This clean C3 Corvette wears a very sharp factory color called Ontario Orange, a shade we don’t often see on Corvettes of this era. It looks excellent, helped by the fact that this 1972 model was repainted in its factory colors not too long ago. The Corvette is well equipped and mostly stock, and any deviations from original condition can mostly be changed with the included factory parts that were removed. The seller notes several big ticket maintenance items done while in his care, including an engine rebuild and the frame being powder-coated. You can find the Corvette here on eBay where bidding is at $16,000 with no reserve.
This is a well equipped car, so you can see why the seller has put some money into it. The Corvette left the factory with a leather interior, along with a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power windows, power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, AM/FM radio, and luggage rack. Thinking about the day this car was ordered at the dealer, it’s clear someone didn’t hold back when building their dream car. The paint choice, too, indicates a decent likelihood this Corvette didn’t just get sent up to a dealer lot to sit there and hope someone walked in who wanted a C3 spec’d exactly this way. The split chrome bumpers are a great look, and the chrome is in excellent condition.
Saddle isn’t the most exciting color, and I can only imagine bidding would be even stronger if this Corvette came with a black interior. While it may be tempting to swap it out, this is the original configuration, so it should stay this way if you want to ensure this clean ’72 remains as close to factory condition as possible. While the air conditioning equipment remains with the car, it doesn’t work and the seller includes the familiar line, “…does need to be recharged.” The seats look to be in great condition, and given no mention is made of the interior ever being restored, I have to believe this is the original material we’re looking at.
As noted earlier, the seller claims the 350 V8 was rebuilt in 2004, retaining the numbers matching block but then being fitted with several new components, including the heads, intake, headers, and carburetor. The listing doesn’t explain if this was purely for upgrade reasons or if the original parts were damaged in some way, but all of the numbers-matching components removed from the engine are included. Overall, this is a well-equipped example that looks like it’s a bit better than a driver-quality car, but not so nice you’ll be hesitant to use for the occasional errand.
Good looking car and a chance to own a affordable C3 with the chrome bumpers. I’m thinking the owner rebuilt the engine to put back some of the power lost to emissions hence the headers, better flowing heads, higher compression? Has all the important creature comforts. I like the orange and saddle combination. At least your backside won’t get scorched sitting in black seats during the summer.
Nice car. LT-1 hood, but it’s not and LT-1
The seller says so in the ad. It’s a good upgrade, this hood looks much better than the stock, flat hood, since these cars aren’t particularly valuable, no harm no foul.
Steve R
At least it has LT-1 valve covers. Maybe it is (Was)
I found an Ontario orange 454,4-spd ’71 coupe in a barn a few years ago. It had PS, PB, defrost, Tilt, andAM-FM. The PO had started restoration, but then stored it for many years. Animals had nested inside, and it was one stinky mess. It required the usual body-off, and replace complete fuel, exhaust, and brake system. The original engine was stock, and came back to life easily. The frame and birdcage were decent. The 4-speed and clutch were good, and a PO had installed a Hurst shifter. It was the smoothest shifter I have ever driven. I replaced the entire interior, and had the original AM-FM radio rebuilt (new speakers and antenna too). I sent the car to a Corvette specialist for complete body and paint. By co-incidence, the bodyman recognized the car as one he worked on in the 70s. It took 13 months to get the car back, all done. Of course, it took way longer, and way more $ than promised, but it was gorgeous. It was a very nice NCRS-correct car, but we drove it very little. I was afraid of stone-chips, and getting it dirty. Kept it 2 years, and traded it in on a ’57 Corvette barn-find x-racer.
I like the saddle interior. Black is a depressing color.
To me the black interiors are not the best choice. Seems like 90% of Vette since 68 came black…and although black is a fine choice, variety is what makes the whole car hobby special.
These colors and the presentation of the Vette is almost perfect. BTW, I am not a fan of Corvettes at all but can appreciate why others are.
Just the same I could be very easily tempted to buy this beautiful example. Wow.
Really cool to see these colors again finally. Miss the old days when real choices were offered in the colors of paint and interiors.
Really nice looking, someone will get a rare example of a icon.
Ontario Orange was the most produced color Corvette that year. Not that rarely seen.
Great looking Vette.
Took me a second to figure it out but a small glimpse of the console in one of the ad pics show it to be a two-pedal car.
Looks to he a nicer than normal driver.
A/C would require R-12 for that “recharge” unless it’s already been converted. So that conversion may need to be figured in.
Ended:Apr 29, 2021 , 1:00PM
Winning bid:
US $23,100.00
[ 40 bids ]
Item location:Stockton, California
The older I get, the more I love saddle, orange and dark brown colors like on the old Furys. This is a very nice car. More props that its in CA. I’m not sure if it spent its whole life there but, I’d pusg for this if I was in the market for one of these.