Pop quiz. When is a triple-black classic not a triple-black classic? The answer is when it is this 1972 Corvette Convertible. This is a rock-solid driver with a claimed 58,000 original miles on the clock. However, it has undergone many changes and needs some TLC to present at its best. None of its shortcomings are urgent, meaning the winning bidder can spend summer behind the wheel, tackling any restoration work to occupy the long cold winter months. The ‘Vette is listed here on eBay in West Babylon, New York. Bidding has raced to $17,100 in a No Reserve auction.
Before we delve too deeply into this Corvette, I probably should address the elephant in the room. Chevrolet didn’t offer Black on the 1972 Corvette color palette and hadn’t done so on any ‘Vette since 1969. The Trim Tag confirms its original owner ordered the car in Elkhart Green, and it is unclear when the change occurred. The finish is what could be described as a “good 20-footer.” It shines nicely from a distance, but a close inspection reveals a significant collection of minor marks, chips, and scratches. It is a similar story with the fiberglass, which sports the typical array of stress cracks. However, none of the body imperfections are severe, meaning the new owner could probably address them in a home workshop as part of a cosmetic refresh. The Black soft-top is rip-free, and the back window hasn’t become cloudy. Climbing under this classic reveals the frame as carrying little more than the occasional spot of surface corrosion. There are no structural issues or signs of previous repairs. The chrome is acceptable for a driver, the wheels and their associated trim pieces are excellent, and I can’t spot any glass issues.
It isn’t easy to know where to start with this Corvette’s interior because it looks nothing like it would have when the first owner took delivery. It originally featured Saddle vinyl trim, but someone converted it to Black leather. The factory shifter was dumped in favor of a Hurst unit, while the factory radio was swapped for an aftermarket radio/cassette player. The interior is presentable for a driver-grade classic, with no rips, tears, or signs of abuse. The carpet is tired, and spending $360 on a complete carpet set would have a profound positive impact. Otherwise, a deep clean would suffice for those wishing to hit the road for immediate classic motoring fun.
The seller states this Corvette features its numbers-matching 350ci V8. That small-block would have fed 200hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a four-speed manual transmission, delivering a ¼-mile ET of 15.6 seconds and a top speed of 116mph. Those figures are pretty irrelevant now because I can spot plenty of changes beyond the cosmetic upgrades visible in the only supplied engine shot. The engine inhales deeply through an upgraded Edelbrock intake and air cleaner, but I can’t tell whether the factory carburetor is intact. Spent gases exit through headers, and a dual exhaust, and these changes should unleash some welcome extra power. The owner recently installed new front brake calipers, front brake lines, a new battery, and treated the car to a tune-up. They claim it has 58,000 genuine miles on the clock but fails to mention supporting evidence. It runs and drives well, and this YouTube video confirms that the small-block sounds crisp and clean.
This 1972 Corvette Convertible won’t appeal to everyone, and purists will probably decry the changes made to a desirable chrome-bumper example. However, it would ideally suit an enthusiast seeking a straightforward or promising DIY project candidate. Returning it to its original form is possible, although I suspect the winning bidder will probably treat it to a cosmetic refresh and retain it as an eye-catching triple-black classic. Do you agree, or do you have other visions that might tempt you to submit a bid?
As this Stingray needs cosmetic tidying up, rather than repaint it in incorrect black, I would take it back to its original green. Black is also a hard colour to live with, as no matter how careful one is with the finish, even soft cloths leave scratches when examined in bright sunlight. I would refurbish all the mechanicals and get its interior as close to factory-new as possible, while not being overly fussy about some minor power upgrades. The only question is, is it worth it financially or would it be cheaper to wait for a nice one in need of nothing?
Nice looking example of a 1972. One major problem is the fact it now has a REASSIGNED vin tag from NY. One would question why, was it stolen, salvage and pieced back together. It will never be a numbers matching car because of the NY vin. Cars like this will never increase in value. And is hard to even register in some states.
Where did you see that information, Dave? I’m just curious.
It’s stated in the auction
200hp?
Diver Dave is absolutely right, this car will never increase in value … for the Corvette Purist set. There are some enthusiasts in any marque group that prefer slavish attention to originality. Then there are others who simply enjoy their cars no matter the provenance. Corvettes have been modified and hot-rodded since day 1 and later C3s with their anemic power output have long been prime candidates for headers and high-rise manifolds.
