Convertible or LT1/air?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 611
Likes: 3
From: Girard Ill
Convertible or LT1/air?
Looking at two 1972 vettes. Both vettes are pretty much equal in options and condition BUT vette #1 is a coup, LT1 engine with air and vette #2 has the stock 350 engine, no air but is a convertible. Which would equal a higher resale value, the air/LT 1 engine or the Vert with standard engine and no air?
[Modified by yankees1, 11:55 PM 8/11/2003]
[Modified by yankees1, 11:55 PM 8/11/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,103
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From: Tucson AZ
Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (yankees1)
1972 LT-1 with AC. Very few were built.
Condition and originality will play a role in the price, but the collector value is on the LT-1. Even without AC, the LT-1 coupe has the better future value.
PS: I am also one of those nuts that prefers coupes.
[Modified by Robert N, 4:14 PM 8/11/2003]
Condition and originality will play a role in the price, but the collector value is on the LT-1. Even without AC, the LT-1 coupe has the better future value.
PS: I am also one of those nuts that prefers coupes.
[Modified by Robert N, 4:14 PM 8/11/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (yankees1)
You need to make sure that LT-1 car is a real LT-1. Check the VIN to be sure that the 5th digit is an "L". There were only 240 LT-1's built with A/C, so it would be a very rare car indeed. Otherwise you'll just have a base model coupe with A/C.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (sb69coupe)
LT-1 is gonna be worth more from a collectors standpoint but personally I would rather have a vert.......That is why I have 3........Lt-1 vert would be even better :auto:
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,653
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From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (yankees1)
I had the chance to buy an LT-1 air coupe in 1991 - test drove it, loved it, didn't think it had enough options as compared to the WB Yellow coupe I still have - and I didn't get it. Regretted it ever since. Get what you will be the most happy with, but I can almost guarantee you won't get another chance at the LT-1 air...
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
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From: Severna Park Md
Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (yankees1)
Hey its a rhyme LT1/w air = very rare
Someone once told me the a/c was rare on the LT1 because the factory didnt like to put air cond on with the high reving LT1 engine since the high r's would toss the belt.
Someone once told me the a/c was rare on the LT1 because the factory didnt like to put air cond on with the high reving LT1 engine since the high r's would toss the belt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,103
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From: Tucson AZ
Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (Jvette73)
Hey its a rhyme LT1/w air = very rare
Someone once told me the a/c was rare on the LT1 because the factory didnt like to put air cond on with the high reving LT1 engine since the high r's would toss the belt.
Someone once told me the a/c was rare on the LT1 because the factory didnt like to put air cond on with the high reving LT1 engine since the high r's would toss the belt.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: New Zealand
Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (yankees1)
LT1 is a word that's thrown around a lot.......so I'd check it thoroughly (not just the VIN) before buying it.........
If it turns out it's not an LT1, then it shouldn't be hard to figure out which one I'd vote for :)
If it turns out it's not an LT1, then it shouldn't be hard to figure out which one I'd vote for :)
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 49
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From: Greensboro Georgia
Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (standup)
I've got a '70 convertible and love it, but if I had a chance to sell or trade it for an LT-1 coupe of any year, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'd check the numbers to make sure, but if the car was original and in good shape, I would go for the LT-1. They didn't make many of 'em, especially with a/c - approx. 240, as has been said.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
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From: I can walk to MA
Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (yankees1)
Check out the range of values at http://www.kbb.com
Kelly Blue Book has a classic car area, where you can compare
the two vehicles in question. I was amazed a few weeks back -
to see how much more an LT1 was worth - compared to a base coupe.
:seeya
Oops - almost forgot - as a New Englander and Red Sox fan - gotta say "Yankees Suck".
[Modified by NHvette, 11:42 AM 8/12/2003]
Kelly Blue Book has a classic car area, where you can compare
the two vehicles in question. I was amazed a few weeks back -
to see how much more an LT1 was worth - compared to a base coupe.
:seeya
Oops - almost forgot - as a New Englander and Red Sox fan - gotta say "Yankees Suck".
[Modified by NHvette, 11:42 AM 8/12/2003]
Race Director
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From: Troll Free Zone
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (yankees1)
Hmmm.
Learn something new everyday. I didn't know the engine was coded into the VIN starting in '72...
Learn something new everyday. I didn't know the engine was coded into the VIN starting in '72...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Canada
Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (LT-1 Larry)
.. or you could search for an LT-1 vert, I have a ZR-1 vert and I can understand the rare factor. For me though I would opt for the vert. as there is no feeling like full top down cruising. You can always boost the power of an L48 but true bumper verts are just getting so hard to come by if they are in great shape but that is JMHO
Team Owner
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Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (gdh)
Verts are nice, but the standard engine is not. LT1 is my recommendation. :thumbs:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (yankees1)
Easier to build an eng to outrun the LT-1 but much harder to convert a coupe to a vert. If it is for cruising then drop top is the way to go. :thumbs:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,205
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From: "Too Low, Too Fast, Too Loud" TX
Re: Convertible or LT1/air? (Fevre)
Well ppl want A/C for different reasons. I live in Texas where it can get to 110 degrees in no time...not to mention adding in the heat index..which can be sweltering to drive the vette in. Of course, when our brethren up north are putting the vettes to sleep for the winter..we down here in Texas are just enjoying the heck out of em in the mild winter months. That is why I like A/C in my car...and the Viper has A/C...and it is a road monster..why not the vette..scared of a lil robbed HP? :crazy: :crazy: