Many purists believe that 1972 marked the final year when Chevrolet produced the “real” C3 Corvette. Engine power was declining, and buyers were set to wave goodbye to the elegant chrome front bumper the following year. The changes would add weight and blunt performance, and the big-block V8 was only two years away from being put out to pasture. That is why the intense bidding action on this 1972 Convertible is unsurprising. It has led a sheltered life, spending around two decades hidden away in a barn. It ticks the boxes for those seeking an original big-block ‘Vette, and its most pressing need is a new home. The seller has listed the Convertible here on eBay in Clermont, Florida. Bidding has been pushed to $28,400 in a No Reserve auction.

The seller is this Corvette’s second owner, having purchased it from the original owner’s estate earlier this year. The car has a fascinating story, with the original owner using it as a weekend driver. It accumulated 119,000 miles in his care and was always garage-kept. Declining health forced him to park the car in around 2000, and it didn’t move again until the seller liberated it earlier this year. The Corvette is none the worse for the experience, with the seller stating the birdcage is solid and the underside shots revealing nothing beyond surface corrosion on the frame. That is half the battle, suggesting this classic is structurally sound. Chevrolet offered Corvette buyers a choice of ten paint shades in 1972, with this car’s first owner joining the 2,477 other buyers who selected Mille Miglia Red. The paint retains a healthy shine with no significant flaws or defects. The Black hood stripe exhibits some deterioration, but this “no-hit” car’s fiberglass looks excellent. The trim is acceptable for a driver-grade classic, and the Black soft-top is excellent.

I was initially going to say that this Corvette’s interior is a surprise packet, but with the exterior exhibiting the hallmarks of a cherished classic, the lack of wear and physical damage shows consistency across the entire vehicle. The Black upholstered surfaces are excellent, and the dash is spotless. The carpet is prone to fading on earlier C3s, but this gem has avoided that fate. There is no cracked or broken plastic, and the only jarring note is the Sony CD player. I have no issue with the idea of updating the stereo in a classic car, but the previous owner cut the original radio fascia to achieve this. It gives the installation a slightly unfinished look. Several companies manufacture adaptors that would improve the appearance, and since they retail for under $50, it is a cheap way to add the finishing touch to the interior.

This Corvette doesn’t score factory options like air conditioning or power windows, but one glance at its specifications confirms the first owner focused heavily on outright performance. He splashed an additional $292.90 above the sticker price to slot the LS5 version of the 454ci V8 under the hood. He teamed the big-block with a four-speed manual transmission, maximizing its acceleration potential. The 454 produces 270hp, and while that is only marginally more than the 255hp churned out by the significantly more expensive LT1 small-block, the torque tells the story. The LT1 delivers 280 ft/lbs, but this Corvette’s V8 places 390 ft/lbs at the driver’s disposal. This survivor had sat for over two decades when located by the seller but hadn’t paid a high price for its hibernation. It is a numbers-matching classic that sprang to life instantly once treated to new fluids and a fresh battery. The seller includes an embedded video in their listing, and the engine sounds perfect. The car runs and drives well, although the seller suggests replacing the ancient tires before attempting serious journeys.

Considering its history, condition, and specifications, I am unsurprised that this 1972 Corvette Convertible has attracted thirty-seven bids. It ticks many of the right boxes for someone seeking a driver-grade C3 powered by a big-block V8. I expect it to top $30,000 before the auction concludes, and the intense action supports that belief. If you have been searching for a C3 of this caliber, would you consider dropping a bid on this survivor?