TXredc3

When I pass vettes on the road I'm always trying to guess the year as I'm sure you guys also do. I can usually narrow it down to a range of 2 to 3 years but sometimes it's hard to pinpoint. Here's a link to a website that explains the differences in years. I thought it was pretty interesting. Enjoy.

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/D.../differyr.html

Maymyvetteliveforevr

Very interesting, thanks for the info.


Frank

Z-man

The most identical C3s are '70 and '71. Usually, the only way to tell is to look at the shift plate for low compression on '71s.

onaqwst

this is how u tell

if you are driving/at a stop light and see another vette and u wave and they don't then they are in the present era.... those that wave are in the older era...... those that look stupid at you belong in the wtf era..... those that give the piece sign are in the "it's a rental" era....those that give a thumbs up are in the "i got a vette but not really sure how it works" era.......... those that give an open hand raise are in the "70's i'll beatch slap you" era........ more to come


b

corvgreg

The original 70's front grilles are different than the 71-2. It used studs on the bottom edge to bolt into place where the 71-2 had screw heads showing. I think the side egg crates are slightly different too with the 70 having chrome edging only on the horizontal areas. The 71-2 also went to a different type of rear window storage tray for the t-top cars.
Otherwise only engine/drivetrain changes changes.

Greg

Fevre

From the side 73's are the easiest to spot, only one with rubber up front and chrome in the rear.

73LS4

67s are easy too... another unique year.. Wish I still had the one I bought new Wish I was 22 again as well.

Chopper Larry

The hardest for me are 74-77; to me 78 & 79 look alike; also 80 & 81 look alike.

Xakk

74 has the Chevrolet Motor Division around the front emblem. It also doesn't have an emblem on the gas lid. And has the same straight across nose as the 73 does instead of the middle bit that notches back towards the hood.

75 and 76 I can't tell appart. They both use the smaller round emblem.

77 switched from the round sunburst emblem to the flags. Same flags that 79 used.

That's how I tell anyway. I'm sure there are more diffs than that visually though.

an81shark

80 vs 81 boils down to the emblems

80 = silver on the front/rear flags

81 = black

80's also have some side emblems.

82's have cross fire emblems

Bangkok Dean

I never saw side emblems on an 80? 79 yes but not 80s

Bangkok Dean

Boy I must be getting better at understanding your posts or you are getting better a wording them

early shark

Although '70, '71 & '72 do look a lot alike. There are more than subtle differences.

On the outside 1971 is the hardest year to identify, because this year has traits from both 1970 & 1972.

1971's have used both conical tail lights from 1970 and convex tail lights that 1972 use.

1971's use 1970 style side louvers and 1972 also use 1971's revised style.

1971's also use 1970 style front grills, as well as 1972 style.

Inside changes, 1971 is much more like 1970 than 1972.

Fiberoptics like 1970, chrome pedal trim like 1970, stainless rearview mirror like 1970, instrument lettering green tint like 1970, radio like 1970.

Engine console data plate like 1970, instead of 1972 style.

I could keep going on, as there are a myriad of other minute changes as well!

Sarge81

I think he's refering to the L-82 emblems that were stuck on the fenders for '80 L-82 cars only.
Darryl

'77BABE

And '77 was last year with vertical rear window

So technically, crossed flags + vertical rear window = '77

Correct me if I'm wrong...

nhlgopens

74's don't have the black rubber bumper things on the front or rear... it's the only year of the f&r rubber cars that don't have the black nubs...