Original LT-1: 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

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?