Long-term ownership is never a bad thing with a classic car, and this 1972 Corvette stands as a testament to that. It was purchased by its original owner back in 1972, and he has only recently relinquished ownership by passing it to a dealer. That dealer has performed some maintenance tasks to ensure that the vehicle is mechanically perfect, and now it is ready to head to a new permanent home. If you think that the new home could be yours, you will find the Corvette located in Boulder City, Nevada, and listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has worked its way to $12,400, but it is no surprise that the reserve is yet to be met.
Sometimes you will look at a classic car like this Corvette and wish that you could meet its original owner. He sounds like he is quite a character, and not only has he only just handed the keys to someone else at the grand old age of 80, but he also managed to retain the car through three divorces. Apparently, one of his wives issued the “it’s me or the car” ultimatum, and she found out that the Corvette really was the love of his life! He has lavished plenty of TLC on the car throughout the decades, including having it repainted in its original shade of Ontario Orange. The seller says that if buyers are searching for a perfect trailer queen, this won’t be the classic for them. The paint has a few minor chips, but there’s nothing significant visible in the enormous selection of photos that he supplies. It still shines beautifully, and the next owner will be able to drive the Corvette with their head held high. The images of the underside reveal a frame that is rust-free and perfectly detailed. The chrome is in excellent condition for a survivor, while the glass is equally as impressive. The wheels aren’t original, but I don’t mind them because they are in good condition, and they suit the car’s character. There have been other original components that the owner has removed over the decades, and most of these are included in the sale. I couldn’t spot the wheels in the supplied photos, so that is one thing that remains a great unknown.
Shifting our attention to the interior, and the news remains very positive. A couple of trim pieces have marks on them, but if we consider the Corvette as a survivor, it needs nothing. The original owner treated the seats to new foam and a fresh set of leather covers, and these remain in as-new condition. The carpet has some slight fading in a couple of spots, but there’s nothing that would justify spending money on a replacement set. The dash, pad, and console are in excellent condition, and there have been no aftermarket additions. The original owner liked his splashes of comfort, which helps to explain why he ordered this Corvette with air conditioning, power windows, a tilt/telescoping wheel, and an AM/FM radio. The seller indicates that the A/C system has been removed, but the remaining items are intact and operate as they should.
Lifting the Corvette’s hood reveals an engine bay with plenty of aftermarket additions, and these are the tip of the iceberg. It’s worth noting that the Corvette was originally equipped with the LT1 version of the mighty 350ci V8 that would have produced 255hp. A 4-speed manual transmission backed this, and this combination would have had the ability to launch the Corvette through the ¼ mile in a respectable 14.8 seconds. The vehicle is no longer numbers-matching, and this is due to the life that it has led. It seems that our legendary gentleman didn’t confine his time behind the wheel to cruising the streets and highways. He also spent some time on the track, and he asked a bit too much of the LT1 one day. I reportedly made a loud noise which signaled that it had waved the white flag, so a replacement motor needed to be sourced. The replacement is a 350 with a “CNR” engine block code. That is a 300hp motor of 1970 vintage, which should add a bit of spice to this car’s performance. While he was at it, the original owner bolted a 5-speed Tremec transmission to the back of the small-block, which should improve performance and open road cruising abilities. If the buyer is seeking some originality, the correct 4-speed and any other factory ancillaries that have been removed are included in the sale. The seller says that the vehicle runs and drives well and that it is ready to hit the road immediately.
Owning a beautifully preserved and original classic car could seldom be considered to be a bad thing. Their single weakness can be the fear that owners feel whenever they take their shiny pride and joy out on the road. There will always be that fear of chips or other damage that could negatively impact their car’s value, and that is why some become trailer queens while others get hidden away for years. This 1972 Corvette is a stunning car, but it isn’t a trailer queen. The buyer could drive this car anywhere with their head held high, but a paint chip or mark is unlikely to cause sleepless nights. This is a car that is designed to be driven and enjoyed. The original owner did that for 49-years, and I’m sure he would like to see that tradition continued. That seems fair to me.
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