A few hard-and-fast rules apply when selling a classic. One of the most basic is to take a few minutes to get the best possible shots, because a picture is worth a thousand words in any classic listing. Sadly, that hasn’t been the case with this 1972 Chevrolet Corvette, leaving potential buyers to piece together its cosmetic condition from a series of disjointed images. However, the overall impression is positive, and although the car has sat for a couple of years, returning it to active service would be easy and inexpensive. The seller has listed the Corvette here on eBay in Perrysburg, Ohio. The bidding has reached $17,600, which is below the reserve. There is also a $24,900 BIN option for those wanting to bypass the auction process.
The seller listed this Corvette on behalf of the late owner’s widow, who purchased the car in 1987. Finished in Steel Cities Gray, a single incident demonstrates how much he cherished this classic. It retained its original paint until a few years ago. He was reversing in his driveway and accidentally bumped into the tailgate of his Pickup. The damage was limited to scratches that any shop could have repaired. However, he pulled out all the stops, treating the ‘Vette to a complete repaint in its original shade. The result justified the effort, because it has a mirror shine. One recent chip on the driver’s door leading edge needs attention, but as with the previous damage, a touch-up would be viable. The body looks really nice, and the seller believes there is no frame or birdcage rust. The trim looks comfortably acceptable for a driver-grade classic, and the glass is clear.
The first owner ordered this Corvette with a 350ci V8, a four-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. Together, those features should make life behind the wheel fairly comfortable. A professional inspection confirmed the car’s numbers-matching status and that the 350 is the L48 variant producing 200hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque. The deal includes the original Owner’s Manual and Protect-O-Plate, plus receipts and invoices dating back to when the late owner purchased the vehicle. Therefore, I won’t be surprised if there is evidence verifying the odometer reading. The car has sat since 2023, but it still runs and drives. The seller recommends a professional inspection and new tires to ensure everything is okay before the ‘Vette returns to its rightful place on our roads.
I find this Corvette’s interior quite interesting. The first owner spent $158 on leather trim, $283.35 on an AM/FM stereo radio, and $84.30 on a tilt/telescopic wheel, but didn’t select common items like air conditioning or power windows. Still, they must have chosen that combination because it suited their taste and needs. The disjointed interior shots show fading carpet and light seat wear, but no real problems. I can’t spot any aftermarket additions, and although it isn’t pristine, the overall condition is comfortably acceptable for a survivor-grade classic of this vintage.
If the images are an accurate guide, this 1972 is a promising classic with only minor needs. The impression conveyed is that its late owner cherished this beauty and didn’t compromise on repairs after their minor panel damage. Returning it to its rightful place on our roads should be easy, because it hasn’t hibernated for decades. The seller’s BIN looks realistic, and the auction action and listing statistics back it up. I won’t be surprised if someone hits the button to guarantee its next journey is to their garage. Would you do that, or would you roll the dice in the bidding party?
Gorgeous car and almost worth it based on looks alone. It was obviously cherished but there is no denying father time. Replacing carpets on these is a bear (ask me how I know) and some parts suffer greatly from inactivity, notably the calipers which tend to develop leaks.
Though the L48 is the milder of the two engine choices and seems anemic compared to the fire-breathing monsters of the previous models it’s still a good engine. Though horsepower is listed at 200, the 300lbs/ft of torque salvages a lot of performance and driving pleasure. And there’s the vast plethora of performance parts available for SBCs to upgrade as needed.
Pretty car, should sell soon.
It’s actually 360ft/lbs. of torque and 200 horse is correct along with 8.5:1 compression ratio. I have a 72 L48 sitting in my garage right now and I agree the torque makes up for the lower horsepower and is fun to drive. Also, that horsepower is net not gross as in ’70 and lower years so the difference between horsepower is not as big of a loss as it appears.
You’ve obviously never driven any “real” muscle cars before, if you’re a 70 yo man on a Sunday cruise; no big deal! 200 HP is a slap in the face to any real enthusiast. But to each his own…
M zak – You actually own one, so you would know. I drove a similar Corvette one in a test drive while in college and thought it ran much better that the new Net numbers say.
