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Big Block Beauty: 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

With 1972 marking the final year that the Corvette wore both front and rear chrome bumpers, they have become a firm favorite amongst Corvette enthusiasts. Throw in a one-year-only paint color, and you have a Corvette that is quite a desirable car. This particular car will need some cosmetic work to return it to its best, but it is said to be a solid car that should be worth the effort. It is located in Shallotte, North Carolina, and is listed for sale here on eBay. At the time of writing, bidding has reached $17,000. With the reserve having been met, it looks like someone is destined to become the third owner of this great classic.

Bryar Blue was only offered in the Corvette range for the 1972 model year, and this is a shame because it is a very attractive color. The owner is very honest about the fact that this paint will be in need of a refresh, but I think that the results would be worth the effort. He states that the frame has a light scaling, but both it and the birdcage seem to be nice and solid. What isn’t solid is the soft-top. The frame looks fine, but the material is shredded and is well beyond salvation. Still, it somehow seems fitting that the Corvette should receive fresh paint and a new soft-top at the same time. At least that should ensure that the overall presentation of the vehicle is consistent. One other item that the owner notes that might need replacing is the weather stripping. That’s probably a wise idea if the condition looks questionable.

The interior of the Corvette is going to need a bit of work, but it is complete, and some of the more important items look like they are in pretty reasonable condition. The dash and pad look good, as does the center console. The most obvious items that would be scheduled for replacement would be the covers on the seats and the carpet. I initially thought that the cover on the passenger seat was okay, but it does look like it has a couple of minor tears, so it would probably pay to replace it. There is a mark on the driver’s door trim that will need investigating, but it all looks quite promising.

There’s nothing quite like opening the hood of a car like this and finding a big block nestling in the engine bay. The owner doesn’t mention whether this is a numbers-matching car, but he does state that it has only covered a genuine 68,000 miles. What you get for your money is a 454ci LS5 V8, an M21 4-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The car is said to be in good mechanical health, and that it drives nicely. It has recently been treated to new brake lines and calipers, so it should stop nicely as well. If the Corvette is in good health, then that 454 is certainly going to potentially offer the next owner some pretty lively and enjoyable motoring.

A fresh coat of paint, a new soft-top, a bit of interior work, and this Corvette will be set to turn heads wherever it goes. By today’s standards, cars like this are considered by some to be dinosaurs, but that’s no bad thing. These are a car that was designed to be fun to drive, and with so much of life becoming serious, a bit of fun never does anyone any real harm. That alone seems like a pretty good reason to own a car like this.

Comments

  1. Avatar art

    “a car that was designed to be fun to drive, and with so much of life becoming serious, a bit of fun never does anyone any real harm.”

    Some of the best advice I’ve read in a long, long time.
    Thanks for that.

    Like 9
  2. Avatar Fred H

    WOW another Corvette . Seem to be a lot of them.

    Like 2
  3. Avatar OhU8one2

    Very nice project, rare color, good options and both chrome bumpers. I dislike the 73 Corvette so much because of the bumpers. My advise on this car, clean it up, fix or replace items that arent usable. Make it mechanically sound and enjoy the hell out of it.

    Like 6
  4. Avatar Redwagon

    Great color! Never knew it existed. I’d swap over to a leather interior fix any niggling problems and drive it back and forth to the gas station.

    Like 7
  5. Avatar Ted

    Until Vette owners post numerous and high quality pictures of the frame from front to back I’d be real careful about buying sight unseen.

    “There is only light scale rust on frame, birdcage appears solid.”

    This means nothing, we’ve all seen rust so bad it forgets what the word metal means and the seller had called it rust free or just surface rust. Do your homework kids………

    Like 9
    • Avatar Tom Member

      Amen amen and amen!

      Ted, who knows, the writer of the add could be Dyslexic and meant to say “Free Rust” !!!!

      Ah, there’s just some minor damage on the front end said the seller of the Titanic !!

      Like 6
    • Avatar Mike W H

      Can someone explain how to examine the birdcage on these older Vettes? I had a ’77 and the closest I got to frame work was finding out that the rear end needed alignment just like the front end did. It’s got shims. Who knew?

      Like 0
    • Avatar Mike

      You are 100% right Ted. Frame and bird cage rust is the bane of these cars. If they checked out and the engine and trans was matching I would have gone 13 to 15. All those other items would add another 20 to the resto. Heck the paint would be 10.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar leiniedude Member

    I agree on your ‘turn heads with a refurbish’ Adam. This car will turn heads as it is. My buddy had a 72 Bryar blue back in the 70s. It is the best looking color ever on a Stingray. I’ll get the luggage rack thing going, looks like the owner did not like theirs. I see they have hardtop for a C3 for sale also. Nice find, thanks, Mike.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    I’m with Ted- Light scaling is in the eye of the beholder. Thourough inspection on this one a month. if that’s good it would be a great cruised as is. Drive it like you stole it. caveat Emptor and Good luck!
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 2
  8. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    I see that color
    http://www.firstgenmc.com/tech/72colors.jpg
    Available on Monte & other GM cars?
    Imagine the reaction of today’s younger drivers if they ever see that chart, compared to the “colors” you get today – espec on “base” “cars”.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar 433jeff

    Ls5 , thats pretty special.

    Like 2
  10. Avatar NotSure

    Assuming the rust is not an issue I would put a new top on it and drive as is. It isn’t as though we need to worry about rusty sheet metal! Save the repaint

    Like 1
  11. Avatar TimM

    Reserve met might be a good buy if it stays where it’s at!! Four speed big block!! It doesn’t get any better than that!!!

    Like 1
  12. Avatar 71_LT1

    Great color, and the fact that it is a 454 with a 4 speed and a convertible equals Summer fun as you restore it. Great find, and parts for these are easily obtained and usually reasonably priced. Had to share another pic of my ’71 LT1 with the rally wheels I just put on. (Saving the original hub caps of course)

    Like 5
    • Avatar Mike W H

      Nice! How do you post photos? Is it a members only thing?

      Like 1
      • Avatar 71_LT1

        If it doesn’t give you an option of choose file or post image, then yes you have to be a member. Being a member is inexpensive, and you get to see vehicles right away, definitely worth it. 👍✌

        Like 2
  13. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Ended: Jun 05, 2019 , 5:08PM
    Winning bid:US $17,900.00
    [ 71 bids ]

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Joel S.

    Bird cage rust can be seen at the base of windshield pillars and remove lower kick panels to look.

    Frame rust is from inside out and at the kick ups mainly.

    Like 0

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