History
Third Generation
1968-1982
Introduction: The Chevrolet Corvette first appeared
in 1953 as a unique American entry into the sports
car market dominated by European makes. Although not
a muscle car by definition, the Corvette used muscle
car powertrains and has represented American
performance for almost fifty years.
Note: All Engine ratings before 1972 are expressed
in SAE Gross figures. Engine ratings for 1972 and
later are expressed in SAE Net figures.
1968 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The all new 1968 Corvette was a dramatic
change in appearance from previous Corvettes. The
all new styling bore a striking resemblence to
Chevrolet's Mako Shark II concept car and was a bold
look. The new Corvette also introduced hidden
windshield wipers and removable T-tops on Coupe
models. A new three speed automatic transmission
replaced the previous two-speed unit. Under the
hood, the Corvette gained several interesting engine
options, including the 327 cid V8 L79 rated at 350
bhp, and the L89 aluminum head option for the L71.
The rare L88 engine option was still available for a
whopping $1,032, and just 115 were sold. Still rated
at the same 430 bhp as the regular 427 engine, the
wise buyers that checked off the L88 option were
treated to a host of goodies such as a bubble top
hood, the 427 engine with an aluminum intake and
aluminum heads with a 850 CFM dual feed Holley carb.
Mandatory options included an aluminum radiator,
heavy duty brakes, and the Muncie M-22 transmission.
Luxury options such as Power windows, power
steering, and radios were not available. Corvette
production hit a new record of 28,566 units.
Production: 28,566
Coupe: 9,936
Convertible: 18,630
Engines:
327 V8 300 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
L79 327 V8 350 bhp.
L36 427 V8 390 bhp @ 5400 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm.
L68 427 V8 400 bhp @ 5400 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
L71 427 V8 435 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
L88 427 V8 430 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
Performance:
427/430 (L88): 1/4 mile in 13.56 seconds.
1969 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The Corvette was basically carry over for
1969, though now officially called the "Stingray"
(one word) The coupe outsold the convertible for the
first time, and would continue to do so in all
subsequent years. Engine choices were changed with a
new 350 cid V8 replacing the previous 327. In
addition, two Corvettes were built with the ZL1
engine (a total of 69 Camaros also received this
engine). One was a canary yellow car with sidepipers
and the other was a Can-Am white t-top coupe with
black ZL1 stipes. Technically, the ZL-1 was a $3,010
option that consisted of an assortment of aluminum
cylinder block and heads on top of the $1,032.15 L88
race option. The ZL-1 featured thicker walls and
main webbing, along with dry sump lubricating
provisions. The bottom end was four-bolt, with a
forged steel crank and rods with 7/16 inch bolts,
Spiralock washers and full floating pins. Pistons
were even higher domed than the L88s, yielding a
compression ratio of 12.5:1. Cylinder heads were
also aluminum and featured open combustion chambers
and round exhaust ports and 2.19 inch/1.88 inch
valves, a configuration adopted by the L88 in
mid-1969. The aluminum dual plane intake was topped
by a 850 cfm Holley four-barrel (double pumper)
carburetor featuring mechanical secondaries. The
ZL1's solid lifter camshaft was radical, so the
engine could live in the upper revs.
Production: 38,762
Coupe: 22,154
Convertible: 16,608
Engines:
327 V8 300 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
L46 350 V8 350 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm.
L36 427 V8 390 bhp @ 5400 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm.
L68 427 V8 400 bhp @ 5400 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
L71 427 V8 435 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
L88 427 V8 430 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
Performance:
ZL1: 427/430: 1/4 mile in 12.1 seconds @ 116 mph.
1970 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: Chevy's new 454 V8 replaced the
firebreathing 427s for 1970. But while the Chevrolet
Chevelle SS received Chevy's top engine, the 454 LS6
rated at 450 bhp, the Corvette had to make due with
the 454 LS5 rated at 390 bhp. Despite rumors to the
contrary, the Corvette never received the LS7
engine, an iron block/aluminum head 454 race motor
rated at 465 bhp nor the LT2 454. A total of 17,316
units were sold in 1970.
