Gentlemen, its been a long, eventful ride. Ive enjoyed my 5 year love affair with My Camaro but she goes on the market tomorrow as I cannot afford, nor store, 2 cars. Ive always been a huge fan of the older Corvettes....tonight I bought a 1972 Vette with a 454. Now I get to re learn an entire class of vehicle again, all the subtle nuances. So far Ive found out 1) My car is actually a 81 body on a 72 frame. Who knows why anybody did that swap. Either an accident or some crazy restoration. 2) A 454 isnt nearly as responsive as my Camaro's worked 350. The previous owner told me he had the motor built to about 500 HP...I mean its got GOBS of torque. My neck is sore from the drive home. I think with a little tinkering the car will be exactly how I want it. Again....thanks to all the long time members here for putting up with my incessant whining and neurosis. Its time to start turning wrenches again....


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Looks decent. I've been into C3's for many many years, restored a few and doing one now. Know em like the back of my hand. Now, since you're calling that 81 a 72, I take it that's what the title says, which means the previous owner (ahem) illegally swapped the 72 VIN tag to the 81 body. Based on that, I wouldn't have bought it. I'm sure the seller had a good "story" though, they all do.

 

Btw, how do you know that 81 really is sitting on a 72 frame, did you double check the VIN on the frame? That car is no more a 72, than it would be a Dodge Viper if someone slid a Viper frame under it. You're getting screwed dude! Anybody with any bit of knowledge about these cars wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole. If and when you ever go to sell it, you'll only be able to sell it to someone who doesn't know Vettes, one who will buy into the same story you did. And even then, hope they don't sue you for fraud once they "learn" the Vettes more. Sorry, I'm not trying to come across as a jerk, but you need to be aware of what you have there. Did you actually "get" the car yesterday, or just make the commitment to buy? If you only told the guy you want to buy it, lace up your running shoes and use them.

 

Settle down 69.....The engine VIN and Body VIN match. Its a 72 Vette with an 81 body. Im assuming it was wrecked at some point and this is how some enterprising soul fixed it. Im not real concerned about resale, I just wanted a C3 body with a 454. The price was right and it runs fine. Damn dude, just be happy for me, ok? I appreciate your concern though. Honestly, Im happy with my decision.


So the learning curve starts all over again.....I see big blocks suffer from the same heat sink starter issue as small blocks. The car is sitting in my driveway now cooling off. Im going to try a cooling blanket around the starter and hope it helps.

The car also stubmles a bit when warmed up. Im going to check for vacuum leaks tonight but I really think the carb is out of tune, as after it stalled out on me, the few cranks I did get out of it (before starter seized up) were black puffs....

 

I've been looking at vetts off and on myself. I have not driven a big block corvette yet, so let me know how it handles.

 

Ive only had it out a few times and the carb is still a bit off but Ill say this. While I think my Camaro may be a tad faster overall.....this big block is a stump puller. You dump the clutch and start grabbing gears and its painful on the neck. I mean you really get thrown. The only problem is its 40 year old technology. The gears feel like they are 12 inches apart and take me a full second to grab the next gear....but its what Ive always wanted.

 

doesnt mean you have to leave us. your info and knowledge wont leave. i think the side pipes made the p.o. believe it had 500 hp unless the 454 has a big cam and ported heads. and ditch those wheels and hood. how much did you pay anyways?

 

I paid 7K.....and side pipes add like a gazillion HP.....You cant a drivable C3 Vette up here for less than 8k. Period. Ive been looking for a year. This car runs like a raped ape and is solid.

He was a very straight shooter and says he has the build sheets for the engine. Mailing them to me next week....I know I know...a sucker every minute.

Micro...bite your tongue! I LOVE the hood and rims. Hood scoop adds 50 HP!

 

I've been settled man, but yes concerned for you as you say. What I was getting at is the (original) VIN and the body is what determines what year car it is, not the transplanted frame and engine that was put under it. I'm sorry, but it's not a 72 with an 81 body you have, it's an 81 with a 72 frame, engine, and illegally swapped VIN plate. That's why I said anybody with Vette knowledge will steer clear of that car. If you really want to know what was done to that car and why it was done that way, I'll be happy to tell you. Trust my judgment and 25+ years experience with these cars or not, it's up to you. But, enjoy it while you have it, it's still a nice car. I'm happy for you, as long as you are happy. Don't take all this the wrong way, I'm not trying to kick you in the nuts about it.

 

Where in mexico did you find it?