1972 Corvette Stingray C3 – Big Block with full rebuild, 4‑Speed Manual, Convertible

[MilkyNoSugar]

My 1972 Stingray combines matching‑numbers 454 (460 rebuild) Big Block power, 4‑speed manual transmission, chrome bumpers, and convertible bodywork.
At the time of listing, this is the only 454 manual convertible C3 for sale in the UK, and one of only two available in Europe.

Specification & Presentation​

• Factory colour: Classic White
• Interior: Saddle
• Roof: White soft top + matching White hardtop (with stand & storage bag)
• Factory equipment:
  • Power Steering
  • 4‑wheel Power Disc Brakes
  • Electric Windows
  • Original AM/FM Radio
  • Factory steel wheels with original Rally trim rings and centres
• Tilt & Telescopic Steering Column
• 3 point seatbelts
• Lighting: Upgraded to modern H1/H4 lamps with twin relay protection

The car has received a full respray in 2014in its original Classic White, presenting beautifully with good chromework. New front carpets were fitted in 2026.

Mechanical Restoration & Upgrades​

This Corvette has undergone significant mechanical refurbishment.

Brakes, Suspension & Steering​

• 2017: Complete brake system renewal: discs, calipers, and upgraded new Hydratech Power Brake system
• 2018: Suspension arms, bushes and steering overhaul
• 2024: New correct 6‑over‑3 (9‑leaf) two‑stage 1360 lb rear spring + new rear shocks

Engine Rebuild – Stubbs Racing Engines (2025)
In 2024 the original engine suffered an engine failure on the way to the Nationals at Sywell. It had a failed con rod bearing. A full professional rebuild was carried out by Stubbs Racing Engines, Derby, completed spring 2025.

On teardown the engine was confirmed to be:

• Totally original
• Standard bore
• 4‑bolt main block — the strongest big‑block GM produced

The rebuild retained originality where sensible, while optimising for fast‑road performance:

• Block rebored & skimmed
• New standard GM crank (balanced & polished)
• New pistons & rods,
• Comp Cams cam & timing kit (K11‑236‑4 with RPM1411‑6 rockers & pushrods)
• Edelbrock Performer RPM High‑Compression oval‑port heads (100cc chamber, 295cc intake)
• increasing displacement to 460 cu in, Compression increased from 8.5:1 to 9.44:1
• GM LS6 aluminium intake manifold
• New Holley 4150 Double Pumper 650 CFM carburetor + Holley phenolic spacer

August 2026 - Engine service completed by Dan Stubbs Racing Engines. Rocker arm lash checked and adjusted, timing checked and tweaked, carb recalibrated. Oil (Lucas High Zinc Hot Rod Oil 20/50) and filter change. New passenger side exhaust manifold fitted as a crack opened up in the original. New MSD coil and Pertronix Ignitor 2 electronic ignition module replacing the points in the distributor.

History & Condition​

• Built: May 1972, St. Louis plant
• Delivered: Draper Chevrolet, Saginaw, Michigan – 31 May 1972
• UK history: Detailed records from 2014 onwards
• US history: Original build sheet only
• Mileage: 57,000 (believed genuine)

All gauges and controls operate correctly, including the vacuum‑operated pop‑up headlights and wiper door system.

The clock is intermittent.
Factory alarm and 'seat belt not fastened lights' are non‑functional.

A pair of Bluetooth speakers are fitted discretely to the rear of the car providing modern audio options.

Price - £49,950​

The price has been quite hard to gauge given how rarely these come up for sale, so I am genuinely open to sensible offers.

I have lots more photos and videos available. Get in touch and I can share a link.

 

[CaptainK]

Wow. Lovely looking car.

Remind me now - how much do souls sell for nowadays? Asking for a friend obviously.....

Good luck with the sale

 

[MilkyNoSugar]

Slightly confused as there has been absolutely no interest in my c3 for sale on here and Car and Classic. Nothing, not even a low offer in almost 2 months.

I know it probably will not sell now until the spring. I am going to carry on using it and leave the advert open, but would welcome any feedback to help increase the interest in it.

 

[Roscobbc]

Perhaps the real answer is that you are 'preaching' to the converted - i.e. perhaps most of the people reading these pages already own a Corvette? - I experienced much the same response as you when trying to sell mine a few years ago - minimal interest and those who did contact me were not serious buyers.

 

[MilkyNoSugar]

I agree and know it is unlikely to sell on this site as most people on here already have their corvette. It was more a comment about the lack of interest from the car and classics advert.

https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C2124183

Just wondering if I need to change the wording, price, photos or pull the advert until the spring.

 

[CaptainK]

Gorgeous car, and has the same bonnet as my little 327 too. As previous me wished you - good luck with sale. Dunno why it isn't selling except maybe price during this time of "fun" petrol prices.

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Ok I checked out your advert before commenting.

First, a manual BB convertible is for sure a very nice and rare Corvette.

If it were mine I would paint the egg crates body colour and polish the chrome edges. The black-out treatment under the hood is for me a negative.

Photo's of the trim tag (drivers door frame) and engine pad stamp should be included in the gallery. A photo with the hard top installed also should be included.

Assuming there are no rust issues that should be mentioned especially frame, body mounts, bird cage and radiator support. Can you get pics of the underside or at least offer to arrange it going on a lift for potential buyers? Any previous body damage/bodywork? If no that's a big positive.

MPG?

Tyre age and condition?

Any of the original parts included in the sale - carb for instance. What original paper work have you got. Spare wheel, jack, lug wrench?

Any chips or scratches in the glass?

Price seems about right to me but as mentioned, not a great time to be selling all things considered.

Good luck with the sale

 

[MilkyNoSugar]

Thanks. All good suggestions. I will update the advert as soon as I can take the additional photos.

Painting the egg crates in classic white is possible, but not too sure where I can get rattle cans in the correct colour so will need to research that. I do personally quite like them in black, and only realised it was not standard after I purchased the car. I can see they might be an acquired taste and making it standard my be desireable.

I also quite like the black engine top end, but I had wondered if a bit more bling and chrome may help - rocker covers would be an easy change. The block is chevy orange.

Not too sure that adding it does around 9mpg is going to be a big selling point.

 

[Nassau65]

Not too sure that adding it does around 9mpg is going to be a big selling point.
[/QUOTE
Very good idea re the painting of the grills, personally I don’t like them black.

The disclosure of the 9mpg will NOT help the sale one bit.

 

[Roscobbc]

I'm in agreement with Nassau's comments - grilles for '72 are supposed to be a metallic grey finish and IMHO look great. Anyone 'seriously' looking to buy a C3, and especially a big block will/should be prepared for higher fuel consumption - so why advertise lack of economy.
Yes, smogged-up big blocks with an auto transmission could/will perhaps see these type of mileage figures in heavy city use.......but yours with its relatively small carb, fairly mild cam and importantly aftermarket oval port heads really should be better than that - I would say 13-15 mpg worst case scenario. My stroker 4 speed with 3.08 rear-end, small port Brodix heads, Edelbrock dual plane inlet, a stronger cam and rather large 950 cfm Holley double pumper easily achieves the lower part of that figure in town use and perhaps 15/16 mpg on gentle 50 - 70 mph cruises. Ironically fractionally better than a stock base L36 Vette. However.......dip in to 'fun' use of the secondaries and that mpg figure reduces......significantly!

 

[Mr. Cricket]

These were some OEM grilles I bought and the black is primer. Roughing them up here with a scotch bright pad prior to paint



Painted



Pin striping masking tape and a shed load of patience required