Performance Review: Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 - [1972]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Corvette Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1972. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1973 Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.This particular Chevrolet Corvette has a 7440cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Corvette shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Corvette's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1558 kgs (3434 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Chevrolet Corvette shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 7440cc 16V V8 engine produces 270 bhp (201 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (290 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 390 lb-ft (528.7 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Chevrolet Corvette you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2018 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy (198.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Corvette.

The Chevrolet Corvette has a Power to weight ratio of 173.2 bhp per ton and 250.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1972 Corvette competing with the 2018 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy (198.1 bhp per ton) or the 2007 Toyota Aurion TRD 3.5 V6 Supercharged (198.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Chevrolet Corvette generating around 250.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Jaguar XJ R 575 5.0 V8 Supercharged (275.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 (275.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 as fast as the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the or the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI 2.0 Turbo DSG (6.10 secs). This Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Corvette and the 1994 Maserati Quattroporte AM337 2.0i V6 Bi Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Corvette on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.65 secs @ 93.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1994 Maserati Quattroporte AM337 2.0i V6 Bi Turbo (14.58 secs), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (14.59 secs), and the 2006 Infiniti G35 3.5 V6 X (14.60 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1972 version of the Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 has a maximum speed of 107mph.

Top Speed of the 1972 Corvette equals the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (118 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1972 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray 454 7.4 V8 then how about the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (118 mph), the 1991 Peugeot 205 Rallye 1.3 8v (118 mph), or the 1989 Ford Fiesta XR2i (118 mph).

Related Links:

1972 Corvette Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison