Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 19641965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976
1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Last of the Chrome Bumper Corvettes
Take a good look at the 1972 Corvette, as it would be the last year that chrome bumpers would appear in the front. The 1972 Corvette saw few changes over the 1971 model. Updates included:
- The fiber optics light monitoring system was dropped. Although ingenious and simple, some thought of it as a gimmick.
- A horn sounding alarm was part of the base price.
- Although the LS5 454 cu. in. big block was listed on the options sheet, it was not available to California buyers. This was the start of an unfortunate trend where Golden State residents were shut out of some power train choices due to the state's more stringent smog regulations.
The 454 cu. in. "big block" motor was rated at 270 hp. This may seem like a big reduction over the 1971 rating of 365 hp, but there is an explanation. Standards for measuring horsepower came into effect in 1972 and they better reflected real world conditions. Inclusion of air cleaners, accessories, stock exhaust systems along with measurement standards brought some sanity and consistency to the process.
The engine specifications plate was changed for 1972 and only included the cubic inch displacement, compression ratio and torque. 1969 through 1971 plates also included the horsepower figure. It's possible that the lowered horsepower, due mostly to a change in the measuring standards, was behind the update.
The Last of the LT-1 Engines
Right: 1972 was the last year for the much admired LT-1 engine. It debuted in 1970 and featured solid lifters, 11.0:1 compression ratio and 370 horsepower.
The engine statistics changed in subsequent model years, with the compression ratio reduced to 9.0:1 in 1971. 1971 featured 330 horsepower @ 5,600 RPM.
1970 also featured a 9.0:1 compression ratio but the horsepower rating was reduced to 255 @ 5,600 RPM.
1972 Corvette Stingray For Sale |
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1972 LT-1 Corvette Conv
Price: $0 obo (Trades Considered) Exterior: Yellow Interior: Saddle Miles: 0 Location: Martinsburg Click Here for more info |
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1972 Yellow Corvette LT1 Convertible Dark Saddle interior, tan convertible top, 4 speed transmission, 350/LT-1 motor, power steering, power brakes, power windows, original AM/FM radio (more) |
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GM brochure courtesy Skip Marketti of The Nethercutt Collection
1972 Corvette: Official GM Photo.
1971 Corvette Options, Prices
| RPO | Description | Production | Price |
| Custom Interior Trim | 8,709 (32.25%) | $158.00 | |
| A31 | Power Windows | 9,495 (35.16%) | $85.35 |
| A85 | Custom Shoulder Belts (standard with coupe) | 749 (2.77%) | $42.15 |
| AV3 | Three Point Seat Belts | 17,693 (65.52%) | n/a |
| C07 | Auxiliary Hardtop (for convertible) | 2,646 (9.80%) | $273.85 |
| C08 | Vinyl Covering (for auxiliary hardtop) | 811 (3.00%) | $158.00 |
| C50 | Rear Window Defroster | 2,221 (8.22%) | $42.15 |
| C60 | Air Conditioning | 17,011 (62.99%) | $464.50 |
| J50 | Power Brakes | 18,770 (69.51%) | $47.40 |
| K19 | Air Injection Reactor | 3,912 (14.49%) | n/a |
| LS5 | 454 cu. in. 270hp Engine (n/a California) | 3,913 (14.49%) | $294.90 |
| LT1 | 350 cu. in. 255hp Engine | 1,741 (6.45%) | $483.45 |
| M21 | 4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio | 1,638 (6.07%) | n/a |
| M40 | Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission | 14,543 (53.85%) | n/a |
| N37 | Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column | 12,992 (48.11%) | $84.30 |
| N40 | Power Steering | 23,794 (88.11%) | $115.90 |
| P02 | Deluxe Wheel Covers | 3,593 (13.31%) | $63.20 |
| PT7 | White Stripe Tires, F70x15, nylon | 6,666 (24.69%) | $30.35 |
| PU9 | White Letter Tires, F70x15, nylon | 16,623 (61.56%) | $43.65 |
| T60 | Heavy Duty Battery (standard with LS5) | 2,969 (10.99%) | $15.80 |
| U69 | AM-FM Radio | 19,480 (72.14%) | $178.00 |
| U79 | AM-FM Radio, stereo | 7,189 (26.62%) | $283.35 |
| YF5 | California Emission Test | 1,967 (7.28%) | $15.80 |
| ZQ1 | Optional Rear Axle Ratio | 1,986 (7.35%) | $12.65 |
| ZR1 | Special Purpose LT1 Engine Package | 20 (0.07%) | $1,010.05 |
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Total Production:
27,004
Notes: Base Corvette Coupe with 350 cu. in. 200 hp engine and wide ratio four speed manual transmission: $5,533.00. |
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Colors
| Code | Exterior | Quantity | Interior | Soft Top | Wheels |
| 912 | Sunflower Yellow | 1,543 (5.71%) | Black / Saddle | Black / White | Silver |
| 924 | Pewter Silver | 1,372 (5.08%) | Blue / Black / Red / Saddle | Black / White | Silver |
| 945 | Bryar Blue | 1,617 (5.99%) | Black | Black / White | Silver |
| 946 | Elkhart Green | 4,200 (15.55%) | Black / Saddle | Black / White | Silver |
| 972 | Classic White | 2,763 (10.23%) | Blue / Black / Red / Saddle | Black / White | Silver |
| 973 | Mille Miglia Red | 2,478 (9.18%) | Black / Red / Saddle | Black / White | Silver |
| 979 | Targa Blue | 3,198 (11.84%) | Blue / Black | Black / White | Silver |
| 987 | Ontario Orange | 4,891 (18.11%) | Black / Saddle | Black / White | Silver |
| 988 | Steel Cities Gray | 2,346 (8.69%) | Black / Red / Saddle | Black / White | Silver |
| 989 | War Bonnet Yellow | 2,550 (9.44%) | Black / Saddle | Black / White | Silver |
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Comments (1)
Hallo everybody,
last Xmas my wife gave for present the dream of my life: a '71 Corvette.... I'm still in Heaven and i'm still waiting and looking forward to cruise with my new love because she's still in Toronto ( my wife is canadian), but i'm confused:my brother in law told to me she has alluminum heads but also the " smmall block engine", not the LS5 or LS6...Is it possible??? according with i read it's impossible....Anybody can give any explications about it????
Best Regards,
Gianguiodo D'Anna.
If the car has the base engine it has cast iron heads. If it has the LT1 option it has aluminum heads. Both are considered Small Block engines which differs from the option LS5 which is the Big Block. To determine what options you have go online to the web site below and use the serial number of the car to determine the original options. Hope this helps. Ciao
https://www.corvette-web-central.com/CorvetteVINdecoder.html#1965-1971