1972 needs our help
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: louseyville Ky
1972 needs our help
Hey guys this is my first time in the C3 section. A buddy of mine asked me if I was interested in a 72 that is sitting next door to him. He has owned his house for 7 years and says that the Vette has been there the entire time in the drive way. I saw it the other day. It needs paint and to be completley gone through to see whats up. The owner wants $4000 for it. What do you all think. I hate the thought of it sitting and not being used. BTW it is a 350/255hp and is a auto. It is Blue.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Lakeland Florida
Hmmm.....that question should generate a lot of interest here. Its a 72, so the fact that it has both chrome bumpers should get you a lot of responses.
If it has been sitting for 7 years, then there has to be something wrong with it to begin with. I would think the engine was bad, or else why was it sitting for so long. Is it covered up, or exposed to the weather. When you start adding things up the price of the car will exceed what it is worth, unless it was some really rare car. If the interior needs to be redone, new paint, engine rebuilt, chassis, brakes, etc....then you might be better off avoiding that and buying a driveable car now, so you know what you are getting into. But for $4000, it is tempting. Depending on what your skill level is, and how much time you have to put into this, it could be something you might want to tackle.
kdf
If it has been sitting for 7 years, then there has to be something wrong with it to begin with. I would think the engine was bad, or else why was it sitting for so long. Is it covered up, or exposed to the weather. When you start adding things up the price of the car will exceed what it is worth, unless it was some really rare car. If the interior needs to be redone, new paint, engine rebuilt, chassis, brakes, etc....then you might be better off avoiding that and buying a driveable car now, so you know what you are getting into. But for $4000, it is tempting. Depending on what your skill level is, and how much time you have to put into this, it could be something you might want to tackle.
kdf
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Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Connecticut, USA
$4,000 for a '72 can be a very good deal...or it could break your back and bank account. Is it a coupe or vert? The auto detracts from the sports car appeal to a lot of guys. You should check it good for rust, the numbers matching issue doesn't apply too much for this price. If the frame is good the rest can be rebuilt or replaced. The extent of the work you can do will govern a lot. Figure on a complete brake system and seal problems. If you're mechanically inclined then buy it if there is no rot and build a nice driver. I'm building a 72 like that now 
Gary
Gary
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Huntersville NC
If it has most of its parts intact $4k is about as low as you can go. You could still spend $25k restoring it and end up with a car that is worth $19k... but they don't come much cheaper than $4k.
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From: louseyville Ky
It is an older couple who ownes it and it is not under cover. From what I see the interior looks OK. The spend a lot of time out of town at another house they own. The deal was that they were giving it to their grandson for a graduation gift but he has fallen out of favor. As to why it has set so long I am not sure. Apperently they put new tires on it each time the old ones dry rot and go flat. I fix things for a living so the work is not a problem, I guess I just need someone to kick start me into a project. I don't need it to be running as I have a 96 that does and I have a daily driver as well. I hope this helps you guys understand the situation better and sorry for the novel.
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From: louseyville Ky
Originally Posted by gtr1999
$4,000 for a '72 can be a very good deal...or it could break your back and bank account. Is it a coupe or vert? The auto detracts from the sports car appeal to a lot of guys. You should check it good for rust, the numbers matching issue doesn't apply too much for this price. If the frame is good the rest can be rebuilt or replaced. The extent of the work you can do will govern a lot. Figure on a complete brake system and seal problems. If you're mechanically inclined then buy it if there is no rot and build a nice driver. I'm building a 72 like that now
Gary
Gary
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Wildwood IL
How did you determine it's a 350/255hp? 72 base engine cars were 200hp. LS-5 454's were 260hp. 350 LT-1's were in the 255hp range. If it's in fact a 350, and the shift plate tag says 255hp...you just might have an LT-1. Post the vin....or engine block #'s and someone here can run them to verify!!!!
Eddie
Eddie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Belmont Michigan
If it is an auto, it wouldn't be an LT-1. Most likely the 200 HP 350.
I found a similar sounding '72 about 4 years ago. I bought it at a garage sale (yes, a garage sale!) for $3600. Needed a little frame work, a paint job, and misc. parts and labor. Nice project that made a sweet little driver. Sold it about 2 years ago, and then bought my '66.
Rich
I found a similar sounding '72 about 4 years ago. I bought it at a garage sale (yes, a garage sale!) for $3600. Needed a little frame work, a paint job, and misc. parts and labor. Nice project that made a sweet little driver. Sold it about 2 years ago, and then bought my '66.