Production: 17,316
Coupe: 10,668
Convertible: 6,648
Engines:
350 V8 300 bhp.
LT1 350 V8 370 bhp.
LS5 454 V8 390 bhp.
Performance:
LT1: 350/370: 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.2
seconds.
1971 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The Corvette finally received the powerful
LS6 454 engine for 1971, but it was now detuned to
run on unleaded gas and was rated at 425 bhp, down
25 bhp from the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS. The
carryover LT1 and LS5 engines were also detuned.
Interestingly, only 188 LS6 Corvettes were built,
with 12 more appearing under RPO ZR2, the factory
racing package.
Production: 21,801
Coupe: 14,680
Convertible: 7,121
Engines:
350 V8 300 bhp.
LT1 350 V8 330 bhp.
LS5 454 V8 365 bhp.
LS6 454 V8 425 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1972 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: Engine power ratings dropped across the
board as GM ordered that all its engines be rated
using the new SAE net method, which rated an engine
with all accessories attached. True output remained
similar to 1971 and the Corvette was still quite a
performer.
Production: 26,994
Coupe: 20,486
Convertible: 6,508
Engines:
350 V8 200 bhp.
350 V8 210 bhp.
LT1 350 V8 255 bhp.
LS5 454 V8 270 bhp.
Performance:
350/255: 0-60 in 6.9 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.3
seconds.
1973 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The 1973 Corvette was the fifth generation
"Shark" which debuted in the years of the first
energy crisis. The 1973 Corvette was unique among
Corvettes in combining a smooth body-colored nose
with the original 1968-vintage "Kamm" tail. The
front bumpers were updated to meet the new 5 mph
standard, but the rear bumpers remained chrome, the
last year the Corvette would use chrome bumpers. The
engines were further detuned for cleaner emissions,
which resulted in lower engine outputs. Generally,
the styling was cleaner than previous years, with a
rear hood extension to cover the windshield wipers
(instead of a pop-up panel), and a fixed coupe
backlight instead of a removeable one. The new
Corvette was also improved with standard radial
tires (the first time on the Corvette), a more
efficient Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission
option, and combined lap/shoulder belts. Of
particular interest to enthusiasts was the
availability of the RPO FE7 Gymkhana suspension
(high-rate springs/shocks for only $7) and the
similar Z07 option (with heavy-duty brakes).
Production: 30,465
Coupe: 24,372
Convertible: 6,093
Engines:
350 V8 190 bhp.
350 V8 200 bhp.
LT1 350 V8 250 bhp.
LS5 454 V8 270 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1974 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The 1974 Corvette received a new smooth
urethane body-color rear end to match the front
styling. The new rear end also hid the new Federal
mandated 5 mph bumpers. Bowing to increasing
government regulations, 1974 would be the last year
for the big block engines and true dual exhausts,
among other things.
Production: 36,657
Coupe: 32,028
Convertible: 4,629
Engines:
350 V8 190 bhp.
350 V8 200 bhp.
LT1 350 V8 250 bhp.
LS5 454 V8 270 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1975 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: Engine output hit rock bottom with the
1975 Corvettes, as big blocks were no longer
available and the top 350 cid V8 was rated at just
205 bhp. Changes were few, and included the addition
of small black-rubber bumper pads and electronic
ignition. 1975 would be the last year for the
Convertible, as falling sales and a threatened
government mandated rollover standard (that never
materialized), sealed its fate.
Production: 38,465
Coupe: 33,836
Convertible: 4,629
Engines:
350 V8 165 bhp.
L82 350 V8 205 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1976 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: Engine output climbed for 1976, due to
higher compression ratios made possible by a newly
adopted catalytic converter. A new four-spoke
steering wheel was added and the rear-deck
air-extractor vents were removed.
Production: 46,558
Coupe: 46,558
Engines:
350 V8 180 bhp.
L82 350 V8 210 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1977 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The "Stingray" name was officially dropped
for the 1977 Corvettes. Changes included revamped
controls and center console, standard leather
upholstery, and no-cost power steering and brakes.
