Are there advantages to owning an imperfect classic car rather than a pristine example? Perfection will always attract attention and positive comments, while a vehicle with a few flaws is less likely to. So far, it seems to be “1-Nil” in favor of the perfect version. However, the advantage can shift dramatically when we turn our attention to the subject of practicality. Hitting the road in a spotless vehicle brings the inherent danger of that car falling victim to stone chips and other unwanted damage. Undertake the same journey in a car like this 1972 Corvette, and such incidents are unlikely to cause much wailing and gnashing of teeth. There’ll be a level of disappointment, but it is unlikely to be as profound as it might be if the car looked like it had recently rolled off the showroom floor. If that relaxed approach seems too tempting to resist, you will find the Corvette located in Memphis, Tennessee, and listed for sale here on eBay. Strong bidding has pushed the price to $18,600 in a No Reserve auction.

I find War Bonnet Yellow an unusual color. It initially didn’t capture my imagination or sit high on my desirability scale. However, the more I look at it, the more I like it. That is the shade gracing this Corvette’s flanks, and it shines impressively. It is worth noting that it isn’t perfect. The seller supplies an excellent selection of photos, and one of the frontal shots reveals a significant chip above the driver’s side headlamp. This in itself isn’t unusual because it is an area prone to this type of damage. It stands out because the damage reveals more War Bonnet Yellow concealed beneath. That indicates that this Corvette has undergone at least a partial repaint. That is a topic worth pursuing further with the seller to ascertain whether the work was purely cosmetic or whether somebody performed it to repair some form of accident damage. Another aspect with a question mark hanging over it is the state of the frame. The listing features no shots or information, although the general lack of visible surface corrosion across various aspects of this classic gives cause to be quietly confident. Otherwise, the trim looks nice, the glass appears flawless, and I can’t spot any issues with the Rally wheels. The seller seems approachable, making the prospect of contacting them to ask questions a potentially straightforward process. If you are genuinely interested in pursuing this car further, it would be worth the effort.

The seller indicates that this Corvette features a 350ci small-block V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The combination should provide an effortless driving experience, which is never bad when undertaking a spot of relaxed weekend touring. While they don’t offer specific details on some aspects of the drivetrain, the inclusion of an automatic transmission confirms that this is the entry-level 350 generating 200hp. Many people have speculated about the company’s decision not to offer an automatic transmission bolted to the optional LT1. The general consensus seems to be that the high-revving nature of that motor made Chevrolet nervous about the durability of certain aspects of the automatic transmission. Therefore, they decided that discretion was the better part of valor, offering the more potent small-block exclusively in manual form. The seller says that the ‘Vette is numbers-matching and that it has a genuine 73,000 miles showing on its odometer. They don’t state whether they hold verifying evidence, making this another question worth asking. However, this classic runs and drives well, recently receiving new tires and brakes. It is a turnkey classic that has appeared on the market in time for a bit of sunny summer fun.

The generally tidy nature of this Corvette is reflected well in its interior condition. The original owner ordered the car trimmed in Black vinyl, and it remains in good condition. There are no glaring faults or issues likely to cause the buyer shame, but there are a couple of things worth noting. Carefully examining this shot reveals a small split on the driver’s door trim near the lower front retaining clip. It isn’t bad, and I doubt that it will deteriorate further. If the buyer has concerns, a spot of glue squeezed behind the split should stop it in its tracks. Somebody has slotted an aftermarket radio/cassette player into the spot reserved for the factory radio. The installation quality is below par, and the control knobs are missing. The buyer may elect to source an original radio to swap into that spot, although they could also opt for another aftermarket unit with a high-quality installation. Otherwise, the interior needs little. There is no significant wear on the seats, the carpet, dash, and console look nice, and power windows serve as a welcome inclusion in a classic of this caliber.

I’m not surprised that this 1972 Corvette has already received nineteen bids because, while it isn’t perfect, its presentation remains impressive for a driver-quality classic. The desirability of chrome-bumper C3 Corvettes makes me believe it should easily sail past $22,000 before the auction ends. The seller provides their contact details for potential buyers with questions, but I have one final thought to ponder. The bidding has been respectable but not as intense as might be expected. It makes me wonder how many bids they may have received if the listing contained information on the state of the frame, details of any previous repaint or restoration work, and whether they hold evidence verifying the odometer reading. I suspect that with the relevant information laid out in front of potential buyers, the price may already have reached that $22,000 mark. What do you think?