Update 3/23/20 – After getting bid up to $27k back in January, this Corvette has been relisted here on eBay with the option to bid or buy it outright for $25,000.
From 1/16/20 – When it comes to the C3 Corvette, the cars that will tend to find the greatest favor with enthusiasts are the examples featuring chrome bumpers. They have a purity about them, and their lines haven’t been spoiled by the specter of tightening bumper impact requirements. Barn Finder Ikey H spotted this beautiful looking 1972 Corvette Convertible for us, so thank you for that Ikey. This stunning vehicle is looking for a new home, so if a C3 Corvette is high on your shopping list, then it is a car that might be worth a look. It is located in Cape Coral, Florida, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding on the Corvette has been quite subdued. Oh, alright, there has only been one bid up to this point. This has seen things open at $19,000, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
The first thing to note about this Elkhart Green Corvette is the fact that it is unrestored. That means that what you see is precisely what rolled off the production line in St. Louis, Missouri back in 1972. The paint itself looks extremely nice, with only a few minor chips and marks to show for the last 48-years of use. The fiberglass shows no evidence of stressing anywhere, so there are no obvious cracks to be seen. The Corvette features a vinyl-clad hardtop, along with a Black soft-top that seems to be in good condition. The only flaw that I could spot there was the fact that the rear window in the soft-top is starting to go cloudy. The remaining glass all appears to be free of significant chips or scratches, while the trim and chrome appear to be close to faultless.
The Corvette is a numbers-matching vehicle, featuring a 350ci V8 engine, 4-speed manual transmission, a 3.36 Posi rear end, and power steering. While this wasn’t the most potent combination to wear the Corvette badge, performance figures were still quite acceptable. The fact that a Corvette of this spec could still cover the ¼ mile in 15.6 seconds wasn’t extraordinary, but it was still strong enough to satisfy the majority of owners. Presentation under the hood is generally pretty good, although the peeling paint on the original radiator does look a bit on the ratty side. Otherwise, it still looks pretty decent for a survivor of this age. Mind you, this isn’t just about appearance, because the owner says that the car runs and drives well, and the transmission shifts smoothly.
Opening the doors and taking a look inside the Corvette reveals an interior that is not only completely original but is also in great condition. I wasn’t expecting perfection, but I would rate this interior as above average. There is some stretching of the upholstery on the driver’s seat, and the passenger side seat belt buckle has rubbed on the console. The carpet is also slightly faded, but there really isn’t a lot more that I can be critical of. Certainly, if the next owner is looking for a car that is an above-average driver, then this one should fulfill that requirement quite nicely. It isn’t loaded down with a lot of extras, because a tilt/telescopic wheel and an AM/FM radio are just about it. What the owner does say is that everything works. I would assume this even means the clock, which is good news since these have a tendency to stop working at the drop of a hat.
I have to admit that I’m not as big a fan of the C3 Corvette as many people. They are a car that has never really grabbed my imagination. However, I am willing to make an exception with this car. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it just looks like a really tidy survivor that could be quite easy to live with. Of course, it could also be my mid-life crisis kicking in, meaning that I really want to own a convertible. Actually, I think that the first theory might be closer to the truth, so if you would like to own a chrome-bumper C3 Corvette that is low-stress, then this might be the car for you.
Agree Adam. Not a big fan of green but do like the early C 3s. And yes, there is something about this car that grabs you, even green.
LOL! The clock does work, it moved about 10 minutes during there photo shoot. The one in my 72 has not worked in the 20 years of my ownership. There are more important gauges to watch. Not to mention the battery drain. My seats are doing the same thing as this. Seat foam is breaking down and sifting through the seat cover leaving that yellow dust on the seat pad. Nice car in the most popular color for 72.
Actually, Ontario orange was the most popular color in 72. Elkhart green was #2
I bought a brand new ’71 LT-1 2 top convertible that was Ontario Orange, talk about a fast car, the 30 less advertised horsepower from the ’70 model weren’t apparent. With a little bit of finessing here and a tickle there it ran 13.1 at New York National Speedway drag strip,
@ 116 MPH.
Hey its right two times per day 😂
My clock is the same on my vette
I know how-to rebuild the clocks…
A chrome bumper C3 is on my list of beautiful cars to own someday. I’m not fully on board with this green, but being all original is a huge plus. There was a more forest green color (sorry, don’t know the Vette codes) recently that was so beautiful. Also, the maroon example for sale right now is kind of nice. But I’ll hold out for the dark green, or a dark blue (was there a dark blue?) example.
