72 LT1 restoration

[Fred H.]

I'm in the process of restoring a numbers matching 1972 LT1 (last 6 of VIN 526756)

I believe all the body component are original, however in the process of reassembly after a body off re-paint (to the original color) it has come to my attention that this car does have the accommodation for the dove tail (I've heard them called bullets) on the doors.

I've been told that later production vehicles in 1972 (this car 6/21/72) were not produced / manufactured with that accommodation.

Any input would be very appreciated.

[Mark E.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

Are you talking about the door alignment "spear" used on convertibles? It's shown in your second photo of the convertible door, near the top of the jamb. Coupes don't have this, as shown in your first photo.

[Fred H.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

Thank you for your reply, however to clarify my 1972 LT1 is a convertible (350 solid lifter, 4 speed w/ factory air LT1). As mentioned previously I've been told by a knowledgeable resource that sometime near the last of the 72 Corvette production run, the convertibles were made without the dovetail / "spear". This car was built at the very tail-end of the 72 production run.

[Mark E.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

That's interesting; I didn't know about that. Hopefully someone can confirm this for you.

If it helps, all of the 1973 convertibles I've seen have spears.

[Mark K.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

Vin#526181 has them

[Mike E.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

Your source is rather unreliable.

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

Thank you for your reply, however to clarify my 1972 LT1 is a convertible (350 solid lifter, 4 speed w/ factory air LT1). As mentioned previously I've been told by a knowledgeable resource that sometime near the last of the 72 Corvette production run, the convertibles were made without the dovetail / "spear". This car was built at the very tail-end of the 72 production run.

Fred------


Whoever told you that was dead wrong. The support and pin was used for all 1970-75 convertibles. However, I could see why someone with a late 1972 convertible with a replaced door from a 1969 might want to believe that late 1972 convertibles didn't have this feature.

[Leonard M.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

Here is car 25907. An all original roadster.
DSCN3053.jpg

[Larry M.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

What do the lock pillars look like where the receptacle for the pin mounts?

[Sal C.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

It is shown in the upper right of photo #2 in the original post. A receiver mounted to the metal structure passes through the fiberglass.

[Larry M.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

Thanks, Sal. Sorry, but I wasn't clear. I meant to refer to the pillars on the OP's car. It's easy to change doors, but not so much pillars, and they may show evidence of the receivers having been there.

[Fred H.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

I appreciate your input

[Fred H.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

I really appreciate your input.

[Jack C.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

I'm in the process of restoring a numbers matching 1972 LT1 (last 6 of VIN 526756)

I believe all the body component are original, however in the process of reassembly after a body off re-paint (to the original color) it has come to my attention that this car does have the accommodation for the dove tail (I've heard them called bullets) on the doors.

I've been told that later production vehicles in 1972 (this car 6/21/72) were not produced / manufactured with that accommodation.

Any input would be very appreciated.

Fred. I believe your car is a July 19th 1972 build which is the last day of model production. I also have a July 19th 1972 built car with 43,400 miles, it';s a coupe though.

[Fred H.]

Re: 72 LT1 restoration

Hi Jack, again thanks for you input. As part of the restoration, we repainted the car (to restore the original Ontario Orange paint) as part of that process the entire body was stripped & sanded. We observed the original factory paint during that process. I have a colleague (with 20+ early Corvette's...several 72 LT1's) that has a LT1 convertible very close to my build date. I going over to check that car out for this and additional re-assembly observation. I'll post my observation, thanks Fred