Test Drive Video: Clean 1972 Corvette for Sale!

C3 Corvette shows only 16,000 miles and is currently listed for $21,900.

If you love the early 1970s Corvettes, you might want to take a drive to Maple Motors in Hendersonville, TN. This privately owned lot, which acquires most of its inventory from auctions and private garages, recently got its hands on a gorgeous 1972 Corvette. We’ve never purchased a car from Maple, so we can’t speak to what they’re like to work with, but we spotted a C3 test drive video on YouTube that seemed like it might be a fun addition to a growing Corvette collection.

Pristine Walkaround

At a glance, this 1972 Corvette looks like it could have driven off the assembly line yesterday. While there are a few signs of wear and tear, this classic is gorgeous inside and out.  It’s got both telescoping and tilt steering — both of which function smoothly.  All of the gauges work great and it has a clean dash and interior.

In fact, the only thing that doesn’t seem to be accurate is the odometer, which was only built to reach 99,999 miles. Without any paperwork, there is no way to know for sure how many times that odometer has kicked over. It is currently sitting at around 16,000 miles, which, if accurate, would be incredible. (I guess the question you have to ask yourself is, is it 16,000 or 116,000.)

There are a few less visible signs of wear and tear, like the fact that neither the radio nor the A/C work, though the blower motor does kick on.

A Quick Test Drive

The matching number 350 engine under the hood starts up beautifully once the key is turned, and the growl when you push the accelerator is exactly what you’d expect from an early ’70s Corvette.  A peek under the hood shows off a well-restored engine and a surprisingly clean engine bay, considering its age. Of course, you get the throaty 350 roar when you apply the throttle.

Out on the road, the Vette drives smoothly with a carburetor that doesn’t stall. The automatic transmission shifts well, though the kickdown isn’t hooked up, something that will likely be addressed before the car makes its way to a new owner. Even the turn signals work. While the steering wheel isn’t quite centered in the dash, the steering itself is sensitive and responsive.

It’s not perfect.  The brakes pull a little bit to the left when they’re applied, and it rids a little low — either because it was lowered at some point in the past, or because the tires on the front end are oversized, it’s difficult to say.

Still, it offers a smooth ride, both on flat roads and bumpy terrain.  The driver took this Corvette over a bump in the road and it hardly shook the camera, an impressive feat for a 40-plus-year-old sports car.

Looking Forward

This may not be the only Corvette on Maple Motor’s lot but it’s definitely one of the most impressive. We have a feeling that this classic sports car won’t hang around long once this video makes the rounds. For a car that’s older a lot of our readers, it’s in fantastic shape, drives beautifully and would make the perfect addition to anyone’s garage.

Photos: Maple Motors

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