ace770,
The correct valance for 1972 is more likely the plastic one. It is widely believed that all '72 and '73 firebirbs came from the factory with the very brittle plastic valances, and whenever they became damaged, the factory replacement part was the original design metal valance with the plastic filler panels for the parking lamps. You find some people who claim that some '72-'73 cars came from the factory with metal valances as the factory recognized there was a durability problem with the plastic ones. I feel that either valance is acceptable, but keep in mind that the original plastic ones are nearly impossible to find.
The plastic parking lamp housing itself is molded in a gray color. The color of the lenses supposedly changed from clear to amber on cars built after Jan 1, 1972. Check for your build date and that should tell you what color your lenses should be. I've seen later cars with the clear lenses, so again I think either way would be acceptable. Depends how picky you really want to get.
Jim
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