Corvette C3

The third generation of corvette started in 1968 and ended in 1982. The 1968 corvette was not actually titled “Stingray”, although it was almost identical to the “Stingray” 1969 model. Nowhere on the 1968 models can the word “Stingray” actually be found.

1968 C3 Corvette

The Corvette’s first major restyling since 1963 occurred in 1968. As the sales brochure read, “Corvette ‘68… all different all over”. The fast-back was replaced by a tunneled-roof coupe. It featured a removable back window and a two-piece detachable roof section or T-top. The convertible’s optional hardtop had a glass rear window. The front end was more aerodynamic than those on previous Corvettes. As before, the headlights were hidden. Now they were vacuum-operated, rather than electrical. The wipers also disappeared when not in use. Except for the rocker panels, the sides were devoid of chrome. Conventional door handles were eliminated and in their place were push buttons. The blunt rear deck contained four round taillights with the word Corvette printed in chrome in the space between them. The wraparound, wing-like rear bumper and license plate holder treatment resembled that used on the 1967 models.

In 1969, the 350 cu in (5.7 L) engine became available in the Corvette and was the only year that an all-aluminum 427 cu in (7 L) big block titled the ZL-1 was available.

In 1970 the 427 big block was enlarged to 454 cu in (7.4 L). Small block power peaked in the 1970 models, with the 1970 LT-1 putting out 370 hp (276 kW) with the ‘71 and ‘72 rated at 330 gross HP. Along with lowered compression ratios from 1971 in anticipation of unleaded fuel, emission controls, and catalytic converters in 1975, power continued to decline and bottomed out in 1975 — the base ZQ3 engine put out 165 hp (123 kW), and the optional L82 engine put out 205 hp (153 kW). Power remained fairly steady for the rest of the C3 generation, ending in 1982 with the 200 hp (149 kW) L83 engine.

Styling changed subtly over the generation. Early model years came standard with an innovative Fiber-Optic light monitoring system. Strands of fiber optic wire went from the center console to the headlights (low and high beam), turn signals, tail lights and license plate light for a total of 9 monitored lights.

Minor trim changes occurred through the 1972 model. In 1973, due to government regulations, the Corvette changed the chrome front bumper to a urethane-compound 5-mile-per-hour (8 km/h) bumper but kept the rear chrome bumpers. In 1974, the rear chrome bumpers became urethane as well, resulting in the first ever chrome-less production Corvette. 1975 saw the last year for the convertible, which did not return until 1986. In 1968 the “Sting Ray” name was not used, but returned in 1969 as a single word “Stingray” until 1976. In 1977, Dave McLellan succeeded Zora Duntov as the Corvette’s Chief Engineer.

1978 Corvette marked 25th Anniversary

1978 saw a 25th “Silver Anniversary” edition, the first Corvette Indy Pace Car, the introduction of a “fast back” glass rear window, and the highest production number until the C-5. In 1980, the Corvette got an integrated aerodynamic redesign that resulted in a significant reduction in drag. In 1982, an opening rear hatch was offered for the first time on the Corvette available on the Collectors Edition model only. A new engine featuring cross fire injection, a fuel injection carburetor hybrid, was also introduced that year as the L83. It was the only engine available in 1982, and was not offered with a manual transmission.

1982 Corvette