The now legendary LT1 engine was produced by General Motors from 1970 to 1972 and was standard on the 53 ZR1's produced during that time period. The engine had 11.0:1 compression and was optional in the Corvette and Camaros of these years while Pennsylvanian Don Yenko converted 125 Novas into LT1 "Deuces."
For consignment, a 1972 Chevrolet Corvette coupe and one of 1,741 with an LT1 V8 and this one is numbers matching! It has a title verified 86,200 actual miles but just 900 miles since its complete frame off restoration. The car will come with a photo album of the restoration along with receipts. This is a 3 owner car claimed to have originated in California with an original price tag of $5,296.
Exterior There is no data for color codes of LT1's and as it turns out, Ontario Orange was the most common color for 1972 Corvettes. That said, it's not one we see often at the mall and looks fantastic under our lights and in the sun. The shark nose of the Sting Ray includes the hidden headlights that rest behind a metal grated grille surrounded by chrome that connects with a wraparound chrome bumper. Rising fenders border the iconic LT1 intake scoop on the hood which consumes air before it hits the raked windshield and flows over the broad shoulders above the rear wheels and onto the flat decklid that terminates with a subtle wing. One of the best views of the car is the rear where the split bumper underlines the dual taillights and hovers over square exhaust tips fitted to gaps of the rear valance. A luggage rack provides extra storage just above the flow through vents on the back. Correct P02 wheel covers adorn the 15-inch wheels on the car and attention on the fronts is quickly usurped by the amazing fender vents, a dominant styling feature of the Corvette. The black canvas top and its large plastic back window are in great condition and the paint is near flawless. We note just two imperfections, a spider crack and a pooling of paint in the crease of the LT1 hood scoop.
Interior As the outer door rises to meet the shoulder line of the car, it creates a car that leans back, and the features of the door panels follow those lines in slanted geometric patterns that include a woodgrain panel that was pervasive in the period. Restored black leather bucket seats have tall backs and are flat by today's sportscar standards, but pristine in their presentation. The 3 spoke steering wheel fronts a column that leads to a simple dashboard with two important dials, speed and RPMs. Less immediate but just as important information is conveyed via a 5 gauge pod located in the center stack. One of those is a clock which will only confirm that time flies when you're in an LT1! An AM/FM radio forms the connection to the center console, in excellent condition and housing the shifter in a woodgrain panel, often the site of wear but in this case, looking great. Low pile black carpet coats the footwells and the rear storage area.
Drivetrain Not to be outdone by the stunning exterior and interior, the engine bay reveals a very clean, numbers matching 350ci LT1 V8, wearing the correct Holley carburetor and rated at 255 horsepower. A Muncie M21 4-speed manual transmission backs the torque-monster up and this too, is a numbers matching unit. Power is sent to the rear wheels, of course, where it is met with 3.70 gears and disc brakes are on all four wheels.
Undercarriage Clean and tidy underneath with no dirt, grease, or leaking oil. The only surface rust present is on some nuts and bolts and not an issue. Exhaust can be beautiful, and this car proves it as the big dual pipes come from the engine, through a crossmember of the frame, intersecting stock style mufflers, then exit in back. A polished oil pan and flywheel cover add to the showy underside. Coil springs are up front for suspension and the rear is Corvette's complex system of a frame mounted differential, tubular axle drive shafts, transverse strut rods, torque control arms, and transverse leaf springs. New front A-arm bushings are underneath as well as new U-joints and new rear trailing arms.
Drive-Ability A quick loop around our test route establishes that this is a solid runner with obvious power and torque on tap, great handling, incredible presence, and a great cabin, now retro but forever cool. The temperature gauge is not functioning, but our consignor states it runs 170 degrees and doesn't overheat. We also note the horn is inoperable, the radio is quiet even when turned up, and the reverse lights are not lighting up. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
A numbers matching collectible convertible Corvette that's been fully restored and sporting the legendary LT1 engine, and not shy about advertising that with the correct LT1 decals on the hood scoop. Less than 6,000 total LT1's were built so this is also a fairly rare car as well. Will it join your collection or fulfill that lifelong dream of owning one? We'll keep it warm and dry until you get here.
1Z67L2S512052
1-Chevrolet Z-Corvette 67-Convertible L-350ci LT1 V8 2-1972 S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant 512052-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
F21-January 21st TRIM 404-Black Leather PAINT 987-Ontario Orange
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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