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.