Reading the listing for this 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible suggests that the word “compromise” may not form part of the seller’s vocabulary. They purchased the car twenty-seven years ago, following a fourteen-year search to locate a Red-on-Red C3. They not only scored the car of their dreams, but also located one with the desirable LT-1 V8 under the hood. The Corvette presents superbly, but the seller feels that the time is right for another enthusiast to appreciate all it offers. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting the Convertible listed here on Craigslist in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The seller set their price for this beauty at $59,900.
The 1972 model year was a transitional one for Chevrolet’s C3 Corvette. It would be the last where cars wore chrome bumpers at both ends, while potential buyers would bid a fond farewell to the vacuum-operated windshield wiper door, and the removable rear window on Coupe versions. The seller has been the custodian of this car for many years, and its presentation is first-rate. As was customary, Chevrolet offered Corvette buyers a choice of ten paint shades, with this car 1-of-2,478 ordered in Mille Miglia Red. That doesn’t make it the rarest shade, but it was far from the most popular. Finding anything worth criticizing is seemingly impossible, a fact reinforced by the Corvette’s long list of show awards and trophies. The paint shines like glass, cloaking fiberglass with no evidence of stress cracks or other problems. The lack of visible corrosion suggests that the frame and birdcage should be rock-solid, and the White soft-top fits as tight as a drum. The trim and glass are spotless, as are the Rally wheels.
Another item that would disappear at the end of the 1972 model year was the legendary LT-1 version of Chevrolet’s 350ci V8. It was a potent beast in its prime, although emission regulations reduced power and torque output. The figures sound worse than they were because this was the first year manufacturers quoted them purely in Net terms. This car’s numbers-matching LT-1 sends 255hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a four-speed close-ratio M21 manual transmission. The seller states that only 405 Convertibles left the line in 1972 with the LT-1 under the hood, and my research seems to support that figure. The sale includes the original documentation and unspecified accessories, and potential buyers can consider the Corvette a turnkey proposition.
I believe that with the first owner teaming the Red exterior with an interior trimmed in the same shade, this Corvette possesses the “wow” factor. The presentation is first-rate, meaning the buyer won’t need to raise the top purely to hide substandard trim. The vinyl and carpet are free from wear and fading, and the damage-prone area around the ashtray looks excellent. The dash is spotless, and there are no aftermarket additions. I suspect that the first owner focused on performance, because the only visible interior option is the AM/FM radio.
As a chrome bumper C3, this 1972 Corvette is an inherently desirable classic. However, when you factor in its numbers-matching, final-year LT-1, it seemingly ticks the right boxes for those seeking an investment-grade vehicle providing an exhilarating driving experience. While the seller’s price means it isn’t what many people might consider affordable, it is realistic for a Corvette of this caliber. It has only been on the market for a day, but how quickly do you think it will find a new home?
Very Nice. No luggage rack seems to suit this car, thats one clean silhouette. Love the powertrain. Beautiful Chevrolet. 🏁
“All Corvettes are red. Whether they are or not” I see what they mean. This is a beautiful car! And a fine example of the most attractive C3’s. It checks all the right boxes in the mechanicals department as well. Yet I’m not sure if the seller is truly serious about selling it considering the price, but I can’t blame them.
The price seems pretty fair to me. At auction LT-1 convertibles can go for over $100,000 in Top Flight condition.
I can find a couple little nit picky things to call out under the hood, but if this car looks anywhere near as correct and nice in person as it does in pictures then I’d say the price is very reasonable.
Believe the 1970 corvette LT-1 350-370HP can bring up to $110,000 being it was the only LT-1 putting out 370HP.
Hagerty puts the 72 LT-1 convertible at $117K in concours condition, $74K in excellent, $44K in good and $26K for fair condition. It’s hard to say this car qualifies as excellent without seeing it in person, but I think it’s a lot closer to excellent than good condition. And 70 LT-1 convertibles in concours condition can sell for north of $150K.
One of my customers sold a Bridgehampton Blue dark blue interior 71 LT-1 coupe not long ago for the high 50’s. A Mille Miglia Red, red interior 72 LT-1 convertible is a lot more desirable than a 71 LT-1 coupe in blue on blue.
The last year for a great looking Corvette.
Beautiful. Still has factory smog. Most went in a trash can. No stupid barbeque grille on rear deck. A plus. Truthfully, nobody uses them today as these hsve beem pleasure cars only for msny decades. 50 years ago, my 71 coupe was a weekend car only. Price listed is more than fair. Another plus on a 71 or 72 LT-1 is you cam safely use today’s lousy pump gas. Not in a 70 model.
I used the “BBQ” grill on my MGB. For picnic basket And a firehydrant for scavenger hunt sports car club event. (Those things are heavy!)
This is a very nice LT-1. Price is certainly fair if it checks out.
Interesting. My 1971 LT1 Coupe came from the Oshkosh/Appleton area when I bought it back in the 80s. Ontario orange and was sold new in Fon du Lac.
Interesting. My Ontario Orange 1971 LT1 coupe came from the Oshkosh/Appleton area when I bought it back in the 80s. It was sold new in Fon du Lac.
I owned a 71 LT-1 in the 80’s as my everyday driver and always wanted another one ever since I sold it. Luckily I found one on local Seattle Craigslist 2 months ago and I finally have one in the garage again. 3 owners ( 2 of them owned it twice) and 78k original miles, all original drivetrain, two original order copies for it and every option except PW and AC. High end repaint 24 years ago and refurbished interior. I paid $46k for it and have put $4k in resealing the rear end and replacing 25 year old tires. The price on this car is very reasonable although it’s a low option car.
Love the C3 LT-1,,,,especially the 1970 370hp version. Sadly by 1972 the hp rating dropped a whopping 115hp.
No it didn’t. 1970 375 gross HP is about 300 net, maybe. The 1971 engine tells the better story. It was rated two integers of compression lower, but still 335 gross/270 net. That would put the 1972 gross rating somewhere in the 310-325 HP range.
Correct, the rating had dropped 115 hp but the 1972 LT-1 is the exact same engine as the 330 horsepower 1971 LT-1. Only the rating system had changed between those two years from gross horsepower to net horsepower.
Sweet! Friend of mine had a 70 yellow LT-1. Not a convertible but loved the way that puppy sounded. Unfortunately it was modded and pretty much ruined, although another friend bought it later and returned it to near its original condition, although with a milder hydraulic cam. Sad story