Corvette: Year By Year

    

About The Corvette

    

Corvette Specs

    

1972 Corvette


1972 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible in Classic White

1972 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible in Classic White

Close1972 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible in Classic White

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.

1972 Chevrolet Corvette 454 Cubic Inch LS5 Engine

1972 Chevrolet Corvette 454 Cubic Inch LS5 Engine

Close1972 Chevrolet Corvette 454 Cubic Inch LS5 Engine

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.

1972 Corvette Engine Specifications Plate

1972 Corvette Engine Specifications Plate

Close1972 Corvette Engine Specifications Plate

The engine specifications plate was changed for 1972 and only included the cubic inche 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.


1972 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

1972 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

Close1972 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

The Last of the LT-1 Engines

1972 Corvette Coupe in Pewter Silver with LT-1 Engine

1972 Corvette Coupe in Pewter Silver with LT-1 Engine

Close1972 Corvette Coupe in Pewter Silver with LT-1 Engine
1970 Chevrolet Corvette LT1 Engine

1970 Chevrolet Corvette LT1 Engine

Close1970 Chevrolet Corvette LT1 Engine

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.

197 -Corvette LT-1 Hood Decal

197 -Corvette LT-1 Hood Decal

Close197 -Corvette LT-1 Hood Decal

1972 Corvette

1972 Corvette

Close1972 Corvette
1972 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

1972 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

Close1972 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
1972 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

1972 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

Close1972 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
1972 Chevrolet Corvette Brochure Image

1972 Chevrolet Corvette Brochure Image

Close1972 Chevrolet Corvette Brochure Image
1972 Chevrolet Corvette GM Photo

1972 Chevrolet Corvette GM Photo

Close1972 Chevrolet Corvette GM Photo

1973 Corvette
1972 Corvette Options