An opportunity to buy a 72 model coupe is coming up in two weeks. The current owner is putting on a fresh paint job (pace car silver and black theme). Never really thought about a vette till this point. Price is at 15k, which as long as mechanicals are good and interior is decent doesn't seem out of line. Anybody have experience with these and or advice? Basically this guy inherited it from his Dad recently and is just seeing it through where his dad wanted it in paint. He had plans of 20k on the open market, but having been involved with his dad he has offered this price to us.

 

Well I have owned several. Not original paint and year would put me in the 8-9k range. If it were a pace car and the right year it would be worth 15k. It's your money. A '70 was a performance year. But after 70 the pollution add ons started. By '74 we, had pollution pumps and low compression motors. The muscle days were gone. '72 was a good yr but a '70 was better. 68 were junk being the first model change yr. '69 was better but by '70 it was a muscle car. My favorite yr was '67. Big blocks and 435hp. But there were many great yrs. '72 is one of them. Last year for metal bumpers and pop out back windows.

 

Well with the 2014 Corvette bringing back the Stingray, it sounds like you have a great opportunity to buy a classic that will be sought after. This video of the 2014 Stingray is just car ****. lol 2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray - Stills |

 

I spent quite a bit of time looking for information online today, and actually if it's a really good paint, and overall a "clean" car the price looks to be on target if not better. Have yet to see the car, but was wondering if there were any particular areas to look over.. Kinda like our door seals on the bottom and little tweaks. And doc since you have made comments that lead me believe you've followed them a little, L82 in it? Is this a motor swap? "Looks" like that didn't come out till 75 or 76? We were at a social thing last night when the offer was made so I didn't want to pin him down on details at that time.

 

I did a search on ebay and found this under "completed auctions".

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Corvette-Stingray-T-Top-3rd-owner-131500-/221217647297?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3381996ac1#ht_713wt_1168

 

Wrong yr for pace car wrong yr for L82. How bout LT1? If it is an LT1 you have something there. Only about 400 made in '72 and they were the ZR1's of that yr.

 

Sounds like a good "base" for a project car.. notice the other ebay ads and prices with that now? We're not dead set on buying it since we haven't laid eyes on it yet, but like I say if the car has decent interior and drives solid I think it will be a done deal. Can't say any year of vette really turned my head after the 72 body style. Even the new "Stingray".. seems to have Camaro flavor on the tail. But I did have to wonder if those new stingray emblems are 3m tape application..

 

Research today I figured that out at least.. Olds was the pace car... and I'm thinking since it was his dad's car he might not be fully up to date on just what it is. I could live with it being a "pace car" paint, but looking-searching it wasn't even available in black for that year, so that will leave concerns over "all" previous paint being covered.
But I guess there's no real issues of the model to check for? Weak points on the frame that are known or anything along those lines..?

 

You asked. Like I said last year for metal bumpers and the rear window is removable. I remember the fiberglass having some imperfections in them. You could get sea sick looking down the sides of them. Still great cars. If she's an LT1 she's worth every penny if not 8k tops without original paint. I have owned '59, '73, '74, '75 and ZO6 in '03.

 

I currently own a 1973 Corvette convertible that I am restoring. I think you will find many similarities between the Crossfire and the Corvette! Regarding the car's value, check out Hagerty Insurance's valuation tools - i find them to be fairly realistic, since they offer these tools to help customers appraise their cars for insurance purposes.

According to Hagerty, a base model (L48) 1972 Corvette Coupe (hardtop) in good condition (Condition #3 using their categories) could be worth $18,400 in the current market. The Condition #4 cars are valued at $11,800. So figure anywhere between $11,80 and $18,400 - and it seems like you are already in the sweet spot between the two.

I have no relationship with Hagerty (I am not a customer of theirs) but I do have an interest in early '70's corvettes, owning one myself. So good luck on your decision!!