Production: 49,213
Coupe: 46,558
Engines:
350 V8 180 bhp.
L82 350 V8 210 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1978 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The Corvette celebrated its 25th
Anniversary in 1978, and all Corvettes received
special commemorative emblems. All 1978 Corvettes
received a new fastback roofline with a large,
wraparound backlight. A four-speed manual was
reinstated as standard, and a higher-output 350 cid
V8 was available, though only with the automatic
transmission. But the big news for enthusiasts was
the addition of two limited edition versions of the
Corvette. The true Anniversary editions were those
Corvettes ordered with the "25th Anniversary Paint"
B2Z option. It was a distinctive two-tone silver
paint treatment with a silver metallic upper body
color and a charcoal silver lower body color. Pin
stripes accentuated the front upper profiles, wheel
openings, front fender vents, bood, and rear license
cavity. The optional aluminum wheels and dual sport
mirrors were required. The second limited edition
Corvette was the Pace Car Replica model, which
commemorated the Corvettes which paced the 62nd Indy
500. The Pace Car Replica was decked out with a
black upper body and silver-metallic lower body,
plus the alloy wheels and fat Goodyear tires worn by
the Silver Anniversary model. The Pace Car Replica
also carried front and rear spoilers and the
identifying "Pace Car" decals were supplied
separately so the owner could apply them if desired.
Upholstery choices were either silver leather or a
silver leather/gray cloth combination. The seats
were a new design scheduled for the 1979 Corvettes.
Standard equipment included power windows, electric
rear window defroster, air conditioning, sport
mirrors, and other features which boosted the price
of the Pace Car Replica over $4,000 more than the
base Corvette. Because of its announced limited
availability, new Pace Car Replicas fetched upwards
of $28,000 and a flood of "fake" Pace Car Replicas
flooded the market, then and now. The only true
clues to a real Pace Car Replica are the seats which
should resemble a 1979 Corvette more than the 1978
ones, and the serial number, which should be between
900001-906502.
Production: 46,776
Coupe: 46,776 (including 2,500 25th Anniversary and
6,502 Pace Car Replicas)
Engines:
350 V8 175 bhp.
350 V8 185 bhp.
L82 350 V8 220 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1979 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The 1979 Corvette saw many optional
features become standard equipment to improve its
"cruising" aspect, including air conditioning, power
windows, and a telescoping steering column. The
front and rear spoiler package that was used on the
previous year's Pace Car was now available as an
option on any Corvette. More Corvettes were built in
1979 (53,807) than in any other year, before or
since.
Production: 53,807
Coupe: 53,807
Engines:
350 V8 175 bhp.
350 V8 185 bhp.
L82 350 V8 225 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1980 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The 1980 Corvette was 250 lbs. lighter
than the year before, mainly through the greater use
of aluminum and plastic. The doors and hood were
less thick, and the roof panels were less dense. New
front and rear spoilers were moulded into the bumper
caps, which helped aerodynamics. However, the
speedometer now maxed out at 85 mph (to meet Federal
Regulations). Due to strict California emission
laws, a lower emission 305 V8 that was computer
controlled was the base engine for Corvettes sold in
California.
Production: 40,614
Coupe: 40,614
Engines:
LG4 305 V8 180 bhp. (California)
350 V8 175 bhp.
350 V8 185 bhp.
L82 350 V8 230 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1981 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: There were few changes for 1981 except a
few more paint choices. The sole engine was now
computered controlled and could meet California
emission standards, eliminating the need for a
separate engine.
Production: 40,606
Coupe: 40,606
Engines:
350 V8 190 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1982 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: 1982 was the last year for the 3rd
Generation Corvette. In a sad statement about the
decline of performance, all Corvettes came with
automatic transmissions. A special Collector Edition
Corvette was sold with silver paint with a gold base
and a matching interior. This was the first year for
the new Cross Fire fuel injection system.
Production: 25,407
Coupe: 25,407
Engines:
350 V8 200 bhp @ 4200 rpm, 285 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm.
Performance:
N/A
