72 LT1 with A/C

[Robert M.]

Without a tank sticker or window sticker, is there any way to verify that the A/C in a 72 LT1 is factory installed?

[Dick W.]

Re: 72 LT1 with A/C

It would be theoretically possible to add A/C and be undetectable, but highly unlikely. I have seen one made '72 LT-1 air car. They used new hoses, condenser, exp. valve, and POA valve, which are all configured differently from the original. They used an air box from a salvage car and did not use any sealer. The tachometer on an A/C car has a 5,600 rpm red line which is unique. Would take an extreme amount of expense and effort to get it past a compent judge.

[Robert M.]

Re: 72 LT1 with A/C

Thank you Dick, I have the opportunity to buy a coupe at a very reasonable price. It has Tilt/tele,Ps,PB,PW and A/C. Body is great but no paperwork.

[Dick W.]

Re: 72 LT1 with A/C

Rob, I would be more concerned that a base engine A/C car was made into a LT-1 than I would be with add on A/C. But either way, with the values today, the car requires a little extra scrutiny.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 72 LT1 with A/C

On a 72 the VIN should stop the base A/C car from being an LT-1 but anything can happen with a new VIN with the letter changed.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 72 LT1 with A/C

There was one advertised at Carlisle this past weekend as an LT-1 that had AC added. I didn't check the VIN or engine stamping so I can't comment, but at a glance the AC parts looked real. The price seemed closer to a base model, too.

Patrick

[Gary S.]

Re: 72 LT1 with A/C

I would hope that the production date of the car would help refine the arguement of whether it was made up or not. Knowing that the a/c LT-1s were only made in the last 3 (? someone jump in here with the right month) months of production should help a little.

You can always take the 1970-72 TIM & JG and go over the car for the obvious differences between a base engine and the LT-1. Some of them are subtle, others not.

Gary

[Harry S.]

Re: 72 LT1 with A/C

Patrick, was that the blue 72 across from us. Nice car, older paint, sat nice, A/C and he was asking $32,500.

[Warren F.]

Re: 72 LT1 with A/C

Harry,

Yep. We looked at that car very closely as well. Several suspicious items changed on it.

We have an original owner '69 L71 coupe in my town that the owner purchased an A/C car that had been hit in the rear side. Completely disassembled the entire air conditioning componenetry including locating the precise hole sizes that ran thru the engine bay fiberglass walls and installed it in his car. It's an incredible job, looks absolutely as the factory installed it. This car is documented with original window invoice, protect-o-plate pamphlet, corvette order copy and dealer sales invoice, along with all of the other paperwork you got as a new owner.

It would definitely puzzle a prospective buyer as to what it started out as.