Buying the '72

For several weeks, I scoured the internet for the right car for me.  My criteria were...

• C3 generation corvette because that is by far my favorite body style... I really like their sexy curvy look and believe the models from '84 to current have body lines that are mostly too straight and boring in appearance

• '68 - '73 model year because I wanted true dual exhaust, no catalytic converter.  The '74 model year also qualifies but I don't like the way the split rear bumper looks.

• Not concerned about a "numbers matching" car.  I knew I wanted to do a frame-off mild restoration modification ("restomod") and altering a numbers matching car would mess with my conscience.

• Currently running and driving.  I wanted to be able to enjoy it for a bit before the long restoration process began.

• As little rust as possible.  Yes, the body of these cars is fiberglass, but the uninformed doesn't realize that the frame, bird cage, etc, are steel and have certain areas that are notorious rust concerns.

• Big block engine... for the sheer horsepower potential!

• Manual transmission... a car like this begs to be shifted manually!  One big problem... I've never driven a stick before!

Oct 11, 2013

With that criteria as a guide, I searched for just a few weeks and came across the one pictured above and was drawn to it right away.  It fit all my criteria, plus the price was right in my mind since it could benefit from a restoration... but that was my plan anyway.  Unfortunately, the car was in Arizona (low rust probably!) and I'm in Missouri so going to look at it would cost me a plane ride and trip away from work/family.  But the folks at the classic auto dealer I got it from were very helpful in sending many pics of the car plus a video of it running and driving.  They did have it listed on ebay though, so once I realized I liked the car, I pulled the trigger quickly before it was bought out from under me.  A couple weeks later it was delivered and I've been enjoying it ever since!