The C3 - The Mako Shark
C2
C4
The C3 lasted longer than any other model. It lasted from 1968 until 1983 as a 1982 model.
1968
Production: 28,566; L89s: 624; L71s: 2898
Base Price: Convertible: $4,320; Coupe: $4,663
Engines
Base Engine: 300hp, 327 cu in.
L71 435bhp, 460lb-ft of torque, 427 cu in.
L89(Aluminum Heads) 435bhp, 460lb-ft of torque, 427 cu in.
L88(Aluminum Heads) 430bhp, 460lb-ft of torque, 427 cu in.
Options
"Soft Ray" Tinted Glass: $15.80
Headrests: $42.15
Special Performance Suspension: $94.80
AM-FM Stereo: $42.15
L89 Engine: $805.75
Transistorized Ignition: $73.75
4-speed Manual Trans: $184.35
Leather Seat Trip: $79.00
Telescopic Steering Column: $42.15
Red-line Nylon Tires F70x15: $31.30
1969
The small block was stoked from 327 to 350 this year and side pipes returned as an option.
Production: L89s: 390; L71s: 2722; L88s: 116
Engines
Base Engine: 300hp, 350 cu in.
L71 435bhp, 460lb-ft of torque, 427 cu in.
L89:(Aluminum Heads) 435bhp, 460lb-ft of torque, 427 cu in.
L88:(Aluminum Heads) 430bhp, 460lb-ft of torque, 427 cu in.
Options
Side Exhaust Pipes: $147
1970
The number of Corvettes made in 1970 plunged do to a two month long auto-workers strike and the 427 big block was increased to 454 cu inches. The ZR-1 option came about in this year. ZR standing for "Zora Racer", referring to Zora Arkus-Duntov.
Production: Total: 17,316
Engines
Base Engine: 300hp, 350 cu in.
LT1: 370hp @ 6000rpm, 350cu in. Compression: 11.0:1
LS5 (Big Block): 390hp, 454 cu in., 500lb/ft of torque
Options
Side Pipes: $147
ZR-1: $1000
ZR-1 Option:
You got the following by chosing the ZR-1 option.
LT-1 Engine
M-22 4-speed gearbox
Cold Air induction hood
1971
Production: Total: 21,801; ZR-1: 20; ZR-2: 12; LS6: 188
Base Price: $5,296
Engines
Base Engine: 270hp, 350 cu in.
LT1: 330hp, 360 lbs.-ft of torque @ 4000rpm, 350cu in. Compression: 9.0:1 [Had a lower compression ratio than that of the 1970 version so that it could run with 91 octane fuel]
LS5 (Big Block): 365hp, 454 cu in., 500lb/ft of torque
LS6 (Big Block): 425hp, 454 cu in., Compression: 9.0:1
Options
Side Pipes: $147
ZR-1: $1000
ZR-2: $1747
LS6 Engine: $1,221
ZR-1 Option:
You got the following by chosing the ZR-1 option.
LT-1 Engine
M-22 4-speed gearbox or Turbo HydraMatic 400 automatic
ZR-2 Option:
You got the following by chosing the ZR-1 option.
LS6 Engine
M-22 4-speed gearbox
1972
First year of using net horsepower not gross and last year of the LT1. Also the last year with chrome bumpers front and rear. The enourmous amount of emissions regulation placed drastically reduced the power of the Vette.
Total Production: 21,801
Engines
Base Engine: 200hp, 350 cu in.
LT1: 355hp, 350cu in.[Unlike the LT1 of the C4 this LT1 didnt have fuel injection or many other enhancements]
LS5 (Big Block): 270hp, 454 cu in.
1973
To meet 5 mph crash rules a pliable nose was new for '73. The LT1 was dropped this year.
Total Production: 30,500
Engines
Base Engine: 200hp, 350 cu in.
LS5 (Big Block): 270hp, 454 cu in.
1974
This would be the last year of the big-block 454.
Total Sales: 37,500
Engines
Base Engine: 200hp, 350 cu in.
LS5 (Big Block): 270hp, 454 cu in.
ZR-1 Option:
You got the following by chosing the ZR-1 option.
LT-1 Engine
M-22 4-speed gearbox
1975
The last year of the convertible for the C3 Vette.
Engines
Base Engine: 200hp, 350 cu in.
L82: 210hp, 350 cu in.
1975
Engines
Base Engine: 180hp, 350 cu in.
L82: 210hp, 350 cu in.
1976
Total Sales: 46,550
Engines
Base Engine L48: 180hp, 350 cu in.
L82: 210hp, 350 cu in.
1977
The Corvette lost its Stingray name this year and cruise contol and Am/Fm cassette became optional.
Total Sales: 49,213
Engines
Base Engine L48: 180hp, 350 cu in.
L82: 210hp, 350 cu in.
1978
The 25th anniversery of the Vette and the '78 paced that years Indy 500. Replicas of the Indy Pace car were sold for $4008 over the base coupe.
Indy Replica Sales: 6500
Base Price: $9645
Engines
Base Engine L48: 185hp, 350 cu in.
L82: 220hp, 350 cu in.
1979
Base price topped $10,000 for the first time and 77 percent of all Vettes had automatic transmission. The base price took a leap because of inflation, standard power windows, A/C, tilt wheel, power locks, and AM/FM stereo.
Total Sales: 53,807
Base Price: $12,313
Engines
Base Engine L48: 185hp, 350 cu in.
L82: 220hp, 350 cu in.
1980
Because of more use of plastics and by subsituting aluminum for steel in different housing and front-frame cross members the Vette loss 250lbs. Aerodynamics were improved by a revived rear spoiler and a new slped nose with integral air dam.
Production: Total: 40,614; L82: 5,069
Engines
Base Engine L48: 190hp, 350 cu in.
L82: 230hp, 350 cu in., Compression: 9.0:1
Special Engine For California: 180hp, 305cu in.(Automatic transmission only)
1981
Only one engine was available for '81 and the Vette lost even more weight.
Mile Per Gallon: 15
Engine
Base Engine L81: 190hp, 350 cu in.
1982
Sales plunged as buyers awaited the new Vette and fuel injection was back for the first time since 1965, it was a hybrid carb/fuel injection system. The only transmission available for '82 was a 4-speed automatic.
Total Sold: 25,407
Engine
Base Engine L83 (Cross-Fire fuel injection): 200hp, 350 cu in.
There would be no 1983 model Corvette and the C4 would come in 1984.
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