Rich
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From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Originally Posted by gtr1999
$4,000 for a '72 can be a very good deal...or it could break your back and bank account. Is it a coupe or vert? The auto detracts from the sports car appeal to a lot of guys. You should check it good for rust, the numbers matching issue doesn't apply too much for this price. If the frame is good the rest can be rebuilt or replaced. The extent of the work you can do will govern a lot. Figure on a complete brake system and seal problems. If you're mechanically inclined then buy it if there is no rot and build a nice driver. I'm building a 72 like that now
Gary
Gary
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From: louseyville Ky
Originally Posted by Silvr77
How did you determine it's a 350/255hp? 72 base engine cars were 200hp. LS-5 454's were 260hp. 350 LT-1's were in the 255hp range. If it's in fact a 350, and the shift plate tag says 255hp...you just might have an LT-1. Post the vin....or engine block #'s and someone here can run them to verify!!!!
Eddie
Eddie
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From: The Armpit of Illinois Platato says..... "Sometimes your the windshield & sometimes your the bug".
St. Jude Donor '05
255 HP is correct!
1972 Corvettes had 12 engine option combinations. There were 4 engine options which were rated at 255 horse. Since you said that this car was an automatic it would be block suffix CRS and would have included an "air injection reactor".
Sounds like an interesting car. BTW the 454 only put out 15 more horse. If the car would have been a MT you might have been looking at the ZR1 option.
Email me or post any questions you have regarding options or originality and I'l try to help
Platato
P.S. The color is either Bryar blue or Targa blue. The HP rating is really the same as the 71 270HP. The reason for the lower number on your plate was due to the new measuring system which took the air cleaner, exhaust and fanbelts into consideration.
Sounds like an interesting car. BTW the 454 only put out 15 more horse. If the car would have been a MT you might have been looking at the ZR1 option.
Email me or post any questions you have regarding options or originality and I'l try to help
Platato
P.S. The color is either Bryar blue or Targa blue. The HP rating is really the same as the 71 270HP. The reason for the lower number on your plate was due to the new measuring system which took the air cleaner, exhaust and fanbelts into consideration.
Last edited by platato; Dec 23, 2004 at 06:58 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
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From: Moon Township PA
Originally Posted by 96dblblack
The shift plate says that it is a 350 and has 255hp. It is an auto. I looked for the vin number briefly but could not locate it. The car was locked so I was unable to get inside it.
engine rebuild - $2000
paint job - $5000+
complete interior - $1000
misc. mechanical work (brakes, steering, etc) - $1000
welding - ????????? How is the frame, any rust on the windshield pillar where it joins the fiberglass at the dash?
AND THE LIST IS JUST STARTING.
Gary
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 72
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From: Houston Texas
I bought a car very similar to what you describe, it was however drivable until I got into really checking things out like brakes, drive train, engine, steering etc.
Have a look at what I ended up doing to it.
www.acc-controls.com/vette
Have a look at what I ended up doing to it.
www.acc-controls.com/vette
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by PRND21
If it has most of its parts intact $4k is about as low as you can go. You could still spend $25k restoring it and end up with a car that is worth $19k... but they don't come much cheaper than $4k.
A good never-hit nose will almost bring that.
Melting Slicks
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From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Sounds like a good deal. Be sure and give it a good rust check-up or all you will have is a good deal on a parts car 
Speaking of parts if you wind up getting it, I have a few C3 bumper parts I have accumulated over the years 
Bullshark
Be sure and give it a good rust check-up or all you will have is a good deal on a parts car Speaking of parts if you wind up getting it, I have a few C3 bumper parts I have accumulated over the years Bullshark
Last edited by Bullshark; Dec 23, 2004 at 04:46 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Houston Texas
Not done yet. I am at the painting stage now. The photos are very up to date. Less than a week old. Im painting the tops first, then hood and doors, and saving the body for last. Then put it all back together. The frame is complete.
I bought the car last June. working on the weekends mostly. I am afraid to add up the hours spent on it. My wife would probably know.
I bought the car last June. working on the weekends mostly. I am afraid to add up the hours spent on it. My wife would probably know.
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: louseyville Ky
Thanks for all the information. You guys know your C3's. I will get with the owner this week and let you all know the rest of the details. I am sure I will have a whole list of questions by then.
Thanks, Dan
Thanks, Dan