My expert opinion and pricing analysis on the offerThis 1972 Chevrolet Corvette, fitted with a GM ZZ502 big-block V8, TH400 three-speed automatic, Detroit Locker rear end, and showing 68,504 miles, is listed at $89,999. To put that in context: Classics on Autotrader currently shows 1972 Corvettes ranging from roughly $13,000 at the low end to $79,900 at the top, with an average around $40,749. So yes, this car sits noticeably above the segment's published ceiling, and the seller is betting you'll pay the premium.1972-chevrolet-corvette-coupe-black-1z37w25504306_011 The argument for that price isn't hard to make. This isn't a driver-grade stocker or a barn-find gamble. The ZZ502 crate engine is factory-rated at 508 horsepower and 580 lb-ft of torque, numbers that would have made a 1972 buyer faint on the showroom floor. Add the rewired electrical system (a known weak point on C3s; ask anyone who's owned one), a fresh metallic blue respray, and a documented inspection, and you're buying something that should work rather than something you hope will work. That distinction justifies a meaningful premium over an average survivor. Whether it justifies this much premium is the honest question, and the answer depends entirely on how badly you want to skip the build process.Video walk-around on this exact Chevrolet Corvette for saleThe offerMake: ChevroletModel: Corvette (C3 generation)Year: 1972Mileage: 68,504 milesEngine: 502ci (ZZ502) big-block V8 GM crate enginePower: 508 hp and 580 lb-ft of torque (factory ZZ502 rating)Transmission: TH400 three-speed automaticDrive type: Rear-wheel drive (RWD)Exterior color: Metallic blue (recently refinished)Interior color: Black vinylNotable equipment: Color-matched removable T-tops, Detroit Locker rear end, Rally wheels with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires (225/70 front, 255/60 rear), power windows, Alpine sound system, dual exhaust, rebuilt steering box with power steering, four-wheel disc brakes, rewired electrical system, new chrome bumpersAsking price: $89,999Vehicle location: Virginia, USA1972-chevrolet-corvette-coupe-black-1z37w25504306_005 Need new tires? Save up to 30% at Tire RackFind the perfect tires for your exact vehicle and driving style. Click here to shop all top-tier brands, including Michelin, Bridgestone, and more, directly at Tire Rack.1972 Chevrolet Corvette listing detailsThe C3 Corvette ran from 1968 to 1982, but 1972 holds a specific place in that run. It was the last year with front and rear chrome bumpers, the last with a removable rear window, and the final year for the LT1 engine option and ZR1 package, both of which Chevrolet wouldn't resurrect for two more decades. The federal safety and emissions mandates that reshaped American performance cars arrived in 1973, so if you wanted the last truly uncompromised C3, you bought a '72. Chevrolet produced roughly 27,000 of them.This example has long since departed from factory specification, purposefully and intelligently. The GM ZZ502 crate engine displaces 502 cubic inches and makes 508 horsepower and 580 lb-ft of torque through aluminum oval-port cylinder heads, a forged steel crankshaft, rods, and pistons, a hydraulic roller camshaft, and headers. That gets routed through the TH400 automatic and a Detroit Locker differential, which means power goes somewhere even when conditions get spirited. It is, in short, a great deal more car than it started life as.1972-chevrolet-corvette-coupe-black-1z37w25504306_001 The rewired electrical system deserves a special mention. C3 electrical gremlins are legendary among owners, the kind of legendary that involves roadside phone calls and creative profanity. Someone has already done the painful part on this car, which is worth more than it might appear on a spec sheet.On the outside, the metallic blue finish was applied within the past year and matches the color-coded removable T-top panels. The 1972-correct chrome bumpers, front and rear, look sharp under the fresh paint. Fifteen-inch Rally wheels wear polished trim rings and are wrapped in BFGoodrich Radial T/A raised-white-letter rubber, a period-appropriate choice that looks exactly right on a C3. Inside, the black vinyl interior has been retained, and the Alpine sound system provides the modern touch most drivers actually want on a car they plan to use.Mechanical housekeeping includes a rebuilt steering box connected to the power steering system, an alignment, and fresh brake pads across all four corners, all documented with receipts. A third-party inspection report is available through the listing, which matters when you're buying a 50-plus-year-old car sight unseen.1972 Chevrolet Corvette quick takeThis is a 1972 Corvette built to be driven hard rather than admired at concours distance. The 502ci ZZ502 crate engine makes 508 horsepower and 580 lb-ft of torque in a car that originally left the factory with around 200 net horsepower. The Detroit Locker rear end, four-wheel discs, rebuilt steering, rewired electrical system, and fresh paint make it a coherent, usable build rather than a collection of half-finished ideas. At $89,999, well above the $40,749 average and the $79,900 ceiling for 1972 Corvettes on the open market, this car asks you to assign a dollar value to someone else's labor, parts sourcing, and problem-solving. For a buyer who's priced out a comparable build themselves and knows what that journey costs, this price lands differently. For a buyer expecting period-market rates on a modified car, it won't. This is the last great chrome-bumper Corvette, stuffed with enough cubic inches to remind everyone on the freeway why America built these things in the first place. Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
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