C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

[D S.]

I found this eBay listing and was just casually reading the details of it when this description caught my attention:

<Ok now I know the motor should match the last 7 digits on the vin. The last seven on the vin are as follows S521400, the last seven on the motor are S521399 CKW. The CKW is the code for a 1972 Corvette 350cid with 200hp 8.5:1 with a 4spd manual and a 4bbl carb.>

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ASS%3AUS%3A1123&viewitem=&item=190203198853

Is this possible that GM installed the wrong engine in that Corvette? Anyone ever heard of this happening in other cases? Also the seller states that only 80 1972 convertibles had the C60 option. Maybe 800+ would be more likely?

Thanks,
Scott

[Joe L.]

Re: C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

I found this eBay listing and was just casually reading the details of it when this description caught my attention:

<Ok now I know the motor should match the last 7 digits on the vin. The last seven on the vin are as follows S521400, the last seven on the motor are S521399 CKW. The CKW is the code for a 1972 Corvette 350cid with 200hp 8.5:1 with a 4spd manual and a 4bbl carb.>

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ASS%3AUS%3A1123&viewitem=&item=190203198853

Is this possible that GM installed the wrong engine in that Corvette? Anyone ever heard of this happening in other cases? Also the seller states that only 80 1972 convertibles had the C60 option. Maybe 800+ would be more likely?

Thanks,
Scott

Scott------


These kind of mistakes did happen and I have no doubt that this car is proof of it. What I expect occurred here is that the line person responsible for stamping the numbers failed to change the dies in the gang holder between the previous car and this car. In this case, 4 dies would have to have been changed and that may, or may not, have had some relationship to the reason the mistake was made.

As far as how many convertibles were made in 1972 which were equipped with C-60, there is no way the seller or anyone else could know that with any degree of certainty. I expect the estimate of 80 is WAY too low, though.

[Wayne M.]

Re: C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

Also the seller states that only 80 1972 convertibles had the C60 option. Maybe 800+ would be more likely?

Thanks,
Scott

---------------------
NCRS pocket spec guide published GM data for 1972 model year, broken down by body style.

3184 out of 6508 convertibles had air conditoning -- a far cry from the 80 claimed.

[Michael W.]

Re: C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

Perhaps LT1 convertible with A/C would be qty.80? Very nice car nonetheless, especially if you like yellow sharks

[D S.]

Re: C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

---------------------
NCRS pocket spec guide published GM data for 1972 model year, broken down by body style.

3184 out of 6508 convertibles had air conditoning -- a far cry from the 80 claimed.

Wayne, I can say with certainty that my '70 convertible is one of 475 built as it has factory shoulder harnesses. That seller may have meant that it was one of 80 with C60 along with those array of other options which is still a bit far fetched.

[Drew P.]

Re: C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

I found this eBay listing and was just casually reading the details of it when this description caught my attention:

<Ok now I know the motor should match the last 7 digits on the vin. The last seven on the vin are as follows S521400, the last seven on the motor are S521399 CKW. The CKW is the code for a 1972 Corvette 350cid with 200hp 8.5:1 with a 4spd manual and a 4bbl carb.>

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ASS%3AUS%3A1123&viewitem=&item=190203198853

Is this possible that GM installed the wrong engine in that Corvette? Anyone ever heard of this happening in other cases? Also the seller states that only 80 1972 convertibles had the C60 option. Maybe 800+ would be more likely?

Thanks,
Scott

Hello,
The seller has listed power brakes as RPO T-50, should be J-50. The engine pad has paint on the it. The engine has been repainted.
The engine VIN and the car VIN are off by one number. This is possiable factory anomaly if a UAW sleeping on the line.
The question is what is the VIN stamped on the transmission?
What is the VIN stamped on the frame?
Regards,
Drew Papsun

[Brad M.]

Re: C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

I saw that listing on ebay and was curious as well. I asked him what the stamping was on the trans - he is supposed to get back with me.

[Mike G.]

Re: C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

sounds like a hard one to prove when selling a car.

[Brad M.]

Re: C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

About the only way you could come close to proving it would be if you find the 1399 car and it had the original engine still.

I would think that either way on transmission would not prove it. Maybe the guy who performed the stamping did the engine and that realized "oh shxx" and did the trans right.

Maybe 1399 and 1400 were orignally owned by same person and they swapped the drivetrain out at some poin, who knows... (not sure how that would work if someone ordered two cars at once, but think that I have seen consecutive vin cars owned by same person before).

[D S.]

Re: C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

I would have to give the owner the benefit of the doubt regarding the VIN issues after reading Joe Lucia's comments. The owner did admit that the C-60 numbers of only 80 was just a guesstimate. In that case it could be that the color combinations combined with the options gave him reason to believe that 80 of them had the C-60 option. Hey, he's trying to sell the Corvette and is "enhancing" his chances. He also says he is not a Vette nut. Sad.

[Brad M.]

Re: C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

I agree that it is very likely legitimate, but just that it would be very hard to ever know for sure.

[Mike G.]

Re: C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

i think only 20 to 30 1972 lt1 convertibles had ac. those cars bring 6 figures. i saw one at bloomington get up to 125,000 but reserve was not met. proteam has one for 150,000.

[Drew P.]

Re: C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

i think only 20 to 30 1972 lt1 convertibles had ac. those cars bring 6 figures. i saw one at bloomington get up to 125,000 but reserve was not met. proteam has one for 150,000.

Hello Mike,
I have been doing a survey on the 1972 LT-1 air condition Corvette for many years. I have 40 convertible found todate.
What is the info about your 1972 LT-1 ?
My email address is DREW65FI@AOL.COM
Regards,
Drew Papsun

[Mike G.]

Re: C-3, 1972 Corvette on eBay

mine is a no ac car. my 72 is being built as a driver. it will be nice but not nut and bolt perfect, for now anyway. it is all numbers matching but nothing out of the ordinary. red, black top and black interior. we cleaned up the frame and are now painting it. we also rebuilt the motor. like i said it is nice but not perfect. i am restoring my 70 lt1 to be perfect in every way. every nut and bolt, no expense spared. this is a special car. it was loaded with everything. power steering( one of the first with this option) power brakes, power windows, leather, amfm stereo and hd battery. someone ordered this one with everything they could get. this car will be nice.