Not exactly sure what a “real” musclecar is. I drive a 1969 428 torino with the drag pack when I have the time for short trips but would really, really love to drive and take care of such a nice Corvette as this beauty.
Unless you lived in California, you had both the LT-1 and LS-5 to move up to. Also, a ZR-1 engine and suspension package was still offered, but not likely to appeal to many people then. Even less today.
Beautiful Corvette! Too bad they chose to power it like a Vega. Otherwise I would take a swipe at it.
No bueno!
really nice looking vette. great colors. all this needs is some freshening up under the hood and she would be show ready. good miles on it with a bit of a paper trail. seems fairly priced for what’s offered.
Last year for a great looking Corvette. 1963-1972.
Helping her sell. Translation, I paid her $6,900 and now you pay me $26,000. Base engine, stick a plus and no ac, which makes these harder to work on. Decent car you can drive and not freak out about an NCRS judge telling you a cotter pin is backwards.
This seller isn’t taking advantage of an old widow. Their username name is “usetoteach” and. that implies a former teacher.. I know because mine is teachuhow and I was. Also they’ve only sold two other items and both were rare currency and that was over a year ago. It’s just a kind person helping out an old woman.
good base ride – Rough riding by my experience compared to European & Japanese cars – CAN be improved by adding a BIG URETHANE Donut 🍩 bushing into Front Sub-frame Connectors & Swapping out factory suspension bushings for top quality Urethane Sport bushings – Mechanic at my store did this on Same Era Vette – saw him in the shop breaking it all apart the front end – Asked about the process – He explained how the Factory Ride is extremely soft & non responsive & by doing the swap out – entire car is tighter & more road worthy.
Afterwards – he said it was literally the best riding car he’d ever owned.
You increase the handling when going to poly bushings, but the ride suffers, it becomes rougher, not smoother. Your friend’s car was probably riding on worn rubber bushings before the replacement.
After taking a ride in a buddies C3 that had new poly bushings, I choose the original rubber ones for mine. I didn’t autocross my car, so didn’t care.
My Mini Cooper S outhandled the C3 by a long shot, anyway.
Beautiful Vette in a seldom seen color. Our ’72 Impala Custom was dusk gray, not far off from this. Also not common. This a pretty well equipped car for fifty five years old. Tilt steering means it has power steering which is a pretty big deal. Air conditioning was expensive and power windows are one more thing to break.
Agreed.
Steel Cities Grey is a very attractive color in a Vette.
Only thing missing on this nice Vette is a luggage rack.
Looks like a person would need a better bird cage photo(s) B4 I would bid anything.
Take a good look at all the other underside photos. There are a couple pretty questionable spots that appear somewhat resembling red flaking cheese.
Frame off rotisserie anyone? Add $40-55k.
Body “looks” pretty good.
Eyeball only for me. The early life of this little Vette appears to have been a daily central united state’s driver. Weather be damned.
I would say that it’s about an average underbody. No serious rot, it can be cleaned up and addressed now to prevent future issues.
I know, mine was the victim of frame corner rot through, repairs were tough by that point, but were possible.
No AC?
The death pace is accelerating so there will be more estate sales for sure, sadly not many are connecting the dots …
Let’s not forget that in ’72 the horsepower started being measured differently. A ’72 has the same horsepower at the crank that the ’71 had, hence it has 270 ponies and 360 ft/lbs of torque in the old measurement, which is not bad. A few modifications, such as a Comp Cam, an Edelbrock inlet manifold, headers and a performance carb, can do a lot to get you into LT1 performance territory, if so inclined.
I believe this car had a repaint, it looks too good on the top side compared to the underside and the engine compartment. 65k Miles ? I question that one.
988 Paint code for GM is not green.
Very nice car and color !!! Good luck to the buyer !!!
Could you imagine the HP with the A/C on if it had it.