There are two things that immediately caught my attention about this 1972 Chevrolet Corvette, the price and the hood-mounted engine badge – more on that later. A C3, steel bumper, big-block powered Corvette is always a draw so let’s examine this one closely. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, this Corvette is available, here on craigslist for $28,000. Thanks to rex m for this tip!
The seller mentions, “Hi I’m selling my wife’s 1972 Corvette she doesn’t drive it much due to work in Las Vegas and Oregon…” – I hope she knows about this. Well, this car is certainly a looker, it has a very strong, deep finish with no sign of cracks or seam separations. The frame of this Arizona two-seater is said to be rust-free and hopefully, that extends to the birdcage as well. The American Racing wheels look great and really highlight this car, they would make a grocery car stand out! As for the side pipes, they’re a non-factory add-on and a matter of taste; being dark-coated, I think, is an improvement over chrome-plated versions – they’re obvious but just a bit more subtle. Of note, the clear turn signal lenses are correct for a ’70-’71 Corvette, they were amber in ’72.
The hood-mounted engine badge is a head-scratcher. The seller states that this Corvette has its original 270 net HP, 454 CI engine, now producing 750 dyno-certified horsepower. If that’s the case, what’s up with the “427” badge, an engine that had been out of production for three years at this point. It would be helpful to see this ‘Vette’s VIN and engine alpha code to verify the claim. With a four-speed manual transmission in place, the seller states, “runs and drives excellent!“.
The interior looks great. It’s surprising to see white upholstery that is this bright and not yellowed. Is it original? Perhaps, but the seller doesn’t provide details. The red and white contrast between the seats and the carpet/dash is eye-catching. Two noted changes from original are the steering wheel which is a cheap, later produced version used on a multitude of Chevy models, and the gear shift which is likely an improvement over the original Muncie piece. The seller further adds that there is A/C in place.
I find the price of this car to be attractive as big-block, C3 steel bumper Corvettes have been ascendant in value for some time now. The devil is always in the details and a bit more information via the VIN and engine code would be helpful, however. Regardless, this example appears to be a good buy in my book, what’s your opinion?
The Torq-thrust wheels and hidden side pipes look great on this car
A very interesting color combo inside, tho i would think that vega steering wheel would block part of the gages – in any car. & it’s not even vinyl covered, let alone leather. I’m trying to picture this vette instead with a red late ’70s firebird formula steering wheel with a different horn button & chevy id.
Can the stock trans & rear & all those cv joints handle that kind of hp?
The rare dragstrip only challengers with similar hp switch to a solid axle.
I wonder why it has a 1976 Corvette steering wheel?
I like it. I also know where to get a better steering wheel for it.
Can you get 700HP out of the original 454 matching block- yes you can. Can you do it without changing the bottom-end, pistons, cam, heads and intake? Probably not. Once heads and intake are changed you don’t really have the numbers matching engine any longer. As was said, what rear end, driveshaft tranny is in it now to handle that HP. Nice looking cat though, minus that steering wheel.
Nice except for the interior do over.
Love it ! If I didn’t just buy a 59 Sedan Delivery in August and a new Dodge Ram truck last night I might have been buying this one today! Wait, I can’t be overdrawn..,,, I still have checks !!!!! I am glad is it bright red. As much as it looks great I have owned WAY too many bright red cars and I just can’t do bright red any more !!! Love the car. Did not look closely at it though. Looks like a good deal at a glance.
Something smells fishy…no simply rotten about this one. First off, it takes a LOT of work to get 700 hp out of a big-block. See this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVw7bjEMxz8 for a 427 that’s been gone through by Pat Topolinski. On nitrous it’s only making 660 and change at the crank.
$28K? Yeah, I’m pretty sure this one is a CL scam.
What JCA said!
It’s in Scottsdale, Arizona, Home of Barrett-Jackson. They should be able to at least double the asking price. If it goes for a charity maybe a $ million $ or more.