vette54728702

I was chatting with another forum member and he said something about the L82 was not available for early production 75's. Can anyone confirm or dis-prove it ? I have no proof either way, but it seems weird that it wouldn't be since it was an option for the 74's.

Paul Borowski

...when I did my '75 L-82 Survey from 2000 to about 2007, I was able to get about 72 cars in it. Out of that small group of cars of the original 2372 '75 L-82s, the earliest car I had documented was like a March 19, 1975 car, VIN number somewhere around 19,7xx. Many original '75 L-82 owners that I got to chat with confirmed said they had waited over 6 to 7 months for their L-82 car to come in.

...about 6 years ago I had a chance to briefly chat with Dave McClellan at Corvettes @ Carlisle and he remembered very well that it was all about emissions, especially since 1975 was the first year for "unleaded only" fuel and that all GM passenger vehicles had to now have a catalytic conveter, plus the fact that all '75 Corvettes had to have a smog pump.

Mike Ward

Paul,

Do you remember any reason why the M21 transmission was L82 only in '75?

Paul Borowski

Mike, I don't know and I'm not sure, but I didn't think you could get the "M-21 Close Ratio" trans with the base horsepower engine(L-48) since the early '70s???

...thought you had to order one of the "optional engines" to get the close ratio transmission since the early shark days?

...thought base engine/base transmission(wide ratio)was the norm and a "standard" power team.

74 LS4-454

I ordered my first Corvette on Nov 6, 1974. Med Saddle Met, Saddle interior, L82 Auto. I waited almost 6 months for it to be built, it was delivered April 29, 1975. List price w/options and destination was $8594.00, I still have the original sticker and paperwork from that Vette.
Reason for delay was getting the L82 certified, since it was the first year for the cat converters (as Paul mentioned). There was even a time where the factory was going to cancel L82 orders until '76 for that reason, but I held out. My dealer kept me well informed. And as Paul stated, not that many L82's built that year.................................... Tom

Mike Ward

Nope, lots of documented L48/M21 cars up to '75. Dunno why they changed the spec.

Paul Borowski

...I have never verified a L-48 M-21 car(can't say I really looked either), but all the power team literature and NCRS Spec Guides show that the base engines since '68 took the wide ratio transmission(not counting the '68/'69 3spd cars)and the that the "close ratio" transmissions only came on the optional engines. The wide ratio trans had the 2.52:1 low gear whereas the close ratio had the 2.20:1 first gear. Seems correct in thinking the weaker base engines would need the lower first gear.

...about 9-10 years ago I swapped out the 3.70s in my '68 convertible for 3.08s and left the M-21 in it with the 2.20:1 first gear and starting off is definetly a bit harder to do than with the 3.70s and the close ratio trans gearing. After a while you just learn to let the clutch out a little slower and gentler.

Mike Ward

I agree with you that it would make a weird combo but there was no ordering restriction prior to '75 to prevent it.

gwood39617

Nice,....after A LOT of forum research, both Corvette Ed and jwp75v have the most rare Corvette's I have either seen or read about.

First of all, any '75 L-82 is very rare w/only 2,372 being produced,.....narrow that down even further w/convert. and then FE-7 suspension on top of that, and very rare bright yellow color is just icing on cake.....can't be more than 3-4 of those out there.

I just got my '75 dark red/dark red leather, L-82, M20 4-speed, t-top coupe shipped in a few days ago.......my 1st GM product and I love it so far (w/the exception of that awful seatback adjustment mech.!!!).....lol

I would go so far to say that ANY 1975 L-82 outside of white ext. and/or black interior is a very, very rare vehicle.......and even those are pretty rare

Vet76te

I have a 1975 L82 / M21 / 4spd car too, (t-top coupe), in Orange Flame.

It's a very rare car and with it's options, is probabaly one of less than 100.

gbvette62

As Paul said, I think they were delayed because of problems getting the engine through the Federal emission certification process. This has happened a few times over the years. The 80 L-82 was delayed for the same reason, as was the 1974 Cosworth Vega.

No engine/trans combination, can be sold in the US, without going through the certification process. If an engine can't pass, then engineering changes, need to be made to it. It takes time to engineer, develop and produce new parts, often delaying the introduction of power train combinations.

I have every year Corvette sales brochure (1953-2013) in my collection.

None of the 68-79 brochures, list the close ratio 4 speed, as being available with the base engine. In every one of the brochures (as well as other ordering materials I have), the close ratio is only ever listed as being available with the optional engines.

I can't imagine that the close ratio trans, would be very compatible with the 3:08 and 3:36 rears, normally installed on cars with base engines.

Mike Ward

This is a 3 year old thread that's been dug up. In the intervening years, I've come to believe that Paul (and yourself) are correct. No M21 with base engine.

Not sure where I got the idea that it was otherwise.

gbvette62

I usually look at the dates on posts, and don't bother posting on "dead" ones. It was around midnight here and I missed the age on this one. I have to be more careful about posts, when I'm tired.