This is my own opinion, but I think that the C4 class should be re-classified . I think the C4 classification should have started with the '78 model and ended with the '82 . I think there were too many changes done after the '77 models to classify the '78-82 models as C3 Corvettes. These years were longer, sleeker, and had a smoother design. No, they didn't have the massive horsepower, but they made it up in style and comfort. Even when you come in here, how many threads have you seen that are for the '78-82 corvettes. Just something to think about for all the people who now wished they too could own a '78-82 C4 Corvette .

I ask for your opinions on this topic, but please be kind

 

The generations are separated mainly by major restyling. I do not think 78-82 is a major restyle.

 

I don't see a problem with the current classification, but I do see your point. However, most of the changes in '78 were cosmetic.

I just think they are like a subset of the entire run. If you wanted to refine it more, it could be broken down as follows:

'68-'72
'73-'77
'78-'79
'80-'82

I guess '73 could be on their own...

However, for the purposes of this forum, these cars are really the same basic design.

 

I don't agree. Mechanically, the 68-82's are basically the same car, especially with respect to the suspension and brakes. I have a 80-82 rear bumper and '80 seats on/in the '75. Complete bolt-ons. You cannot do that across generations.

Historically, the break is usually mechanical versus body with the excpetion of the C2/C3 split. For example, C1 is '53 to '62 but there was a big change in the body style (but the running gear stayed the same). C2/C3 is the only change differentiated by body style only since there aren't too many mechanical differences between a '67 and a '68. Now, the C3/4/5/6 are obviously major mechanical and body changes.

How about this (with my reasoning for the divisions):
C1.1 - '53-55 (original body style)
C1.2 - '56-57 (single headlight style)
C1.3 - '58-60 (dual headlight style)
C1.4 - '61-62 (dual headlights with redesigned rear body work)

C2.1 - '63-64 (drum brakes)
C2.2 - '65-67 (disc brakes and big blocks)

C3.1 - '68-72 (chrome bumpers)
C3.2 - '73 (a model all its own)
C3.3 - '74-77 (rubber bumpers with the small rear window)
C3.4 - '78-79 (bubble backs with C3.3 nose and tail)
C3.5 - '80-82 (bubble backs with new nose and tail)

C4.1 - '84-90 (base car)
C4.2 - '90-95 ZR1 (new rear body work and LT5 engine)
C4.3 - '91-96 (new front and rear ends)

C5.1 - '97-04 (base car)
C5.2 - '01-04 Z06 (exclusive hardtop body style)

C6.1 - '05-? (base car)
C6.2 - '06-? Z06 (aluminum frame)
C6.3 - '09-? ZR1 (supercharged, carbon fiber body parts, wider body, etc)


Or, we could say the heck with it and just stick to the old C1/2/3/4/5/6 designations.

 

If you want to go by body styles, the C3 should actually be the C4, since the straight-axles underwent some extreme revisions between 55 and 56. If you want to divide things up on mechanicals, then the C2s and C3s should be lumped together, since the chassis and driveline were the same.

 

That's because GM built an azzload of Corvettes between 77 and 82.

For whatever reason, if you checked every C3 owning member, I think the 77 model year would win out. They seem to be everywhere.

 

I have to disagree as well. The only significant change from '77 to '78 is the big back window. I would argue there's a greater difference from '79 to '80 (hood, nose cap, tail cap, rear suspension, etc) than '77-'78.

Plus, if you are going to start breaking them down on that minor a change, you have to start splitting C1s at 57-58 and maybe even C4s at 1990 or 91.

I think the five generations are correct, and I think they reflect GM's thinking that each were the complete "redesigns" of the Corvette.

 

Their thinking seemed to wander around quite a bit. The 53-62 models were lumped together because of the chassis similarities and the complete redesign of the body structure was ignored. Then the 63-67 models were split from the 68-82 models despite retaining the mechanical underpinnings. The logic escapes me.

IMHO, the 53-55 cars should be regarded as a separate generation. Maybe C0 to indicate their rather primitive design (no side windows, no outer door handles, etc.)?

Steve, just a bit of terminology nitpicking - the 74-77 rubber-bumper cars actually have a notchback or scoopback design, while the 78-82 bubble window is essentially a glass fastback.

 

I agree, but maybe 3.7 would be a closer moniker. 81-82's, them sucka's is ugly. it's like the elephant in room.....sorry

 

 

I think the generations are just fine as they are...78-82 are with the exception of a few minor parts are the same caras a 68-77..parked side by side and viewed from the front or the rear they are clearly the same generation... only in profile is there a difference and even then that difference is so slight that people would be hard pressed to think they were different generations

Park a C4 next to a C3 and they are completely different cars...same holds true for a midyear vs. C3 or C1...

you get the same argument in the F-body groups who would like to break out the 70-73 camaro as the 2nd gen camaro and make the later steel bumper cars 3rd gens...this doesnt work either.. park them side by side and they are clearly the same car with only minor sheetmetal changes around the bumpers. When the real 3rd gen camaros came out they look significantly different.

 

I had an awful lot to say and didnt want to hurt any feelings so just let me say this,,,, many different opinions about this and I guess thats why there is vanilla and chocolate ice scream. Peace,,,Moosie

 

. This is why I started this thread. To show how different our tastes in cars are (And other things) . I grew up during the sixties, but I don't like the '60's style of Vette. I like looking at all years of the Corvette, but the '81 was my choice of body style. This is what makes America so great, we can give our opinion on something and all be right . The important thing is, we all have a love of Corvettes, no matter which one turns us on the most . Please keep the opinions coming.

 

I think the major breaks should be as they are now, but perhaps there could be sub-categories 68-72 is C3A, 73 C3B, 74-76 C3C, 77 C3D, 78-79 C3E, 80-81 C3F, and 82 as C3G. I put 82 by itself because of drivetrain (FI and OD). I also put 77 by itself because of the interior differences.

 

You are right. But I don't think there is enough difference between C5 and C6 to call it a major style change. It's not more than the difference between chrome bumper C3 and the late model (80-82) C3.

 

78 changes:

*Rear Window
*Glove box..
*24 gal fuel tank..

84 vette
Complete re-design including the dorky pac man dash...

Differences are night and day...

Gotta love them C4's..

 

I think the C3 designation is correct. Heck, every C3 and C2 had the same chassis going back to 1963. Everything changed in '84.

 

What's the story of corvettes in 83?
I think there were a few C3's during the early 83 and C4's came out in late 83.

Is this correct?

 

No production C4's sold in 1983 as the production run was extened about 18 months to deal with quality issues...hence 1984 being first C4's sold to public...

"But through its long and controversial run, the C3 would mark its place in automotive history as a true survivor. The passing years -- despite the array of adversity that came with them -- had been kind to the Shark, and the car never lost sight of its essential mission and character."

 

If we're going to split them up on major body redesigns, then the C3 should be the C4. If we're going to lump them together on chassis designs, then the C2 and C3 should be one group. There's a weird disconnect in the logic applied to the straight-axle models and the 63-82 models.

IMHO:
C1 53-55
C2 56-62
C3 63-67
C4 68-82
C5 83-96
C6 97-04
C7 05-

Of course, if we wanted to leave the numbering alone as it sits, we could call the 53-55 cars C0...

43 pilot cars were built and VINed as 83s. Only one survives, it's in the NCM.