OK, so we’re going to ditch the actual barn finds, just for a post, and cover a beautifully restored 1972 Chevrolet LT-1 Corvette. This car has some notable features, besides its finely restored condition, so it’s worthy of a close look-see. Offered for sale, here on ProTeam Corvette Sales for $99,000. Larry D discovered this spectacular find residing in Napoleon, Ohio.
Many already know that the original Chevrolet LT-1 small block V8 was a Holley carburetor, solid lifter camshaft equipped, high revving 350 CI V8 offered between 1970 and 1972. Par for the course. Chevrolet generally didn’t allow the combination of solid-lifter-equipped engines and air conditioning. Very early on, that wasn’t the case but through the ’60s and early ’70s, it became so. As the smog years were upon us, and power was whittled away, high-performance engines utilizing mechanical valve lifters rapidly became an unnecessary thing of the past and this LT-1 engine is probably one of the last to utilize such a setup. But before this vaunted powerplant disappeared, right along with the ‘Vette’s front steel bumper, the decision was made, late in the model year, to allow the attachment of a Fridgidaire A-6 air conditioning compressor to the LT-1 powerplant and this car is one of 240 examples so equipped. To parse things further, the seller claims that this is one of only 50 LT-1, A/C equipped Corvette convertibles to leave the St. Louis assembly line in ’72.
Repainted in its original shade of Bryar Blue, this drop-top, with its contrasting white fabric top, is just smashing! What’s not to like? It’s hard to nitpick a car that presents this well. Opinions will vary regarding C3 Corvettes (’68-’82), many, myself included, prefer the ’68-’72 steel bumper version over their soft nose/tail successors. The biggest problem with the later versions is the palpable rundown in HP due to federally mandated emission controls. The only shortcoming that comes to mind with a C3 convertible is the lack of carrying capacity with the folding roof in the down position. There is a space behind the seats that is usable for small objects, packages, etc. but the collapsed roof occupies that real estate. I would be interested in hearing from C3 convertible owners (’68-’75) regarding space constraints.
Back to the engine, what we’re dealing with here is a 255 net HP, 350 CI V8 engine that is married to a close-ratio four-speed manual transmission. Besides the solid lifter camshaft, the LT-1 included four-bolt main bearing caps, a forged steel crankshaft and rods, a 9.0:1 compression ratio (notable for ’72), and a “Winters” aluminum intake manifold that is topped with a Holley four-barrel carburetor. I have only driven one and though it was long ago, it was a very memorable experience!
The blue interior should be of vinyl construction as the custom leather interior option was only available in black or saddle. It’s a standard ‘Vette environment and shows extremely well considering this car’s half-century of age and its claimed 74K miles of usage. The seat inserts are showing a slight bit of discoloration but I’d consider it to be minor.
Expensive at $99K? Yes, but what isn’t these days, especially in the world of collectible cars? There were 27K Corvettes built in 1972 and the LT-1 equipped versions amounted to about 1,700 examples (6%) so they’re not that common. Combine that stat with the Corvette’s stellar condition and the price doesn’t really surprise me, how about you?
Wow! Not the Holy Grail of Stingrays but this rig is up there. I am not going to comment on the price Jim, but I hope the new owner drives it. You are very lucky to have driven one, congrats!
For THE holy grail vette of this gen, a radio was not available! – maybe exhaust was too loud &/or radio was deemed too heavy. 2945 pound vette! …
https://www.motortrend.com/features/vemp-0606-1969-corvette-zl1/
https://www.corvsport.com/the-1969-corvette-zl-1/
Then I will! Dealers are grabbing for every nickel with used 4 wheel junks (we see it everyday on BarnFinds) going 25+% and higher then what they should be. We also see another generation (Boomers) that are selling to the younger generations that have lucrative positions or inheritances coming off Post COVID. I stopped looking for a Porsche GT3 only because of the increase in prices in the last 15 months.
Pretty nice, esp with the air. Like the colour.
Why A/C in a convertible?
Because it rains.
Had a look at Ohio temps these days? That’s why. Beautiful car!
Because it rains and gets humid sometimes. Or if you live in SoCal, Texas or Florida sometimes you don’t want the top down.
You wouldn’t ask that question if you lived in Alabama . . .
I lived in Haleyville, AL for a spell…small town.
One of the cool things about LT-1s is that the hood striping was applied by hand with a stencil and spray gun by a few guys at the St.Louis plant.
