The 1972 Corvette
The 1972 Chevrolet Corvette was changed very little from the previous years, mostly
this was the last year for some major things. '72 was the last year for chrome front
bumpers, side bright "egg crate" grills, and the removable rear window. It was also
the last year for performance options RPO LT1 and RPO ZR1. Although both codes would
be brought back in the '90s, one as an engine model and the other as the "King of
the Hill". The M22 "Rock Crusher" transmission was not available this year. Unfortunately
due to emissions and octane requirements horsepower was down this year but not by
as much as the specs show. This was the year that horsepower specs were changed
from gross horsepower to net horsepower. Before 1972 horsepower was measured on
a blueprinted engine without any accessories such as the alternator, A/C, pb etc..
In 1972 the engines were rated with all accessories and the exhaust system which
caused the horsepower of the same engine to be rated substantially lower.
Production Options and Build Statistics
Total 1972 Corvettes Built - 27,004
Total 1972 Coupes - 20,496
Total 1972 Convertibles - 6,508
Total 1972 Convertibles - 6,508
| Serial Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Coupe | 1Z37x2S500001 - 1Z37x2S527004 |
| Convertible | 1Z67x2S500001 - 1Z67x2S527004 |
The "Vehicle Identification Number" (also VIN or serial number) is stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
Serial Number Decoder
| Position | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Chevrolet Division |
| 2 | Z | Corvette |
| 3-4 | 67 | Convertible |
| 3-4 | 37 | Coupe |
| 5 | K | 350-cid V8 |
| 5 | W | LS5 454-cid V8 with dual exhausts |
| 6 | 2 | 1972 |
| 7 | S | Assembled in St. Louis, MO |
| 8 to 13 | 500001 to 527004 | Production Sequence |
Engine Serial Number Decoder
1972 Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block after the engine number
| Position | Value | Description | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 7 | 0001001 | Sequential Production Number | |||||||
| 8 | F or T | Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY | |||||||
| 9 to 11 | CRS | Carburetion & Transmission | 350-cid 200-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | K-19 automatic | four-barrel | |||
| 9 to 11 | CKW | Carburetion & Transmission | 350-cid 200-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | 4-speed manual | four-barrel | |||
| 9 to 11 | CDH | Carburetion & Transmission | 350-cid 200-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | NB2 4-speed manual | four-barrel | |||
| 9 to 11 | CKX | Carburetion & Transmission | 350-cid 200-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | THM-400 automatic | four-barrel | |||
| 9 to 11 | CDJ | Carburetion & Transmission | 350-cid 200-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | NB2 (Calif.) THM-400 automatic | four-barrel | |||
| 9 to 11 | CKY | Carburetion & Transmission | 350-cid 255-hp V-8 | 9.0:1 | 4-speed manual | four-barrel | |||
| 9 to 11 | CRT | Carburetion & Transmission | 350-cid 255-hp V-8 | 9.0:1 | 4-speed manual | four-barrel | Air Injection Reactor (AIR) system | ||
| 9 to 11 | CKZ | Carburetion & Transmission | 350-cid 255-hp V-8 | 9.0:1 | heavy-duty 4-speed manual | four-barrel | |||
| 9 to 11 | CPH | Carburetion & Transmission | 454-cid 270-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | 4-speed manual | four-barrel | |||
| 9 to 11 | CPJ | Carburetion & Transmission | 454-cid 270-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | THM automatic | four-barrel | |||
| 9 to 11 | CPR | Carburetion & Transmission | 454-cid 270-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | 4-speed manual | four-barrel | Air Injection Reactor (AIR) system | ||
| 9 to 11 | CPR | Carburetion & Transmission | 454-cid 270-hp V-8 | 8.5:1 | THM automatic | four-barrel | Air Injection Reactor (AIR) system | ||
The body number plate is located on the engine side of the cowl. The Fisher Body Style Number identifies the model of Corvette. 72-19467 - Corvette Sting Ray convertible 72-19437 - Corvette Sting Ray coupe The body number is the serial number of the body. The trim number represents the color of the interior, the paint color is the exterior paint color.
