For Corvette enthusiasts, this 1972 Stingray would have to tick a lot of the right boxes. It is a car that comes from the final year where the vehicle wore chrome bumpers at either end, it is an unmolested survivor, and the engine bay houses the original 454ci V8 engine. That combination is one that makes this a very desirable car, and it is a classic that is now looking for a new home. If it ticks enough boxes for you that would make you want to pursue it further, then you will find the Corvette located in Long Island, New York, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner is asking $23,454 for the Corvette, and I would expect that it will probably be snapped up pretty quickly at that price. I really have to say a huge thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for referring this fire-breather through to us.
The Classic White Corvette presents extremely nicely, and the owner states that it is unrestored. It has never had any accident repairs, while the frame is said to be completely rust-free. It is easy to see why the chrome-bumper Corvettes are so popular because they are a lithe and purposeful looking car in this guise. The 1972 model year was also the last where the removable rear window was available, which really marked the end of an era for the Corvette. As well as the panels and paint looking so good, the chrome, trim, wheels, and the glass also looks to be in very good condition.
In 1972 there really wasn’t a bad engine in the Corvette range, but that old adage that there is no substitute for cubic inches rings true with this car. What hides under the hood is the LS5, 454ci V8, pumping out 270hp and 390lbs/ft of torque. Those ponies find their way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. The result is a car that is capable of leaping from 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds, while the ¼ mile is nothing but a memory after 14.6 seconds. The owner states that this is a fully numbers-matching car, including all of the ancillaries such as the distributor, alternator, carburetor, and even the water pump. With 82,000 miles on the clock, this is a car that should have years of life left in it, provided that it remains well maintained. The good news here is that the Corvette isn’t all talk, as the owner says that it also runs and drives well.
The originality of the Corvette continues when we open the doors and climb inside the car. All of the red vinyl upholstery is said to be original, and there have been no aftermarket additions or changes made to the car. The original AM/FM radio is still fitted to the dash, and the only signs of any real age inside the car is some creasing of the seat upholstery, some edge wear and what looks like a minor seam separation on the driver’s seat, and some minor wear on the wheel rim. If the car checks out as well in the metal as it seems to in the photos and listing description, it would be very tempting to submit it for judging with the NCRS. I suspect that it might give a Top Flight Award a pretty fair old shake.
If this Corvette is as good as it would appear to be in the listing, then at the asking price it could potentially represent one of the buys of the year. I would honestly expect this to be a car that would normally sell for well in excess of $30,000, simply because it is so original. I would love to think that one of our readers would follow-up on this car because it really needs to go to a true enthusiast who will cherish and appreciate it for what it is.
That, folks, is a great looking car.
Gotta agree Bob. My small block.
Dude! when do I get a ride?
Hey Gregg, this summer I will swap you out for your Corvair! I hope the move is going well.Take care, Mike.
It’s a deal.
I dunno Bob 🤷🏻♂️.. I don’t see the air conditioning 😜
Kidding its a nice price four speed big block 👍
I ❤️ it!
Not a huge fan of the white but the red is great. I have always prefered the coupe over the convertible.
I am crying. The recession bought my super clean 72 Blue on Blue 454/M21 4-Speed Stingray Coupe. Numbers matching, AC, power windows…..I weep.
I have had 4 and hopefully one day have the 70 or 71 of my dreams.
72 had a ton of torque but very low HP. Still a great car.
If u r low on funds, you can get a cheap ’74-81 vette & put in this motor that recently came out! …
http://www.yearone.com/Product/1967-81-camaro/ct350pc1
You won’t see the bumpers from the driver’s seat. lol
Surprised how ez it is to get at the plugs on this big block!
& that there’s no air pump.
I had a Brands Hatch Green 71 454 LS5 coupe in the mid 70s. Great car. 4 speed 3.08 rear. Ton of top end. College costs made me sell for $6,000 in 78. Now retired, I have a great running 73 coupe. 350 L48 4 speed with AC. More comfortable than my 71 ever was. Drive it every dry day I can. 72 is a good car, but 73 rides better. This is a beauty. Super color combo.
Frame and birdcage. It’s a long-guy-land New yawk rust belt car, if that all checks out this would be a great buy on a sweet last year before smog ‘vette. Looker over good and Best of luck!
Cheers
GPC
My 72 LS5 with AC was bought new if FL and it has a smog pump. I do believe ALL 72s had smog pumps, don’t have my NCRS guide near by at the moment. Still a nice looking car at a reasonable price.
Anything Corvette 68-72 is on my list. What a beautiful sports car!
If only I had room in my garage.
I hear you Jack.
Great price. I don’t care that it needs premium gas.
Your talking a low compression motor, midgrade is no problem. Heck in a pinch you could run 87 Octane. Now it is a Corvette so Premium makes the most sense. I have a 72 LS5 Vette and in a pinch I have run midgrade with no issues.
Really nice Corvette, worth every bit of his ask,
$ 23,454. The only negative is the lack of A/C, but thats what the T-Tops are for.Nice Corvette !
A very nice Corvette with excellent options. Most people might be able to live without AC in this attractive car. The LS5s for 1971 and 1972 were the same engines. They dropped the compression ratio to 8.5 for a rating of 365 HP in 1971. Then in 1972 for the same engine they went to a “net rating” and called it 270 HP. The 1971 and 1972 LS5s were not in the same class as the 1970 LS5s, but still had very impressive torque and would have been a lot of fun to drive. .
You are right Jack about living without AC. Mine has AC. Realy not needed here in Wisconsin. T tops off and back window out you can hear the pipes out back. Great sound. My base 350 car gets scratch in all 3 gears. A lot of fun for a 1972. Take care, Mike.
If you aren’t a stickler for originality, wouldn’t a modern aftermarket A/C system will be more efficient at cooling and also sap less power?
Gone.