1972 CORVETTE

  • The 1972 Corvette was almost identical to the 1970 and 1971 models
  • Standard equipment included the following
    • Positraction rear axle
    • outside rearview mirror
    • tinted glass
    • flo-thru ventilation system
    • four-wheel disc brakes
    • electric clock
    • carpeting
    • wheel trim rings
    • All-vinyl upholstery
    • anti-theft alarm system
  • Ten colors were available
    • Bryar Blue
    • Classic White
    • Elkhart Green
    • Mille Miglia Red
    • Ontario Orange
    • Pewter Silver
    • Steel Cities Gray
    • Sunflower Yellow
    • Targa Blue
    • War Bonnet Yellow
  • All convertibles came with a choice of Black or White soft tops
  • Interior colors were Black, Blue, Red, and Saddle

I.D. NUMBERS

  • The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
  • Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 1Z67K2S500001 to 1Z67K2S527004
  • Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 1Z67K2S500001 to 1Z67K2S527004
    PositionCharacterDescription
    11Chevrolet Division
    2ZCorvette
    3 & 467convertible
    37coupe
    5K350-cid V8
    WLS5 454-cid V8 with dual exhausts
    621972
    7SAssembled in St. Louis, MO
    8 to 13500001 to 527004production sequence
  • Engine serial number
    1 to 70001001sequential production number
    8F or TFlint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
    9 to 11Carburetion & transmission CodeEngineCompressiontransmissionCarburetorExtras
    CRS350-cid 200-hp V-88.5:1K-19 automaticfour-barrel 
    CKW350-cid 200-hp V-88.5:14-speed manualfour-barrel 
    CDH350-cid 200-hp V-88.5:1NB2 4-speed manualfour-barrel 
    CKX350-cid 200-hp V-88.5:1THM-400 automaticfour-barrel 
    CDJ350-cid 200-hp V-88.5:1NB2 (Calif.) THM-400 automaticfour-barrel 
    CKY350-cid 255-hp V-89.0:14-speed manualfour-barrel 
    CRT350-cid 255-hp V-89.0:14-speed manualfour-barrelAir Injection Reactor (AIR) system
    CKZ350-cid 255-hp V-89.0:1heavy-duty 4-speed manualfour-barrel 
    CPH454-cid 270-hp V-88.5:14-speed manualfour-barrel 
    CPJ454-cid 270-hp V-88.5:1THM automaticfour-barrel 
    CPR454-cid 270-hp V-88.5:14-speed manualfour-barrelAir Injection Reactor (AIR) system
    CPR454-cid 270-hp V-88.5:1THM automaticfour-barrelAir Injection Reactor (AIR) system
  • Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number
  • The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
  • The Fisher Body Style Number 72-19467 identifies a Corvette Stingray convertible
  • The Fisher Body Style Number 72-19437 identifies a Corvette Stingray coupe
  • The body number is the production serial number of the body.
  • The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
  • The ten 1972 Corvette exterior colors were:
    • 945 = Bryar Blue
    • 972 = Classic White
    • 946 = Elkhart Green
    • 973 = Mille Miglia Red
    • 987 = Ontario Orange
    • 924 = Pewter Silver
    • 988 = Steel Cities Gray
    • 912 = Sunflower Yellow
    • 979 = Targa Blue
    • 989 = War Bonnet Yellow
  • Upholstery Codes
    ColorVinyl UpholsteryLeather Upholstery
    Black400404
    Red407 
    Blue412 
    Saddle417421

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
Z37
2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger		$55333115 lb20,496
Z67
2-dr. Conv - 2 passenger		$52963215 lb6,508

ENGINE

FeatureStandard Engine (RPO ZQ3)Optional Engine (RPO LS5)Optional Engine (RPO LT1)
TypeV-8, Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block
Displacement350 cid454 cid350 cid
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.48"4.251 x 4.00"4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio8.5:18.5:19.0:1
Brake horsepower200 @ 4400270 @ 4000255 @ 5600
Torque300 lb-ft @ 2800390 lb-ft @ 3200280 lb-ft @ 4000
Main bearingfive
Valve liftershydraulicSolid valve lifters
Camshaft high-performance camshaftHigh-performance camshaft
Fuel supplyRochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel Model 4MVRochester 750CFM Quadra-Jet four-barrelHolley four-barrel on aluminum intake manifold with 2.50-inch diameter dual exhaust system

