This page contains information on the third generation in the Corvette marquee. This generation spans from 1968 to 1982. Most information used on this page comes from the “Corvette Black Book”, a book published every model year.
1968
The second major redesign of the Corvette came in 1968, with the production car modeled after the Mako Shark concept car. For the first time ever in the Corvette’s growing history, the 1968 Corvette sported a removable roof in the form of t-tops and a removable rear window. The two-speed Powerglide automatic transmissions were supplanted by Turbo-Hydromatic three-speed automatic transmissions. Rather than rotate into place via an electrical system as in previous years, the headlights popped into place thanks to a vacuum system. The battery was relocated to a position inside the car just behind the seats, and the vent windows went absent during this year. A vacuum operated panel hid the wiper arms from sight. Chevrolet continued their trend of rare big blocks in this year with the L88 (80 total produced) and L89 (624 total produced). Colors available in 1968 were Tuxedo Black, Polar White, Rally Red, LeMans Blue, International Blue, British Green, Safari Yellow, Silverstone Silver, Cordovan Maroon, and Corvette Bronze. Soft tops were once again limited to black, white, and beige. Interior flavors were black, dark blue, medium blue, tobacco, gunmetal, dark orange, and red. All wheels in 1968 were painted silver. Total production was 28,566; 9936 Coupes and 18,630 Convertibles.
1969
A strike interrupted production of the 1969 model year. John DeLorean, the boss at Chevrolet at the time, allowed production to run another four months when working resumed. Owing much of its design to the previous year’s overhaul, the 1969 Corvette remained almost unchanged. Of the small changes made were an optional side mounted exhaust, a steering wheel that was an inch smaller in diameter, an ignition switch on the steering column rather than on the dash the wheel diameter grew from seven to eight inches, and a Stingray script made its way onto the side fenders. The biggest change was the small block displacement increase from 327 CID to 350 CID. The exterior color pallet in 1969 included Tuxedo Black, Can-Am White, Monza Red, LeMans Blue, Riverside Gold, Fathom Green, Daytona Yellow, Cortez Silver, Burgundy, and Monaco Orange. Wheel color was once again limited to silver, and soft top choices remained black, white, and beige. Black, gunmetal, bright blue, red, saddle, and green were the interior choices for 1969. With the four month extension on the model year production, the St. Louis Plant was able to crank out a record 38,762 total, with 22,129 Coupes and 16,633 Convertibles.
1970
An updated body design incorporated fender wells to prevent damage caused by debris thrown by the tires. New fender louvers replaced the four vertical slots on the side fenders. The interior, although basically the same, included refinements to the seats for more headroom and easier access to storage. The Big Block displacement swelled to 454 CID, and the first Generation LT1 emerged in 1970. Classic White, Monza Red, Marlboro Maroon, Mulsanne Blue, Bridgehampton Blue, Donnybrooke Green, Daytona Yellow, Cortez Silver, Ontario Orange, Laguna Gray, and Corvette Bronze were exterior color choices in 1970. Soft top selection remained at black, white, and beige. All wheels were painted silver. Black, blue, red, saddle, green, and brown were optional interior colors. Due to the extension of the 1969 model year, total production of the 1970 model year was only 17,316 with 10,668 Coupes, and 6,648 Convertibles.
1971
One of the most unchanged cars from one model year to the next, everything for the 1970 model year carried over into 1971. Even the engine options were detuned variants of the year before, with the exemption of the Special Purpose LS6 Big Block, which produced 425 horsepower. The reduction in octane requirements were to ease into the unleaded fuel and catalytic converters still some four years down the road. A Special Purpose LT1 was included in RPO ZR1, an option that would come around in full force in 1990. This was the last year for a fiber-optic light monitoring system. It is speculated that the omission of this allowed a 1971 optional anti-theft system to be standard in 1972. Colors changed from the year before, as Nevada Silver, Sunflower Yellow, Classic White, Mille Miglia Red, Mulsanne Blue, Bridgehampton Blue, Brands Hatch Green, Ontario Orange, Steel Cities Gray, and War Bonnet Yellow were offered. Soft top selection narrowed to two, black and white the only colors available. All wheels were silver, and interior colors were black, dark blue, red, dark green, and saddle. Only 21,801 total Corvettes were produced in 1971, of which 14,680 were Coupes and 7121 were Convertibles.
1972
Very few changes were made to the 1972 model from previous years. However, this would be that last year for front and rear chrome bumpers and side fender louvers, as well as a removable rear window. The fiber-optic light monitoring system was dropped, and the previously optional anti-theft system became standard. Also rounding out the list of lasts was the last year the first generation LT1 engine and RPO ZR1 (which included the LT1) were offered. Colors were Sunflower Yellow, Pewter Silver, Bryar Blue, Elkhart Green, Classic White, Mille Miglia Red, Targa Blue, Ontario Orange, Steel Cities Gray, and War Bonnet Yellow. Soft tops were black or white, and all 1972 wheels were silver. Interior colors were black, saddle, blue, and red. 1972 total production was 27,004 with 20,496 Coupes and 6508 Convertibles.
