Performance Review: Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1 - [1972]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Chevrolet Corvette Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1 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 5733cc 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 1499 kgs (3304 lbs) this makes the Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1 in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 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 5733cc 16V V8 engine produces 255 bhp (190 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 280 lb-ft (379.6 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 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 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (195.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Chevrolet Corvette.

The Chevrolet Corvette has a Power to weight ratio of 170.1 bhp per ton and 186.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1972 Corvette competing with the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (195.1 bhp per ton) or the 2018 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy EDC (194.9 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 186.7 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 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (211.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1964 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 283 V8 Turbo Fire (211.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.6 secs, this made the Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1 as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs). This Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1 is also faster than the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the and the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Corvette and the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8

When talking about the performance of the Chevrolet Corvette on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.75 secs @ 92.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 (14.70 secs), the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.8T V6 VXR (14.70 secs), and the 2004 Honda S2000 2.2i (14.72 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1972 version of the Chevrolet Corvette C3 Stingray ZR-1 has a maximum speed of 119mph.

Top Speed of the 1972 Corvette equals the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (130 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 ZR-1 then how about the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (130 mph), the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (130 mph), or the 2017 BMW 7 Series 750i xDrive (130 mph).

Related Links:

1972 Corvette Rivals List.

A Brief History of Chevrolet

Car Comparison