The 1972 model year marked a changing of the guard for the C3 Corvette. It was the last year Chevrolet produced the car with many of its defining characteristics. The chrome front bumper would be a memory for the following year, as would the removable rear window and the vacuum-operated pop-up windshield wiper door. Subsequent cars would become softer and less sporting, with tighter emission regulations strangling its V8 engines. That makes the 1972 model one of the most desirable C3s, and our feature car could draw potential buyers like moths to a flame. It has sat for years, but it needs to find a new home to settle an estate. The Stingray is listed here on Craigslist in Massapequa Park, New York. The sale price of $5,999 could make it one of the most affordable complete ’72 project cars in the current market, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Chuck F for spotting it.
The seller indicates this Corvette has lain idle for years, and there are some factors worth considering to determine whether it is a viable restoration candidate. The Black paint gracing its panels isn’t original. The listing indicates it rolled off the line wearing a different shade, and I have determined it was originally Bryar Blue. That could be a key consideration because it is one of the rarest colors, with only 1,617 buyers (6%) selecting it. To describe the existing paint as low quality would be diplomatic, and the buyer will choose to strip it and the original paint away as part of a high-end restoration. Someone modified the headlamp setup to achieve a custom look but reinstating the factory appearance should be possible. They also swapped the hood, but high-quality reproductions are readily available. With any C3 project, a significant consideration is the state of the frame and birdcage. The seller describes the frame as “largely rust free.” The accompanying photo reveals little beyond surface corrosion. The trim is present and restorable, with the glass showing no significant flaws.
The seller supplies little information on the Stingray’s drivetrain beyond it featuring a four-speed manual transmission. They claim an odometer reading of a genuine 69,000 miles but don’t mention verifying evidence. The engine bay houses a 350ci V8, but it is unclear which version of the small-block it is. Buyers could select the entry-level ZQ3, producing 200hp, or the LT-1, pumping out 255hp. Considering the rest of the vehicle’s specifications and equipment, my instincts tell me it’s a ZQ3. Combined with the four-speed, it would have allowed this classic to cover the ¼ mile in 15.9 seconds. However, if further investigation reveals it as an LT-1, that’s a game-changer. Only 1,741 buyers spent the additional $483.45 over the sticker price for that motor, which significantly increases the potential value if that’s what occupies this engine bay. The seller states the car hasn’t run in years, and we don’t know whether the 350 turns freely. If it does, revival may not be difficult or expensive.
Chevrolet offered ’72 Corvette buyers four interior trim colors, and we know the Black trim in this car isn’t original. The car rolled off the line sporting Blue vinyl, but the interior changes probably coincided with the paint color swap. The radio and original wheel are missing, but the interior appears otherwise complete. Although I’m an optimist, I wouldn’t describe its condition as serviceable. It requires a total restoration, meaning a trim kit would be the obvious choice. These retail for around $1,400 and include seatcovers, door trims, trim hardware, and a carpet set. Further investigation may reveal hard trim pieces and plastic requiring replacement. Keeping around $2,500 aside for the work would be wise to play it safe, and if it costs less, that’s a bonus.
Although it is complete, this 1972 Corvette Stingray requires a total restoration to return to its former glory. The accumulated corrosion suggests that a frame-off approach would be best, but that won’t be cheap. That begs the question of whether the expense is justified. There isn’t an easy answer, and it will depend on how much work the buyer is willing and capable of tackling themselves. Labor can be one of the crippling costs in any project, and minimizing costs in that area is a wise strategy. Even if you can’t wield a spray gun or welder, dismantling and reassembly take time, and time is money. That approach could make it financially viable, and a further factor is worth considering. Chrome-bumper Corvette values continue climbing above the classic market average. If the restoration strays slightly over budget, it may not be the end of the world. If the buyer retains the car for a period following completion, rising values could wipe out the financial deficit from the restoration. As always, I encourage interested parties to undertake research, but the signs look promising.
A 14″ non dished formula type steering wheel would put it further from your chest than the dished one here.
Can i assume the not bad looking headlight conversion here is a cheaper alternative to fixing the popups?
IMO, the rally wheels look good w/o the trim rings.
If the bird cage & motor are ok, car is probably worth it.
I have only owned one Corvette in my life, it was the smog choked detuned 1979 model, but it was still a Corvette. I never have been able to understand why anyone would take away one of the car’s best features, the hidden headlights. It just doesn’t look right, and to be honest it looks like sh*t. I am 6’3″ tall, and not a small man, but I always wanted to own one. Going to a drive thru with the T-tops out, a young girl asked me if I had to take the tops off to drive it. That kind of ruined my experience of owning one as my head stuck about 2-3 inches above the roof line. It was like putting 10 lbs of sh*t in a 5 lbs can. But it was fun for awhile. Too much to do on this one unless you can get it for a better price. But please put the lights back to factory OEM.
I can just imagine your reaction to the new “vette” where the ridiculous looking rear end & side proportions, & JC Whitney-like black addons make the lack of hidden headlites its least “non vette looking” issue – imagine how many would be sold, if Chevy INSTEAD used the bigger side windowed beautiful body of the mid engined 4 rotor covette! – or even the prior XP-882.
The rectangular headlight conversion and bubble tail lights are true to the era that this car roamed the streets. I would embrace that and add some big chrome side pipes and a candy apple paint job to complete the look.
And don’t forget the fuzzy mirror muff and dingle balls.
This seller left out pics of the fiberglass damage under the headlight area. The firewall has damage behind the brake booster etc. This car took an impact on the nose and I would inspect the frame horns as well. In a different ad you will see the nose damage.
There’s more work than meets the eye. I’ve restored 68 to 72 vettes most of my life and this one needs more than it shows in the pics.
This car needs a whole nose. The front surround, and both front fenders show significant cracks and damage, the lower front valance is missing, and from the front the door gap it appears the whole nose is pushed back. The rear end’s not much better that the front. The rear valance/exhaust panel is missing, the tail lamp panel shows a number of cracks, as do both rear fenders.
My first thought was that this car was the middle car in a three car sandwich, but considering that so much of the damage is down low, I suspect it may have actually had an off road experience.
The damage to the firewall looks like the result of a fire. Part of the left side looks like it’s had some kind of so so repair work done to it, but the frayed hole on the top, looks just like what Corvette fiberglass looks like after a fire. Besides the firewall, the wiring’s a mess, and the right inner fender skirt appears to be missing, or broken up as a result of whatever happened to the nose. It doesn’t look like the fan shroud’s there either? The heater hose is routed back into the block, so either the core’s bad, or from looking at the interior pictures, maybe gone altogether?
This poor Corvette has had a very rough life. Considering the amount of work that it’s going to take to put it back on the road, even $6000 may be to high for what’s left and reusable.
Had me interested until the last pic, {interior} What a shame!!!