 

Yeah Doc I'm a total idiot when it comes to these cars. Played with my impala's and such back then but vette's were way out of my league price wise to even think about. I'm guessing I wont know for sure on the engine without running the numbers off it.

And thanks for the tip on the body! That would have made my say "hmmm" if I didn't get a heads up on it first..

 

'73 was first yr for rubber front bumper metal rear bumper some pollution. My '74 was a pollution packer with rubber front and rear bumpers. HP just kept going down. LT1 was gone L82 was in. Good luck.

 

1973 the year the engines died.
Gas consumption up and performance down.
A great year ...... not.

 

Pulled them up today too.. Seeing the price range was what lead me to spending more time online looking. Prices seem to run like Crossfires to.. LOL.

Currently a base model Crossfire convert. on Ebay with 70k on the clock for 16.5K ..

Like they say.. it's worth what someone will pay for it..

 

The Black and Silver "Pace Car" paint job was on the 78 Vette, and when done on any early C3 Vette it sort of gives it an updated look. IMO
You're right about 72 Chevys not coming in black, all that was offered was a very dark brown metallic instead of black.
I think the biggest frame rust problem occures just in front of the rear tire where the frame starts to curve up over the IRS.
Sometimes you can have a noisy rear leaf spring, but installing the 1 piece 81/82 "Fiberglass" spring is a permanent fix.
Thanks to the cruise control, it was very easy to disconnect the speedometer cable on these cars. So that often explained why there were so many incredibly low mileage Vettes back then. (Not implying your friends Dad did such a thing), just saying many owners liked to keep the mileage as low as possible for resale value. Being as old as it is, hard telling how many owners it had in the last 41 years.
Brake problems were very common, again because many Vettes really were super low mileage cars, because they sat for long periods of time. Old style brake fluid held moisture and corrosion happened.
If the car has synthetic brake fluid that's a big +, updated to stainless steel brakes is the best mod.
I've had 7 Vettes. 78,80,81,84,85,86,87. I actually enjoyed the C3's the most.
Like Doc, I'd give anything to have a 67 Coupe, but they are so far out of my price range that will always be an unfullfilled fantasy. I actually had a guy that considered trading me his 66 coupe even up for my Viper last year. I only hesitated because his car had a "Powerglide" tranny. In the end, I decided I needed the money more than the car, and he finally sold it, and I sold my GTS.
I hope it works out for ya, they make a fun cruiser, and really aren't too bad on a curvy road.

 

one other rust are is the birdcage.

 

correction .. "are" below should read area. sorry.....

 

"Birdcage".. I'm going to guess the area below the front bumper where the headlights tuck away?

+fireamx - Thank you for your advice on this. Like you and Doc, the 67 was definitely the sweet spot style. They always turn my head when I do see one.

 

I had the L-82 on my 74, but not sure if it was available in 72. However, the 72 like all the 70's Vettes were not the glory years for Corvettes. That said I don't think $15K is out of line if it's in real nice shape.

 

My older brother had a gold 72 and currently has a blue 69. The 68 to 72 has nice lines. His was more for show than go. (350/350 T-top ) And yes, the front disc brake calipers are problematic even if the cars driven and given lots of loving care. His ran on the hot side if memory serves me. If it's been hit and repaired it should really show. The fiberglass on his shattered when he got tagged. If the body's been off frame it's a good possibility the doors won't close correctly. The bodys were shimmed from the factory and every one is car specific. With the body off, the frames like to warp in the back if any welding was done and just using the same shim package won't work. Measure the height at all 4 corners. It will be uneven but shouldn't be much over 1/4" from what I've heard. He's still adjusting on his trying to get it right. The shop set it back on using what came off. (Yes, they did some welding for suspension upgrades) So, being it's so hard to get right if messed up, be super picky on the fit of the panels and especially doors. If it checks out, I'd wait to settle on a price until after the paint job so you know what your getting. I've seen spectacular paint work and horrible too.

This is my second hand knowledge on them.

Les