:confused: I've always wondered about this, but could never find the true answer. Why did some 1972 Chevelles come from the factory with black painted headlight bezels and solid amber parking light lenses, while others had chrome bezels and clear front, amber side parking light lenses. Was there a specific option to request one or the other? I've seen both on all Chevelles, Malibus, and SS's. Anyone know for sure?

Thanks

All I know is that mine came with black bezels & amber parking lenses from the factory.

All the print ads that I've seen show the painted bezels and solid amber lenses. I wonder if all '72 models were like that at the start of production, but later on they quit painting the bezels & changed the color of the lenses. It just always puzzled me....
And personally, I like the black bezels & solid amber lights. Looks much more aggressive.

I have not seen them consistant. The phase-in may have varied from plant to plant, giving different combinations of lenses and headlight bezels. If it sounds like I know, I don't really. I am as interested in a definitive answer as you are.

the blacked out headlamp bezle was for ss cars as for the amber coner lamps i have seen both on both modles i heard that it dependes on the production dates my ss is june 14 72 a wedsday car and it has clear hope this helps

I'm pretty sure they ALL had black painted bezels from the factory.

Mike

I think they should be black, some of them wore off in a year or two.

I know the SS cars were black and I think the others were not. As far as the amber or clear lenses I think the "Chevelle" model cars were supposed to have amber and the "Malibu" model cars were supposed to have clear. I have seen SS cars with both so that dispells that theory. I have seen more that leads me to beleive it has to do with production date. My '72 was made in May and has clear and a friend of mine has a '72 SS made in November of '71 and it has amber????

I have seen actual 72 malibus with the same blacked out treatment...amber lights as well

The '72 model year started with amber lenses, and sometime in the winter, they switched over to clear lenses.

The SS, and Heavy Chevy models are the only models that got the blacked out headlight bezels.

I know the SS cars were black and I think the others were not.


The SS, and Heavy Chevy models are the only models that got the blacked out headlight bezels.

I still think they ALL had blacked out bezels from thr factory. I have NOS headlight and parking bezels that are blacked out. There is only one part number for each bezel. Here is a link to the cover of the 1972 Chevelle showroom brochure, showing the blacked out treatment on a Malibu.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2547608380059404744ijrzDt?vhost=rides


Mike

Well, back in '72 when I was a kid, my dad bought a new Chevelle Malibu--not an SS and just had the standard 307 V8. It had the painted bezels and amber lights. My uncle also bought a Malibu 350 with painted bezels/amber lights. Around the corner someone also had a new Chevelle (a Malibu 350), and it had chrome bezels and clear lenses--again not an SS. But on the brochure link above, it's got painted bezels and clear lenses! It must have to do with production dates and when the factories put the changes into effect. The mystery continues, I guess... Kinda like the '71 Chevelle taillights. Didn't they change from the original design to the one that was also continued for all '72 taillights?

Black

the blacked out headlamp bezle was for ss cars as for the amber coner lamps i have seen both on both modles i heard that it dependes on the production dates my ss is june 14 72 a wedsday car and it has clear hope this helps

WOW MY car is a June 14 '72 car also!:thumbsup:
which plant was yours built @?
mine was Baltimore.

Oh & to keep this on topic,mine has clear-front turn lenses.

I know the SS cars were black and I think the others were not. As far as the amber or clear lenses I think the "Chevelle" model cars were supposed to have amber and the "Malibu" model cars were supposed to have clear. I have seen SS cars with both so that dispells that theory. I have seen more that leads me to beleive it has to do with production date. My '72 was made in May and has clear and a friend of mine has a '72 SS made in November of '71 and it has amber????

"Chevelle" is not a model :noway:

"Chevelle" is not a model :noway:

Are you sure? I have hacked up too many cars to count. some had Chevelle in the grille some didnt. Just curious!

this is a pic of a 26k untouched 72 chevelle http://i28.tinypic.com/dczqza.jpg

My August 1971 Unmolested 72 Malibu has amber lights and black bezels. I have always heard the solid ambers were for early model cars and clear later models.

My August 1971 Unmolested 72 Malibu has amber lights and black bezels. I have always heard the solid ambers were for early model cars and clear later models.

That jives with both of my early year built 72 Velles.

"Chevelle" is not a model :noway:

Okay, how about '72 cars with "C" chevelle, "D" Malibu vin.
Example: 1C37F2R123456
1D37W2R508361

What does the second letter in the vin denote?

Mine is a 1D37H2bXXXXXX



First Digit: Division of General Motors
1 - Chevrolet

Second Character: Series Designation
B - Nomad
C - Chevelle, El Camino, Greenbrier
D - Malibu, Custom El Camino, Concours
H - Concours Estate, Monte Carlo

Third and Fourth Digit: Body Style/Model
36 - 4-door station wagon, 2 seats
37 - 2-door sport coupe
39 - 4-door sport sedan
46 - 4-door station wagon, 3 seats
57 - Monte Carlo 2-door sport coupe
67 - 2-door convertible
69 - 4-door sedan
80 - 2-door sedan pickup

Fifth Character: Engine size/type
D - 250cid L-6 1-bbl (L22)
F - 307cid V8 2-bbl (L14)
H - 350cid V8 2-bbl (L65)
J - 350cid V8 4-bbl (L48)
U - 402cid V8 4-bbl (LS3)
W - 454cid V8 4-bbl (LS5)

Sixth Digit: Year of Production
2 - 1972

Seventh Digit (Alpha Designation): Final Assembly Plant
R ~ Arlington, Texas
B ~ Baltimore, Maryland
K ~ Kansas City, Missouri
L ~ Van Nuys, California
1 ~ Oshawa, Ontario, Canada