BODY-OFF RESTORATION
NUMBERS MATCHING – ORIGINAL OWNER
History/Overview: Purchased new at Wilmott Motors Limited in Dresden, Ontario from Ernie Wilmott himself, with delivery taken on February 26, 1972 – the first Corvette ever sold in Dresden. One of only 2,346 built in this colour for the 1972 model year and 1972 was the last year for the chrome bumpers, front fender side grilles, mechanical wiper door flap, and removable rear window. The car underwent a total body-off restoration from 2008 to 2011 in Bothwell, Ontario, including a new frame, chassis and suspension with documented restoration receipts totaling over $100K. The engine was rebuilt by Walker Machine Shop in Chatham, Ontario. Since then the odometer shows approx. 7,368 miles and all maintenance has been professionally performed by Western Corvette in Calgary, Alberta. Tight, solid, and no rattles anywhere – pulls hard with nice old school torque.
Body: Finished in a beautiful light gray base clear metallic paint duplicating the original factory lacquer colour, #988 Steel Cities Gray Metallic with an excellent finish and shine that goes well beyond the original factory finish. All fiberglass body panels were inspected during the restoration and returned to as-new condition including a new OEM hood, with panels straight and properly aligned. Front and rear floor pans were refinished to as-new condition. The dual removable T-top roof panels fit properly and all weather stripping and body seals are new. Glass includes a new tinted windshield, new left door glass with the right door glass in good original condition and the original rear window also in excellent condition. Trim and bright work is new throughout – black plastic grille components, front and rear bumpers, tail lamps, front and side marker lamps, rear license plate frame, name badges and emblems, rocker panel mouldings, door handles, lock cylinders, exhaust tips, and windshield mouldings. New power headlight door actuators.
Frame/Chassis/Suspension: Complete new frame, finished in chassis black with all new suspension components and bushings installed as part of the body-off restoration (documented). Steering was upgraded to a modern power rack-and-pinion system for better handling and driving comfort.
Engine: Original numbers matching 350 CID V8. The original engine made 270 hp which undersold the Corvette legend, so the rebuild by Walker Machine Shop increased it to an additional 80–100 HP. Bored .030 over with compression raised from 8.5:1 to 10.25:1, Comp Cams Roller-Comp camshaft (Part # 12-600-8), Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold with a 600 CFM Edelbrock carburetor, HDE distributor, chromed original GM valve covers. Aftermarket electric cooling fan. Factory chrome air breather.
Transmission: Factory 4-speed manual, M-20 Muncie rebuilt to new specifications as part of the restoration.
Differential: 3.36 gears with Posi traction, rebuilt to new specification. Cruises easily on the highway with approximately 2100 rpm at 100 km/h.
Exhaust: Long tube headers into 2.5-inch stainless steel pipes with crossover and Dynomax mufflers. Stainless steel tips.
Brakes: 4-wheel factory disc with all new components installed during the restoration.
Wheels: New Rally-style steel wheels finished as new with new stainless steel trim rings and new centre caps.
Tires: New BF Goodrich Radial T/A raised-white-letter front 215/70R15 with 225/70R15 in the rear. Same mileage as the car rebuild.Â
Interior: Virtually new throughout. Original interior code #400 black vinyl with new OEM seat cushions and backrest cover assemblies. New nylon loop carpet. The dash pad and dash panel are new. Steering column, brake and clutch arms and pedals have all been refinished to as-new condition. New instrumentation, new steering wheel with all new trim, knobs, buttons and handles throughout. New door trim panels, kick panels and headliner. The console has been refurbished with all new components and the gear shift assembly, heater controls and accelerator pedal are all new.
Extras included: T-roof Panel Pouches. Original Bill of Sale, owner’s manual, Corvette occupant restraint belts and tire jack instructions, original spare tire (Firestone Wide Oval bias-ply), new vehicle warranty brochure, emission control systems/antipollution booklet, consumer information booklet, wheel trim ring instructions sheet and Corvette News magazines provided by General Motors bi-monthly from 1972 to 1980. Extra matching paint. Thumb drive with many restoration photos/files and all specific operating/user instructions, tips and documentation.Â
Options and Special Features: Upgraded to power steering. Power brakes. Upgraded to tilt/telescopic steering column. Original push-button AM/FM stereo radio.
Known issues: Light engine oil leak – the car needs to be driven more to correct that. Temperature gauge reads approximately 30 degrees cooler than actual. T-roof Panel Pouches have shrunken slightly with age (flap buttons do not close) needs to be stretched. One small paint chip on front LH fender (side). Anti Theft Alarm (at rear) not working.
Reason for selling: Health issues.Â
NO TRADES
Serious inquires only.
$58,500 OBO.
Approx. $43,000 in US dollars
Alberta Registered and Insured.
