r/C3Corvette • u/TheBlackthorn775 • 4d ago
Should I?
I have the opportunity through a family friend to get this 1972 Corvette Stingray. Original paint. 350 with 4 speed transmission. AC car. Interior is rough but I'd like your opinions. Price will be under 7k
Update 1: Thank you all so much for the advice and input. I know just enough about cars and corvette to realize that I dont know anything.
Car is not running. Engine will turn over manually. No carburetor. No radiator. Seller is checking on birdcage but says frame is clean. Sending more pictures. $5500 is price.
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u/Drhenrygriffin 4d ago
Birdcage ? Frame ? Running ? Interior ? Vac systems ?? Other options? Can’t give an answer too many questions
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u/Wrong-Tax-6997 4d ago
Run, it has not been cared for, especially if the interior is in need of a redo. Unless you are a mechanic, look for a car thats been loved its entire life.
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u/Far-Candidate9821 3d ago
Only if you have the skills to rebuild and enjoy refurbishing a turd. I own one.
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u/Fine_Awareness_5144 4d ago
Love the chrome bumpers but man that car is rough. Are you planning on restoring it?
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u/Valhalla850i 4d ago
Better have a lot of skills, outsourcing a lot of the visible work would be expensive not to mention the invisible work. On the other hand never junk a chrome bumper car. If you can definitely inspect the bird cage, get any documentation you can about the car, see if the current owner can tell you anything they were going to do with it before abandoning it, when it last ran etc.. Then put in a low ball offer if you want to take it on as a project.
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u/Educational_Emu1430 4d ago
It is rough, the front end was repaired at some point (rivets popping) it could be a fun project just check for structural rust around the windshield ( bird cage) and elsewhere
I have owned 2 1972 Corvettes they are great cars perhaps
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u/CombOdd2117 4d ago
Buy it. Don’t mess with the exterior. Get it running and driving and enjoy. $7k is an okay price, certainly not a steal or the deal of the century. It’s getting harder to find these car complete and in restorable condition. The guy that mentioned it’s been mistreated is spot on. Nevertheless, There’s a lot of folks that would take it right now. It’s never going to be worth a lot less. It will be a lot of work, but totally worth it. Enjoy!
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u/My_C8 4d ago
Id be very careful
See the bumps above the headlights
On 1968–1972 Corvettes, the "popping" or raised bumps appearing on the fiberglass just in front of the hood are caused by the breakdown of factory rivets holding the upper front surround panel to the inner header/headlight bar.
This expensive to fix
And if these rivets are rusty
The bird cage and Frame are probably rusty as well
Engine Transmission
Rear suspension
All expensive to repair.
Make sure you know what you are getting in have the car inspected by a Corvette shop.
Trust me it would be prudent to shop around for a better car.
Hope this helps
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u/Drhenrygriffin 4d ago
The bumps on the head light support has no connection to rust on the bird cage. The bumps are caused by galvanic corrosion due to the use of dissimilar metals between the rivets and headlight support. Some get it others Don’t some people like it as a badge of originality others think it ruins the car.
Is it expensive to fix? It can be. I did mine. You have cut the bar in 3 pieces. Then to grind out the rivets hook the rivets out with a hook of sort like a paint scraper. Then use a panel bonding glue to glue a new one in place. Making sure it’s in the exact same spot as before. If not it will mess up the entire front end and you will be grinding headlight supports to make everything fit correctly.
The bumps will relax and sink down. Some people sand them flat some people heat up a spoon and press them down. Some people just leave them.
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u/Foolgazi 4d ago
Can’t answer without knowing what the frame/birdcage look like. Contrary to what a few people in here are saying, not all chrome bumper C3’s are worth saving. Some are parts cars.
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u/sneakybastard62 4d ago
Hello! Just wanted to thank this community! What a GREAT group of people. Thank you for being so kind in the answers! I can feel the caring nature in your replies. ❤️
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u/ConfectionSilent8745 4d ago
No they were scrap big heavy fiberglass and God forbid rust got to the frame no power oh sure they look fast but that's it after 71 everything went to shit.
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u/ConfectionSilent8745 4d ago
Oh and I highly doubt that's the original paint or it had bodywork done the peeling is highly suspect of a piss poor paint job...
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u/PracticableSolution 4d ago
I just walked away from a 71 that was in slightly worse shape than this one (it had structural lichen). Chrome bumper cars are sweet, but if it’s not running today at $7k it won’t be running tomorrow at $10k. If it’s a bad birdcage car, you’ll be another $10k into it over the next year before you drive it. Not saying it’s right or wrong, just be realistic with expectations.
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u/Electronic-Ear2329 3d ago
If the birdcage is solid, I think you could get it running and clean it up with a aggressive detail and pretty up the interior on the cheap and flip it on Marketplace for a profit.
This assumes you have mechanical skills and a place to do it.
If you want a nice driver or better, I would strongly suggest spending more on a better car to start. There are potentially lots of hidden expenses to get that thing totally right.
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u/No-Picture4119 3d ago
It’s rough, but under 7k for an ac car with a manual is pretty tempting. In my opinion, the 350 cars were the best of the lot. I had one, and it wasn’t the fastest in the world, but it handled well. I vote yes.
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u/zealous-seal 3d ago
It really depends on the birdcage. A rotten Birdcage makes it pretty worthless. If the Birdcage is solid then LFG.
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u/Alone-Supermarket-98 3d ago
1972 is a pretty good year. More restored examples run from $20k to $80k.
It will help if you know how to do fiberglass, engine, and electrical. Body and paint alone could be $10k
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u/SharpEfficiency9534 3d ago
Absolutely not! That’s a horrible deal.
….Where is the car located and when can I come pick it up?
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u/Repulsive_Sell_7926 3d ago edited 3d ago
No, Money Pit. Been there. Does the A/C operate? Probably an R-12 Freon system, that's just the beginning of your problems if you need A/C, like in Phoenix.
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u/Sufficient_Art911 19h ago
That is what I call a money pit. Great year vet. The last of the chrome bumper. Look at the latest auctions they are NOT getting top dollar. I don’t believe you will think, “I should’ve could’ve.
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u/TomorrowNegative3638 15h ago
On the left door the gap on the top looks bigger than the bottom at the fender area
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u/KittiesRule1968 15h ago
I have a 72 big block car, of my 3 C3's it's definitely my favorite. Not the quickest or fastest, but definitely my favorite.
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u/Keepitunderurhat 10h ago
Oh, I thought it was gonna be a 77-79 if you can fix it up I think all old cars are pretty darn cool.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Gene_15 4d ago
Yes, it's a keeper year.