• The 1972 Corvette was almost identical to the 1970 and 1971 models
• Standard equipment included the following
  • Positraction rear axle
  • outside rearview mirror
  • tinted glass
  • flo-thru ventilation system
  • four-wheel disc brakes
  • electric clock
  • carpeting
  • wheel trim rings
  • All-vinyl upholstery
  • anti-theft alarm system
• Ten colors were available
  • Bryar Blue
  • Classic White
  • Elkhart Green
  • Mille Miglia Red
  • Ontario Orange
  • Pewter Silver
  • Steel Cities Gray
  • Sunflower Yellow
  • Targa Blue
  • War Bonnet Yellow
• All convertibles came with a choice of Black or White soft tops
• Interior colors were Black, Blue, Red, and Saddle

I.D. NUMBERS

• The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
• Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 1Z67K2S500001 to 1Z67K2S527004
• Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 1Z67K2S500001 to 1Z67K2S527004

  Position	Character	Description
  1	1	Chevrolet Division
  2	Z	Corvette
  3 & 4	67	convertible
  	37	coupe
  5	K	350-cid V8
  	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

  1 to 7	0001001	sequential production number
  8	F or T	Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
  9 to 11	Carburetion & transmission	Code	Engine	Compression	transmission	Carburetor	Extras
  		CRS	350-cid 200-hp V-8	8.5:1	K-19 automatic	four-barrel
  		CKW	350-cid 200-hp V-8	8.5:1	4-speed manual	four-barrel
  		CDH	350-cid 200-hp V-8	8.5:1	NB2 4-speed manual	four-barrel
  		CKX	350-cid 200-hp V-8	8.5:1	THM-400 automatic	four-barrel
  		CDJ	350-cid 200-hp V-8	8.5:1	NB2 (Calif.) THM-400 automatic	four-barrel
  		CKY	350-cid 255-hp V-8	9.0:1	4-speed manual	four-barrel
  		CRT	350-cid 255-hp V-8	9.0:1	4-speed manual	four-barrel	Air Injection Reactor (AIR) system
  		CKZ	350-cid 255-hp V-8	9.0:1	heavy-duty 4-speed manual	four-barrel
  		CPH	454-cid 270-hp V-8	8.5:1	4-speed manual	four-barrel
  		CPJ	454-cid 270-hp V-8	8.5:1	THM automatic	four-barrel
  		CPR	454-cid 270-hp V-8	8.5:1	4-speed manual	four-barrel	Air Injection Reactor (AIR) system
  		CPR	454-cid 270-hp V-8	8.5:1	THM automatic	four-barrel	Air Injection Reactor (AIR) system

• Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number
• The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
• The Fisher Body Style Number 72-19467 identifies a Corvette Stingray convertible
• The Fisher Body Style Number 72-19437 identifies a Corvette Stingray coupe
• The body number is the production serial number of the body.
• The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
• The ten 1972 Corvette exterior colors were:
  • 945 = Bryar Blue
  • 972 = Classic White
  • 946 = Elkhart Green
  • 973 = Mille Miglia Red
  • 987 = Ontario Orange
  • 924 = Pewter Silver
  • 988 = Steel Cities Gray
  • 912 = Sunflower Yellow
  • 979 = Targa Blue
  • 989 = War Bonnet Yellow
• Upholstery Codes

  Color	Vinyl Upholstery	Leather Upholstery
  Black	400	404
  Red	407
  Blue	412
  Saddle	417	421

Series No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Z	37	2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger	$5533	3115 lb	20,496
Z	67	2-dr. Conv - 2 passenger	$5296	3215 lb	6,508

TRANSMISSION

• Standard Manual Transmission: close-ratio four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter
• Automatic Transmission: Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter (optional)

CHASSIS

Feature	Convertible	Coupe
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.
Front suspension	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
Steering	Saginaw recirulating ball, 17.6:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 39.0 turning circle
Rear axle type	Sprung differential, Hypoid gear
Brakes	Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, optional power assist
Swept area	11.75" front and back
Total swept area	461 sq. in.
Wheels	8" wide slotted steel 15" 5-lug disc
Standard rear axle ratio	3.36:1
Optional rear axle ratio	3.70:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1

OPTIONS

RPO Custom interior trim ($158) RPO A31 Electric power windows ($85.35) RPO A85 Custom shoulder belts ($26.35) RPO C07 Auxiliary hardtop for convertible ($273.85) RPO C08 Vinyl cover for auxiliary hardtop ($158) RPO C50 Rear window defroster ($42.15) RPO C60 Air conditioning ($464.50) RPO G81 Positraction rear axle, all ratios ($12.65) RPO J50 Power brakes ($47.40) RPO LS5 454-cid 270-hp V-8 ($294.90) RPO LT1 350-cid 255-hp V-8 ($483.45) RPO ZR1 350-cid 255-hp V-8 ($1010.05) RPO M21 Four-speed close-ratio manual transmission (n/c) RPO M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission (n/c) RPO N37 Tilt-telescopic steering wheel ($84.30) RPO N40 Power steering ($115.90) RPO P02 Custom Wheel covers ($63.20) RPO PT7 F70 x 15, white stripe tires ($30.35) RPO PU9 F70 x 15, raised-white-letter tires ($43.65) RPO T60 Heavy-duty battery ($15.80) RPO U69 AM-FM radio ($178) RPO U79 Stereo radio ($283.35) HISTORICAL NOTES 35.1% of 1972 Corvettes had power windows 88.2% had power steering 63% had air conditioning 48.1% had tilt steering 6% had a close-ratio four-speed manual transmission 7% had a heavy-duty four-speed manual transmission 6.4% (1336) had the LT1 engine A 1972 Corvette with the base ZQ3 V-8 could do 0-to-30 mph in 3.1 seconds, 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.2 seconds at 83 mph. A 1972 Corvette with the LT1 V-8 could do 0-to-30 mph in 2.9 seconds, 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.3 seconds at 92 mph. A 1972 Corvette with the LS5 V-8 could do 0-to-30 mph in 3.8 seconds, 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.1 seconds at 93 mph. Even though the horsepower rating were lower (e.g., the 1971 LT1 was rated at 330 hp, but the 1972 LT1 was rated at 255 hp), the performance was the same. In 1971 and previous years, the horsepower rating was a gross figure calculated before adding any equipment (alternator, pumps, fans, etc.). But across the industry (not just GM), the ratings were calculated on a net figure. Many people incorrectly attributed the decrease to pollution equipment and the use of unleaded gasoline. 1972 CORVETTE Click here for Corvette books Books on other automobiles Dictionary of over 15,000 Automotive Terms Cadillac History Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook a@motorera.com 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 June 18, 1999