72 That has not been started in years

[Joe D.]

I had received some imput on a previous on a differant topic. I am trying to buy a 72 convertible,elkhart green/saddle int, 4 speed, power steering, a/c small block. My neighbor owns it. It has 22,000 miles on it. He told me a little about the car and that he was thinking of selling it. He said he would want 21,000. I am not sure how long the car has been sitting, I am sure its been at lest 4 years or so. It is garaged. My question is am I going to have to do a lot of work to a car that has been sitting. I am not sure how he stored it. I do not know if it runs. I will look futher into it if he decides to sell. I am just looking for a dependable driver. I am not concerned with judging the car. I know its a lot of ifs. Thanks as always for your help, Joe

[Wayne W.]

Re: 72 That has not been started in years

Four years, inside storage, will probably start right away, except maybe for some sour gas.

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 That has not been started in years

With that low mileage it ought to judge well unless he did some modifications. Should you get it, you might want to give some of us a treat and bring it around to some meets. Not all the action is on the judging field. Before the Sportsman program I used to spend a lot of time in the parking lots.

Before trying to crank the engine remove the spark plugs and try turning it over with a wrench on the crank. Put some oil into the spark plug holes and turn it over by hand a couple of revolutions. Then let it sit for a couple of days.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Mike E.]

Re: 72 That has not been started in years

I just bought a 75 that had been sitting for 11 years--inside storage, but here in Wisconsin where there is a fair amount of moisture. Sour gas, etc.--started right up, even though it needs a carb rebuild. Original motor, 156000 miles, complete car. Why buy a 75 L48 automatic? $1500!!

[Verle R.]

Re: 72 That has not been started in years

Joe,

Expect the brakes will probably be bad. Rebuild calipers and master cylinder.

As said, make sure it is not frozen up; it shouldn't be but is possible.

Verle

[Patrick H.]

Re: 72 That has not been started in years

Agreed.

I've seen cars sit far longer than this and start right up.

I'd make sure it has fresh gas, try some oil in the cyliinders as Terry suggests, then go for it. The worst thing is that you find out X has to be replaced.

As I mentioned before, if it really has only 21000 miles and has original paint, please don't replace anything you don't have to replace. The opportunity to, um, mess up a very original car may be yours. Once.

And, as Terry also said, please bring it around to some meets for others to look at and evaluate. It sounds like a great original car.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: 72 That has not been started in years

Mike,

I've seen Corvettes that were "complete but ignored" but I wouldn't have taken them for free. By the time I fixed everything I'd be so far in the hole it wouldn't be worth it.

Hope yours is better than that.

Patrick

[Mike E.]

Re: 72 That has not been started in years

Actually a half-decent car, however, ebay, here I come!!!!

[John H.]

Re: 72 That has not been started in years

Joe, your the man. I say go for it. Bring a NRCS C3 fellow with you to look it
over. It may be a excellent candidate for Bowtie Judging in the near future.
You can remove the old gas with a hand pump shiphon (sp). I used one that
I bought for a road trip. I got it for about $10 from Autozone. One pump
on that orange pump and it worked perfect. It comes with the two hoses etc.
When redoing the breaks use silicone brake fluid and stainless steel inserts
in the calipers. I redid mine on my 72 in the mid-70's and my pedal is
rock solid, no leaks, fluid is still clear in masterc. Good Luck Joe.

[Joe D.]

Re: 72 That has not been started in years

Thanks for the help. I hope he decides to sell. I will keep you posted. Joe