We always welcome the contribution of our readers at Barn Finds. Whether via your respectful and informed article feedback or by referring wonderful classics for us to feature, you are the reason we are here, producing articles that we hope will entertain and inform. Therefore, I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this stunning 1972 Corvette. Picking a single highlight of this classic is impossible because it ticks every box a serious collector could hope for. It is an unmolested vehicle that presents superbly. Its paint and trim combination are among the best you could find, and the big-block under the hood enhances its desirability. However, its crowning glory could be the odometer reading because this one-owner gem has a documented 17,430 miles on the clock. The seller feels the time has come to part with the ‘Vette, listing it here on Craigslist in Richboro, Pennsylvania. The price of admission to a classic of this caliber is unlikely to be cheap, with potential buyers needing to find $80,000 to take this stunning survivor home.
Chevrolet generally offered potential C3 Corvette buyers a choice of ten paint shades, and 1972 was no exception. This car’s original owner was 1-of-2,346 buyers who selected Steel Cities Gray. That doesn’t make it the rarest color, with that honor falling to Pewter Silver. However, it only represented a take-up rate of 8.7%. Color preference is subjective, but I have always been a sucker for metallic gray, meaning I like what I see with this classic. The paint shines intensely, and there are no color or matte issues that can plague paint of this type. It appears the car has never undergone any restoration work, and if it is entirely original, the paint condition is particularly noteworthy. The fiberglass looks excellent, and the sparkling chrome adds a classy contrast. Most of the 27,004 Corvette buyers in 1972 equipped their new purchase with Rally wheels, but this one marches to the beat of a different drummer as 1-of-3,593 featuring flawless Deluxe Wheel Covers. Spotless tinted glass rounds out an exterior that can’t help but draw crowds of admirers.
The 454ci V8 represented one of the genuine bargains on the 1972 Corvette Options List. The LT1 version of the 350 small-block delivered 255hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque while adding $483.45 to the sticker price. Ticking the box beside the LS5 big-block added $294.90 but brought 270hp and 390 ft/lbs of torque to the table. It is little wonder the LS5 outsold the LT1 by a ratio of 2:1. This ‘Vette features its original LS5, a three-speed automatic transmission, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The auto option didn’t stifle performance unduly, with this classic capable of storming the ¼-mile in 14.8 seconds. The seller emphasizes this is a one-owner vehicle and that its odometer shows 17,430 miles. This reading isn’t merely claimed to be original, but it is fully documented. The Corvette runs and drives perfectly, and potential buyers should consider it a turnkey proposition.
The good news continues with this Corvette’s interior because it is loaded with desirable factory options. What the new owner receives for their money is leather interior trim, air conditioning, power windows, a tilt/telescopic wheel, and an AM/FM radio. The combination added a significant $970.15 to the Corvette Coupe’s $5,533 sticker price. The interior is unmolested, with no aftermarket additions or modifications. It presents superbly for a survivor, with no evidence of significant wear or abuse beyond the typical leather wrinkles. It has no apparent needs, and it is one aspect of this classic that helps explain why it has accumulated a healthy collection of show silverware.
The seller describes this 1972 Corvette as the best of the best, a bold statement that most enthusiasts will treat skeptically. However, it might not be far from the mark because there is so little to criticize with this classic. Its trophy collection attests to its overall condition and originality, while its combination of paint, trim, and options must make it a relatively rare beast. The seller’s price is at the top end of the market, but the listed factors and odometer reading justify the figure. I doubt they will have potential buyers beating a path to their door, but it only takes one for this Corvette to find a new home. Would you consider pursuing it further?
Never going to be worth 80K. But you always start high.
Beautiful car, nicely optioned, very well cared for and a trophy winner. However, a ’72 coupe with a slush-box, $80K? I don’t think so.
For the same money you can get a C8. I don’t know about you but I’d go for the mid engine car.
That is probably what the seller will buy if they get their asking price.
