1972 Corvette Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1972 Chevrolet Corvette 454 CID Coupe
1972 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
1. Last Year for Front and Rear Chrome Bumpers
2. 454 CID LS6 V-8 Disappears
3. Convertible Production Drops
4. M22 4-Speed Only Available with ZR1 Package
5. LT1 350 CID V-8 Now Available with Air Conditioning
1972 Corvette – Engine HP Again Ebbs
1972 was the last model year for chrome bumpers at both front and rear, the vacuum actuated pop-up windshield wiper door, as well as the removable rear on 1968–1972 coupes. The 350 CID LT1 and 454 CID LS5 were still available, albeit with reduced HP.
1972 Corvette Resources
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1972 Corvette Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes
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1972 Corvette
| 912 Sunflower Yellow | |
| 924 Pewter Silver | |
| 945 Bryar Blue | |
| 946 Elkhart Green | |
| 972 Classic White | |
| 973 Mille Miglia Red | |
| 979 Targa Blue | |
| 987 Ontario Orange | |
| 988 Steel Cities Gray | |
| 989 War Bonnet Yellow |
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1972 Corvette Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1972 Corvette Facts
1972 was the last model year for chrome bumpers at both front and rear, the vacuum actuated pop-up windshield wiper door, as well as the removable rear on 1968–1972 coupes. The key-activated anti-theft alarm system became standard. Automatic transmission was installed in most Corvettes for the first time, with nearly 54 percent so equipped. It was also the last year for performance options RPO LT1 and RPO ZR1.
This year SAE net Horsepower measurement was now utilized versus the previous SAE gross numbers. This resulted in much lower advertised engine output. This was also the final year for the 350 CID LT1 engine, now rated at 255 HP and the ZR1 racing package built around it. Although the M22 HD four-speed was no longer a Regular Production Option, it continued to be fitted to cars outfitted with the ZR1 package. Surprisingly, the LT1 could now be ordered with air conditioning, a combination that had not permitted previous years.
The LS5 454 CID big block was again available, now rated at 270 HP. However, it was not available to California buyers. This was the beginning pf certain power train choices being restricted to California buyers due to more stringent emission standards than mandated by federal regulations.
Convertibles were a vanishing breed by this year and the Corvette sold only 6,508 copies, amounting to 9% of the market. Rare options for this year were: ZR1 special engine package (20), shoulder belts with convertibles (749), LT1 engine option (1,741).
1972 Corvette Factoids
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- LS6 454 CID V-8 is Gone
- LT1 350 CID V-8 Now available with Air Conditioning
- Last Year for Chrome Front and Rear Bumpers
- 454 CID V-8 not Available in California
The fabled LS6 454 CID V-8, ever more strangled by emission controls and not available in California where it would have been popular, was dekleted from the option list for 1972. The LS5 continued, but it was also not available in California, limiting sales to only 3913 units.
The LT 1 was further detuned to 255 HP was tame enough to be available with air conditioning. It would slide slowly into oblivion due to restrictive emissions.
The signature chrome bumpers on the Corvette would be replaced with flexible urethane fascias in 1973.
The 454 CID LS5 V-8 could not meet California emissions levels and was not available there. It was already down on horsepower from the previous year to 270 SAE net.
1972 Corvette Facts – Models Offered
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For all intents and purposes the 1972 Corvette looked like the 1971 with grills and matching front fender side vents and larger squared front directional lamps.
Body Style 19437 – Coupe – Base Price $5,533 Production 20,496.
For all intents and purposes the 1972 Corvette looked like the 1971 with grills and matching front fender side vents and larger squared front directional lamps.
Body Style 19467 – Convertible – Base Price $5,296 – Production 6,508.
1972 Corvette Facts – Engines
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200 HP V-8 Base – All Transmissions. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main Bearings.
Displacement: 350 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.48 inches.
Compression ratio: 8.5:1.
Horsepower: 200 SAE Net @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 300 SAE Net @ 2800 RPM.
Valve Lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 280 degrees, Exhaust: 288 degrees, Overlap 58 degrees. Lift: Intake: 0.390″, Exhaust: 0.410″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel (manual transmission) 7042203; (automatic transmission) 7042202 California cars (manual transmission) 7042903; (automatic transmission) 70422902.
255 HP V-8 Option LT1. Four-Speed Manual Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.48 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.0:1.
Horsepower: 255 SAE Net @ 5600 RPM.
Torque: 280 SAE Net @ 4000 RPM
Valve lifters: Mechanical
Camshaft timing: Intake: 317 degrees, Exhaust: 346 degrees, Overlap 96 degrees. Lift: (Intake) 0.4586″; (Exhaust) 0.4850″.
Carburetor: Holley 780 CFM 4-barrel 39990263.
NOTE 1: Not available with automatic transmission.
NOTE 2: Now available with air conditioning.