Had a 71 LT 1 in dark blue, was a beast…
Thanks Ikey for the find! You made my day much better. I really like that color green on the exterior. Nice survivor and I also like the chrome bumpers on the C3. I never liked the plastic covers in the later years.
It ain’t easy being green! (very nice color)
This looks like a real nice 72. The color doesn’t look quite right, but I think that has to do with how the pictures were taken. There’s nothing wrong with the base L-48 350, it’s a good running, reliable engine, and with an 8.5:1 compression ratio, it runs quite happily on regular gas.
I prefer a tan interior and a white top, with Elkhart Green, but I could live with the black. I’d think low to mid $20’s would be a fair price for this car, if it looks as nice in person. It would be interesting to know what the reserve is.
Mike D’s right, Ontario Orange outsold Elkhart Green by about 600 cars.
Definitely a lot lighter / brighter than the Donnybrook Green that I had on my ’70. Tan interior and top was a perfect match.
I am surprised the seller did not take some photos with the hardtop removed. A C3 convert with the top down is as good as it gets, visually, IMHO.
Those hardtops are a PITA to mount and remove.
That hard top. Stylewise, C3’s are my least favorite, but that hard top is what makes it so sweet for me.
At $25k now. After seeing really clean Big Block cars barely hit $25k Barret, and several others in the teens at Barret…I’m thinking C3 prices might be heading for a soft decline.
They just aren’t the big thing right now at BJ. It seems that pickups are all the rage this year.
This car was sold at Mecum Kissimee 2018 for $33,000 plus bidder fee.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0118-312614/1972-chevrolet-corvette-convertible/
So, I have to imagine the buyer won’t take anything under $33k. Looks nice, but maybe they have buyer’s remorse now. It looks clean. Always buyer beware on auctions, the car looks great under the lights and you can really get caught up in the moment.
For me, this is the best year for the C3. Last year before the loss of chrome bumpers. By 1972, they had figured out most of the issues with the C3. Yes, they didn’t have the power of the 427, but the first model year of any car from this era always had issues. Engineering just wasn’t perfected yet.
I like the color a lot…and love the top!
Seeing this I now believe all C3 corvettes need vinyl tops. How cool is that.
How early was this color available ? I’ve always found the grille grid to be excessively busy and distracting, but I like the color. Decidedly NOT red. Maybe hunt up an Elkhart Green car in an earlier year ?
The greens were different every year. As I mentioned earlier, the ’70 green was darker and I know that the ’73 was brighter. I can’t recall the ’71 green off the top of my head.
350 4 speed car would be fun to drive but I’m not crazy about the color!! Do you go into the show room and say can I have the puke green corvette please??? Just my opinion!!!
To me, the color makes this car.
What are you eating to get puke this color ? !!!!
Ended:Jan 20, 2020 , 1:55PM
Winning bid:US $27,500.00
[ 13 bids ]
Happy to see the price. Thinking of selling my 72 this spring, if I do I will post it here. It is a long winter here in Wisconsin, maybe by then I will sober up and keep her for my 21 first year of ownership. To the environmentalists here, not sorry about the dead bugs on the front plate.
Mike, maybe I’ll buy it from you! I had mine for 29 years and it’s been a long years.
LOL!
I will give you the first shot Dennis! The plate might be a little dated, oh well. Going off the rails………..Take care Buddy, Mike.
The plate is dated? Why, are you no longer CRAZY? LOL!
BTW: Love that plate!
The problem I always had (and still do for that matter) with a removable top is what happens when you go for a drive and then it rains?
I am guessing you are not familiar with the optional hard top…..There also is a folding soft top under the tonneau cover …all corvettes convertibles have the soft folding top….so you always have a top even if you leave the optional hard top off car
I had the hardtop on my convertible – once. It takes 2 people to put it on and 2 people to take it off. And, it had to be bolted into place. So, when you put it on, it stays on for awhile.
You might use it if the convertible top is ripped or getting replaced.
Or, just keep it on all of the tip if you prefer a couple.
I’m a Vette guy with seven of them passing through my stable in the last 25 years (a C4, three C5s, a C6, and two C7s). Growing up in Carlisle, PA I remember when nice C3s were just old cars that traded hands all day long in the car corral for $7.5 – 15K depending on colors/options/etc…
This car has it all…originality, curb appeal, convertible top, and three pedals. If I wasn’t living on the west coast right now I’d be all over that car for $25K. A classic Vette that you can daily drive on nice days without diminishing the value or worrying too much about parking it at Home Depot.
I liked it the first time, I like it now. Stay safe out there.