Corvettes are and always have been profiler cars – Look At Me! And C3s are still the most flamboyant of the lot. If you can’t afford a Lambo or a Ferrari this car will get you just as many looks for a tenth of the price.
The C3 stock was so diluted by the late, plastic bumper, low horsepower cars that it sank the whole lot for a while. But the early chrome bumper cars have are really great looking cars with a style all their own. This one isn’t destined to be a museum piece, but it is a great representation of what these were often like as used cars back in the day. Some people appreciate that kind of car more than others. I certainly like them. Drive and enjoy without worrying about stone chips or normal wear and tear.
I’m pretty sure that’s my late uncle Tom’s car that survived hurricane Sandy. That could explain the title shift and a lot of the interior work. I only remember the car is black.
This one looks like you can sweeten it up and enjoy it at the same time. Where to start the work? I’ve owned enough of these C3s to know that the car will usually tell you where to start. In the meantime enjoy the ride and fix it when you need to, don’t forget the sun block.
My favorite body style, if I had the funds this one would be great as I would fix the fiberglass while enjoying the car. As said before this will never go up in value due to the Ny tag and lots of work to bring everything back to original but it sure would be fun to drive regularly and have fun with.
Salvage title is a big risky no-no.in corvettes..it means the car has been pieced back together with who know what parts from wrecked and totalled vette cars from different years..I would not buy the car..he is dumping the car and it probably wont.retitle.in states with strict.titled rules for re-salvaged cars like north carolina. Or Florida or California. Oregon.ohio..and the car will be dumped in states like Alabama that only ask for a bill.of sale.
Well I guess that’s a deal killer for me, good ol’ north cackalacky’s silly rules and red tape..oh well, I know there’s one of these out there that I could actually get titled here in the old north state… I have doted over these particular vettes since I was a wee lad, I actually have my heart set on a ’68 model, not necessarily a convertible, but I wouldn’t kick it out of bed for eating crackers. The main reason I want one of the first years of this body style is the fact that it will have begun life the same year as myself, and it will always remain my favorite of all the Corvette styles. Even though the previous body style would be a close second, I happen to know that they are generally priced out of reach for a self employed plumber, who isn’t a ‘million dollar plumber’, although I’m working on it. And I’m not exactly a purist, sure, it would be ideal to have a numbers matching car in it’s original form and shade of green, but I want it to drive and enjoy it, unleashing the impromptu smoke show ever so often. I know enough about shade tree mechanicing to keep her singing a happy tune, and taking care of all the maintenance, so for me this would be perfect.
Try getting a job at the Watergate Hotel. Those guys got paid really good.
Reminds me a bunch of me recent purchase in Calif . A 1972 I call a std coupe with all the good, bad, and sometimes ugly components that go along with a barn find. It needs a little help here and there but she runs and drives and she gets all the looks you need and the fun factor is elevated by a . 030 over 400 small block and AFR alum. Heads, a big solid lifter cam, 850 cfm worth of guzzle down mixer, Thorley ceramic H pipe exhaust, high rise everything, MSD, even chrome water pump, and master brake unit. Naturally a Muncie 4 speed. Haven’t figured out the rear end but if I had to guess I’d say 3.73 maybe higher. She’d be a good candidate for a Gear Vendors overdrive, I love hitting the button at full throttle in first or second with 500 ft lbs of torque getting on the freeway! Anyway, the twenty footer will provide me exactly what a car is for FUN!!!
Randy
SOLD for $21,800.
Seller made out if reassigned VIN is the same as a salvage title – huge questionable history right there.
As Adam mentioned, lots of changes in the engine compartment along with electronic distributor and no chrome shielding doesn’t help the value either.
But hey, if the new owner doesn’t care and just wants a droptop Vette to drive around, then good on them.
Great handle, skier or boarder?
Acton: Thanks – I am a skier, well more like I used to be. Got a left knee total replacement about 4 months ago, probably from the years of skiing abuse.
I had an AWD Audi A4 wagon and this was the vanity plate. It kind of stuck around as my forum handle.
It also has the wrong long hood and no wiper door setup. Good chance the whole front clip is replaced.
Drivers not dust catchers