1968: Sculpted to resemble the Mako Shark II show car of 1965 and offering a 435-hp,427-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) engine, the third-generation Corvette starts a 14-year run onwhat is essentially a carry-over chassis. The ’68 debut ushers in that ’70s sun-seeker’ssavior, the T-top, although full convertibles are still on the menu. The battery is movedto a compartment behind the seats, and the ignition switch makes its last appearanceon the dash until 1997. Our 1968 road test calls it the “Barbarella of the car-maker’s art.”
1969: The 250,000th Corvette, a gold 1969 convertible, rolls off the line on NovemberOnly two buyers opt for the ZL1 all-aluminum big block V-8; priced at $4,718.35, the ZL1 option is only $62.65 shy of the base Corvette Coupe’s base price. The Stingrayname returns to the car in the form of scripting above the fender louvers, and it isone word as opposed to the C2’s “Sting Ray.
1970: The 390-hp solid lifter LT1 small-block debuts, and the big-block grows to 454cubic inches from 427. The ZR1 factory-racing package arrives and fender flares areadded.
1971: All Corvette engines were designed to run on the new unleaded fuel, and theLS6 big-block 454 V-8 engine option is introduced.
1972: A factory-installed theft-deterrent system becomes standard, and the first-genLT1 gets ready to be put out to pasture.
1973: A body-colored, 5-mph-crash-compliant plastic nose replaces the sleekchrome unit. Radial tires become standard.
1974: The last year for the 454 big-block, and the pair of stylish rear chrome bumperettesare replaced by a body-colored plastic blob, offending purists.
1975: The final year for the convertible until its 1986 return, and the first year a government-mandated catalytic converter is fitted. The stock 350-cubic-inch V-8 producesa depressing 165 horsepower, the L82 “performance” engine managing 205.
1976: An over-the-radiator, carburetor air-induction system—designed to reducenoise, as air was previously drawn under the hood near the windshield—is a newstandard feature, and a partial steel underbody is added to add strength and increaseshielding from exhaust heat.
1978: The 25th year of Corvette production is marked by a new fastback body style,and the traditional crossed-flag emblem is replaced with a special anniversary emblem.“60 series” tires—referred to as “low-profile,” laughable by today’s standards—are offered for the first time. An AM/FM stereo with integrated CB radio is offered asan option at the 10-200 inducing price of $638. More than 6500 buyers inexplicablydrop an extra $4301.32—over the car’s $9351.89 base price—for a two-tone silver Indy500 Pace Car Replica edition. It is among Chevy’s initial forays into limited-editionCorvettes, but certainly not the last. (Read our history of special-edition Corvettes.)
1979: Chevy sets an all-time Corvette sales record, peddling 53,807 of the comparativelygutless wonders during the 1979 model year, likely due to all the hoopla overthe standard for ’79 AM/FM radio. Halogen headlamps become available for the firsttime.
1980: Chevrolet Corvette 1980: New front and rear plastic bumper caps with integratedspoilers and a new hood improve claimed drag coefficient from .503 to .443 comparedto ’79 models, and a new aluminum diff housing and crossmember are used.GM doesn’t bother to certify the 350 V-8 for California, so Cali-bound Vettes make dowith a 305-cubic-inch V-8.
1981: Corvette production begins in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on June 1; St. Louis productionends August 1. During the two months of simultaneous production, St. Louiscontinued to use lacquer-based paints, while Bowling Green used enamels with aclear coat, which later causes a bit of confusion for restorers. The fiberglass-reinforcedrear monoleaf spring appears for the first time on automatic-equipped cars, weighingin at 36 pounds less than the steel unit it replaced.
1982: To commemorate the last year of C3 production, Chevy built 6759 Collector’sEdition Corvettes, all with bespoke silver and beige paint and an opening rear hatch.Total production for the year was 25,407 units. 1982 was also the last year for theoptional in-dash 8-track tape deck, which followed elephant bells, feathered hair, andmale jumpsuits into the dustbin of history.
1983: As they say on ESPN, it was a rebuilding year. Although no 1983 model-yearCorvettes were officially built, 43 prototypes of the upcoming 1984 model were assembledin Bowling Green, and are sometimes referred to as “1983 models.” The750,000th Corvette (a 1984 C4) is produced on October 26, 1983.