1972 Corvette

VIN 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

1 to 7	0001001	sequential production number
8	F or T	Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
9 to 11	Carburetion & transmission	Code	Engine	Compression	transmission	Carburetor	Extras
		CRS	350-cid 200-hp V-8	8.5:1	K-19 automatic	four-barrel
		CKW	350-cid 200-hp V-8	8.5:1	4-speed manual	four-barrel
		CDH	350-cid 200-hp V-8	8.5:1	NB2 4-speed manual	four-barrel
		CKX	350-cid 200-hp V-8	8.5:1	THM-400 automatic	four-barrel
		CDJ	350-cid 200-hp V-8	8.5:1	NB2 (Calif.) THM-400 automatic	four-barrel
		CKY	350-cid 255-hp V-8	9.0:1	4-speed manual	four-barrel
		CRT	350-cid 255-hp V-8	9.0:1	4-speed manual	four-barrel	Air Injection Reactor (AIR) system
		CKZ	350-cid 255-hp V-8	9.0:1	heavy-duty 4-speed manual	four-barrel
		CPH	454-cid 270-hp V-8	8.5:1	4-speed manual	four-barrel
		CPJ	454-cid 270-hp V-8	8.5:1	THM automatic	four-barrel
		CPR	454-cid 270-hp V-8	8.5:1	4-speed manual	four-barrel	Air Injection Reactor (AIR) system
		CPR	454-cid 270-hp V-8	8.5:1	THM automatic	four-barrel	Air 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

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Z	37	2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger	$5533	3115 lb	20,496
Z	67	2-dr. Conv - 2 passenger	$5296	3215 lb	6,508

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine (RPO ZQ3)	Optional Engine (RPO LS5)	Optional Engine (RPO LT1)
Type	V-8, Overhead valve
Block	Cast iron block
Displacement	350 cid	454 cid	350 cid
Bore & Stroke	4.00 x 3.48"	4.251 x 4.00"	4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio	8.5:1	8.5:1	9.0:1
Brake horsepower	200 @ 4400	270 @ 4000	255 @ 5600
Torque	300 lb-ft @ 2800	390 lb-ft @ 3200	280 lb-ft @ 4000
Main bearing	five
Valve lifters	hydraulic		Solid valve lifters
Camshaft		high-performance camshaft	High-performance camshaft
Fuel supply	Rochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel Model 4MV	Rochester 750CFM Quadra-Jet four-barrel	Holley four-barrel on aluminum intake manifold with 2.50-inch diameter dual exhaust system

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

Feature	Convertible	Coupe
Wheelbase	98 inches (2.489 m)	98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length	182.5 inches (4.636 m)	182.5 inches (4.636 m)
Overall width	69.0 inches (1.753 m)	69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height		47.4 inches (1.204 m)
Ground Clearance	4.5 inches (11.4 cm)	4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
Front tread	58.7 inches (1.491 m)	58.7 inches (1.491 m)
Rear tread	59.4 inches (1.509 m)	59.4 inches (1.509 m)
Tires	F70-15	F70-15
Frame	Full-length welded-steel ladder type with five cross members. Steel box sections, welded.
Front suspension	Independent, unequal-length A-arms, coil springs; tubular shocks and stabilizer bar
Rear suspension	Independent, trailing arms, toe links, transverse chromium-carbon steel leaf spring, tube shocks, and anti-roll bar
Steering	Saginaw recirculating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.0 turning circle
Rear axle type	Sprung differential, Hypoid gear
Brakes	Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist
Swept area	11.75" front and back
Total swept area	461 sq. in.
Wheels	8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc
Standard rear axle ratio	3.36:1
Optional rear axle ratio	3.70:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1

OPTIONS

RPO	Custom interior trim	$158
RPO A31	Electric power windows	$85.35
RPO A85	Custom shoulder belts	$26.35
RPO C07	Auxiliary hardtop for convertible	$273.85
RPO C08	Vinyl cover for auxiliary hardtop	$158
RPO C50	Rear window defroster	$42.15
RPO C60	Air conditioning	$464.50
RPO G81	Positraction rear axle, all ratios	$12.65
RPO J50	Power brakes	$47.40
RPO LS5	454-cid 270-hp V-8	$294.90
RPO LT1	350-cid 255-hp V-8	$483.45
RPO ZR1	350-cid 255-hp V-8	$1010.05
RPO M21	Four-speed close-ratio manual transmission	n/c
RPO M40	Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission	n/c
RPO N37	Tilt-telescopic steering wheel	$84.30
RPO N40	Power steering	$115.90
RPO P02	Custom Wheel covers	$63.20
RPO PT7	F70 x 15, white stripe tires	$30.35
RPO PU9	F70 x 15, raised-white-letter tires	$43.65
RPO T60	Heavy-duty battery	$15.80
RPO U69	AM-FM radio	$178
RPO U79	Stereo 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