Corvette C3 Year-by-Year Changes and Spotter's Guide: Corvette C3 Years


Corvette C3 Specs by year:

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.

VIN
Trim tag

If you're having trouble decoding, please leave feedback so I can help resolve the issue.

Corvette C3 decoder feedback email

or







1 + 6 =



1972 VIN range 1Z37K2S500001 – 1Z37K2S527004

1972 Corvette GM advertisement showcasing the iconic design and features of the 1972 Corvette model
1972 Corvette Advertisement – Showcasing the Classic Design

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

1972 Corvette VIN decoder
1972 Corvette VIN decoder

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

Have insights to share? We welcome your expert feedback, technical discussions, and Corvette-related stories. Your contributions help keep this Corvette community thriving! Join the conversation below.

Other articles

General information:

Technical:

Interior and Exterior Features:




Corvette C3 Decoder Facebook Corvette C3 Decoder Instagram Corvette C3 Decoder Pinterest Corvette C3 Decoder Youtube

© 2023 corvettec3decoder.com - All Rights Reserved.