The 1972 model year was significant for Chevrolet’s C3 Corvette because it marked the first where most buyers specified an automatic transmission. It was also the last where the car featured chrome bumpers at either end, marking the end of an era for one of the most recognizable American classics. This 1972 example is a gem that presents exceptionally well for a survivor. It has no apparent needs and is ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel. Located in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, you will find the Corvette listed here on Craigslist. The seller set their price at $29,700, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L. for spotting this stunning survivor.
Elkhart Green proved to be one of the more popular shades on the 1972 Corvette color palette, with 4,200 buyers ticking that box on the Order Form. It was only surpassed by Ontario Ornage, which graced the panels of 4,891 cars. This Corvette presents exceptionally well for a driver-grade vehicle. The paint shines richly, and any imperfections are too minor to show in the supplied photos. The fiberglass is excellent, and the seller doesn’t mention any issues with the frame or birdcage. The vehicle’s overall condition suggests it has been treated with kid gloves, meaning there is a high probability it is rust-free. There is no evidence of leaks around the T-Top seals, and the trim and glass are above average for a vehicle of this type. I can understand why enthusiasts prefer the pre-1973 Corvettes because they possess a styling purity that was slightly lost as the company made changes to the bumpers to comply with new safety regulations. The seller indicates that the headlamp and wiper door function correctly, which is a triumph when they can be troublesome.
Buyer tastes are constantly evolving, and the 1972 Corvette dramatically demonstrated this. The preference for automatic transmissions grew enormously because while 46% of buyers selected the option in 1971, the total rose to 53.9% in 1972. This car bucks the trend with its ZQ3 version of the 350ci V8 backed by a four-speed manual. Driving duties should be relatively effortless, courtesy of the original owner’s decision to specify power steering. They say that figures never lie, but that isn’t always true. They suggest that the small-block took a significant hit in 1972, with the power and torque figures of 200hp and 300 ft/lbs considerably lower than the previous year’s 270hp and 360 ft/lbs. However, this was an illusion brought about by a change where manufacturers quoted net, rather than gross, figures. The reality was that there was little to separate performance between the two years. Potential buyers will be pleased to learn that this Corvette is in excellent mechanical health. It runs and drives perfectly, with no rattles or odd noises. It is ready to be driven home by its lucky new owner.
The positive impressions continue inside this Corvette, with little worth criticizing. The saddle leather trim is in excellent condition, with its lack of wear and physical damage suggesting it has been the seller’s cherished baby. The carpet has typical fading and marks but is presentable if the new owner prefers a survivor-grade appearance. However, with complete carpet sets in the correct color retailing for around $370, addressing the shortcoming won’t be expensive. The plastic is in good order, and the only other flaw worth noting is scratched paint on the steering column resulting from rubbing keys. An aftermarket stereo occupies the factory radio’s spot, while air conditioning makes life more comfortable on hot days.
The photos and listing text suggest that this 1972 is a high-end driver and that the new owner needs to spend nothing beyond the purchase price. It will probably turn more heads today than in 1972, courtesy of its condition. Values have dropped slightly during the past year, but the price of this car is in the ballpark. It has only been on the market a few days, and I believe it will probably find a new home fairly quickly. Are you tempted to pursue this classic further? I wish you luck if you do.
This looks like the girl you ask to prom. it promises to be a great ride
Love it. Excellent 4spd set up. Classy Corvettte here.
Plenty of power in the 350ci for cruising
Those valve covers and air filter should get the numbers back up.
Pull that engine and rebuild with larger cam and a few performance goodies. Paint the block and engine compartment, get correct valve covers and air cleaner and put new carpet inside. This is a fine Vette and deserves to be pampered even more than it has been.
This is what you buy instead of some of the C disasters we’ve looked at in the past week. Nice car.
Only in US, hahahahaha. More people buying a sports car with auto tranny then with a manual.
That’s not a 72. It’s a 68 or a 69.
No emissions like a smog pump or any other EPA certified parts.
I’m not a big fan of green Corvettes, but this car is beautiful. Looks like a great ride, small block, A/C and a 4 speed. I wasn’t sure what to make of the console plate, 370HP? That would make it the LT-1 option, but the hood doesn’t match. I wonder what other things don’t match. In any case it is a great looking car.
