Eckler Hatchback LT-1: 1972 Chevrolet Corvette
This 1972 Chevrolet Corvette has a lot of transforming features about it that have taken it above and beyond its original factory LT-1 status. Hailing from Orlando, Florida, the seller is asking a strong, $22,500 for this 10,200 original mile Vette. A photo of the door sticker with the VIN is provided in the listing if you want to confirm any information in the listing, which you can view here on craigslist. The title is listed as clear. Thank you, jpb, for the tip.
In the 1970s the car had a hatchback conversion performed to it using a kit from Eckler Corvettes. That is just one of the handful of modifications applied to this car. What has not changed is the 350 cubic-inch V8 under the hood and its corresponding 4-speed manual transmission. An Allen’s Stainless exhaust is a second modification to this car which provides a hearty sounding exhaust note. The car comes with power steering and power brakes as well.
Inside, a Vintage Air conditioning unit will keep you cool on a warm day, even though it was installed 15 years ago. If that is not sufficient, you can use the power windows to provide some air into the leather-clad interior. And if that simply isn’t enough, you can remove the gold-tinted t-tops for an open-air experience. It came from the factory with a power antenna and a tilt-telescopic steering wheel. An interior modification is the addition of a CD radio. As you can see in the photos, everything appears to be in respectable condition for the age of the car.
At one time, this Corvette wore War Bonnet yellow paint. However, it is now a gold lacquer that has true 24-carat gold pinstripes applied by Frank The Painter. The seller is confident this is a unique Corvette that is intended to be a show car. That seems to be backed up by the asking price. It does always seem like all Corvettes are one-off unique machines. At least in the case of this one, there is visual evidence of the transformative features that set it apart from other Corvettes. The question is, are they the features that make it the Corvette that you want to own?
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Comments
Is this Frankenstein Vette week?
This car is butchered and still thinking a kit added is going ask more than 7-8 grand and
actually 22,500 large. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Good luck On sale as your going to need it.
I never liked the wagon or hatchback kits. For some reason I am reminded of a Chevy Citation hatch. And, the fit at the top is way off.
I agree, seems like every Corvette has unique features that makes them “special”. I’d take a nice clean one first.
Is that the hatch from a Monza?
No problem with the hatchback idea. It’s the front and rear ends that have me confused. If this really is a 1972 model then someone has done a crap-load of work to make it look like a 1974+, but why?
to “modernize” it, of course
There was a lot of that going on then, the chrome bumpers were so “old fashioned” and the sleek rubber bumpers were why this car (a REAL LT-1) was customized
A 72 Corvette.
Without chrome bumpers.
Side coves instead of egg crate side louvers.
And so on.
I agree with PDXBryan.
What the …?
I’m skeptical of the LT-1 claim. The seller doesn’t say the original engine is still present and the plaque on the console isn’t correct.
I don’t care either way about the modifications. For a couple of decades these were enthusiasts cars and were often modified. Even if it is a factory LT-1 Corvette it’s wasnt considered particularly special in the 1970’s. It’s nice to see a period correct car survive, they are representative of the time they were built, they stand out in a sea of generic restored cars.
This car isn’t particularly overpriced for someone looking looking for a period correct modified car.
Steve R
Later shorter steering column & fat steering wheel fitted for more comfort.
Matches perfectly.
This conversion certainly makes the Vette a lot more practical & makes more sense than the later factory ones where only the glass lifted up, & with those it was a long reach inside. Eckler’s conversion sure looks a heck of lot more factory than a Bricklin! Under the hatch looks very professional.
Concept vettes starting in the late 60’s all had body colored bumpers(including the 4 rotor vette). & even the three 1964 GM futurama cars at the NY world’s fair all had body colored bumpers.
That was the future – back then.
Surprised this vette was not fitted with GM racing mirrors.
Not 100% sure if the ’81 rear bumper would look good on this car. The stock bumper complements the side angle of the hatch.
Even the hidden wipers are from a later model.
Needs 4 matching red tailites.
The stance is weird, it looks as though its got air shocks w/ too much pressure in them. Overall, to me, the mix of various year components and the Eckler conversion (although well done) is slightly off kilter.
If it’s indeed a real 10,200 mile LT-1, the asking price is not outrageous. The conversion is a matter of taste (I don’t love it but don’t hate it either) but given that it was done in period, and assuming the workmanship is to a good standard, it is valid as an artifact of the era.
War Bonnet Yellow is a gold Corvette color, don’t let the name fool you… and the car?, there are lots of Vette’s out there…why not let a nicely preserved modified join the ranks of appreciation.
At first I thought “Well, it is a lot less custom than that other Corvette on BF today”….until I read the year again. Somebody spent more to make this car look like a ’75 than it would have cost to buy a new ’75. That makes no sense. Looking at the few late model details in the interior, I have to wonder if it is a VIN swap rather than a total fiberglass and subframe rebuild up front. And since the Hotwheels custom car club is not particularly popular among collectors, the price on this car is about double what it should be.
Or it could be a75 And the owner got it wrong. Like others have said if it is a72 why go-to all that trouble to make it look like something else. Especially considering how many people dislike the rubber bumpers.
I don’t know what to really think about this one. 4speed good. LT-1 OK. Clean car. Just a lot of $$$$ spent to change this car. ???? Price is to high. 15K maybe. that’s it. Later………………..JIMMY.
Personally I don’t care for the body mods. And the factory color has never won me over. It’s like an upset stomach after judging a chilli cook-off. I too will pass.
Steve,
I’m not a Corvette expert, but the console plate that shows 360 Ft. Lb. of torque makes sense to me that at least the console plate says it’s a real LT-1. With no proof I’m not saying that the original motor, or at least a real LT-1, is still there.
Good ‘ol Queen’s University taught me (a LONG time ago) that horsepower = torque x RPM. If you believe the 360 Ft. Lb. of torque and guess that the LT-1 made that torque at around 4800 RPM, that gives you around 330 horsepower. That’s about what the 1972 LT-1 was supposed to have, so that console plate almost has to be real. Still no proof about what the current motor is.
The formula is HP = Torque x RPM / 5252. The constant 5252 is
33,000 Ft Lb/Min/2 x 3.1416 Rad/Rev. Some of Mechanical Engineering didn’t interest me that much, this stuff I was paying attention to.
I like the wheels.
The map shows the car being in Pennsylvania.
Ugly!!!