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The 1972 Corvette

1972 Maroon Corvette Coupe

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

Serial Numbers
Coupe1Z37x2S500001 - 1Z37x2S527004
Convertible1Z67x2S500001 - 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

PositionCharacterDescription
11Chevrolet Division
2ZCorvette
3-467Convertible
3-437Coupe
5K350-cid V8
5WLS5 454-cid V8 with dual exhausts
621972
7SAssembled in St. Louis, MO
8 to 13500001 to 527004Production Sequence

Engine Serial Number Decoder

1972 Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block after the engine number

PositionValueDescription
1 to 70001001Sequential Production Number
8F or TFlint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
9 to 11CRSCarburetion & Transmission350-cid 200-hp V-88.5:1K-19 automaticfour-barrel
9 to 11CKWCarburetion & Transmission350-cid 200-hp V-88.5:14-speed manualfour-barrel
9 to 11CDHCarburetion & Transmission350-cid 200-hp V-88.5:1NB2 4-speed manualfour-barrel
9 to 11CKXCarburetion & Transmission350-cid 200-hp V-88.5:1THM-400 automaticfour-barrel
9 to 11CDJCarburetion & Transmission350-cid 200-hp V-88.5:1NB2 (Calif.) THM-400 automaticfour-barrel
9 to 11CKYCarburetion & Transmission350-cid 255-hp V-89.0:14-speed manualfour-barrel
9 to 11CRTCarburetion & Transmission350-cid 255-hp V-89.0:14-speed manualfour-barrelAir Injection Reactor (AIR) system
9 to 11CKZCarburetion & Transmission350-cid 255-hp V-89.0:1heavy-duty 4-speed manualfour-barrel
9 to 11CPHCarburetion & Transmission454-cid 270-hp V-88.5:14-speed manualfour-barrel
9 to 11CPJCarburetion & Transmission454-cid 270-hp V-88.5:1THM automaticfour-barrel
9 to 11CPRCarburetion & Transmission454-cid 270-hp V-88.5:14-speed manualfour-barrelAir Injection Reactor (AIR) system
9 to 11CPRCarburetion & Transmission454-cid 270-hp V-88.5:1THM automaticfour-barrelAir 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

RPO
Description
Cost
Total
Prod.
%
19437Base Coupe$5,533.00 20,496 75.9%
19467Base Convertible$5,296.00 6,508 24.1%
N/ACustom Interior Trim$158.00 8,709 32.3%
AV3Three Point Seat BeltsN/A 17,693 65.5%
A31Power Windows$85.35 9,495 35.2%
A85Custom Shoulder Belts (std. w/ coupe)$42.15 749 2.8%
C07Auxiliary Hardtop (Convert.)$273.85 2,646 9.8%
C08Vinyl Covering for Aux. Hardtop$158.00 811 3.0%
C50Rear Window Defroster$42.15 2,211 8.2%
C60Air Conditioning$464.50 17,011 63.0%
N/AOptional Rear Axle$12.65 1,986 7.4%
J50Power Brakes$47.40 18,770 69.5%
K19Air Injection ReactorN/A 3,912 14.5%
LS5454ci, 270hp Engine$294.90 3,913 14.5%
LT1350ci, 255hp Engine$483.45 1,741 6.4%
M214 Speed Manual, Close Ratio Transmission$0.00 1,638 6.1%
M40Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission$0.00 14,543 53.9%
N37Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column$84.30 12,992 48.1%
N40Power Steering$115.90 23,794 88.1%
P02Deluxe Wheel Cover$63.20 3,593 13.3%
PT7White Line Tires F70 x 15$30.35 6,666 24.7%
PU9White Letter Tires F70 x 15$43.65 16,623 61.6%
T60Heavy Duty Battery (std. w/ LS5)$15.80 2,969 11.0%
U69AM/FM Radio$178.00 19,480 72.1%
U79AM/FM Radio Stereo$283.35 7,189 26.6%
YF5California Emission Test$15.80 1,967 7.3%
Z49Canadian Base Equipment PackageN/A N/A N/A
ZR1Special Purpose LT1 Engine Package$1,010.05 20 0.1%

Color Options for 1972

Interior options for exterior colors are suggested by Chevrolet. Any combination could be ordered.
RPO
Color
Cost
Soft Top Color
Interior Color
Total
Prod.
%
912Sunfire Yellow$0.00BK/WBK-S 1,543 5.7%
924Pewter Silver$0.00BK/WB-BK-R-S 1,372 5.1%
945Bryar Blue$0.00BK/WBK 1,617 6.0%
946Elkhart Green$0.00BK/WBK-S 4,200 15.6%
972Classic White$0.00BK/WB-BK-R-S 2,763 10.2%
973Mille Miglia Red$0.00BK/WB-R-S 2,478 9.2%
979Targa Blue$0.00BK/WB-BK 3,189 11.8%
987Ontario Orange$0.00BK/WBK-S 4,891 18.1%
988Steel Cities Gray$0.00BK/WBK-R-S 2,346 8.7%
989War Bonnet Yellow$0.00BK/WBK-S 2,550 9.4%
Color Codes: B=Blue, BK=Black, L=Leather, R=Red, S=Saddle, V=Vinyl, W=White

Interior Colors

RPO
Color
Cost
Total
Prod.
%
400Black Vinyl$0.00 N/A N/A
404Black Leather$0.00 N/A N/A
407Red Vinyl$0.00 N/A N/A
412Blue Vinyl$0.00 N/A N/A
417Saddle Vinyl$0.00 N/A N/A
421Saddle Leather$0.00 N/A N/A


1972 Corvette Specifications

Mechanical Dimensions

FeatureCoupeConvertible
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 height47.4 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.Full-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 barIndependent, 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 barIndependent, 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 circleSaginaw recirculating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.0 turning circle
Rear axle typeSprung differential, Hypoid gearSprung differential, Hypoid gear
BrakesHydraulic, vented four wheel discs 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assistHydraulic, vented four wheel discs 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist
Swept area11.75" front and back11.75" front and back
Total swept area461 sq. in.461 sq. in.
Wheels8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc
Standard rear axle ratio3.36:13.36:1
Optional rear axle ratio3.70:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:13.70:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1


Engine Specifications

FeatureBaseEngine RPO ZQ3RPO LS5RPO LT1
TypeV-8, Overhead ValveV-8, Overhead ValveV-8, Overhead Valve
BlockCast IronCast IronCast Iron
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 bearingfivefivefive
Valve LiftersHydraulicHydraulicSolid Lifters
CamshaftHigh-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

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