Early vs. Late 1972 Accelerator Pedal

[Brian V.]

I own an early build 1972 Coupe (build date Oct. 25 1971).
I noticed that retailers sell 2 different style replacements and list them as "1968 thru Early 1972" and "Late 1972 thru 1982".
My car has the late style, smaller pedal. It appears to be an OEM part, but I don't know if it is original to the car.
I'm just wondering when the style change took place, as I would think a car built in October of 1971 would be considered "early 72".

[Don L.]

Re: Early vs. Late 1972 Accelerator Pedal

Hi Brian. As I shared in reply to your similar post on CF, I find this to be an interesting issue. I too have seen suppliers offer the larger/rectangular pedal for early '72 applications. This, however, seems to conflict with the NCRS 5th edition Judging guide and it appears to conflict with the '72 AIM too. There is no engineering change documented in the '72 AIM, moving to the smaller pedal, and the '71 AIM shows the older style pedal through to the end of that model year. Each of the two year's AIM lists a different part number for the accelerator pedal. As well, the '71 manual shows the pedal with stainless trim. Stainless trim was eliminated from all pedals for 1972.

Hopefully, others will drop in on this subject. I suspect the suppliers are wrong. Let's see.

BTW, my '72 is a very early car (week #2 of production) and it has the smaller, tapered accelerator pedal on it. It's passed judging 4 times (2 chapter, one regional and one national) without objection or notation.

[Brian V.]

Re: Early vs. Late 1972 Accelerator Pedal

Thank you Don. Seeing as how you have the smaller pedal, and an earlier build date than mine, there's nothing to indicate that mine is not original.
I'm still curious why there is the early-late indication for 1972, but I suppose it is a non-issue for my car.
I just recently joined the NCRS. I'm not looking to get my C3 judged, but being the second owner, I'm just trying to determine if everything I believe to original on the car truly is. I'm just trying to keep things as original and correct as possible even though it is not a show car.
Thank you again for your help.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Early vs. Late 1972 Accelerator Pedal

As with notations regarding the color of the front turn signal lenses, not everything in a catalog can be trusted.

Early cars such as Don's and one I work on have all had the small pedals. I don't recall a 72 with a large pedal, or a late 71 with a small one.
I believe it was a model year changeover.

[Reba W.]

Re: Early vs. Late 1972 Accelerator Pedal

I agree with Don and Patrick. In 25+ years of judging and restoring cars, I have never seen a 1972 with the larger pedal. My late-September build 1972 has the smaller one. I too have seen several part offerings misstated in catalogues.

[Brian V.]

Re: Early vs. Late 1972 Accelerator Pedal

I agree with Don and Patrick. In 25+ years of judging and restoring cars, I have never seen a 1972 with the larger pedal. My late-September build 1972 and has the smaller one. I too have seen several part offerings misstated in catalogues.

Thanks for the replies folks. At least I am confident now knowing that the accelerator pedal in my car in most likely original.
Not a huge deal, but good to know it's correct.
I do wish someone made the stainless trim for it though.

[Joe L.]

Re: Early vs. Late 1972 Accelerator Pedal

All------


There were not two different accelerator pedals used over the 1968-82 period, there were THREE. 1968-71 Corvettes used pedal GM #3920296. This is the "large" pedal which is mostly "rectangular" and is used in conjunction with the stainless steel trim plate. 1972 to early 1976 Corvettes used the "small" "tapered" pedal of GM #6262207. Late 1976-82 Corvettes used the "small", "tapered" pedal GM #368079. Neither the 6262207 or 368079 were used in conjunction with a trim plate.

The GM #6262207 was available in SERVICE until 1983. However, and strangely, it ceased being cataloged for Corvette applications after 1975. From that time onward, the GM #368079 was cataloged for all 1973-82 Corvettes.

By the way, P&A catalogs show the GM #3920296 as being applicable to 1968-72. However, I think this is an error as I don't think the 3920296 was used for 1972.

The GM #3920296, GM #6262207, and GM #368079 were in no way exclusive to Corvettes. They were all used for some applications across all GM car lines.

So, what's the difference between a GM #6262207 and a GM #368079? That I do not know. But, I feel pretty well assured that there is some difference.