Among the 600 vehicles waiting for new owners at this weekend’s Mecum Auction in Tulsa, Oklahoma is this legendary C3 Corvette Stingray that sports the rare LT1 engine.
The original 350/255 horsepower powerplant – rated at 360 lb-ft of torque – has been taken out and refreshed, but the rest of this 1972 Corvette convertible remains in top-notch original condition. Not surprising, since the car is said to have been stored in a heated garage since 1985.
It’s a great color combination with the original Steel Cities Gray paint and the original black leather interior, both of which seem to be in immaculate condition after more than 50 years later, at least based on the listing photos.
Mechanically, besides the engine refresh, a new clutch assembly for the four-speed manual transmission and a new radiator have been installed, and the original gas tank has been removed and flushed.
Unfortunately, if you’re into creature comforts, this LT1 isn’t one of the 240 built with air conditioning, a shame since ’72 was the only year for such an option. As the former owner of a ’71 with Astro-Ventilation only, I can attest to the fact that hot Georgia summers are no place to enjoy this car.
This car does have dual exhaust, rally wheels, BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires, and tinted windshield, however.
The LT1s were offered three years during the C3 run, with 1,287 built in 1970, 1,949 in ’71, and 1,741 in ’72. The optional engine started as a $447.60 option, then increased to $483 in ’71 and for some reason known only to the bean-counters to $483.45 in ’72.
The small-block engine featured a revised solid-lifter camshaft, redesigned pistons, and a higher compression ratio, along with proprietary aluminum heads and Winter aluminum intake manifold with an 800-cfm Holley carburetor with racing-spec fuel bowls and center-hung floats. It basically offered the horsepower output available from most big blocks – but with less weight.
You might call the LT1 the “poor man’s ZR1” as the engine was the basis for the super-rare ZR1s, only 53 of which were built during the three-year run as the successor to the L88 Corvette at an optional cost of about $1,000. The ZR1 added the M22 “rock crusher” four-speed manual transmission, heavy duty J56 power brakes, transistor ignition, special aluminum radiator, and special springs, shocks, and front and rear stabilizer bars. Since the car was intended for the track, several options were not available with the ZR1s, including a rear window defroster, air conditioning, power steering, deluxe wheel covers, alarm system, and AM/FM radio.
Mecum is expecting 600 classic and collector cars this weekend in Tulsa, and there are some great Corvettes in addition to this 1972 Corvette LT1. Visit Mecum.com to see all the Corvette consignments, and remember that bidding registration starts at $100!
Source:
Mecum Auctions
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