Even with the LS5 454 $80k is too high
An old Ford Bronco sold for 200K on Barretts last night, so there is that. Also, a brand new 3/4 ton top of the line from the 3 biggies is over 80K. So, with some perspective, 80K may be high, expecially me, but maybe not out of line for someone looking for this exact car with money to buy an extra truck here and there. And it’s a starting point. It’s deffinetly a sellers market. I have sold 3 tractors for stupid money already this year. No one even offering me less, just handing me cash. Whatever is going on is not over yet..
Certainly a well optioned car with smog intact. But for driving comfort, I will take my 73 coupe over this trailer queen. You could take this to Bloomington and go home with gold.
Beautiful original big block Vette. As mentioned $80k isn’t really realistic pricing. Sounds like the “I really don’t want to sell price” or the seller is simply fishing the market. Trouble is the market the ask is far apart from the real value I doubt they receive any offers considering all truly interested parties will be discouraged.
Nice car but VERY expensive. I am inclined to say that the paint is not original as claimed. Am I just guessing? I don’t think so, because it is my understanding that the ’70-’72s had side heat extractor vents, that while painted body colour, also were chrome or polished stainless around the edges…and on this one the entire side vents are painted. If this car has been repainted, as I think it has, even with the low mileage, being a 72 and an automatic, I would say in the low $60s at best is more like it.
Check again they are original.
I have checked again, Frank. Go up to Adam’s write-up and click on the brown “here on Craigslist”. Then go to picture 17. The entire side air vents are painted over. Not a hint of polished stainless anywhere. Whoever did the respray didn’t go to the trouble of carefully masking the shiny metal edges, obviously thinking no one would notice, since the paint is a silver-grey.
If they are painted over, take clean fresh razor blade and shave the paint off the chrome edges. I did that when mine was repainted and it came out perfectly. But, be careful and take your time!
Yes ACZ, but the point originally was that as painted over–as can be seen on the Craigslist picture 17, it is axiomatic that the car has had a respray and isn’t as “original” as claimed…as the seller is claiming original paint!
80K is impossible on CL.
The car needs to go through a big name auction house for that number to become a reality.
If this one is best of the best, why doesn’t seller have it NCRS judged to prove it? Any other claim regarding originality is simply puffery.
The rusty radiator top/cooler support and the calapsed springs (car setting so low to the ground) tells me you may find some surprises when you inspect this car up on a lift.
Well if you are selling a car you can always come down in the asking price its called fishing
With all the great C3 we have viewed lately for 20 grand one in which I had a drunken melt down over the 1970 with crazy 1970 paint job , 4 speed , had real header side pipes not to mention holley double pumper taking up residence I find it hard to fathom 50 grand for this ! I guess it’s only new once & a sucker born every minute!
The fifth digit of K on the VIN calls for this car to have had the 350/200 base engine from the factory. The 454/270 would have had a W as the fifth digit. Is there a story from the seller about this?
Good catch, Gary. That title doesn’t match. Stolen car with a swapped VIN or a mistake by the State when printed? I wouldn’t give anyone a penny on this car!
Probably not a mistake by PA. Thinking there’s a whole different story about this. Pic of the VIN on the car would help. Hopefully the seller will explain here.
And see what the rivets look like that are holding it on.
That could easily explain why it is barely driven. Be nice to see the block stampings, too.
Yes, I agree … the block stampings would be revealing. Maybe Barn Finds will answer here about this. The 454/270 is the whole reason for the price.
This seller must have a brass set to go on about the originality and then knowingly show a VIN number that proves he/she is a liar.
It also could be the reason that it is for sale on CL and not at an auction house.
Way too much.
The “original paint” is under the respray! The “original 454” was original to some other car. I can believe, though, that the springs are original as they are so worn that the car is sitting too low. Then there are all the other details pointed out by others…The seller should be told to please accept 100k as 80 is stealing candy from a baby!
Titled late April 72 with VIN of 78XX when my May 72 VIN is 21987. This car sat at a dealer for a long time. Need engine stamp, VIN on pillar and more paint photos to verify claims at this price point. Also as pointed out K vs W screams more research. Could be a typo that needs fixing.