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission
Close-ratio four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter 		Automatic Transmission
Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter (optional)

CHASSIS

FeatureConvertibleCoupe
Wheelbase98 inches (2.489 m)98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length182.5 inches (4.636 m)182.5 inches (4.636 m)
Overall width69.0 inches (1.753 m)69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height 47.4 inches (1.204 m)
Ground Clearance4.5 inches (11.4 cm)4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
Front tread58.7 inches (1.491 m)58.7 inches (1.491 m)
Rear tread59.4 inches (1.509 m)59.4 inches (1.509 m)
TiresF70-15F70-15
FrameFull-length welded-steel ladder type with five cross members. Steel box sections, welded.
Front suspensionIndependent, unequal-length A-arms, coil springs; tubular shocks and stabilizer bar
Rear suspensionIndependent, trailing arms, toe links, transverse chromium-carbon steel leaf spring, tube shocks, and anti-roll bar
SteeringSaginaw recirculating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.0 turning circle
Rear axle typeSprung differential, Hypoid gear
BrakesHydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist
Swept area11.75" front and back
Total swept area461 sq. in.
Wheels8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc
Standard rear axle ratio3.36:1
Optional rear axle ratio3.70:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1

OPTIONS

RPOCustom interior trim$158
RPO A31Electric power windows$85.35
RPO A85Custom shoulder belts$26.35
RPO C07Auxiliary hardtop for convertible$273.85
RPO C08Vinyl cover for auxiliary hardtop$158
RPO C50Rear window defroster$42.15
RPO C60Air conditioning$464.50
RPO G81Positraction rear axle, all ratios$12.65
RPO J50Power brakes$47.40
RPO LS5454-cid 270-hp V-8$294.90
RPO LT1350-cid 255-hp V-8$483.45
RPO ZR1350-cid 255-hp V-8$1010.05
RPO M21Four-speed close-ratio manual transmissionn/c
RPO M40Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmissionn/c
RPO N37Tilt-telescopic steering wheel$84.30
RPO N40Power steering$115.90
RPO P02Custom Wheel covers$63.20
RPO PT7F70 x 15, white stripe tires$30.35
RPO PU9F70 x 15, raised-white-letter tires$43.65
RPO T60Heavy-duty battery$15.80
RPO U69AM-FM radio$178
RPO U79Stereo radio$283.35

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • 35.1% of 1972 Corvettes had power windows
  • 88.2% had power steering
  • 63% had air conditioning
  • 48.1% had tilt steering
  • 6% had a close-ratio four-speed manual transmission
  • 7% had a heavy-duty four-speed manual transmission
  • 6.4% (1336) had the LT1 engine
  • A 1972 Corvette with the base ZQ3 V-8 could do 0-to-30 mph in 3.1 seconds, 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.2 seconds at 83 mph.
  • A 1972 Corvette with the LT1 V-8 could do 0-to-30 mph in 2.9 seconds, 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.3 seconds at 92 mph.
  • A 1972 Corvette with the LS5 V-8 could do 0-to-30 mph in 3.8 seconds, 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.1 seconds at 93 mph.
  • Even though the horsepower rating were lower (e.g., the 1971 LT1 was rated at 330 hp, but the 1972 LT1 was rated at 255 hp), the performance was the same. In 1971 and previous years, the horsepower rating was a gross figure calculated before adding any equipment (alternator, pumps, fans, etc.). But across the industry (not just GM), the ratings were calculated on a net figure. Many people incorrectly attributed the decrease to pollution equipment and the use of unleaded gasoline.

1972 CORVETTE PHOTOS


1972 Corvette

1972 Corvette

1972 Corvette

1972 Corvette

1972 Corvette

1972 Corvette

1972 Corvette

LITERATURE & LINKS




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