***** COOL C3 TRIVIA *****
ENJOY !!!
this i didnt know & found it interesting from 70 -76 no corvette left the factory BLACK !!!

SORRY some duplications, as it's taken from 2 different sites idaho & rodgers

1968 to 1982

Pontiac almost beat Chevrolet to the Coke bottle design body, with their 1965 Banshee, a two seater convertible sports car that would have been hefty competition for the Corvette. GM stopped it, and then Pontiac president John DeLorean later became president of Chevrolet.

T-top does not refer to the shape of the roof, but rather it is short for Targa Top. The original design was a pure Targa but body flex demanded the center bar, discovered late in the design.

Due to policy changes in Chevrolet, Corvette was treated like all other car lines for the first time, and quality dropped drastically. With bad publicity in most magazines, policy was re-thought and Chevrolet quickly restored independence and quality to Corvette within a few months, but all 1968s carry the stigma of being "the worse quality" of all Corvettes.

All big block manifolds were redesigned to actually sink into the lifter valley as the hood clearance was less than in '67 and back. As such, a 1965 to 1967 big block intake manifold won't fit in a 1968 or newer Corvette with a stock hood and air cleaner.

The exception to the above was the L-88. It retained the high rise manifold and also received a special hood, which was externally different this time.

Emission control equipment was installed on the first 1968's in the fall of 1967 even though the federal law required it only as of January 1, 1968.

1968 was the first year AM/FM stereo was offered as an option.

1968-1972 the coupe's rearwindow was removeable for more of a true convertible experience

The Sting Ray name was not used on the 1968 Corvette, but returned in 1969… Spelled Stingray.

Corvette had its first all aluminum engine in 1969 as the ZL-1. It was not the first GM automobile to do so, beaten by the Corvair in 1960 and the Buick 215 V8.

In 1969, the ignition lock was moved from the dash to the steering column. It would remain there until 1997 when it was returned to the dash.

The LS7 engine option, which was never installed in the 1970 Corvette was $3000.

No Corvettes were painted Black at the factory from 1970 to 1976.

The only outside difference between the 1971 and a 1972 Corvette is the appearance of the amber front turn signals and vertical chroming on the egg-crate grills both on the 1972 - that's it. Minor stuff most people miss.

1972 was the only year for Corvette "Big Block" engines in the 1968 to 1972 range to have no horse power sticker on the air cleaner lid.
"Pewter Silver" was only offered as an exterior color in 1972.

The 1970 - 1972 Corvettes were the last to feature chrome bumpers front and rear. In 1973, the front bumper changed to body-colored flexible plastic. In 1974 the rear bumper followed suit.

In 1973, aluminum wheels were again available as an option, but the same problem that plagued the 1963 aluminum wheels, the inability to hold air, kept these out of the hands of customers until 1976.

The rear view mirror in the 1974 Corvette was increased to a width of 10".

The last true dual exhaust was installed in 1974, after that, everything went through a catalytic converter.

1974 rear bumper was 2 pieces, 1975-1982 used a one piece unit.

The awesome 454ci engine was only offered for 5 years.. 1970, 71, 72, 73, and 1974

1975 was lowest production year for convertibles for those years that offered both convertibles and coupes.

1976 Corvette used the same steering wheel as a Chevrolet Vega for the "Sport Wheel" Option.

1977 last year for the notch back shark.

In 1977 crossed flags returned to the nose and sides of the Corvette.

1977 saw the redesign of the center console to accept standard Delco radios, the first year that Corvette didn't have a Corvette only radio.

The '78 Pace Car was "Black and Silver" was because it photographed well. Back then, most magazine articles and ads were still done in Black & White!

The body in 1978 was widened in the rear fender area. This was discovered by customizers when converting '78 and newer coupes to convertibles after the convertible production ended in 1975.

1979 Corvette's highest production year.

By Federal mandate, the 1980 Corvette was the first Corvette to have an 85 MPH speedometer.

1981 the first Corvette to use a computer.

The 1981 Corvette had two cooling fans to increase engine power.

In 1981, Corvettes were produced with two different types of paint. Lacquer was applied at the St. Louis plant, and enamel was applied at the new Bowling Green plant.

In 1982 fuel injection reappeared in the Corvette after a 17-year hiatus.