1973
This year was the first to have a five mile per hour front bumper, a body-colored urethane bumper as opposed to previous years’ chrome bumper. The rear bumper remained unchanged, rolling off of the assembly line in brilliant chrome. Also new was a coolant recovery system which routed hot coolant into a reservoir to cool down and then be reused. In an attempt to make a quieter cabin, sound deadening material was sprayed in parts of the cabin and a pad was installed under the hood. Chassis mounts made of rubber and steel sleeves were also new. The wiper door was omitted in 1973 production, and a new hood featuring cold air induction was used. Side beams built into the door panels provided protection from side impact collisions. 1973 is also the first year the Corvette received radial tires. The interior storage compartment grew two inches upwards due to the lack of a rear window storage shelf. From 1973 on, the rear windows were not removable. Available exterior colors were Classic White, Silver, Medium Blue, Dark Blue, Blue-Green, Elkhart Green, Yellow, Magnetic Yellow, Mille Miglia Red, and Orange. Wheels and soft top choices were unchanged; silver and black and white, respectively. Interior selections were limited to black, dark red, midnight blue, dark saddle, and medium saddle. Total production rang in at 30,464 with 25,521 Coupes and 4943 Convertibles.
1974
The plastic bumper transition was completed as the rear bumper went the way of the front bumper the previous year. These were the last Corvettes that lacked catalytic converters, and were also the last to feature and optional big block engine. A redesign in the radiator allowed for more efficient low-speed cooling. Shoulder belts became much like today’s belts with an integrated shoulder and lap belt. In order to attract debris in the fluid, magnets were used on cars built with power steering. Classic White, Silver Mist, Corvette Gray, Corvette Medium Blue, Dark Green, Bright Yellow, Dark Brown, Medium Red, Mille Miglia Red, and Corvette Orange were the pallet of available exterior colors. Soft top and wheel colors were unchanged from previous years. Black, dark blue, neutral, saddle, dark red, and silver were the interior choices. Total production rose to 37,502, which included 32,028 Coupes, and 5474 Convertibles.
1975
1975 marked the last year for the convertible until the 1986 Pace Car Replicas. The bumpers were redesigned from the previous year. 1975 also saw a High Energy Ignition (HEI) and a catalytic converter, both Corvette firsts. Rounding out the list of firsts were the headlight warning buzzer, kilometer-per-hour sub-faces, and L82 badges that appeared on some cars. Optional engines reached their lowest point since 1955 when only one was offered. Interior choices were black, medium saddle, silver, dark blue, dark red, and neutral. Exterior colors included Classic White, Silver, Bright Blue, Steel Blue, Bright Green, Bright Yellow, Medium Saddle, Orange Flame, Dark Red, and Mille Miglia Red. Total production was 38,465 with 33,863 Coupes and 4629 Convertibles.
1976
The air induction system for the carburetor was revised for this year. Engineers moved the source point forward so that air was pulled over the radiator. This eliminated the howl that could be heard when air was inducted through the rear of the hood. Aluminum wheels announced three years earlier were an actual option. In contrast to the aluminum wheel options of 1963-1967, the spare wheel for 1976 was steel. The partial steel underbelly was to protect passengers and drivers from hotter-running engines. The hotter engines were more efficient, and regained some power lost to the Federal Emissions Standards. Gone were the vents just below the rear window on the car’s exterior. The new Freedom battery was the first maintenance free battery included on a Corvette. Two different rear bumper styles were used in 1976, one with recessed CORVETTE letters, the other without. Classic White, Silver, Bright Blue, Dark Green, Mahogany, Bright Yellow, Buckskin, Dark Brown, Orange Flame, and Red were the colors available. Black, blue-green, buckskin, dark brown, firehorn, smoked gray, and white were interior color choices. 46,558 was the total production number for 1976, all Coupes.
1977
A new console held heater and AC controls, as well as a standard Delco radio. The steering wheel moved two inches closer to the dash, providing easier entry and exit, and allowing the driver to stretch his or her arms out. The rack at the rear of the car was redesigned to hold roof panels so that a full luggage compartment was still available for tops-off driving. Leather seats became standard, and the headlight dimmer and windshield wiper controls were moved to the steering column. Available exterior colors were Classic White, Silver, Black, Corvette Light Blue, Corvette Dark Blue, Corvette Charteuse, Corvette Yellow, Corvette Bright Yellow, Corvette Orange, Corvette Tan, Medium Red, and Corvette Dark Red. Interior selections were black, brown, blue, buckskin, red, smoked gray, and white. 49,213 Coupes were produced that year.