Summer is when the top goes up here. If there’s no AC, the only choice is between bake and broil.
Or “sizzle” if your are bald.
70-72, 78 pace car and the 82 Collectors edition where
the nicest C3.
I wondered why GM not made a trunk as the rear of this
car is large enough to add a truck lid as they did until 62
The interior of this looks like cheap plastic but a few turns
later with the right brand of refresher and plastic paint it
could turn out like showroom standard. The LT 1 was a
good choice even i dont like solid lifters – hydraulics fit
always in their gap and dont need regular adjustment.
I respectfully disagree Mitchell! 70-74 were the nicest years. I owned a 65, 69, 73,75 and 81. The 65,69 and 73 I had no issues with. The 74 model year with the 454 was fine. My 75 and 81 were absolutely dogs with no horse power and dripping with emission junk. I have to this day never owned another Corvette. I drove a new 84 that the car mags were raving about. It was a dog with a video dashboard.
“The only shortcoming that comes to mind with a C3 convertible is the lack of carrying capacity with the folding roof in the down position.”
Really? Do you not know what a Corvette convertible is all about?
I’m asking “informed” readers for their opinions, not their snotty comments.
JO
I think that’s a shortcoming with most two seater sportscars except for my 72 Porsche 914-6 that I owned back then. A convertible with a trunk and frunk. If you look at todays two seater convertibles not much has changed.
Another excellent write up. Thanks Jim. This is why I’m a member. The expertise that flows through this site always feeds my obsession with motor vehicles. I’ve never been a Corvette guy, but I’m really learning to appreciate them from the listings on BF. This one is certainly beautiful. I’ve always wondered about the no trunk thing. Who doesn’t want an extra layer, a blanket, a bottle of wine and a picnic lunch to add to the day’s experience.
The fuel tank is mounted about two inches below the fuel filler door. It would be a very shallow trunk. But I do like the idea of a bottle of wine and a picnic lunch! Take care, Mike.
It’s not possible to put trunk in these cars, because the gas tank is there, with the spare tire carrier under the gas tank. My brother has this exact car, color and all, but minus the A/C. These are nice cars, and fun to drive. My LT-1 is in a ’17 vette convertible. lots of fun, but not the looks of the C-3.
Have a 71 Big Block AC Convertible. While the storage space is not huge there is room for two weekend bags along with the convertible top. Mine happens to have a luggage rack as well and I’ve used it! That being said, if you want to take a bunch of stuff with you why in the world would you drive a Vette?
Exactly what I was trying to determine. Thx, Bruce.
JO
Well, GM never have had the technical capacities as a.e. Ford,
(ford PAG group) they have not ruined various brands due to
incompetence.
Anyway, they would have been better off letting Bertone,
Scaglietti or maybe Karman do the development. then the thing
would certainly also have a usable boot. Or maybe OPEL as
they did with their GT which looks like a tiny copy of a C 3.
With boot.
For what good is a – fast – car if you can’t even can load a
sixpack?
I’ve had 3 cases of wine behind the seats in mine….you’re easily good for a couple 40 packs in this Vette with the top down!
Back in the early 70’s when I was in high school, I had a neighbor whose wife drove a bright yellow ’72 LT1 coupe. I remember they replaced the mufflers with something louder. Whenever that car fired up I always ran to a window to look and listen. We lived in a cul de sac and the Corvette’s house was at the top so it had to come by our house coming or going. I can still hear ‘that’ sound, today. Man, that was a sweet car!
Today, if that was a tuner(4 door especially), i would call the cops anonymously.
Loud is 1 thing. Sounding terrible & annoying is another. & looking like crap is still another. I have YET to hear ANY mainstream V6 or 4 cyl that sounded decent if it wasn’t totally muffled, including today’s American pony cars with V6 with aftermkt exhaust.
My favorite color and a bucket list car. The 72 LT-1 with ac had a 5,600 redline in contrast to non air cars having a 6,500 redline. I know why. We had a customer’s 72 LT-1 in for service 20 years ago. The customer complained the car wasn’t reaching redline. We fixed it, if I recall, it had a weak coil and points way out of adjustment and the valves needed adjusting. The boss took it for a spin and came back with a shredded ac belt. It blew off the pulleys. I owned a 71 ac big block coupe in the 70s. Terrible car, everything broke. I now have a 73 4 speed coupe. Far better car in every respect. I know the owner of Pro-Team personally. Most of his prices are high due in part that he buys some of his cars at Barrett Jackson.