This 1972 Corvette Convertible is living proof that you can have your cake and eat it, too. The owner has performed numerous upgrades that would place its performance head-and-shoulder above what most buyers received in 1972. However, all of the original components are included in the sale for a purist seeking factory-fresh specifications. That has to make it a tempting proposition for any buyers hunting for a C3 Corvette. If I have piqued your interest, you will find this Corvette located in Ohio and listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. If you hand this owner $24,000, you could drive away in a classic that offers a host of future choices.

The seller is this Corvette’s second owner, and it has been in his care for twenty-two years. He is a meticulous person, and the car has been garage-kept all of these years. Therefore, it is no surprise to find that it presents so nicely. Its Ontario Orange lacquer paint shines beautifully, with no significant flaws or imperfections. The owner notes a couple of minor marks and three cracks in the fiberglass, but there’s nothing that would cause the buyer to hang their head in shame when they hit the street for a spot of classic cruising. The existing Black soft-top looks okay, but the seller includes a new replacement, still in its box, as part of this sale. The trim and chrome shine beautifully, while the Rally wheels look excellent. The glass is in good order, but that side exhaust suggests there might be more to this classic than meets the eye.

If a buyer walked into their local Chevrolet dealership in 1972 looking for a new Corvette, the best that they could hope to find would be a car with a V8 that produced 270hp. While many owners felt that this figure was adequate, this seller didn’t. Therefore, the engine bay is now occupied by a Blueprint 355ci crate motor that churns out 400hp. All of that power needs to find its way to the pavement, and it does so via a four-speed manual transmission. In standard form, it meant that the best ’72 Corvette could cover the ¼ mile in 14.6 seconds. With the power available in this baby, that figure should drop to somewhere around 13.8 seconds. The seller hasn’t merely shoehorned extra ponies under the hood and called it a day. The original brakes have made way for the best that the good folks at Wilwood have to offer, while the engine also benefits from a Petronix electronic ignition and headers. This combination has only accumulated 2,000 miles, making everything as fresh as a daisy. However, if you are a purist who craves originality, you’re not left in the cold with this ‘Vette. The owner holds the numbers-matching V8 and all of the original removed components like the brakes and exhaust. He includes those parts as part of this sale. Therefore, returning the car to a factory-fresh state would not be difficult.

When we turn our attention to this Corvette’s interior, the good vibes keep coming. It is upholstered in Saddle leather, and its presentation is above average for a survivor of this vintage. The upholstered surfaces are in good order, while the dash and pad appear excellent. There is some very slight fading on the carpet, but its overall lack of wear would make replacement seem an unnecessary expense. The plastic shows no evidence of deterioration, and the console is one of the nicest I have seen in an original and unrestored Corvette of this age. The factory radio has made way for a radio/cassette player, but I can’t spot any other additions. Like the exterior, the inside of this Corvette would cause no shame on the street or at a Cars & Coffee.

This 1972 Corvette offers potential buyers the best of both worlds. The performance upgrades should make it a ground-bound jet, but the parts are included to return it to its numbers-matching original specifications. It presents nicely and has no immediate needs. If you were to buy this classic, which path would you follow with the drivetrain? More importantly, are you tempted enough to pursue this car further? If you do, I could hardly blame you.