A 1972 Corvette Painted Black in a Year Chevrolet Didn't Offer It

For most of the twentieth century, walking into a dealership and requesting a factory color that wasn’t on that year’s chart was simply a matter of paying extra. That kind of flexibility has mostly vanished outside of high-end marques, but the original buyer of this 1972 Chevrolet Corvette took full advantage of it. Black had been dropped from the Corvette palette after 1969 and wouldn’t return until 1977, yet the car’s trim tag confirms this example left the line wearing it anyway. The coupe has just surfaced from a private collection and is now listed on eBay out of Hialeah, Florida, where bidding sits at only $5,300 in a no-reserve auction.

The 1972 model year carries particular weight among C3 enthusiasts. It was the last outing for the chrome front bumper, the coupe’s removable rear window, and the vacuum-operated wiper door, all of which gave way as Chevrolet readied a substantial redesign for 1973. Buyers normally picked from ten available shades at ordering time, so a special-order color was an added expense on top of an already popular sports car. Just how many 1972 Corvettes were built in black is not documented, which leaves open the possibility that this one is the only example. It wears its age as a survivor, with glossy paint, sound fiberglass, and a frame the seller describes as rust-free, though a couple of corners have seen minor repairs. Brightwork and glass are both reported to be in good order.

The original order sheet went well beyond paint. The car was specified with the 454ci LS5 big-block V8, rated at 270 horsepower and 390 ft/lbs of torque, routed through a four-speed manual. By 1972 the C3 had already shed some of its earlier fire, but a big-block four-speed car was still a serious proposition. That engine is no longer with the car; a 350ci small-block now occupies the engine bay, and the drivetrain is no longer numbers-matching. When or why the swap happened isn’t known, though the seller reports the Corvette runs strongly with no identified mechanical faults. Purists may weigh the car’s rarity and decide to hunt down a correct big-block, while others will be content to enjoy it as it sits.

Inside, the Saddle-trimmed cabin is described as tidy and usable rather than show-ready. The carpet has faded somewhat, the steering wheel shows wear, and a few plastic pieces carry scratches, but the seat covers, door panels, and dashboard present well, suggesting a handful of replacement parts would go a long way. The first owner also ticked power windows, a tilt and telescopic column, and an AM/FM radio. Of those, the windows and most gauges still function, while the wipers are inoperative and the radio produces nothing but static.

Black C3 Corvettes are not hard to find today, but one finished in that color during a year it wasn’t offered is a different story. Auction activity suggests the listing has connected with buyers: fourteen bids have been placed so far, alongside hundreds of listing views and a sizable watch list. With no reserve in play, the final hours should draw the real action. Whether that means a bargain for a patient enthusiast or a spirited fight among collectors remains to be seen.