The pre-1973 examples remain the most desirable of Chevrolet’s C3 Corvette range. They retained chrome bumpers at both ends and represent the badge’s styling in its purest form. This 1972 ‘Vette is a restoration project requiring plenty of work. However, it is said to be structurally sound, and it retains its numbers-matching drivetrain. The seller has listed the C3 here on eBay in Reisterstown, Maryland, with an asking price of $6,500 OBO.
The 1972 model year marked the end of an era for the C3 Corvette. It was the last of the chrome-bumper vehicles, and the sometimes troublesome vacuum-operated door and the Coupe variant’s removable rear window would disappear at the year’s end. The history of this partially dismantled project car is unclear, and it is also a mystery machine from another perspective. The seller provides a slightly blurred image of the Trim Tag in their listing, which shows a Paint Code of either 988 or 989. Those Codes equate to Steel Cities Gray or War Bonnet Yellow, confirming a color change at some point. Although it is in pieces and requires plenty of work, there is good news for potential buyers. The seller assures us that the frame and birdcage are both solid, suggesting that the car is structurally sound. However, in its current state, I believe the new owner will likely take a frame-off approach to the restoration to minimize potential long-term problems. The hood is missing, but this Corvette is otherwise complete.
The seller pulled the motor during the restoration, but confirms that the car retains its numbers-matching drivetrain. It is unclear which version of the 350ci V8 this is, but it sent its power to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. The first owner also splurged on power steering and power brakes. There is good news for potential buyers, because the seller has recently installed some new parts. The tires, shocks, brake calipers, discs, and brake hoses are all new. Fitting these items while the car has so many other needs before it is roadworthy is a strange choice, but the buyer will no doubt welcome those components.
Considering the state of the rest of the car, finding this Corvette’s interior in pieces will probably surprise exactly nobody. Trimmed in Black vinyl, it appears that the first owner limited the factory options to air conditioning and an AM/FM radio. On a positive note, the listing images suggest that the removed items are intact. However, the new owner faces a long cleaning process to determine what parts need replacing. Honestly, I’m glad that it is them and not me who will be bolting this interior back together!
If I were a betting man, I would wager that this 1972 Chevrolet Corvette will divide readers’ opinions. Some will see its potential, while others might think it needs more work than they’d be willing to tackle. The listing statistics are among the best that I have seen, with Listing View and Watch List tallies of 806 and 121, respectively. Whether that translates into sales success, only time will tell. However, with this C3 looking quite affordable and 24 days remaining on the listing, anything is possible.
The 5th character in the VIN is K which corresponds to the base engine.
It’s a mess got the asking price and will likely be a hard sell.
Steve R
From the pictures I see, the interior is visually the worst and possibly the most time consuming part. I see a lot of these projects, where the interior is torn apart and usually other parts of the car are stored in it.
Seems like a deal compared to that rust bucket 74′ GTX
Too much 3500.00 more like it. Basket case
people buy these and think they can do a restoration and have no idea of what they are doing. then they rip it apart and then realize they cannot go thru with it for whatever the reasons may be. should have left it together. much easier to sell. i see no value here just along road head and a lot of back breaking work and an empty bank account.
Another mess and his wife tells him it has to go, or he goes. 72s are worthless except LT-1 cars.
Lol
Probably
I was about to say it sounded like a decent asking price, based on the exterior, but then I saw the interior…
You don’t get much for $6500 these days.
Yes I think $5000 may sound better but if the body is decent and the engine and transmission are usable with all the brakes and tires replaced it’s probably a good deal
Some peoples should not attempt a ” restoration ” . Addressed to the seller ! Was a nice car before …………..
Does the seller need to let this one go to finance the rest of those projects ? Driveway is getting a little full.
This is totally wrong, “The 1972 model year marked the end of an era for the C3 Corvette. It was the last of the chrome-bumper vehicles, and the sometimes troublesome vacuum-operated door and the Coupe variant’s removable rear window would disappear at the year’s end.”
My “1973” has chrome bumpers both ends, no problem about vacuum-operated doors. T-Top car. 350 cu in, 400 Turbo trans!!
I purchased this from a lady that her husband died working on it. Then she left it sit in the barn for 18 yrs with the top of the motor tore apart. Originally it was a Sunkist Orange car, but someone took I don’t know, chocolate brown paint to it. It cracked and looked like the United States road map. 64,000 original miles on it. I have done extensive work on it the past 16 years. Totally restored except the color. I painted it a MOPAR composite green. Art work on hood is a hand painted “Frankenstein”!
His Castle artwork on trunk area. Major work on motor, trans, rear end, brakes, side pipes, Mickey Thompson tires, Craiger rims.
Wow! You must have a very special 1973! Usually, when the United States government passes a new law EVERYONE has to follow it! Typically, those who are selling the products in question are in fear of losing their business license if they are selling cars that have been deemed illegal to sell. So, you have quite a gem. Of course there’s no chance that the previous owner might have swapped out the urethane bumper in favor of the chrome version. I guess when you talked to the owner he said that he didn’t do that…what’s that? You only spoke to his widow? I’m sure like all our spouses, she knew everything about her husband’s car, things like its a pretty brown, because she hated the orange color. Just saying, maybe just maybe you don’t have all the facts with regards to the car. I know if I changed out the front clip for no other reason than to have a chrome bumper, my wife would be the last person to know.
Steve, K is right, and on a 72 that letter is the whole value story. K is the base 350 at 200 hp, L is the LT-1, W is the 454. So this is the least valuable of the three engines and the ask should follow it. The 72 base 350 is also the low-compression year, down from 270 hp in 71, so there is nothing hiding in there. Numbers matching is what I would test before money moves: the pad in front of the passenger-side head carries the engine suffix code and a partial VIN, and both have to match the dash VIN and the trim tag, not just the model year. That blurred trim tag already says something, 988 or 989 is Steel Cities Gray or War Bonnet Yellow, so the paint it wears now is not the paint it was born with. If you want a second set of eyes on the pad stamp and the frame before you bid, say so.
Pretty much junk sitting in a junkyard. Makes you wonder how long the engine has been sitting there unsealed.
price is right great project for a hands on guy
Having the unfortunate pleasure of refreshing a 76 Vette, you’ll be upsidedown in a flash. If your left handed, double jointed, and stand 5’2″ in height, working on the interior should be no problem……
SOLD.
Best Offer Accepted.