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I know there were cosmetic changes like chrome fittings, bumpers, gills, rear window stlye etc, but I'm looking for the body shell changes during the production run?
Does anyone have a larger clear version of this image please?
I know there were cosmetic changes like chrome fittings, bumpers, gills, rear window stlye etc, but did the main body shell actually change shape during the production run?
If it did, is there a side view compilation comparison image?
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Flares were added to the wheel openings beginning with the 1970 models.
There are tons of changes. As referred to in prior posts, the most obvious are the transitions from the 'sugar-scoop' rear window to the 'bubble back' and the slightly flared wheel wells that arrived in 1970, not to mention the changes in the body that were required in going from chrome bumpers to the various rubber bumpers. But there are lots of more subtle changes. Look up any thread about doing a chrome bumper conversion on a rubber bumper car, and you will see how many things 'don't fit' when you try to splice bits from an early car onto a later one.
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by DC3
Flares were added to the wheel openings beginning with the 1970 models.
DC
For me this was kind of a big one.
It was done to keep damage from happening by stuff being kicked up from the front & rear tires.
The truest, cleanest C3 shape in my opinion is '68-'69, without the flares.....
For me this was kind of a big one.
It was done to keep damage from happening by stuff being kicked up from the front & rear tires.
The truest, cleanest C3 shape in my opinion is '68-'69, without the flares.....
Agree. I have a 68 and a 70. The 70 has the wheel flares. I can see that they may be practical, but they really look dorky.
To me, not having the flares behind the wheel wells makies the '68-69 look 'antique'.... I had a '68. And, believe me, those flares added in '70 are VERY functional. With the '68, I was constantly touching up 'road rash' nicks on the body panels behind the wheel wells.
Basically EVERYTHING changed incrementally.
4 different windshields
4 different t-tops
3 different frames,
The outer door skins remained the same..68 is the exception.
It's all a matter of personal taste, of course, but in my view the '70-'72 C3 roadster was the prettiest Corvette ever made (and no, I don't own one- yet!). There are several reasons I prefer the '70-'72 to the '68-'69, and the flares are one of them. To my eye the flares give the car a subtly more muscular shape, emphasizing rather than detracting from the 'Coke-bottle' styling. I also prefer the 'of-a-piece' egg-crate styling of the grilles and side vents, as well as the rectangular exhaust tips. That said, I'd jump at the chance to own any chrome-bumper car that ticked my other boxes- roadster, 4-speed, etc.- irrespective of whether it was a '68-'69 or a '70-'72.
For me this was kind of a big one.
It was done to keep damage from happening by stuff being kicked up from the front & rear tires.
The truest, cleanest C3 shape in my opinion is '68-'69, without the flares.....
I actually prefer the look and functionality of the flares which is why I excluded 68s & 69s from my search when first looking for a C3.
Any Body Shape Changes From 1968-82?
