Changes in the C3 through the years
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Foster City CA
Changes in the C3 through the years
I'm interested in when certain changes were made in the C3. Smaller steering wheel, wiper panel changes, slimmer door panels, side exhaust, chrome trim, etc.
Any thoughts on those and others I might have missed?
Any thoughts on those and others I might have missed?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (stickanddice)
Any of the coffee table Corvette books available will tell (and show) you how the Corvette evolved over the years. It won't take much reading and looking before you will begin to distinguish one model year from another.
:)
:)
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (thejaf)
The heater core was made increasingly more difficult to replace as the C3 evolved :smash: :crazy: :cry
I am with ya on that!!!!!!!! :cry :cry :cry :cry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (stickanddice)
I'm interested in when certain changes were made in the C3. Smaller steering wheel, wiper panel changes, slimmer door panels, side exhaust, chrome trim, etc.
Wiper door disappeared in '73.
Slimmer door panels in '69, other changes in later years too.
Side exhaust '69 only.
Chrome bumpers front 68-72, rear 68-73.
Side fender detail: 4 "gills" 68-69, eggcrate inserts 70-72, single vent 73+
Shannon
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 6
From: NC USA
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (sb69coupe)
Side fender detail: 4 "gills" 68-69
These also had chrome accented louver trim available as a factory option on 69 only cars
gloss black two-piece rocker panels on 68-69; later years are all some form of brushed aluminum
These also had chrome accented louver trim available as a factory option on 69 only cars
gloss black two-piece rocker panels on 68-69; later years are all some form of brushed aluminum
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (Marks69BB)
I'm surprised that no one mentioned the demise of the convertable (sp?) in '75.
No more removable rear window, when? 73 or '74?
Cowl induction hood in various configurations, last seen in '75.
No more removable rear window, when? 73 or '74?
Cowl induction hood in various configurations, last seen in '75.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (Binnie77)
The lower backside of the wheel well lip (front and rear) is not flared out on the '68 or '69. Now I understand why my car has so many rock chips behind the tires! I just noticed this when comparing mine to my buddy's car a couple weeks ago.
DRM
DRM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (stickanddice)
The ignition lock cylinder and switch was in the dash in 1968 only. They went off the dash and onto the steering column in 1969.
1969 was the first year that the steering wheel and the transmission lever was locked when the ignition key was rotated to the off-lock position.
The ignition key release lever was added to the column in 1977 replacing the back drive cable from the transmission.
A non adjustable column was the base column from 1968 until 1979. The T&T column became the base column in 1980 and was the only steering column available from then on.
A steering column that telescoped was available as an option in 1968. Tilt and telescoping columns were available after that first year.
The headlamp dimmer switch moved from the floor to the turn signal lever on the steering column in 1977.
Cruise control became available in 1977. The engage button was on the tilt lever for that one year. The cruise engage switch was on the turn signal lever after that.
The windshield wiper/washer switch was moved from the dash to the turn signal lever on the steering column in 1977 only, then it went back to the dash.
1969 was the first year that the steering wheel and the transmission lever was locked when the ignition key was rotated to the off-lock position.
The ignition key release lever was added to the column in 1977 replacing the back drive cable from the transmission.
A non adjustable column was the base column from 1968 until 1979. The T&T column became the base column in 1980 and was the only steering column available from then on.
A steering column that telescoped was available as an option in 1968. Tilt and telescoping columns were available after that first year.
The headlamp dimmer switch moved from the floor to the turn signal lever on the steering column in 1977.
Cruise control became available in 1977. The engage button was on the tilt lever for that one year. The cruise engage switch was on the turn signal lever after that.
The windshield wiper/washer switch was moved from the dash to the turn signal lever on the steering column in 1977 only, then it went back to the dash.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 36,112
Likes: 8
From: Hotlanta GA
Cruise-In 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08, '15
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (stickanddice)
Maybe this was already mentioned and I just didn't see it, but the chrome bumper went away :)
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 29,745
Likes: 3
From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (theanswriz42)
1978 and 1979 had the optional "Indy" add on front and rear spoiler. Also they had optional seats with side bolsters.
