How to Decode Your 1972 Corvette VIN – Full Breakdown & Guide
Verify the originality of your 1972 Corvette using our detailed VIN and trim tag decoder. Enter your VIN for precise engine, body, and transmission information. This decoder helps confirm your car's production specifics. The trim tag data includes original interior and exterior color details and the exact build date, essential for accurate restoration.
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If you're having trouble decoding, please leave feedback so I can help resolve the issue.

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1972 VIN range | 1Z37K2S500001 – 1Z37K2S527004 |

In 1972, a total of 27,004 Corvettes were manufactured, comprising 20,496 Coupes and 6,508 Convertibles.

You can use the Corvette C3 Decoder to decode other Corvette 1972 codes and view Corvette 1972 charts on the Corvette C3 chart article. All specifications and VIN decoding details are based on official Chevrolet data from GM’s 1972 Corvette Vehicle Information Kit .
1972 Corvette Specifications
Verify the factory colors of your 1972 Corvette using this guide. Below is a comprehensive list of available exterior and interior colors, complete with color codes and visual examples. This resource helps ensure accuracy in confirming your 1972 Corvette’s original finish.
Exterior Colors
Code | Color | Color sample |
---|---|---|
912 | Sunflower Yellow | |
924 | Pewter Silver Metallic | |
945 | Bryar Blue Metallic | |
946 | Elkhart Green Metallic | |
972 | Classic White | |
973 | Mille Miglia Red | |
979 | Targa Blue Metallic | |
987 | Ontario Orange | |
988 | Steel Cities Gray | |
989 | War Bonnet Yellow |
Interior Colors
The 1972 Corvette offered buyers a choice of either leather or vinyl interior upholstery. Color options varied slightly depending on the chosen material.
Code | Color | Color sample |
---|---|---|
400 | Black Vinyl | |
404 | Black Leather | |
407 | Red Vinyl | |
412 | Blue Vinyl | |
417 | Saddle Vinyl | |
421 | Saddle Leather |
Color combinations
For the 1972 Corvette, Chevrolet offered a selection of interior color options. Buyers could create custom combinations by choosing from leather and vinyl materials, allowing them to match their interior to their chosen exterior.
Exterior | Quantity | Interior |
---|---|---|
Sunflower Yellow | 1,543 (5.71%) | Black / Saddle |
Pewter Silver | 1,372 (5.08%) | Blue / Black / Red / Saddle |
Bryar Blue | 1,617 (5.99%) | Black |
Elkhart Green | 4,200 (15.55%) | Black / Saddle |
Classic White | 2,763 (10.23%) | Blue / Black / Red / Saddle |
Mille Miglia Red | 2,478 (9.18%) | Black / Red / Saddle |
Targa Blue | 3,198 (11.84%) | Blue / Black |
Ontario Orange | 4,891 (18.11%) | Black / Saddle |
Steel Cities Gray | 2,346 (8.69%) | Black / Red / Saddle |
War Bonnet Yellow | 2,550 (9.44%) | Black / Saddle |
Chassis
Wheelbase | Length | Width | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
98 in | 182.5 in | 69.0 in | Coupe: Curb: 3,305 lb; Shipping: 3,215 lb Convertible: Curb: 3,306 lb; Shipping: 3,216 lb |
Curb weight: Weight of the empty vehicle ready to drive. Shipping weight plus the weight of gasoline and water.
Shipping weight: Weight of the basic vehicle with regular equipment, grease, and oil. Weight of gasoline and water not included.
1972 Corvettes were outfitted with F70-15 bias-ply nylon cord tires. Learn more about the tires used on Corvettes in the article Corvette C3 RPM Calculator.
Engines
Engine Code |
Order Code |
CI | HP | Equipment |
---|---|---|---|---|
CKW | Base | 350 | 200 | Rochester Q-jet, 4-Speed |
CDH | Base | 350 | 200 | Rochester Q-jet, NB2, 4-Speed |
CKX | Base | 350 | 200 | Rochester Q-jet, Turbo Hydra-Matic |
CDJ | Base | 350 | 200 | Rochester Q-jet, NB2, Turbo Hydra-Matic |
CKY | LT1 | 350 | 255 | Holley 1x4BC, Mechanical Lifters, 4-Speed |
CRT | LT1 | 350 | 255 | Holley 1x4BC, Mechanical Lifters, K19, 4-Speed |
