Exterior differences between '71 and '72 Corvette?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 246
Likes: 1
From: Concord NC
Originally Posted by Gordonm
My 72 was built the second week of August in 71. It is a 72 car with it being the 185th car down the assembly line. The car has no fiber optics on it. It had amber parking lights. It did not have the seat belt warning system that 72 cars had. The wiring harness must be leftover from 71 cars. I have talked to some experts on this and they said it is correct. Not tha tmine is a NCRS car at all, far from it.
The LT1 package cost 483.45 in 72. The ZR1 package was 1010.05.
There was no AC on a ZR1 and the AC on a LT1 was just like ordering on any other car. It cost 464.50. It was only available on later 72 LT1 cars.
The LT1 package cost 483.45 in 72. The ZR1 package was 1010.05.
There was no AC on a ZR1 and the AC on a LT1 was just like ordering on any other car. It cost 464.50. It was only available on later 72 LT1 cars.
I love this forum!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,347
Likes: 9
From: Salinas Ca.
My 72 LT-1 (air) car must be an odd ball....Build sheet dated March 72. It has amber lens with amber bulbs!!!
Muddy... but, it does run like a bat out of he$$ 
Muddy... but, it does run like a bat out of he$$
Last edited by Muddywaters; Sep 26, 2006 at 02:13 AM.
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 372
Likes: 11
From: Abilene TX
My 71 , # 18975, K17, has clear parking lights. They say late 71 had amber lights, you would think this was late. I bought it from the original owner, a woman.
Last edited by blitz10; Sep 25, 2006 at 10:57 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
I wouldn't consider that a late '71. I had a 1971 coupe vin # 21524, built L13 (July 13th). This car had clear lens, amber bulbs.
There are more EXTERNAL differences between '70 & '71 than '71 & '72. There are more INTERNAL differences between '71 & '72 than '70 & '71.
There are more EXTERNAL differences between '70 & '71 than '71 & '72. There are more INTERNAL differences between '71 & '72 than '70 & '71.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
Originally Posted by blitz10
My 71 , # 18975, K17, has clear parking lights. They say late 71 had amber lights, you would think this was late. I bought it from the original owner, a woman.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
Originally Posted by Navy Blue
Why do some '70-'72 cars have the "eggcrate side gills" edged with chrome paint and others don't?
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
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Likes: 206
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
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Originally Posted by Navy Blue
Why do some '70-'72 cars have the "eggcrate side gills" edged with chrome paint and others don't?
WB
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 11
From: Grafton MA
"Production specs called for amber lenses but most 71's had clear lenses w/amber bulbs"
Anyway, I'm going to change them and put clear lens with the amber bulbs. Where's a good place to find the correct bulbs? My searching skill must be terrible because I looked at Ecklers, Corvette America and Mid-America and all I saw was the clear bulbs.
Originally Posted by Navy Blue
Why do some '70-'72 cars have the "eggcrate side gills" edged with chrome paint and others don't?
The ones that don't have been repainted...I believe the grills came from the factory with chrome edging....
Why do some '70-'72 cars have the "eggcrate side gills" edged with chrome paint and others don't?
The ones that don't have been repainted...I believe the grills came from the factory with chrome edging....
Is there a chrome paint for the silver edging? Or maybe I should try to mask it off and not paint over the chrome that is there.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
I'm thinking about a re-paint and want to retain the silver edging.
Is there a chrome paint for the silver edging? Or maybe I should try to mask it off and not paint over the chrome that is there.[/QUOTE]
I painted my "egg crates"......Painted them the solid color.....razored the edges to expose the chrome edges......clear coated the whole thing....worked great.
Is there a chrome paint for the silver edging? Or maybe I should try to mask it off and not paint over the chrome that is there.[/QUOTE]
I painted my "egg crates"......Painted them the solid color.....razored the edges to expose the chrome edges......clear coated the whole thing....worked great.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Another difference is the presense of an alarm key switch on the rear of the 72. They dropped the fiber optics from the 71 and added the alarm to the rear. This and the amber turn signal lights up front are the difference. My car is Steel Cities Gray Metallic, and it is the coolest color ever! I get lots of compliments on it, and it's easy to keep looking pristine. Important in a daily driver like mine.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by fotyfobravo
I "have heard" that early (vin #) 72 models had clear parking light lens.
I don't know that to be true or not...........?
I don't know that to be true or not...........?
Similar thing occurred with 1968 grilles with chrome trim. Lots of those left over at the end of the '68 production run and they were installed on new '69s for months.
There is a documented '69 which came through assembly with '68 blue seat upholstery and carpet. Seems the rarer colors tended to hang around the plant longer than the more standard hues.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 683
Likes: 0
From: mississauga ON
Originally Posted by blitz10
My 71 , # 18975, K17, has clear parking lights. They say late 71 had amber lights, you would think this was late. I bought it from the original owner, a woman.
Your Vette may be early for one part, and late for another part. Part
changes were not all done at the same serial #. I am fairly certain
the amber lens was used from about serial # 14000 (end of March?).
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