Mark's 1999 Corvette Website

I purchased my 1972 Mille Miglia Red Coupe at the 2000 Corvettes at Carlisle, on Saturday August 26th. I had been researching '70 - '72 model Corvettes and had decided that I had enough money to buy a really nice base model coupe. So, I went to Carlisle with cash in hand (actually carefully hidden in my camera case!!). We arrived on Friday and did a little looking around. Prices looked good, but I couldn't find what I was looking for. When we got there on Saturday and started the search again, it didn't take long before I got to the top of one of the hills and sitting there was a beautiful '72 red coupe. Immediately I saw the big block hood and the "454" emblem and decided that this would be outside my price range. But I wanted to look anyway. My two buddies and I looked her over from top to bottom. She was in excellent condition, matching numbers, AND loaded with options, including a 4 speed manual transmission (a must for my purchase). However, the price was $2000 higher than my maximum alloted funds (and my wife!) would allow.

While drooling over the Vette, the owner walked up and asked if I had any questions. We talked for about 15 minutes, then I asked him how flexible he was on the price. He said that he thought the price was more than fair, but he also said (mistake #1) that he had two offers from a couple of the high profile dealers for $2500 under his asking price, and he told me (mistake #2) that he needed to sell the '72 so he could afford a mid-year that he was looking at. So I thought "what the heck"....I told him that I had cash and offered him $2000 less than his asking price. He countered with $1000 less and I told him I couldn't go any higher. No deal was made, and I walked away. Later that afternoon I decided to go back and see if the Vette had sold. As I approached, the owner walked towards me and asked if I was still ready to deal. We carefully looked the '72 over again. Once satisfied, I walked to the owner and shook his hand and the '72 became mine. After the deal was made the guy told me that ProTeam stopped by just before I returned and offered him $2000 less that the asking price as their final offer. He told me that he'd rather me have it than them! Thanks ProTeam!!!

My '72 was loaded. It came from the factory with:
* LS5 454 ci Engine
* M20 4 Speed Transmission
* Deluxe Saddle Leather Interior
* Air Conditioning
* Power Windows
* Power Steering and Brakes
* Tilt-Tele Steering Column
* AM-FM Stereo Radio

When I bought my '72 the interior was in good shape but needed some freshening up!! Before I knew it I had removed all of the interior, with the exception of the carpets and top dash, including both door panels. The following is a list of repairs / upgrades that I did:
* Replaced broken e-brake console and slide.
* Replaced defective passenger side power window switch.
* Cleaned / lubricated both lower AC vents.
* Replaced broken gauge bezel
* Replaced shifter upper and lower boots and installed new shifter knob
* Installed new aftermarket radio and speakers
* Cleaned / repaired / replaced interior door mechanisms
* Cleaned all interior panels
* Cleaned / lubricated both shoulder belt retractor assemblies.
* Re-installed all interior pieces using new interior screw kit.

Do all of this took a lot of time, but after I was done the interior looked (almost) brand new. I even used the Zaino Leather cleaner and conditioner and the interior smelled like new leather!

Only two more.....

The view as she drove away!!!