1972 LT1 Corvette with AC

[TimG]

I was hoping you all may be able to help me with the value of a car that I came upon. Fifteen years ago, I gave a guy my phone number at the gym; I probably had a car related shirt on or something and we started talking. He told me he had a 1972 LT1 Corvette he bought from the original owner. Fast forward to about two weeks ago when he contacted me about selling the car. He’s owned this Corvette for 32 years and hasn’t started it in 21 years. I had visions of some bucket of bolts in his garage, but he was five miles from me, so I thought it was probably worth the trip.

What I found was a 1972 Ontario Orange with saddle leather interior LT1 coupe with air conditioning, a pretty rare combination. This appears to be one of the best preserved and rust free Corvettes I’ve ever seen. It also has the Protect O Plate, shippers copy, two Corvette Order copies (one still on the tank) and the new car inspection form. It has a number of other nice options. The car was ordered in San Antonio and has been there and Austin its entire life. Even the original exhaust is still on the car and in good shape. Tires, water pump, and master cylinder have been changed out; but it really is an amazing car.

He’s indicated he wants in the $50,000 range for the car, but I don’t know what good versions of these cars are worth. Any ideas?
I'm more of a mid-year guy, I do feel this car has the potential to garnish most every Corvette originality award out there.

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Just curious. How many miles are on this car? Survivor 1972 LT1 Corvette coupes with original drivetrains can be had for under 30K. Unfortunately they aren't the most popular cars. I don't know why, I personally think they are killer cars but the 71-72 LT1 Corvette market has always been pretty soft.

[TimG]

Miles are 42,000, I wouldn't call it an extremely low mile car, but the miles must have been easy miles. No noticeable chips in the paint, no wear and tear on the seats, carpet or doors.

[SBR]

Tim, a friend of mine sold a 13K mile 72 LT1 in excellent original condition for 70K recently. While the miles are much lower than yours and it was targa blue, this car did not have AC. Not an exact comparable but just an FYI for you.

[TimG]

Thank you, Steve. This car reminds me of my green '67 400 horse car. The condition is truly amazing. It needs the incorrect items corrected and light cleaning along with some correct tires. The spare is beautiful.

[olredalert]

----LT1 with air.......Jackpot!!! I think $50,000 or therabouts is a fair price for both of you, Tim. I cant remember, did you say that the car has deluxe interior? If so, it doesnt get any better.....Bill S

[TimG]

Bill, yes, custom leather interior.

[TimG]

Here's the paperwork.

[WILMASBOYL78]

The A/C cost more than the LT-1..amazing <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Wilma

***Was the first and only year Chevy offered A/C with a solid lifter motor....??

[TimG]

The 1964 and 1965 Corvette could be had with AC on the 365 horse solid lifter 327. No low redline on the tach like on the 1972 LT1.

[olredalert]

----I had a couple of 365hp with AC 65 Vettes over the years. Both were great cars. One actually had 4:11 gears from the factory,,,,with &quot;AC&quot;. Very weird car as it was a Glen Green on green coupe with just about every option except KOs and big tank!.......Bill S

[Lynn]

No leather or A/C, and not original paint, but 72 LT1:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Chev...=item46139fbd58 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Chevrolet-Corvette-LT-1-/300976946520?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&amp;hash=item46139fbd58 )

Maybe the one you are looking at is worth almost double given it is an original paint car. C3 Corvettes are still not bringing much compared to the mid years. I think 50k is at the very top.

Personally, I think the 68 - 72's are undervalued today. I have always liked them.

[olredalert]

----Lynn,,,The deluxe interior is almost a necessity for a 72 to break into the big #s value wise. I forget the LT1 with AC production #s but they are extremely low. Then add the leather gut and you are in the big leagues in my opinion. Tilt and PW also help a bunch as buyers want all the toys on a 71/72 today. Some degree of downside can be attributed to a 72 LT1s down turn HP wise, however.......Bill S

[Lynn]

Gotch Bill. Still, as undervalued as these cars are, and given that this one isn't running, I am thinking there is room for negotiation. $50k sounds high to me. But then, I am not shopping for a 72 Vette.

BTW, did the 72 use the same cam as the 70 LT1? Just the compression that is different?

[olredalert]

----Cant remember about the cam, but just looked up production #s of LT1/AC 72s and there were 240 or so of them built......Bill S

[Tenney]

'71 and '72 same cam/compression/hp - just SAE v. Net hp rating?

[olredalert]

----I bought a 70 LT1 with 4:11s new and it was a beast. Back then it turned a 12.90 with only headers and an old set of borrowed slicks at Palm Beach Dragway. I still have that time slip around somewhere. At that time it had absolutely no other changes. Slicks were way too tall and I got that ET running third gear through the traps. Didnt even check the float level. I have only ridden in 71/72 LT1s but I think the drop in compression really hurt them. The LT1s depended on compression points to make power they made......Bill S

[TimG]

I just found out one of the cars Houston attorney John O'Quinn had was a red/red LT1 with air. It was restored and had no paperwork. It sold to a dealer for $60,000.

[olredalert]

----And you couldnt get a red deluxe interior, so the car had a vinyl gut, Tim. I cant stress strongly enough how important the leather option is......Bill S

[Starship]

This is one I restored and used to own at Mecum Kissemmie 2012.http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/10/full-4054-7112-picture_058.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/10/full-4054-7113-picture_065.jpg

[olredalert]

----Hi Sal,,,Sal knows these cars better than almost anyone on earth. I welcome his thoughts on the 72 LT1 in question.......Bill S

[Lynn]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: olredalert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">----And you couldnt get a red deluxe interior, so the car had a vinyl gut, Tim. I cant stress strongly enough how important the leather option is......Bill S </div></div>

Strange. Red leather was available in 68 and 69, but not 70-74, came back in 1975.
Only leather available 70-72 was black or saddle.

[TimG]

I love the PO2 wheel covers and white stripe tires.

[TimG]

I ended up purchasing this car, the owners have moved to a condo downtown and needed to sell the car that had been sitting 21 years. It is one of the best original Corvettes I've ever seen. The exhaust is original and in wonderful shape. Being in San Antonio and Austin since new and really never seeing rain, it's a great find. I'm blown away by how original this car is.

[al8apex]

I am pretty sure an ac 72 LT1 just went through one of the auctions here last week, bj?

edit:

yup

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=962.1&amp;aid=525

[TimG]

I visited with him quite a bit. His sold for $60,000. It is a nice restored car. Thank you.