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There were several 'cosmetic' changes in that 3-model year period...some have been mentioned; some not. The substantive stuff is that the '70 vette engines had the most potent performance of any vettes made [until recently, of course]. Those same [engine block size] engines were derated via compression ratio and cam changes in '71 and '72. In essence, there is no real difference between '71 and '72 engines other than the published engine power figures. The differences were merely due to rating method differences (SAE net vs. SAE gross). The 'detail' men/women will now tell you the minute differences between those '71 and '72 engines... just ignore them for this discussion, however.
1972 last year for solid aluminum body mounts, 73-up is rubber.
1972 last year for nylon cord bias ply tires, 73-up tires are radials.
1972 was the first year for a smog pump on the LS5.
1972 was the first year that any Corvette engine could not be sold in Calif (LS5).
1972 was the first year since 1956 that you could not get a 4.56 axle on a Corvette.
From 70-72, the 4.56 was available on the ZR1 only, but was dropped for 72.
The lowest axle ratio after 71 now became the 4.11.
1972 was the last year that you could get a 3.70 axle on a big block,
after 72 the 3.55 would be the lowest available with a big block.
72 was also the last year of the restriction against the big block/M21/AC combination,
for 73 you could now get the LS4/M21/AC, for 69-72 M21 required a no AC car.
I just looked at ondagawood's '72 project yesterday, and noticed that it has front seat belt retractors under the carpeting, whereas my '70 doesn't have them, but does have chrome holding clips attached to each seat to hold the lap belts neatly in place.
The '71 that I bought brand spankin new had a vin.# of 194671S101719 would make it an early car I think ( dont have a build date ) had clear parking light lenses with the amber bulbs, other then that , I wish I still had it. Peace,,, Moosie