Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 19671968 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
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 did include:
- 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.
GM brochure courtesy Skip Marketti of The Nethercutt Collection
1972 Corvette: Official GM Photo.
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