Turbo-Fire 454 V-8 (RPO LS5). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 454 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.250 x 4.00 inches.
Compression ratio: 8.5:1.
Horsepower: 270 SAE Net @ 4000 RPM.
Torque: 390 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: (Includes ramps) Intake: 350 degrees, Exhaust: 352 degrees, Overlap 118 degrees. Lift: Intake: 0.4614″; Exhaust: 0.4800″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel (manual transmission) 7042205; (automatic transmission) 7042204.
1972 Corvette Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 98.00 inches.
- Overall length: 182.50 inches.
- Overall width: 69.00 inches.
- Overall height: Coupe – 47.80 inches; Convertible – 47.90 inches.
- Front tread: 58.70 inches.
- Rear tread: 59.40 inches.
- Tires: F70 x 15 – tubeless.
1972 Corvette Facts – Powertrains
- Transmission Ratios
- 200, 255 & 270 HP Four-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.52:1, Second: 1.88:1, Third 1.46:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.59:1.
- 255 & 270 HP Four-Speed Close Ratio Manual Transmission – First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.64:1, Third 1.28:1, Fourth: 1.00:1, Reverse: 2.26:1.
- 255 HP with ZR1 Package Only M22 HD Four-Speed Close Ratio Manual Transmission – First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.64:1, Third 1.28:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.26:1.
- 200 & 270 HP – Three-Speed Turbo Hydra-Matic Transmission – 1st 2.48:1, 2nd: 1.48:1, 3rd: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.08:1.
- Rear Axle Ratio
- Manual Transmissions –
– 200 HP 4-speed Manual: 3.36:1; Optional: 3.08:1.
– 255 HP Wide Ratio Four-speed: 3.55:1, Optional 3.36:1, 3.70:1.
– 255 HP Close Ratio HD Four-speed: 3.36:1, Optional 3.08:1, 3.55:1.
– 270 HP Close Ratio Four-speed: 3.36:1; Optional 3.08:1, 3.55:1.
– 270 HP Wide Ratio Four-speed: 3.08:1; Optional None. - Three Speed Automatic Transmissions –
– 200 HP: 3.08:1; Optional: 3.36:1.
– 255 HP: Not Available.
– 270 HP: 3.08:1; Optional 3.36:1 .
- Manual Transmissions –
NOTE 1: All A/C equipped cars received 3.08:1 rear gears.
NOTE 2: Optional available Dealer Installed rear axle gear ratios: 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.
1972 Corvette Facts – Powertrain Options
- Engines:
- 350 cubic inch 200 horsepower four-barrel carburetor engine – Standard.
- LT1 350 cubic inch 330 horsepower V-8 engine ($483.00).
- LS5 454 cubic inch 365 horsepower V-8 engine ($295.00).
- Other:
- 3-speed automatic transmission (Standard/Choice).
- 4-speed close ratio M-21 manual transmission (Standard/Choice) NOTE: not available w/base engine.
- 4-speed wide ratio M-20 manual transmission (Standard/Choice).
- 4-speed close ratio M-22 Heavy Duty manual floor shift transmission Only available with ZR1 Performance Package.
- ZR1 Special Handling Package for LT1. Contains: heavy-duty brakes, dost-ratio four-speed manual transmission, special front stabilizer bar, special springs and shock absorbers, transistorized ignition system. ($1.010.00).
- Positive Traction Rear Axle ($48.00).
- Optional Gear Ratios ($13.00).
1972 Corvette Facts – Significant Options
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- Air Conditioning $464.50
- Air Injection Reactor N/A
- AM/FM Radio $178
- AM/FM Radio Stereo $283.35
- Auxiliary Hardtop (Convert.) $273.85
- California Emission Test $15.80
- Custom Interior Trim $158
- Custom Shoulder Belts (std. w/ coupe) $42.15
- Deluxe Wheel Cover $63.20
- Heavy Duty Battery (std. w/ LS5) $15.80
- Optional Rear Axle $12.65
- Power Brakes $47.40
- Power Steering $115.90
- Power Windows $85.35
- Rear Window Defroster $42.15
- Three Point Seat Belts N/A
- Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column $84.30
- Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission $0.00
- Vinyl Covering for Aux. Hardtop $158
- White Letter Tires F70 x 15 $43.65
- White Line Tires F70 x 15 $30.35
1972 Corvette Downloads and Images
1972 Corvette Facts – Related Document Downloads
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1972 Corvette AMA Specifications Sheets
1972 Corvette Factory Specifications Sheets
1972 Corvette Facts – Related Images
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1972 Corvette Coupe
The 1972 Corvette Coupe was the most popular Corvette in 1972 with 20,496 sold.
1972 Corvette Convertible
The 1972 Corvette Convertible was slowly declining in popularity. This year only 6.508 were sold.