1978
Corvettes twenty-fifth year was the most redesigned since 1968. A new fastback served as the harbinger for this year with a large rear window with no hatch. This created much more room behind the seats. Interior received a facelift as well, with redesigned door panels, and more square, vertical speedometer and tachometer. Optional wider tires required fender trimming. All 1978 Corvettes sported the 25th Anniversary Emblem. Also available to celebrate 25 years of production was a two-tone silver paint scheme. The Corvette was also selected as the 1978 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, and Chevrolet produced a limited number of Pace Car Replicas to commemorate the event. Colors available were Classic White, Silver, Silver Anniversary, Black, Corvette Light Blue, Corvette Yellow, Corvette Light Beige, Corvette Red, Corvette Mahogany, Corvette Dark Blue, Corvette Dark Brown, and the Black And Silver two-tone Pace Car paint scheme. Interior choices were black, dark brown, dark blue, mahogany, red, oyster, and light beige. Total production was 46,776 Coupes.
1979
This model year owed many of it subtle refinements to the previous year’s Pace Car Replica. Seats were borrowed from the Pace Car, as were optional front and rear spoilers. The seat design allowed for easier storage access, and the spoilers provided increased fuel efficiency. The fuel filler pipe was redesigned to make it more difficult to modify the car for leaded fuel. An AM-FM radio became standard, and an illuminated passenger-side vanity mirror became available. Halogen high beam headlights allowed for increased visibility at night. Gone were the Silver Anniversary and Pace Car paint schemes as well as Corvette Mahogany. Corvette Dark Green became an option, and all other colors carried over from the previous year. Interior choices were black, dark blue, dark green, red, oyster, and light beige. 53,801 Coupes were built that year, the most Corvettes ever produced in one model year.
1980
For the first time since 1974, a second engine displacement was available. This was not an option, however, as California emissions restrictions, California Corvette buyers were forced to buy a 305 CID engine that was only available with an automatic transmission. New bumper skins offered integrated front and rear spoilers Radiator airflow increased almost fifty percent. Other subtle refinements included a weight reduction, more elongated cross-flag badges, and a switch from three rear compartment doors to two. Available colors were White, Silver, Black, Dark Blue, Dark Brown, Yellow, Dark Green, Frost Beige, Dark Claret, and Red. Interior pallet consisted of black, claret, dark blue, doeskin, red, and oyster. Production fell to 40,614 Coupes.
1981
The 1981 Corvette was the first and only Corvette to be produced simultaneously at two plants. The then-new Bowling Green, Kentucky plant remains the building ground of the Corvette to this day. There were no optional engines in 1981, but the 350 CID L81 engine was legal for sale in all 50 states. Aside from slight emblem changes, the look of the 1981 Corvettes remained the same as the year before. A fiberglass reinforced rear spring was incorporated into the suspension, eliminating the much heavier steel model. 1981 would also be the last year for manual transmissions until well into production of 1984. Other refinements included headlamp and wiper switch color coding, improvements to the anti-theft system, and an optional power driver’s seat. For improved fuel economy, torque converter clutches in both second and third gear on the automatic transmissions. A myriad of colors were available in 1981, including; Mahogany Metallic, White, Silver Metallic, Black, Bright Blue Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic, Yellow, Beige, Red, Maroon Metallic, Charcoal Metallic, Silver/Dark Blue, Silver/Charcoal, Beige/Dark Bronze, and Autumn Red/Dark Claret. Interior choices came in the form of camel, charcoal, dark blue, dark red, medium red, and silver gray. Though sketchy and subject to inaccurate records, only one Bright Blue Metallic Corvette shows up on record as being produced. Total production was 40,606 Coupes.
1982
The last of its generation, the 1982 Corvette would end the body style that began back in 1968. The 1982 Collector’s Edition was unique in many ways. It had more standard features that were options on base model 82’s, a lifting hatch, special wheels, a beige-silver two-tone paint and interior scheme, and cloisonné emblems. The new TH700R4 automatic transmission was the only transmission available this year. It had a torque converter clutch that operated in the first three gears, and a higher first gear ratio for better acceleration. The new Cross-Fire injection was a type of fuel injection, though not the kind seen in the 1957-1965 Corvettes. Other improvements included a paper filter element and a better fuel metering system. Exterior colors for 1982 were White, Silver, Black, Silver Blue, Dark Blue, Bright Blue, Charcoal, Silver Green, Gold, Silver Beige, Red, Dark Claret, White/Silver, Silver/Charcoal, Silver/Dark Claret, and Silver Blue/Dark Blue. Interior choices were charcoal, camel, dark blue, dark red, silver beige, silver green, and silver gray. Total production was 25,407 Coupes in 1982.
