Ever wish you could quickly tell a 68 from a 69, or a 76 from a 77? Here's a simple C3 Visual ID guide (assuming the cars are "stock enough" to profile). I welcome any inputs to update this, especially if you spot an error. I'm not trying to compile a list of ALL the differences (interior, engine, suspension, etc.), just the visual ones on the body, so you can impress your significant other as you walk or drive by..... For instance, I still can't tell the difference between a 71 - 72.... This is a work in progress. Updates are included as I get them:


68: Chrome front and rear. Spoiler rear end. Classic 4 "shark gill" front fender vents, no logo above vents. Cross Flag emblem on nose. Chrome rocker molding 2 piece top black stripe. Push button door ****. Unique separate back up lights below rear chrome. The front side marker lights have white lenses.

69: Same as '68 but with the "Stingray" emblem above front fender vents. Factory side pipes. Push button door **** replaced with just the keyhole. Rear back up lights incorporated into inner two rear lamps. The front side marker lights have amber lenses.

70: Same as '69 but the fender vents sported a "mesh effect" look to match the new mesh front grills. Rear of fenders flared slightly to reduce road rash. Chrome rocker molding with black stripe at top. Front grills have studs. Square exhaust tips, hole off center (outboard). Side marker lights now larger.

71: Same as '70, but front grill studs replaced with screws, and front turn signals have amber lens instead of white.

72: Same as '71, but no fiber optics. Last year for rear drop down window.

73: Rear chrome only. Rear tail pipes rectangular, with hole in center. Fender vents large, single square opening. Front bumper urethane, front grills horizontal (no longer mesh squares). Front nose emblem changed to round with cross flags inside.

74: No more chrome bumpers. No more chrome grills. No rear spoiler. Two-piece rear urethane bumper. No logo or emblem on gas tank door. Rear C O R V E T T E individual letters recessed into bumper cover. Tail lights unique: no visible retaining screws.

75: Same as '74 except one piece rear, and bumper gas lid logo returns. Also, two small rubber pads added to front and rear bumpers on either side of license plate. Shape of the front bumper cover changed, instead of straight across, the cover goes up between the headlights.

76 Same as '75, but C-O-R-V-E-T-T-E changed to single piece 'Corvette' on rear bumper cover. No fake "Astroventilation" vents behind rear window. Last year of chrome pillar posts.

77: Same as '76, but the "Stingray" emblem no longer above front fender vents, and the crossed flags front nose emblem replaces the circular emblem. Pillar posts black.

78: Wrap around rear window, many 25th anniversary paint schemes, many "Official Indy Pace Car" schemes, cast aluminum wheels, "silver Aniversary" emblems. Black rocker molding.

79: Same as '78 but without any of the "Silver Anniversary" emblems.

80: New cowl front nose design and integrated front and rear spoilers. Chrome trim on the rocker panel.

81: Same as '80, but no chrome trim on rocker panels.

82: First year to offer opening "hatchback" rear window (CE model only). "Cross Fire Injection" above front fender vents.

Here's a summary of what the hood and gas door emblems ('74 had no gas door emblem) looks like (thanks to the folks at Corvette Central--I scanned this from their catalog):






[Modified by kenko74, 8:12 AM 4/11/2004]

 

Here is a few items. Plastic bumpers were urethane not neopreme.
75 last year for C3 vert
70-77 chrome rocker molding with black stripe at top.
78-79 black rocker molding.
68-69 chrome rocker molding 2 piece top black stripe.
:cheers:

 

76: 'C-O-R-V-E-T-T-E' changed to single piece 'Corvette' on rear bumper cover.

I think my 75 rear cover has the bumperettes molded in, but I might be
confused with the fiberglass replacement. I'll check tonight.

 

I'm surprised you missed this one considering you have a '74.

74: tail lights look like 75-79, but without screw holes in the front

 

Also the shape of the front bumper cover changed in 75, 73 & 74 went straight across 75 on up the cover goes up between the headlights

Steve :steering:

 

Here is another one, rear drop down window 68-72 :cool:

 

When I look at a 68/69 I always check the doors to determine the year. 68 has the push button while 69s just have the keyhole. Stingray badge is an easy add-on. :) MJ

 

Nose emblems- 77 and 79 had cross flags, 80 connected flags, 82 back to cross flags but has only the bow tie on left. :cheers:

 

80 has chrome trim on the rocker panel, 81 doesn't.

 

70 front grills have studs, 71 and 72 have screws.

 

I think there is a difference in the trim around the rear window also

Not all 82s are hatchback. only the CEs are. the biggest visuals are the Crossfire injection trim, and the flags are different from the 80/81 flags

 

The amber signal lights started in 71 and it was also the last year for fiber optics.

 

i never see people mention the fact that a 68 has completely differennt back-up lights BELOW the chrome in the rear, 69 and on has them on the inside of the quad lights.

 

75 had fake vents behind windows, 76 and 77 didnt
before 76 had chrome pilar posts and 77 up had black

MAtt

 

Thanks all, keep them coming! :cheers:

 

Yeah my '75 has bumper pads on the rear and it also has those fake vents..

 

Hey Kenko,

Can you post the finished list once you include all the add-ins.

Thanks,

Pete

 

The ignition is on the dash of the 68 moved to steering column in 69

 

The 1973 Corvette is also the last model to have a chrome grille I believe.

 

72's have amber front turn signal lights.