Chevrolet Corvette (C3)

This article is about the third generation Chevrolet Corvette (C3). For general Corvette information, see Chevrolet Corvette.
Chevrolet Corvette (C3)
1973 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Overview
ManufacturerChevrolet (General Motors)
Also calledChevrolet Corvette Stingray
(1968–76)
ProductionAugust 1967 – October 1982[1][2]
Model years1968–82
Assembly
Designer
Body and chassis
ClassSports car
Body style
LayoutFront-mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
PlatformSeries 194 (1968–71)[3]
Series Z (1972–75)[3]
Series Y(1976–82)[4]
Powertrain
Engine
  • 305 cu in (5.0 L) LG4 V8
  • 327 cu in (5.4 L) L75 V8
  • 327 cu in (5.4 L) L79 V8
  • 350 cu in (5.7 L) Small-Block V8
  • 350 cu in (5.7 L) L46 V8
  • 350 cu in (5.7 L) L48 V8
  • 350 cu in (5.7 L) L81 V8
  • 350 cu in (5.7 L) L82 V8
  • 350 cu in (5.7 L) L83 V8
  • 350 cu in (5.7 L) LT1 V8
  • 350 cu in (5.7 L) ZQ3 V8
  • 427 cu in (7.0 L) L36 V8
  • 427 cu in (7.0 L) L68 V8
  • 427 cu in (7.0 L) L71 V8
  • 427 cu in (7.0 L) L72 V8
  • 427 cu in (7.0 L) L88 V8
  • 427 cu in (7.0 L) L89 V8
  • 427 cu in (7.0 L) ZL1 V8
  • 454 cu in (7.4 L) LS4 V8
  • 454 cu in (7.4 L) LS5 V8
  • 454 cu in (7.4 L) LS6 V8
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase98.0 in (2,489 mm)[5][6]
Length
  • 182.1 in (4,625 mm) (MY1968)
  • 185.3 in (4,707 mm) (MY1982)
Width
  • 69.2 in (1,758 mm) (MY1968)
  • 69.0 in (1,753 mm) (MY1982)
Height
  • 47.8 in (1,214 mm) (MY1968)
  • 48.0 in (1,219 mm) (MY1982)
Curb weight3,520 lb (1,597 kg)
Chronology
PredecessorChevrolet Corvette (C2)
SuccessorChevrolet Corvette (C4)

The Chevrolet Corvette (C3) is the third generation of the Corvette sports car that was produced from 1967 until 1982 by Chevrolet for the 1968 to 1982 model years. Engines and chassis components were mostly carried over from the previous generation, but the body and interior were new. It set new sales records with 53,807 produced for the 1979 model year.[7] The C3 is the third generation of the Chevrolet Corvette, and marks the second time the Corvette would carry the Stingray name, though only for the 1969–76 model years. This time it was a single word as opposed to Sting Ray as used for the 1963–67 C2 generation. The name would then be retired until 2014 when it returned with the release of the C7.

The most expensive Corvette C3 to sell in history was a 1969 L88 Lightweight, one of only four lightweight L88s to be produced. It was sold by Barrett-Jackson in January 2014 for $2,860,000 (£1,728,941).[8]

  1. ^ Prince, Richard (2003). Corvette C3 Buyer's Guide 1968-1982. MotorBooks International. ISBN 978-1-61060897-8.
  2. ^ 1982 models were not sold out nationally until early 1983; the C4 successor wasn't ready in time for a 1983 model year launch, and was instead released in mid 1983 as an early 1984 model.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference GunnellCorvette was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference FlammangCorvette was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Official GM MY1968 Spec sheet, GM Heritage Center. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  6. ^ Official GM MY1982 Spec sheet, GM Heritage Center. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  7. ^ The Corvette Black Book 2009 pp. 56-84
  8. ^ "Price Guide: Chevrolet Corvette C3". www.theclassicvaluer.com. Retrieved 2023-05-17.