1972 Corvette

Description

The C3 version of the Chevrolet Corvette was manufactured from 1968 to 1982.

There were no major changes for 1972, but a few minor details set them apart. The easiest to identify is the amber-lensed front signal lights.

1972 Corvettes used the same egg-crate grill and side louvers that were used the previous two years. Front and rear chromed steel bumpers remained the same, though this would be the final year for the front chrome bumper.

In the interior, the engine specs console plate no longer showed the horsepower rating. The fiber optic light monitors were also removed from the console.

1972 was the first year for SAE net horsepower ratings, as opposed to the gross horsepower ratings which were used previously. Net horsepower ratings were lower because the engines were rated with all the necessary items such as the alternator, water pump and mufflers attached.

The 1971 LT1 350 engine was rated at 330 hp (or 275 hp net) and 360 ft-lbs of torque, while the 1972 LT1 was rated at 255 hp and 280 ft-lbs of torque. The LS5 454 engine, previously rated 365 hp (285 hp net) and 465 ft-lbs of torque at was now rated at 270 hp and 380 ft-lbs of torque. The base 350 engine, rated at 270 horsepower (210 hp net) in 1971, was now rated at 200 hp and 300 ft-lbs of torque.

1972 Corvette Key Differences

The front signal lights on 1972 Corvettes have an amber lens instead of a clear lens like the 1970-71 Vettes.

Similar Years

1970-72 Corvettes are share most styling features including the same egg-crate style fender louvers and front grill, the same rectangular front signal lights, and the same chrome front and rear bumpers.

How to Identify a 1972 Corvette

1972 Corvette Grill

• The grill remained unchanged with a silver egg-crate design (1970 - 1972)
• Front signal lights were rectangular (1970-72)

1972 Corvette Front Signal Light

• Rectangular front signal lights now had an amber lens (previously clear) (1972)

1972 Corvette Side Louvers

• The side fender louvers remained unchanged (1970-72)

1972 Corvette Front Bumper

• The chromed front bumper and the hidden headlights were not changed for 1970 (1968 - 1972)
• 1972 was the last year for the chrome front bumper (1968-72)

1972 Corvette Rear Bumpers

• The dual chromed steel bumpers remained the same (1968-73)

1972 Corvette Door Handle

• The door handle and lock was the same (1969 - 1982)

1972 Corvette Roof Panel

• Twin removable roof panels on the coupes were the industry's first T-top (1968 - 1982)

1972 Corvette Rear Window

• This was the last year that the rear window on the coupe was removable (1968 - 1972)

1972 Corvette Front Flags Emblem

• The front nose emblem continued unchanged (1968 - 1972)

1972 Corvette Tail lights

• The tail lights were the same as before, with back-up lamps incorporated into the inner lights (1969-82)

1972 Corvette Interior

• The interior remained basically the same with some minor changes to the lettering on the console

1972 Corvette Dash

• The dash did not change

1972 Corvette Dash Plaque

• A plaque mounted on the center console indicated the engine specs (1969 - 1976)
• Due to the lower SAE horsepower ratings, they were no longer specified on the plaque (1972-76)
• The console-mounted fiber optic lamp monitors were now absent (1972 - 1982)

1972 Corvette Standard Hood

• The standard, basically flat hood, remained unchanged (1968-72)
• This was the last year for this hood design

1972 Corvette 454 Hood

• Vettes with the optional 454 or LT1 engines had a different hood that had a raised central bulge with air extractor vents (1968-72)
• It was the last year for this hood design as well

1972 Corvette 454 Hood Emblem

• Hood-mounted emblems, "454" or "LT1", announced the presence of the optional engine (1968 - 1972)

1972 Corvette 454 Big Block Engine

• The LS5 454 cubic inch big block engine was rated at 270 SAE net hp and 380 ft-lbs of torque

1972 Corvette Fuel Filler Door

• The flags emblem on the fuel filler door remained the same (1968 - 1973)

1972 Corvette Exhaust Tip

• The rectangular exhaust pipe tips remained the same (1968 - 1973)

1972 Corvette Rear Name Plate

• The rear "Corvette" lettering did not change for 1972 (1968-73)

1972 Corvette Wheel

• Standard steel rims with chrome trim continued (1968 - 1982)

1972 Corvette Windshield Wiper Door

• A flap at the windshield's base would rise for the windshield wipers to work (1968-72)

1972 Corvette Luggage Rack

• The rear deck luggage rack was a dealer installed option (1968 - 1976)

More 1972 Corvette Pictures

For more photos of vintage 1972 Corvettes, visit the Classic Chevy Gallery at the Muscle Car Jungle.

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