For 1968, a factory installed anti-theft alarm system was available as an option, but less than 400 cars were so equipped.

Only two 1969 Corvettes were sold with the ZL-1 all aluminum 427 engine, making them one of the rarest collector Corvettes of all time. Note: Visit Roger's Corvette Center in Orlando, Florida, for a close-up look at an original 1969 ZL-1.

In 1969, the ignition lock was moved from the dash to the steering column. It would remain there until 1997 when it was returned to the dash.

In 1970, big block engines increased from 427 to 454 cubic inches and the powerful 370 HP LT1 small block engine made its debut.

1970 sales were their lowest since 1962 (only 17,316 units) due to a late start in the production year.

The first ZR1 performance package appeared in 1970 (not 1990, as some might believe) and included the 370 HP LT1 engine and a host of other performance items.

1971 was the last year for fiber optic warning lights, first introduced in 1968.

The only external difference between the 1971 and 1972 Corvettes is the amber front turn signals and chrome plating on the egg-crate grills on the 1972.



Beginning in 1972 and continuing thereafter, horsepower would be measured as "net" rather than the less realistic "gross" ratings of earlier years.

"Pewter Silver" was only offered as an exterior color in 1972.

1972 was the only year air conditioning was available with the LT1 engine and since only 240 were so equipped, this combination is a rare find today.

Although 1973 VIN's run to 34464, only 30,464 units were built; the 4,000 serial numbers between 24001 and 28000 were never used.

The rear view mirror in the 1974 Corvette was increased to a width of 10 inches.

The last true dual exhaust was installed in 1974. After that, all exhaust gases were channeld through a single catalytic converter.

The 1974 rear "rubber" bumper was made in 2 pieces due to shortcomings in the manufacturing process. The process was improved the following year, thus 1975-1982 models used a one piece unit.

The big block engine made it's final curtain call in the 1974 Corvette.

The FE7 Gymkhana Suspension package was first introduced in the 1974 Corvette.



1975 was the first year for a HEI distributor.

The convertible was discontinued after the 1975 model year and would not reappear again until 1986. GM cited declining sales for convertibles (only 4,629 units in '75) and safety concerns as reasons for killing the ragtops.

Due to stricter emissions standards, California Corvette buyers could not opt for the L82 engine in 1976.

The 500,000th Corvette, a white 1977 coupe, rolled off the St. Louis assembly line at 2:01 P.M. on March 15th, 1977.



The aftermarket "Moon Roofs" (glass t-tops for Corvettes) were supposed to be optional equipment in 1977, but the manufacturer had a marketing dispute with Chevrolet. GM developed their own glass panels for the 1978 model year.

The 1978 model saw the first fastback rear window since 1967.

Crossed flag emblems returned to the nose and sides of the Corvette in 1979.

More Corvettes were built in 1979 than in any other year, before or since... a total of 53,807 units were produced.

Due to tougher emission standards, Corvettes bound for California were fitted with 305 cubic inch engines.

The 305 cubic inch V-8 installed in 1980 California-bound Corvettes was the first Corvette engine to be monitored by a computer. Since 1981, all Corvettes have been computer equipped.

There were no optional Corvette engines in 1981.



In 1982, console mounted clocks were quartz units and had the word "QUARTZ" printed on the face, while the 80-81 years did not.

For the first time since 1954, in 1982 you could not order a Corvette with a manual transmission.


ZIXXX PACKER

 

interesting info but let me say that you have WAY too much time on your hands.

 

FREE TIME ? did you really think i sat here & typed all that ?????

COPY & PASTE BABY !!!!!
COPY & PASTE............!!!
ZIXXX PACKER

 

What!!! No black vettes in 1970. Man that must be a mistake.

 

NOT FROM THE FACTORY !!!

i didnt know that ..............either !!!
ZIXXX PACKER

 

Thanks for the info. Very interesting.

 

"The awesome 454ci engine was only offered for 5 years.. 1970, 71, 72, 73, and 1974"

I kinda take exception to this as there was only one year where it was exceptional, and that was to the tune of 188 examples and a handful of ZR-2's.....

 

It's not accurate...there were a handful of "spec" tag cars that were painted black as special orders during those years.

 

The corvette black book states that about 30 cars left the St. Louis plant painted black in 1973.

 

As others have stated, this is not true. Cars left the factory in Black, Primer and other special colors.



