Year Production Base Price Notes
1968 28,566 $4,663 First C3; 2-piece T-tops are new; three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic replaces two-speed Powerglide as automatic transmission option

1969 38,462 $4,780 First year of the 350 in³ Small-Block; longer model year extended to December, 1969 due to delay in introduction of 1970 model; "Stingray" emblem added

1970 17,316 $5,192 First year for the LT-1 Small-Block and 454 in³ Big-Block; three-speed manual transmission dropped and four-speed manual became standard with Turbo Hydra-matic available as no-cost option with all engines except LT-1 350; posi-traction also made standard equipment; introduced along with all-new second-generation Chevrolet Camaro on Feb. 26, 1970

1971 21,801 $5,496 Significant horsepower drops due to reduced compression ratios to meet GM corporate edict requiring all engines to run low-octane unleaded gasoline; horsepower ratings based on both "gross" and "net" figures with the former based on engine hooked to dynometer while "net" ratings were based on horsepower as installed in vehicle with accessories and emission controls hooked up

1972 27,004 $5,533 Last year for front chrome bumpers, the LT-1, and the optional removable rear window; horsepower ratings now advertised in SAE net figures only

1973 30,464 $5,561 Only year with chrome rear and plastic front bumpers; radial tires made standard equipment

1974 37,502 $6,001 Plastic bumpers all around (rear with a center split); last year of the 454

1975 38,645 $6,810 Catalytic converters are new; last year of the convertible until 1986; new (simulated) pads stick out of the bumpers. One piece rear bumper

1976 46,558 $7,604 Alloy wheels an option. Last year of "Stingray" emblem.

1977 49,213 $8,647 New interior console.

1978 46,776 $9,750 Silver Anniversary and Indy 500 Pace Car versions; new fastback rear and redesigned instruments & interior.

1979 53,807 $10,220 New interior comfort features; highest Corvette sales year to date

1980 40,614 $13,140 Lightened materials and bumper-cap spoilers; Federal government required 85 mph (137 km/h) speedometer; California cars powered by 305 V8 and automatic transmission for this year only

1981 40,606 $16,258 Production is switched from St. Louis to new Bowling Green plant; 350 V8 returns in California cars

1982 25,407 $18,290 No manual transmission offered; new cross-fire fuel-injected L83 engine; Collectors Edition hatchback is ¼ of total sales
Total 542,741

[edit] Engines
Engine Year Power
305 in³ "Calif. Only" LG4 V8 1980 180 hp (134 kW) net

327 in³ Small-Block V8 1968 300 hp (224 kW)

1968–1969 350 hp (261 kW)

350 in³ Small-Block V8 1969 300 hp (224 kW)

1970 350 hp (261 kW)

1970–1971 370 hp (276 kW)

1971 270 hp (201 kW)

1971 330 hp (246 kW)

1972 200 hp (149 kW) net

1972 255 hp (190 kW) net

1973 190 hp (142 kW) net

1973–1974 250 hp (186 kW) net

1974 195 hp (145 kW) net

1975 165 hp (123 kW) net

1975 205 hp (153 kW) net

1976–1977 180 hp (134 kW) net

1976–1977 210 hp (157 kW) net

1978 185 hp (138 kW) net

1978 220 hp (164 kW) net

1979 195 hp (145 kW) net

1979 249 hp (168 kW) net

1980–1981 190 hp (142 kW) net

1980 230 hp (172 kW) net

1982 200 hp (149 kW)

427 in³ Big-Block V8 1968–1969 390 hp (291 kW)

1968–1969 400 hp (298 kW)

427 in³ Big-Block Tri-Power V8 1968–1969 435 hp (324 kW)

427 in³ ZL1 aluminum V8 1969 550-680 hp (410-507 kW)
estimated

454 in³ Big-Block V8 1970 390 hp (291 kW)

1971 365 hp (272 kW) gross, 285 hp (213 kW) net

1971 425 hp (317 kW)

1972, 1974 270 hp (201 kW) net

1973 275 hp (205 kW) net

Todd

 

Pretty cool information

 

Interesting stuff

Mike

 

Can't say I've ever seen anyone type the whole Black Book into one post before.

 

Ahh.. Going through every model year on "how stuff works" gets me through the day.. Nice engine rating too, neat to compare years side by side.

 

good reading!! its good to see Hp and kW side by side and to compare them from year to year.

 

great info

 

Thanks. Interesting read.

 

My '76 had a list price of $8998. I got about 10% off and paid $8126 when it was delivered.....

Sounds cheap today. But the average price for a new car in 1976 was only around $4300!! So to some it looked like I was a rich kid or something when the truth was I was so strapped between the car payment & insurance I barely had enough for gas...........