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All about C3's
The 1968 Corvette was expected to debute in 1967 -- but Federal safety regulations forced GM to continue the Sting Ray for one more year as the 1967 Corvette.
1968 - Received a completely redesigned exterior and interior. No longer called the "Sting Ray," and not yet called the "Stingray." Coupe featured a removable rear window and removable roof panels referred to as "T-Tops." Hidden headlights were vacuum operated. British Green was the top selling color choice chosen by 57 more buyers than the second place color choice, LeMans Blue. A new three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was introduced.
1969 - Now called the Stingray. First year for newly designed optional side-mounted exhausts. A 350ci engine was introduced. Wheel width was 8".
1970 - Fender flairs were increased. Front fender louvers were redesigned. Optional engine displacement was increased to 454ci. The LT1 350ci option utilized solid lifters and produced 370hp. A special purpose engine package, built around the LT1 engine, was designated RPO (ZR1).
1971 - Low lead fuels required the lowering of engine compression ratios. The LS6 454 engine option was rated at 425 HP.
1972 - Little external differences distinguished the '71 and '72 Corvettes. Beginning in 1972 horsepower would be measured as "net horsepower," whereas previously it had been measured in "gross horsepower." The exterior color choice of Pewter Silver was only offered in 1972.
1973 - The front body colored "plastic" bumper was introduced. Side-impact door beams were introduced.
1974 - The rear body colored "rubber" bumper was introduced. In 1974 the rear was a two piece bumper. After '74 it was a one piece unit. The Gymkhana Suspension option was first offered this year. This was the last year for the "big block" engine option.
1975 - The last year for a convertible model until 1986. First year for Catalytic converters.
1976 - Sales increased from 1975 levels. Due to more strict emission standards California buyers could not order the L82 engine option.
1977 - The first year for standard leather seats. Cloth seats were a no-cost option.
1978 - The return of the "fastback' rear window. The first of Corvette's Indy 500 Pace Car replicas.
1979 - More Corvettes were built in 1979 than in any other year. 53,807 were produced.
1980 - Due to Federal law, the '80 Corvette's speedometer registered only a top speed of 85 MPH.
1981 - Corvettes were painted with two different types of paint in '81. St. Louis produced Corvettes had Lacquer paint and Bowling Green produced Corvettes used enamel paint. There was no optional engine choice in 1981.
1982 - Fuel injection reappeared for the first time since 1965. No manual transmission was offered this year.
Specifications:
# produced: 1968: 28,566 Coupes: 9,936 Convts: 18,630
1969: 38,762 Coupes: 22,129 Convts: 16,633
1970: 17,316 Coupes: 10,668 Convts: 6,648
1971: 21,801 Coupes: 14,680 Convts: 7,121
1972: 27,004 Coupes: 20,496 Convts: 6,508
1973: 30,464 Coupes: 25,521 Convts: 4,943
1974: 37,502 Coupes: 32,028 Convts: 5,474
1975: 38,465 Coupes: 33,836 Convts: 4,629
1976: 46,558 Coupes only
1977: 49,213 Coupes only
1978: 46,776 Coupes only (6,502 Pace Car Replicas)
1979: 53,807 Coupes only
1980: 40,614 Coupes only
1981: 40,606 Coupes only
1982: 25,407 Coupes only (6,759 Collector Editions)
The 1968 Corvette was expected to debute in 1967 -- but Federal safety regulations forced GM to continue the Sting Ray for one more year as the 1967 Corvette.
1968 - Received a completely redesigned exterior and interior. No longer called the "Sting Ray," and not yet called the "Stingray." Coupe featured a removable rear window and removable roof panels referred to as "T-Tops." Hidden headlights were vacuum operated. British Green was the top selling color choice chosen by 57 more buyers than the second place color choice, LeMans Blue. A new three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was introduced.
1969 - Now called the Stingray. First year for newly designed optional side-mounted exhausts. A 350ci engine was introduced. Wheel width was 8".
1970 - Fender flairs were increased. Front fender louvers were redesigned. Optional engine displacement was increased to 454ci. The LT1 350ci option utilized solid lifters and produced 370hp. A special purpose engine package, built around the LT1 engine, was designated RPO (ZR1).
1971 - Low lead fuels required the lowering of engine compression ratios. The LS6 454 engine option was rated at 425 HP.
1972 - Little external differences distinguished the '71 and '72 Corvettes. Beginning in 1972 horsepower would be measured as "net horsepower," whereas previously it had been measured in "gross horsepower." The exterior color choice of Pewter Silver was only offered in 1972.
1973 - The front body colored "plastic" bumper was introduced. Side-impact door beams were introduced.
1974 - The rear body colored "rubber" bumper was introduced. In 1974 the rear was a two piece bumper. After '74 it was a one piece unit. The Gymkhana Suspension option was first offered this year. This was the last year for the "big block" engine option.
1975 - The last year for a convertible model until 1986. First year for Catalytic converters.
1976 - Sales increased from 1975 levels. Due to more strict emission standards California buyers could not order the L82 engine option.
1977 - The first year for standard leather seats. Cloth seats were a no-cost option.
1978 - The return of the "fastback' rear window. The first of Corvette's Indy 500 Pace Car replicas.
1979 - More Corvettes were built in 1979 than in any other year. 53,807 were produced.
1980 - Due to Federal law, the '80 Corvette's speedometer registered only a top speed of 85 MPH.
1981 - Corvettes were painted with two different types of paint in '81. St. Louis produced Corvettes had Lacquer paint and Bowling Green produced Corvettes used enamel paint. There was no optional engine choice in 1981.
1982 - Fuel injection reappeared for the first time since 1965. No manual transmission was offered this year.
Specifications:
# produced: 1968: 28,566 Coupes: 9,936 Convts: 18,630
1969: 38,762 Coupes: 22,129 Convts: 16,633
1970: 17,316 Coupes: 10,668 Convts: 6,648
1971: 21,801 Coupes: 14,680 Convts: 7,121
1972: 27,004 Coupes: 20,496 Convts: 6,508
1973: 30,464 Coupes: 25,521 Convts: 4,943
1974: 37,502 Coupes: 32,028 Convts: 5,474
1975: 38,465 Coupes: 33,836 Convts: 4,629
1976: 46,558 Coupes only
1977: 49,213 Coupes only
1978: 46,776 Coupes only (6,502 Pace Car Replicas)
1979: 53,807 Coupes only
1980: 40,614 Coupes only
1981: 40,606 Coupes only
1982: 25,407 Coupes only (6,759 Collector Editions)