So for the price of a console specification sticker our seller picked up 170hp?
Jus’ wonderin’…. Was A/C an option on the LT-1?
This posting says Elkhart Green and the trim tag might even say so, but unless the lighting on/around this car when it was photographed did a number on the shade, this car has most definitely been repainted in a shade of green other than Elkhart Green. Nevertheless, any nice shade of green with deluxe saddle interior is a very good look.
Nice ’72 here, should make someone happy.
It doesn’t mention it, but it’s priced as if it’s matching numbers. I hate it when the chrome shielding has been removed and discarded.
I’m certainly not an expert on 72’s but, beyond the above mentioned LT1 issue, the pictures don’t look like it has a ‘bright’ grill. Perhaps the entire front end (hood/grill/etc) have been replaced.
Nice car but not at that price. Perhaps $25-ish
Maybe it’s just me, but at these prices I want to hear something about the bird cage and frame. Not just a suggestion
that must be good because it isn’t mentioned. I want to see pictures. Just the crusty look of the brake reservoir lid makes you wonder what else is crusty.
This us why we could never buy a car sight unseen. Everything looks great, but the description is too sketchy for us.
Looks very appetizing. One thing I find suspect is the rust on the brake fluid reservoir lid. Anyone else besides me scratch yur head on this? Along that line wish he had taken a few pictures of the underside instead of repeatedly showing some shots twice in the ad. Have to remember it’s a east coast salt water baby.
Looks very appetizing. One thing I find suspect is the rust on the brake fluid reservoir lid. Anyone else besides me scratch yur head on this? Along that line wish he had taken a few pictures of the underside instead of repeatedly showing some shots twice in the ad. Have to remember it’s a east coast salt water baby.
Billy I like your comments and agree completely. Rust on brake fluid lid and I also suspect rust on undercarriage. This is a nice car I have had 2. A 1976 root beer brown metallic roadster as they call it, and a 1978 L82 silver anniversary edition. Both were amazing both had their own issues. However for 30,000 I would have more fun buying a c3 with issues and building my own l88. Now that excites me. I might not have a numbers matching l88 but a 427 HO in a c3 I wouldn’t complain and as long as it was as close to stock as it could be I will be a very happy man with my dream car. Anyway that’s my 2 cents. Cheers gentlemen. Good luck with all of your dream cars. Paul
I just can’t believe the original owner neglected this car as bad as they did. It really is ashamed about letting the carpet fade, should’ve done whatever it took to prevent that. Maybe never getting it out of the garage? Key scratches on the column? Unforgivable… should’ve never put those destructive things anywhere near the car. Those two things alone make it complete garbage, nevermind the rusty brake reservoir and the possibility it’s not numbers matching and found squirreled away in a barn far outside the city. Maybe repaint? Not worth a second look.
Biggest thing ALMOST EVERY car guy forgets or doesn’t even KNOW ABOUT on these older vettes is the BIG urethane suspension Donut that’s tucked up hidden in the front end sub-frame connectors.
Similar vette was traded in to my family’s Mazda Porsche Audi dealership when I was a teen & one of our mechanics was wholesale’d the car.
He did all the basic mechanical work then I saw it on the hoist – front end all apart underneath & he was using special Porsche suspension tool bars for the 928 & removed the sub-frame connectors & replaced the Larger than a hand Urethane suspension donuts.
Afterwards he said it was the best riding car he ever owned-he used upgraded better than new racing Urethane donuts.
After this I test drove several of the vettes we had including the 68 427 4spd & noticed the front end tracking was off compared to HIS reworked vette.
It’s something most guys never even think about since this particular part is HIDDEN up inside the Stub frame
Car like the one pictured can be a real gem with the correct parts & a bit of insightful labor.
I would like to know where this sub-frame donut is located. I’ve owned 5 C3 Corvettes and none of them had a “sub-frame”, they were all full frame cars. I would like to replace this donut on my 1974 Corvette, but I don’t know where it is.
I would check at your local Dunkin or Tim Hortons. They are used to C3 owners/mechanics coming in for a dozen.