier company. I obtained a quote from them (open air transport) from IL to ID. It would cost less than a transport from CA to ID.
Will the guy doing the inspection follow up and give you a quote to do the repairs?
After I purchased my 73, I took it to a local Corvette specialty shop for a complete safety inspection.
They completed the inspection and gave me a quote to make all necessary repairs.
There was a few things I had them do, but everything else I did on my own.
When I called yesterday to give them my credit card number, I ended up speaking with the owner (Doug) for about an hour. He explained the inspection that he will do, and gave me some things to think about on a car that has been sitting unused for a while. He is very knowledgeable and experienced with these cars. I also explained my situation (as described here), that I’m not a mechanic, and do not have the ability to work on my own car. I’m just looking for a good reliable car in good condition for me to drive around on the weekends. That is, I want him to evaluate the car through both an objective lens, and also with an eye on my (lack of) mechanical skill set. So, a car that may be perfect for someone with the skill and experience that many on this forum have might be too much work for me, and I need to look at cars that are more restored.
just a word of advice these cars are 50 years old trust me things will fail often !! .. start learning how to work on ur car specially one that was sitting if not it can get expensive real quick.. if you want to cruise often and care free buy a newer vette
Will the guy doing the inspection follow up and give you a quote to do the repairs?
After I purchased my 73, I took it to a local Corvette specialty shop for a complete safety inspection.
They completed the inspection and gave me a quote to make all necessary repairs.
There was a few things I had them do, but everything else I did on my own.
I will find out in a couple of days. He’s in IL where the car is and I’m in ID. I’ll see what his list of stuff to do is, what it costs, etc.. He’s never worked on the car, so he’s approaching it with a fresh and neutral set of eyes. Based on our conversation the other day, I’m sure we will have a detailed post-inspection discussion to go along with the report he’ll write.
There’s a local classic car guy in ID who works on Corvettes from this era. He was recommended by a friend and neighbor who has owned and restored many Corvettes himself.
just a word of advice these cars are 50 years old trust me things will fail often !! .. start learning how to work on ur car specially one that was sitting if not it can get expensive real quick.. if you want to cruise often and care free buy a newer vette
You are absolutely correct. I will assess the situation after the inspection.
I was born the first year of the C3, and have wanted a Corvette since I was a young girl. I want a chrome bumper era car, and know that some things will always need fixing, adjusting, etc. and that these will need a higher level of attention than a newer car. I’ve analogized a classic car to my 90+ year old home. I love the vintage charm and craftsmanship, and recognize that maintenance is more costly, and must be done more proactively, than what is needed with a newer home. That being said, there are homes of this era that have been maintained well though the decades, and others are utter wrecks that should be torn down. Mine has “good bones” and I was able to overlook the cosmetic stuff that the other buyers couldn’t get past. Other houses I looked at needed far too much work just to move into.
I’m also not going to drive one of these on a cross-country road trip. This is for local weekend pleasure driving.
If my analysis concludes that this car ends up being too much work for me to handle at the outset (eg more project car than driver), I’m fully prepared to walk away, and likely will end up paying more for a more restored car. There were tens of thousands of C3s made during that era, and I’m prepared to be patient for the car that works for me and my skill set. That being said, it would be great if it works out. I’m just trying to stay logical and not get emotionally attached.
I’ll definitely post the “laundry list” I get from the inspection here!
Do you do some of your own home repairs?
If you do, you have experienced the joy you get after you complete a home project, stand back and see what you accomplished and take pride that you did it yourself.
These cars are built on the same principle.
They are easy to work on and you can learn so much very quickly.
I have seen threads over the years where men and women, with no mechanical experience have purchased a C3, made their own repairs, restorations and modifications with awesome results.
If you can do simple home repairs, you can maintain and repair your own C3.
Why limit your experience to short weekend drives?
If you find the right C3, maintain it well, there will be no reason not to plan a nice long trip.
Keep us posted and never hesitate to ask for advise or help here on the forum because there is a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips.
it is a very simple car and there is a wealth of info on diagnosis and repair methods. a lot of women are predisposed to think "I can"t do that!" and even if you don't do it, coming to us with the issue will have you in a much better place when it gets to the shop as the mech has much less chance to snowball and BS you. i always say a garage is a whorehouse for women. go there, pay money, get screwed. only diff is you get to keep your clothes on. this looks to be a solid pretty well kept up car. most of the wish list is wish, not need. looks like it has all the options but bigger power. i see power windows, brakes, tilt,ac. ask the inspector about the trailing arms. they weren't mentioned and are not cheap. but even if tired they can probably wait for the summer drive time to end. don't get hung up with paint. so many horror stories of cars sitting 2 years while the shop keeps putting accords and camrys in front of it since they owe their existence to allstate, et al. in fact we call it body shop jail.
it is a very simple car and there is a wealth of info on diagnosis and repair methods. a lot of women are predisposed to think "I can"t do that!" and even if you don't do it, coming to us with the issue will have you in a much better place when it gets to the shop as the mech has much less chance to snowball and BS you. i always say a garage is a whorehouse for women. go there, pay money, get screwed. only diff is you get to keep your clothes on. this looks to be a solid pretty well kept up car. most of the wish list is wish, not need. looks like it has all the options but bigger power. i see power windows, brakes, tilt,ac. ask the inspector about the trailing arms. they weren't mentioned and are not cheap. but even if tired they can probably wait for the summer drive time to end. don't get hung up with paint. so many horror stories of cars sitting 2 years while the shop keeps putting accords and camrys in front of it since they owe their existence to allstate, et al. in fact we call it body shop jail.
Thanks. That is all true. That’s why I send my husband to see the mechanic!
Going to buy my first new car, solo, as a 19-year old college student, was a terrible experience.
Believe me, whatever car I do end up getting, I’m planning on getting the shop manual etc. for that particular year. That way I can at least look under the hood and know if a hose or wire is in the right place.
Thanks. That is all true. That’s why I send my husband to see the mechanic!
Going to buy my first new car, solo, as a 19-year old college student, was a terrible experience.
Believe me, whatever car I do end up getting, I’m planning on getting the shop manual etc. for that particular year. That way I can at least look under the hood and know if a hose or wire is in the right place.
Its really easy because they color code them.
Now if your color blind, you may have a little trouble.
