Needs Finishing: 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

Tackling another person’s unfinished project can sometimes be daunting, especially if question marks are hanging over the quality of potential panel and rust repairs. However, this 1972 Corvette Convertible shows no sign that it hides nasty surprises. The seller commenced a frame-off build, and with the hard and expensive work completed, it only remains for the buyer to add the finishing touches. Unsurprisingly, the ‘Vette has generated plenty of interest since hitting the market.

There’s a bit to unpack with this Corvette, and I’m always fascinated when project cars hit the market with the finish line in sight. Such is the case here because the seller tackled this as a frame-off build. The underside shots reveal everything to be spotlessly clean, with no evidence of rust or other nasty surprises. They state that the Black soft-top is relatively new, but are pretty blunt with their assessment of the paint. They state that it looks like it was applied with a roller, which is far from ideal. Stripping away the existing Classic White will entail many hours of work, but doing so in a home workshop will cost little more than the price of the appropriate sanding material. It appears the buyer won’t face any significant fiberglass repairs, while the chrome and glass are comfortably acceptable for a driver-grade build.

The Corvette’s interior appears original, without evidence of previous restoration work. The first owner didn’t splash much cash on factory options, with the AM/FM radio the only obvious creature comfort. The overall appearance is serviceable, but it will require work if the buyer wishes to present the car at its best. The driver’s seatcover has a hole, and the carpet on the lower door trims is worn and dirty. The actual door trims exhibit minor physical damage, and the rear section of the console is the wrong color. A retrim would seem the obvious solution, and although that approach won’t be cheap, the results and potential value should justify the expense.

It is best that we get a relatively important piece of news out of the way by confirming that this Corvette isn’t numbers-matching. That isn’t the end of the world for most people, although it will taint the car slightly in the eyes of purists. Since originality was no longer a key consideration during this project, the seller slotted in a built 355ci V8. With increased compression, an upgraded camshaft, a Holley 850 cfm carburetor, and an HEI ignition, the power output should be north of 300hp. The ponies feed to the 4.11 Posi rear end via a four-speed M21 manual transmission. It is safe to say that this classic will be genuinely fast. The seller didn’t stop there, replacing the fuel lines, brake lines, and brake calipers, and performing a complete suspension rebuild. They don’t specifically state that this ‘Vette is roadworthy, but that is the impression provided in the listing.

Chrome-bumper C3 Corvettes remain desirable, and enthusiasts will often battle to purchase one when they hit the market. This 1972 Convertible is no exception, receiving twenty-six bids since the seller listed it here on eBay in Manahawkin, New Jersey. However, the Corvette remains below the reserve at $9,100. I expect that figure to climb as the auction progresses, especially in light of the listing’s recent viewing history. If you have been searching for a C3 project, is this one you might consider pursuing further?