CKZ | ZR1 | 350 | 255 | Performance Package, LT1 Engine, M22 4-Speed |
CPH | LS5 | 454 | 270 | Rochester Q-jet, Hydraulic Lifters, 4-Speed |
CPJ | LS5 | 454 | 270 | Rochester Q-jet, Hydraulic Lifters, Turbo Hydra-Matic |
CSR | LS5 | 454 | 270 | Rochester Q-jet, Hyd. Lifters, K19, 4-Speed |
CSS | LS5 | 454 | 270 | Rochester Q-jet, Hyd. Lifters, K19, Turbo Hydra-Matic |
You can read more from the Corvette C3 Engines article.
Transmissions
Code | Type | Transmission |
---|---|---|
P | Manual | Muncie 4-Speed |
A | Manual | M20 Muncie 4-Speed with wide gear ratio |
B | Manual | M21 Muncie 4-Speed with close gear ratio |
C | Manual | M22 Muncie heavy-duty 4-Speed with close gear ratio |
K | Automatic | Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 with 350 engine |
S | Automatic | Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 with 454 engine |
You can read more from the Corvette C3 Transmissions article.
1972 Corvette RPO
Chevrolet offered a number of options to allow buyers to customize their Corvette to their exact specifications.
Code | Option | Total |
---|---|---|
19437 | Corvette sport coupe | 20,469 |
19467 | Corvette convertible | 6,508 |
Base | Vinyl trim | 18,295 |
- | Leather trim | 8,709 |
AV3 | Three-point seat belts | 17,693 |
A31 | Power windows | 9,495 |
AB5 | Deluxe shoulder harness | 749 |
C05 | Folding top color | 6,507 |
C07 | Auxiliary hardtop | 2,646 |
C08 | Vinyl roof hardtop | 811 |
C50 | Rear window defroster | 2,221 |
C60 | Air conditioning | 17,011 |
F41 | Special suspension (with zr1) | 20 |
GS4 | 3.70 axle type a | 985 |
GV3 | 3.08 axle type b | 15,845 |
GV4 | 3.36 axle type a | 8,676 |
GV5 | 3.36 axle type b | 466 |
GV7 | 3.55 axle type b | 670 |
GV8 | 4.11 axle type b | 363 |
J50 | Power brakes | 18,77 |
J56 | Heavy-duty brakes (with zr1) | 20 |
K19 | Air injection reactor | 3,912 |
LS5 | 270 hp 454 ci engine | 3,913 |
LT1 | 255 hp 350 ci engine | 1,741 |
M21 | 4-speed close-ratio manual transmission | 1,638 |
M22 | 4-speed Heavy-duty manual transmission | 20 |
M40 | Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission | 14,543 |
NB2 | Exhaust emission control | 1,766 |
N37 | Tilt & telescopic steering column | 12,992 |
N40 | Power steering | 23,794 |
PT1 | F70 x 15 blackwall tires | 3,716 |
PT7 | F70 x 15 white stripe tires | 6,666 |
PU9 | F70 x 15 white lettered tires | 16,623 |
P02 | Deluxe wheel trim covers | 3,593 |
T60 | Heavy-duty battery | 2,969 |
UL5 | Radio delete | 292 |
U69 | AM-FM radio | 26,669 |
U79 | Stereo equipment | 7,189 |
VJ9 | Exhaust emission label | 1,968 |
V78 | Certificate of compliance delete | 64 |
YE2 | Special ratio axle | 1 |
YF5 | California registrations | 1,967 |
YF6 | Delete california emissions | 1,805 |
ZP2 | Color and trim override | 654 |
ZP3 | Special paint | 48 |
ZQ1 | Rear axle selection | 1,986 |
ZQ3 | 350 200 hp engine | 21,352 |
ZQ8 | Economy axle | 530 |
ZR1 | 350 255 hp engine | 20 |
ZR5 | 3-point shoulder belts | 2 |
ZR7 | Factory delivery | 16 |
ZV1 | Statement of origin | 135 |
ZW4 | 4-speed wide ratio base transmission | 10,804 |
ZX1 | Export preparation | 290 |
ZY5 | Export tire tax | 8 |
ZY6 | Taxable tax status | 246 |
ZY7 | Nontaxable tax status | 133 |
Z49 | Canadian base equipment | 1,234 |
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Other articles
General information:
- Corvette C3 years
- Corvette Specs, Colors, etc. by year:
1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 - Is the Corvette C3 always a Stingray?
- Corvette C3 charts
- Corvette C3 books
- Mako Shark II
- Corvette L88
- Greenwood Corvettes
- Reader's Wheels: Corvette 1968
- Restomod Corvette C3s
- Corvette C3 Buyer's Checklist
Technical:
- Corvette C3 & Rochester Quadrajet
- Corvette C3 engines
- Corvette C3 transmissions
- Corvette C3 RPM calculator
- Corvette C3 emission systems
- Corvette C3 birdcage and rust
- Number matching and RPO
- Corvette C3 oils