Maybe we are just lucking up on these ads here at Barn Finds, but it seems that prices are falling for chrome bumper C3 Corvettes (1968-1972). While I have no doubt that the highly optioned examples, especially big block cars, are maintaining value, low frill small block cars are again becoming accessible for average collectors. Take for example this Mille Miglia Red 1972 Corvette for sale on craigslist in Flagler Beach, Florida. Found for us by super reader Rocco B., this almost daily driven Corvette can be yours for just $12,000. That is if I don’t get there first.
The seller tells us that this is not a show car, but a good driver. Living in Flagler Beach, surely this car has made numerous beachside runs down A1-A with the T-tops off. There is something so right about Corvettes and the beach. For a driver level car, the finish still looks good and the chrome appears to be perfectly presentable. Being that it is located in a beach town, any prospective buyer gets our standard advice: carefully check the frame and birdcage area. Just because the body is fiberglass…
Inside, we see a very presentable interior except for a seam rip on the driver’s side. The covers can be replaced fairly inexpensively, so no worries. The seats otherwise look good, and the dash and carpets appear to be recently replaced. The digital radio is not correct, but perfectly OK for a driver quality vehicle. Being a fairly stripped car means that air conditioning, power windows, and power door locks aren’t part of the deal here. A four speed transmission is fortunately present to enhance your driving pleasure.
Here is the deal under the hood. The current owner purchased the car in 1996, and has driven it around 100,000 miles since then. The original engine and transmission are in the car, and the engine went through a total rebuild at 100,000 miles. This rebuild was documented, and the car has 151,000 miles on it now. I just wish the seller had told us which 350 cubic inch small block this was. At first glance, the plug wires and air cleaner are not original. Looking closer, the exhaust manifolds seem to have been replaced with a set of Hooker headers. Considering how snake infested later Corvette engine compartments became with hoses and wires, this one actually looks pleasurable to work on. You also won’t have to worry about working on the power booster for the brakes or any air conditioning equipment. Low option cars have their virtues.
The seller tells us that he is letting a number of C3 parts go with the car. Having owned numerous examples, the ad lists a rather extensive horde of spares. Many of these are original to the car and should be kept. Most notable is the original hood for the car. Slapping it back on and eBaying the big block hood would put a little extra cash back in the bank to offset the purchase.
If you could get the seller to give a little on the price, and you sent the big block hood down the road, it might be possible to get this Corvette into your garage for a hair over $10,000. At that price, who would hesitate to drive it and enjoy it? Between the ridiculous market value of early Corvettes and the ever present thieves who prey on these cars, it is hard to justify driving one of these early cars regularly. Cars like this might reverse that ugly trend.
No A/C car in Florida??? Not an option for this Florida boy.
But it’s a RED CAR!
Edited for language in deference to our hosts. From one of most intellectually stimulating movies of all time:
Jeff : “Rudy, what the f**k is this? Rudy, this is a red car. Holy s**t! A red chariot to take my a** straight to hell!”
Laughing my a** off just remembering…
Yeah, I’m also at a point where lack of A/C is a deal breaker.
“We’re blowing the S**T out of high prices!”
or
“50 bucks never killed anyone!”
Brings back memories! Thanks!
Well the ad’s gone. Back in the day when this was new and urban areas weren’t such an aggregation of stop signs and stop lights, it wasn’t uncommon (well maybe not in Florida) to have a stripped light weight car. When it came to hot weather, you rolled down the windows and used ‘Go Conditioning’. That was roll down the windows and go like heck. As far as ordering a car stripped – less accessories meant less power robbing things to run along with less weight to drag around.
If I was in the market and it was still available, I’d go look at it.
The expansion tank on the right inner fender, and the steel fan shroud, indicates that this car started life as a base L-48 350. The only other small block offered in 72 was the LT-1, which used a plastic shroud and a copper radiator, which didn’t need the expansion tank.
Nothing on top of the engine, the air cleaner, intake, valve covers, etc, are original to the engine. Beyond that, it looks like a decent car, that was priced fairly.
The original was a flat hood. That means it was an L48. The LT1 came with a big block hood that had LT1 and stripes painted on it.
Not the aluminum intake.
You might want to keep that big block hood. With that new intake manifold, pretty sure that stocker hood would not close. Nice car, I wish I would have caught the ad. It seems like a deal.
That’s not the standard big block hood. That’s a reproduction of a ZL1 hood.
From about 1992-1999 my dad daily drove a targa blue base 350/Auto 72 Vette.. it was nothing special but I remember getting picked up from school in it regularly amongst the sea of then trending minivans and SUVs.
While a base model 72 isn’t much to get excited over they’ll always have a soft spot as it seems they were my fathers definition of a “sensible” daily driver.
Your dad is one cool dude!! Great idea of what a kid should picked up in at school!! My dad had a 48 willy’s jeep to pick us up in school. He was cool too!!
I have a business trip to Fl. In 3 weeks. If that Vette is still available ? No other comments ….