1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

[Ron E.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Here are a few photos...

[Ray G.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Looking at buying a '72 LT-1 that has had a recent engine rebuild. The owner chose to replace the solid lifters with hydraulic lifters so as to avoid having to adjust the valves. The car comes with the original lifters and cam. I assume this change would have no bearing on the value of the vehicle based on the fact that the original parts are included?

As part of the engine rebuild the cylinders were bored .30 over...any impact on the value of the car?

Also wanted to confirm that an M-20 transmission with 4.11 rear end was a possibility on an LT-1 as it appears to be equipped as such.

Thanks,

Ron

The car looks very nice. Closely inspect the birdcage and frame as mentioned by other members. I owned a 70 LT1 in 1971, It needed to be driven hard and keep the revs up to keep the plugs clean. But I was fresh out of the Military and had no idea. With PS and PB, tilt, leather, etc you have a comfortable driving car. I would think (??) that the lower compression engines in 1972 would make for an easier driver. Great color combo. Price is open, I think prices on all Corvettes have fallen recently, but I think the car is in very nice condition. Enjoy, last year of chrome bumpers, low production. Nice find.

[Mike T.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Ron - Very nice looking '72. I understand why the current owner decided to switch to a hydraulic cam but with those 4:11 rear gears, I'd guess the cam they used still had to have some decent numbers. Any idea what the cam specs are?

[Ron E.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Mike,

No idea on the cam specs. When I find out I'll let you know.

Ron

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Is the car being advertised as restored? There are plenty of detail "issues" under the hood that they did not get correct when they put it back together. I was wondering how it is being presented, and if you as the buyer knew that.

[Ron E.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Patrick,

No, the seller did not present the car as being correctly restored. For numerous years the car had a crate motor installed, the correct engine has only been in the car for approximately a year. Do the "issues" appear to be major or minor from your perspective?

Ron

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Finishes, fasteners, paint application pattern, details. It's all the little stuff that separates the pretty cars from the really nice cars.

The engine compartment photo shows a pretty car, and it will take attention to a lot of details to make it a really nice car.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Finishes, fasteners, paint application pattern, details. It's all the little stuff that separates the pretty cars from the really nice cars.

The engine compartment photo shows a pretty car, and it will take attention to a lot of details to make it a really nice car.

Patrick and Ron------


I'd say at the top of the list would be correct finishes on the wiper door actuator and diverter valve muffler. The actuator looks like it was painted.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Patrick and Ron------


I'd say at the top of the list would be correct finishes on the wiper door actuator and diverter valve muffler. The actuator looks like it was painted.

Or a previous owner buffed off the gold dichromate. It happened to one of my cars - he thought it was tarnish.
Other parts on the LT-1 appear to have also received the polishing treatment.

[Ron E.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Another question, I believe the hood stripe is incorrect and is the 1970 style stripe as opposed to the late 1970-72. Can somebody please confirm.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

Another question, I believe the hood stripe is incorrect and is the 1970 style stripe as opposed to the late 1970-72. Can somebody please confirm.

Correct. Starting with 1970 approx. SN 16500 and after, they were two equally sized and spaced hood stripes, not the uneven ones you see on this car.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

I'm not sure the paint pattern on the side gills is entirely correct either, but difficult to interpret with these photos.

Please note that none of these are deal-breaker items if you want a car to drive and have fun. If you want to try for a Top Flight, however, just know that it may require a lot of investigation of details and effort to correct them.

Is the car close enough to have anyone inspect it for you?

[Ron E.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

The car is about 600 miles from me...I actually looked at it over the weekend. I have never owned a C3 so I am in no way an LT-1 expert. Astetically the car looks extremely nice. The owner is not an NCRS member and was honest in saying that there are obviously things that are not correct that would impact judging. That being said I would prefer a car in the mid-upper 30's as opposed to 50k+ for a Top Flight car. I want something that I can work on "correcting". Not looking for something with major issues (as many of the other LT-1's I looked at had).

If this can be had in the $37.5k range is it a decent price for a clean car that needs the details addressed?

[Jerome P.]

Re: 1972 LT-1 Pre-purchase Questions

As Pat asked, is the car close enough to someone who is knowledgeable about '70-'72 C3's that could inspect the car?

Get the car inspected by a qualified individual, understand what has to be done to correct and the $'s involved, and then make your decision. It appears you have already started down that road. Good luck.

Previously, I thought $39K was marginally high. Now I think it is just high, but having it inspected may prove the car is worth $37.5K.