Hello everyone,
I need some advice concerning a Corvette I plan on looking at later this week. First a little background on the car. I found this car about a month ago while on a business trip( I am a field service engineer). I saw it sitting behind a house and stopped to ask about it. It is a 1972,350,auto,ac.It has just over 100k miles on it. It belongs to the original owners. This couple are in their late 60's to early 70's. The wife is who drove the car and about 6 years ago, decide she wanted a....mini-van. So, the Vette got parked in the backyard and has sat there ever since.
The car appears to be in "fair" shape. Paint is fading and peeling in a couple of places and there is a small chip in the fiberglass near a door edge. Intereior looks good, just worn out.
My concern is about the car having sat, outside for so long. I am worried about frame rust. I plan on going there this week and getting under the car and start looking(and probing) around for rust. I have heard someone mentioned something called the "birdcage" and, that is is suseptible to rust. Could someone please explain to me what this is and where and how do I check it for rust. Also, any other advice on what to look for and how to check this car out would be greatly appreciated.
Lets just say that the car checks ok for rust, etc., what do you guys think a fair price would be for this car? The couple are kinda attached to it but, would rather sell it than see it sit there and go to waste.

Thanks,

Mike

 

The "birdcage" is the steel frame work that provides support for the A-pillar, B-pillar (coupes) and the roof panels. It attaches to the frame. It is most suceptible to rust in the A-pillar (windshield) areas. Since this car has been outside for so long, that would be one of the first places to look. A damaged/rusted birdcage can be repaired but it ain't cheap. Most "Corvette things" rarely are cheap though.

 

Hello again. I went and looked at the '72 today and........I am starting to get the fever! I got the car jacked up so that I could get under it and it looks really good. No visible rust and I "probed" around with a screwdriver and found no soft spots. The same goes for the window frame areas and around the door hinges.Looks like the t-tops may have leaked as, the carpet is alittle moldy. This would definitely be a "project" as it has not been well cared for but, I really like those chrome bumpers!
Anyway, I got the VIN number and was wondering if someone would decode it for me so I can get an idea of what this Vette is supposed to be.
VIN #1Z37K2S504250 Paint 972 Interior 407
Thanks,

Mike

 

The VIN does show to be a 1972 coupe.

Production number 4,250 (manufactured Sept - Oct 1971)
Paint 972 = Classic white (qty 2,763)
Interior 407 = R/V = red vinyl (comfortweave seating areas)

Let us know if you locate the tank sticker with all the codes. And good luck.

 

OK Mike here's what I can do at work (without my books in front of me)
VIN:
1-Chevrolet
Z-Corvette
37- Coupe
K- LT1 motor
2- 1972
S- St Louis Plant
504250- Sequence Number

Interior 407 - Red Vinyl
paint 972- Classic White

hope this helps

 

Black book shows K for base engine and L for LT-1.

That would be some find if it was actually an LT-1! It sound like it is some FIND anyway. Much better in the hands of someone that will drive it and maintain it.

Mike

 

K indicates the base 200hp motor. This jives with the car having an auto tranny, since LT-1 only came with the 4 speed.

Mike, if the car is inthe Triangle I'd love to help you look it over. Let me know.

Shannon

 

You guys are right, my bad.
Sorry for the bad info, my fingers were working faster than my brain :crazy:

 

Thanks everyone!!! I appreciate all the info. ...Shannon, I may take you up on that offer. Although the car is not in the Triangle(it is near Charlotte), I think I am going to buy it and would really like another opinion as to what it needs.
Like I mentioned earlier, the car is complete and has been sitting for about 5 years. It ran when it was parked but who knows now. Now, let me ask this, the owner is asking $5500. Does this sound reasonable to you guys?

Mike

 

If the frame is solid, the body is good, and the overall mechanicals are in a mostly un-bubba state then $5500 is a real good deal. I'd love to help you go through it Mike. If it's driveable you could bring it down and we could put it on the lift and give it a good once-over. Might make for a good excuse for a Triangle area shop day, huh?

Let me know,
Shannon

 

I think 5500 is WAY too HIGH !!!
Give me their phone number and I'll give them a piece of my mind !!
:jester :jester

Seriously, that is dirt cheap for a complete 72. Come on !!
Just make sure there is no rust. Pull out the kick panels and peek into
the bircage from the inside at the bottom of the door pillars.
Take off the covers in the front of the rear wheel wells. Take a peek in
there for rot at the rear of the BC.

The bad frame rot is usually covered by the body. Take a look at the pictures
in my web site for some really BAD rot.

It sounds good from what you've described.
Good Luck
:seeya


[Modified by Daves_rusty_75, 12:27 AM 9/25/2002]