‘72 Convertible: Low-mileage Survivor
A really nice early C3 in an interesting color with a four speed manual transmission
I really find this C3 to be an interesting car with a nice exterior/interior color combination and seeming to be in pristine condition. From the photos supplied with the ad, it looks to me like a completely original unmolested survivor with a numbers-matching drivetrain. It seems like a turnkey proposition that needs nothing and could be an enjoyable nice-weather cruiser. If you value originality as much as I do, this very appealing Stingray is in Ocoee, Florida and available at auction. The current bid at this writing is $20,100 and the reserve has not yet been met, but I’m sure it will rise significantly by this Friday at 7:10 PM when the auction ends.
The 1972 model year marked the last time that Corvettes had chrome bumpers at both the front and the back, with a urethane front bumper installed from 1973 to comply with changing safety regulations. A choice of ten paint shades was offered for the 1972 model year, with 2,550 owners selecting the War Bonnet Yellow found on this car.
Although limited information is provided about the car’s history, the ad indicates that a few minor blemishes are consistent with its age, which might suggest that it is a genuine survivor. The paint looks very good, I see no fiberglass issues, and if this car has been owned mostly in Florida, there should be no rust issues. The black soft-top looks to be in good condition, and the color-matched factory hardtop is a nice bonus. The trim is in good condition for its age, and there are no glaring glass problems.
The interior looks very original and the seats appear to be in excellent condition. It has factory air conditioning, tilt/telescopic wheel, AM/FM radio, and the Saddle leather trim. Overall, I think everything in the cabin is impressive, and the plastic parts look exceptional for the age of the car. It shows the hallmarks of a classic that has had exceptional care.
The 350ci engine delivers 200 net horsepower and 300 ft/lbs of torque under the new rating standard that started in 1972. Although the engine’s power and torque figures may seem dramatically lower compared to the previous year, manufacturers began quoting Net numbers in 1972, abandoning the previously common practice of utilizing Gross numbers. In actuality, this engine produced about the same power and torque as the previous year’s engine.
The seller indicates that this Corvette is numbers-matching, which is always a consideration when assessing any classic’s investment potential. The odometer reading of 37,146 miles is believed to be genuine, confirming that this beauty runs and drives extremely well.
I think this ‘72 convertible ticks many boxes for someone looking for a classic Corvette to park in their garage. It is original, unmolested, and numbers-matching. It is also a chrome-bumper example, considered among the most desirable of the C3 Corvettes. It has extremely low mileage and seems ready to provide its new owner with classic motoring pleasure. Recent early-C3 sales suggest that the selling price might be quite a bit higher by when the auction ends.