'72 LT-1 air car

[Timothy J. Scanlon]

Hi guys, I've got a line on what is supposed to be a genuine '72 LT-1 with factory air. (we all know that only 240 were made). Aside from procuring the tank sticker, is there a way to verify that it is indeed the real thing? (a/c)
Thank you, Tim

[Jim T.]

Re: '72 LT-1 air car

Tim the fifth digit of the VIN of a 72 LT-1 car is an L. If the VIN has the L and the air conditioning system looks original you just may have found one. The tack face redline of a 72 LT-1 with factory air will have 5600 instead of 6500 that is on the non air-conditioned LT-1's tack face.

[Terry M.]

Re: '72 LT-1 air car

Tim,
I don't wish to rain on anyone's parade, but what is the background for what "we all know" is 240 LT1 w/C60 Corvettes? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Carl Sanger]

Re: '72 LT-1 air car

Not for nothing, if you know differently, why don't you tell us what you know?

Carl Sanger
NCRS 35580

[Terry M.]

Re: '72 LT-1 air car

What I know is that I have yet to see anyone produce documentation from Chevrolet to support the number (any number) of LT1 w/C60. I, and I suspect many others, would be happy to see that.

[Patrick H.]

Re: '72 LT-1 air car

Tim,

If the VIN code is correct for a 72 with LT-1, you're halfway there.
Then, if it has what appears to be factory correct AC, you've essentially nailed it. Why? It is so much work to add all the factory correct AC pieces to a 72 that even with the "increased" value of AC on a 72 LT-1, it still isn't worth it. It would be easier to change a VIN tag than to add AC. So, I would put more effort into verifying it's an LT-1 than verifying that the AC is original, because there'a a 98.7% chance it is.

Patrick

[Jean C.]

Re: '72 LT-1 air car

Carl? Tim? Any chance of us knowing how the number of LT-1's with air was obtained?
Thanks and best regards,
Charlie

[Gary S.]

Re: '72 LT-1 air car

I rarely like to jump into "prove it" discussions but it was my understanding (notice the caveat here?) that GM had issues with the a/c belt flying off of the pulley at the high rpms that LT1s could run so they didn't allow them with a/c until the end of the production run. Seems to me I read that they became available in May 72 but with lower (artificially mandated rpm gauges) but that is just relying on old gray matter. I have no proof or documentation on these ramblings though.

Gary

72 LT1 (no a/c)

[Terry M.]

Re: '72 LT-1 air car

That is also the information I have Gary. There was a story in The Restorer -- back about 1987-1990 era about the car that was used to test the C60 with LT1. It was built at St. Louis as a base motor (K in the VIN) with C60, and the LT1 was installed at Warren. Much documentation to support exactly your understanding. I believe (relying on my memory) that car was produced in late 1971 or early 1972 and production of those option combinations began in the spring -- which is not inconsistent with your date recollection. That restored car was judged at the Williamsberg National while I was team leader. We had 11 LT1s at that meet -- back before the days of class limits.
I think the situation of that car and the 1972 LT1 with C60 has been well documented. What has not been documented -- and I would be pleased to do so should someone bring forward the evidence -- is the number of that option combination produced. Numerous publications have put forth numbers, but no one has, to my knowledge, been able to back them up.

[Timothy J. Scanlon]

Re: '72 LT-1 air car

Thank you to everyone for the "lively" discussion in the matter of just how many '72 LT-1s left the factory with cold air. Though that was not my subject question, I should not have made it sound like fact.Terry, I do concede to your more vast knowledge of our beloved plastic cars. I pretty much had the same info submitted by Gary and have only read that it was 240 units. I do not lay claim to having proof that this is indeed the case. It would be very interesting to some day know the real number! Thanks again.

[Warren F.]

Re: '72 LT-1 air car

Terry:

For years, I have seen printed and read many sources that lay claim to either 286 cars produced or 240, with LT-1/C60 combinations. I would like to know where these numbers came from?

[Terry M.]

Me too *NM*