Production Options
| 19437 | Base Coupe | $5,533.00 | 20,496 | 75.9% |
| 19467 | Base Convertible | $5,296.00 | 6,508 | 24.1% |
| N/A | Custom Interior Trim | $158.00 | 8,709 | 32.3% |
| AV3 | Three Point Seat Belts | — | 17,693 | 65.5% |
| A31 | Power Windows | $85.35 | 9,495 | 35.2% |
| A85 | Custom Shoulder Belts (std. w/ coupe) | $42.15 | 749 | 2.8% |
| C07 | Auxiliary Hardtop (Convert.) | $273.85 | 2,646 | 9.8% |
| C08 | Vinyl Covering for Aux. Hardtop | $158.00 | 811 | 3.0% |
| C50 | Rear Window Defroster | $42.15 | 2,211 | 8.2% |
| C60 | Air Conditioning | $464.50 | 17,011 | 63.0% |
| N/A | Optional Rear Axle | $12.65 | 1,986 | 7.4% |
| J50 | Power Brakes | $47.40 | 18,770 | 69.5% |
| K19 | Air Injection Reactor | — | 3,912 | 14.5% |
| LS5 | 454ci, 270hp Engine | $294.90 | 3,913 | 14.5% |
| LT1 | 350ci, 255hp Engine | $483.45 | 1,741 | 6.4% |
| M21 | 4 Speed Manual, Close Ratio Transmission | $0.00 | 1,638 | 6.1% |
| M40 | Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission | $0.00 | 14,543 | 53.9% |
| N37 | Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column | $84.30 | 12,992 | 48.1% |
| N40 | Power Steering | $115.90 | 23,794 | 88.1% |
| P02 | Deluxe Wheel Cover | $63.20 | 3,593 | 13.3% |
| PT7 | White Line Tires F70 x 15 | $30.35 | 6,666 | 24.7% |
| PU9 | White Letter Tires F70 x 15 | $43.65 | 16,623 | 61.6% |
| T60 | Heavy Duty Battery (std. w/ LS5) | $15.80 | 2,969 | 11.0% |
| U69 | AM/FM Radio | $178.00 | 19,480 | 72.1% |
| U79 | AM/FM Radio Stereo | $283.35 | 7,189 | 26.6% |
| YF5 | California Emission Test | $15.80 | 1,967 | 7.3% |
| Z49 | Canadian Base Equipment Package | — | — | — |
| ZR1 | Special Purpose LT1 Engine Package | $1,010.05 | 20 | 0.1% |
Prices and build counts are reported figures compiled by VetteFacts; percentages are derived from the year's total production (27,004 built). Spot an error? Tell us.
Color Options for 1972
Interior options for exterior colors are suggested by Chevrolet. Any combination could be ordered.
| 912 | Sunfire Yellow | $0.00 | BK/W | BK-S | 1,543 | 5.7% |
| 924 | Pewter Silver | $0.00 | BK/W | B-BK-R-S | 1,372 | 5.1% |
| 945 | Bryar Blue | $0.00 | BK/W | BK | 1,617 | 6.0% |
| 946 | Elkhart Green | $0.00 | BK/W | BK-S | 4,200 | 15.6% |
| 972 | Classic White | $0.00 | BK/W | B-BK-R-S | 2,763 | 10.2% |
| 973 | Mille Miglia Red | $0.00 | BK/W | B-R-S | 2,478 | 9.2% |
| 979 | Targa Blue | $0.00 | BK/W | B-BK | 3,189 | 11.8% |
| 987 | Ontario Orange | $0.00 | BK/W | BK-S | 4,891 | 18.1% |
| 988 | Steel Cities Gray | $0.00 | BK/W | BK-R-S | 2,346 | 8.7% |
| 989 | War Bonnet Yellow | $0.00 | BK/W | BK-S | 2,550 | 9.4% |
Interior Colors
| 400 | Black Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 404 | Black Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 407 | Red Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 412 | Blue Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 417 | Saddle Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
| 421 | Saddle Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
1972 Corvette Specifications
Mechanical Dimensions
| Feature | Coupe | Convertible |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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 | 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 | 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 | Saginaw recirculating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.0 turning circle |
| Rear axle type | Sprung differential, Hypoid gear | Sprung differential, Hypoid gear |
| Brakes | Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist | Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist |
| Swept area | 11.75" front and back | 11.75" front and back |
| Total swept area | 461 sq. in. | 461 sq. in. |
| Wheels | 8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc | 8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc |
| Standard rear axle ratio | 3.36:1 | 3.36:1 |
| Optional rear axle ratio | 3.70:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1 | 3.70:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1 |
Engine Specifications
| Feature | BaseEngine RPO ZQ3 | RPO LS5 | RPO LT1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | V-8, Overhead Valve | V-8, Overhead Valve | V-8, Overhead Valve |
| Block | Cast Iron | Cast Iron | Cast Iron |
| 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 | five | five |
| Valve Lifters | Hydraulic | Hydraulic | Solid 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 |
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