1980 was the first year that had molded in rear spoiler and lower front spoiler.
1980 had a revised rear end cover to fix the problem of spring bolts breaking the cover.
1980 California was the first C3 with a computer and it had a 305 not a 350.
1981 all C3's had computer controlled carburetors.
1980 was the last year of the L-82's.
1982 was the first year of the electronic fuel injection -- the cross fire motor.
1982 also had the first 4 speed automatic transmission and no manual transmissions.
I have a bunch more if you need them ------
1980 was the first year that had molded in rear spoiler and lower front spoiler.
1980 had a revised rear end cover to fix the problem of spring bolts breaking the cover.
1980 California was the first C3 with a computer and it had a 305 not a 350.
1981 all C3's had computer controlled carburetors.
1980 was the last year of the L-82's.
1982 was the first year of the electronic fuel injection -- the cross fire motor.
1982 also had the first 4 speed automatic transmission and no manual transmissions.
I have a bunch more if you need them ------
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Foster City CA
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (Aeroshark)
Wow! Lots of good input!
There are a lot of things mentioned in this thread that the basic literature out there does not really specify.
Thanks!
There are a lot of things mentioned in this thread that the basic literature out there does not really specify.
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,206
Likes: 0
From: WANTED: '68 rear valance with b/u light assemblies IM, e-mail, or PM me here. Thanks!
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (stickanddice)
My favorite is the Vega steering wheel… makes the ’74 GTO a bit more easy to swallow. :rolleyes:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 1
From: Gig Harbor WA
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (63Banshee)
While '73 was the last year of the chrome rear bumper, (and first year of the front rubber bumper,)
74 was the first all rubber bumper year, and a one year only split rear bumper.
74 was the first year and only year of smog, no cats, 75 was smog with cats,
74 was the last year of the big block.
I beleiv it was 73 when GM started referring to HP in rear wheel numbers instead of at the crank, causing much lower reported HP numbers.
That's my $.02
Evan
74 was the first all rubber bumper year, and a one year only split rear bumper.
74 was the first year and only year of smog, no cats, 75 was smog with cats,
74 was the last year of the big block.
I beleiv it was 73 when GM started referring to HP in rear wheel numbers instead of at the crank, causing much lower reported HP numbers.
That's my $.02
Evan
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 2
From: Haysville Ks
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (stickanddice)
Aluminum wheels were offered briefly in 73, then canceled due to strenght problems. They were not abailable again until 76. The little bumber pads were added to the 75. 75 was the first year to require unleaded fuel. 77 had
a new center console. 80's had a new rear cap with spoiler. 80 also had 2 storage bins behind the seat instead of three. Speed-o only read 85 mph in 80.
a new center console. 80's had a new rear cap with spoiler. 80 also had 2 storage bins behind the seat instead of three. Speed-o only read 85 mph in 80.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 1
From: Reno nevada
Re: Changes in the C3 through the years (stickanddice)
The improvements most owners have made since 1982 have vastly improved the poor quality and low tech mass produced GM junky originals. If you want a Vette with poor quality control and poor performance. Buy an all original top flight NCRS model. They sure look pretty (PARKED)! :eek:
Let's get some blood boiling on this happy Thursday! :cheers:
I bought a 71 because I wanted one. They are not as functional as 78-82 with all the added interior room. I have trouble squezing in 2 golf bags. I fell in love with high winding small blocks with mechanical cams years ago.
[Modified by Lt1er, 12:50 PM 10/25/2001]
Let's get some blood boiling on this happy Thursday! :cheers:
I bought a 71 because I wanted one. They are not as functional as 78-82 with all the added interior room. I have trouble squezing in 2 golf bags. I fell in love with high winding small blocks with mechanical cams years ago.
[Modified by Lt1er, 12:50 PM 10/25/2001]
