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.

Right: 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.

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1972 Corvette: Official GM Photo.