1971 had the vertical chroming as well, only 70 had the unique side grille.



It says NO horsepower sticker so that is a true statement and applied to small blocks as well.


Cool list, lot's of history and trivia with the C3.

 

Cool facts.

 

1975 was lowest production year for convertibles for those years that offered both convertibles and coupes.

Should've added that the 68 was the lowest production year for the C3coupes.

 

MISREAD "NO" horsepower sticker............thanks !! And black NEVER left the factory as a regular statnderd available color from the factory is what they meant i guess..........these are not my facts as stated ............they came from the RODGERS SITE & IDAHO CORVETTES SITE RESPECTIVELY ENJOY !!
ZIXXX PACKER

 

Black NEVER left the factory as a regular statnderd available color from the factory is what they meant i guess..........these are not my facts as stated ............they came from the RODGERS SITE & IDAHO CORVETTES SITE RESPECTIVLY ENJOY !! so it's a 99.99% chance if ya see a black 70-76 vette it's a repaint with a non original color.
ZIXXX PACKER

 

Thanks, interesting read.

 

It wasn't standard, but it was done. Nothing says that those sites are infallible. It's still an interesting list.

 

I disagree with your statement that the T-Top stands for Targa Top.

The T was added, as you stated to limit flexing, and hence the name. The exact T-Top name was carried into ALL other GM products with TWIN removable roof panels where a T reinforcement was utilized to maintain structural integrity.

There are no "Targa" cars with reinforcments between the rear section and the windshield headder.

 

AGAIN...............NOT AS I QUOTED ..........!!!
just copied & pasted the info AS I STATED from RODGERS & IDAHO CORVETTES SITE..............don't quote me, i just supplied the info, thought it would be of interest to others in the C3 arena........&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& FUN FUN FUN ............!!!
ZIXXX PACKER

 

i agree there are a few discrepancies in the "facts" but otherwise, interesting and fairly accurate.
lemme add a couple of my own.
1980-1982 corvettes used a new dana aluminum differential more closely resembling the aluminum diffs used in the c4 than that of the c2 and earlier c3. and, i might add, use neither ring and pinion from early c3s or c4s.
1981 four speed cars had (have ) an oil temperature gauge in the gauge cluster, autos have a clock there.
1981 auto cars were the first to utilize a fiberglass rear monospring, 4-speed cars still used steel springs.
one way to tell a 1980 from a 1981 is the '80 had chrome outline on the nose and rear emblem, '81s were black trim.
1981 cars featured magneseum valve covers to save weight.
a VERY RARE find on 1982 cars is aluminum halfshafts. only a handfull were produced and made it out for sale to the public.
oh, and 1968 carry a bunch of unique, one-year-only features, one of which being that the door handle is only used to pull the door open. the lock, housed in it's own well, is actually the button to release the door latch. this is also the quickest way to visually differentiate between a '68 and a '69.
1973 was the first year of the kelsey-hayes 8 slot aluminum wheels but porosity issues caused the option to be eliminated with only a small amount of cars actually produced with these wheels until their reintroduction in 1977.
and to go slightly off (c3) topic, the c4 was originally designed as a T-top for the structural rigidity but the brass mandated the center be removed for a "true" targa top too far into the c4 development.
chevrolet has never called that top a "targa" because porsche has a copyright on the name.
the only years in which a manual transmission were not available was 1953, 1954 and 1982.
1986 was the first year of factory aluminum heads (only in convertibles, go figure).
the 16 inch "gatorback" tires released on the 1984 were revolutionary because it wasn't believed to be economically possible to make a production tire with that aspect ratio (i.e. short sidewall/wide treadwidth).
in the c4 repair manual for the early c4 (1984-1991, 1990 ZR-1), one of the steps listed in replacing a brake light is, "remove the rear bumper".
1986 was the first year, federally mandated for all cars, to have a CHMTBL, or Center High Mounted Third Brake Light.
corvettes have always had a front hinged hood. it is the only single external/cosmetic/body feature that has lasted since the car was introduced (that and composite body panels).
i'm sure i'll think of more.

 

I'm pretty sure the clock/oil temp gauge doesn't have anything to do with the transmission ordered, but instead depends on the radio ordered. If you got the radio with the digital display (which included a clock) you got the oil temp gauge.