Corvette Generations:
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8
Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 19631964 1965 1966 1967 1968 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 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Last of the Chrome Bumper C3 Corvettes
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 included:
- 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.
The engine specifications plate was changed for 1972 and only included the cubic inch 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.
The Last of the LT-1 Engines

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.
1972 Corvette Stingray For Sale |
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1972 Corvette, STK#
Price: $24,995 obo Exterior: Blue Interior: Blue Miles: 45,321 Location: 5400 W WT Harris, Charlotte, NC Click Here for more info |
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Last year of chrome bumpers with big block power! This 72 Corvette is built to run. Has a fresh 396 V8 that has been bored (more) |
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