SuperMotors SuperMotors SUPERMOTORS Search — try “orange Bronco on 35s”
Join
Blue C3 Corvette coupe with silver stripes, side pipes and flared fenders on a driveway
Home/Registry/Chevrolet/Corvette/1968–1982supermotors.net/registry/chevrolet/corvette/1968-1982

1968-1982 Chevrolet CorvetteCorvette C3

1968–1982 34 on the wall 51 documents ↓

The 1968-1982 Chevrolet Corvette C3 is the longest-running Corvette generation, wearing production bodywork drawn from the Mako Shark II show car over a chassis carried forward from the 1963 C2. It opened at the top of the horsepower era, with the 435 hp L71 427 and the race-intent L88 and all-aluminum ZL1 big blocks, then rode the emissions decline down to a 165 hp (net) base 350 by 1975. Chrome bumpers gave way to body-color urethane in 1973-1974, a fastback glass rear window arrived in 1978, and the generation closed in 1982 with Cross-Fire throttle-body injection and the Collector Edition hatchback.

Other Chevrolet Corvette generations

1953-1962 Chevrolet Corvette 1963-1967 Chevrolet Corvette 1984-1996 Chevrolet Corvette 1997-2004 Chevrolet Corvette 2005-2013 Chevrolet Corvette 2014-2019 Chevrolet Corvette 2020-2026 Chevrolet Corvette

Platform and body

The 1968-1982 Corvette C3 kept the C2's ladder-type steel frame, 98 inch wheelbase, and independent rear suspension with a transverse leaf spring. The fiberglass body was new, shaped after the Mako Shark II concept. Coupes used removable T-top roof panels from 1968 on, and a convertible was offered through 1975. The 1973 model year brought a body-color urethane front bumper cover while the rear stayed chrome; 1974 added the urethane rear, ending chrome bumpers on the Corvette. In 1978 the tunneled rear window gave way to a large fastback glass backlight, and the 1982 Collector Edition made that glass a lifting hatch for the first time.

Engine lineup

Small blocks: the 327 carried over for 1968 (300 hp base, 350 hp L79), replaced by the 350 in 1969 (300 hp base, 350 hp L46). The solid-lifter LT-1 350 made 370 hp gross in 1970 and ran through 1972. Big blocks were 427s in 1968-1969 (L36 390 hp, L68 400 hp, tri-carb L71 435 hp with optional L89 aluminum heads, plus the underrated race-oriented L88 and the 1969-only all-aluminum ZL1), then 454s from 1970 (LS5 390 hp gross, dropping to 365 hp for 1971) with the LS6 454 rated 425 hp gross for 1971. Big blocks ended after 1974.

  • 1972: GM switched from gross to net ratings, so numbers drop on paper. The base 350 read 200 hp net that year; compare pre-1972 and post-1972 figures with that change in mind.
  • 1975: base L48 350 bottomed out at 165 hp net; the optional L82 made 205 hp. Catalytic converters and HEI ignition arrived this year.
  • 1978: L48 at 185 hp, L82 up to 220 hp net.
  • 1980: California cars got a 305 with automatic only; 49-state cars kept the 350.
  • 1981: one engine only, the L81 350 at 190 hp, with Computer Command Control.
  • 1982: L83 350 with Cross-Fire twin throttle-body injection, 200 hp, automatic only.

Drivetrain and transmissions

All C3s are front engine, rear drive, with the differential mounted to the frame and halfshafts acting as suspension links. Manuals were Muncie four-speeds until the Borg-Warner Super T-10 phased in during 1974, in wide and close ratio versions either way. The only automatic from 1968 through 1975 was the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 400, which had replaced the C2's two-speed Powerglide for 1968. The lighter THM 350 arrived behind the base L48 in 1976 (the L82 kept the THM 400 through 1977) and was the sole automatic from 1978 through 1981. For 1982 the new four-speed 700-R4 overdrive automatic was the only transmission; no manual was offered that year.

Year-by-year notes

  • 1968: new body, T-tops, 327 and 427 engines, no Stingray badging this one year.
  • 1969: Stingray name returns as one word, 350 replaces the 327 (with the 350 hp L46 option), ZL1 aluminum 427 offered at a price that roughly doubled the car's cost, so only a couple were sold.
  • 1970: LT-1 370 hp 350 and LS5 454 debut; fender flares and egg-crate side vents.
  • 1971: compression drops across the board for low-lead fuel; LS6 454 at 425 hp gross is the last big-power option.
  • 1972: net horsepower ratings begin; last year for the LT-1 and for chrome front bumpers.
  • 1973: urethane nose, chrome rear bumper, one-year-only combination.
  • 1974: urethane rear bumper in two pieces; last big block (LS4 454) and last true dual exhaust.
  • 1975: catalytic converter, base 165 hp, last C3 convertible.
  • 1977: Stingray script dropped; console and interior updates.
  • 1978: fastback glass rear window, 25th Anniversary two-tone paint option, and the black and silver Indy 500 Pace Car replica.
  • 1980: integrated front and rear spoilers, weight reduction, 85 mph speedometer.
  • 1981: production moved from St. Louis to Bowling Green, Kentucky during the model year; fiberglass rear leaf spring on some cars.
  • 1982: Cross-Fire injection, 700-R4 automatic only, Collector Edition with hatch glass, turbine-style wheels, and silver-beige paint.

Trims and variants

The C3 used option codes rather than trim lines. The ones that matter to buyers: L88 and ZL1 427 race packages (1968-1969), LT-1 solid-lifter 350 (1970-1972), the ZR1 competition package built around the LT-1 (1970-1972), the 1971-only ZR2 built around the LS6 454 (12 cars), the LS5 and LS6 454s, the 1978 Pace Car replica and Silver Anniversary paint, and the 1982 Collector Edition. Gymkhana suspension (FE7) was a common handling option from mid-decade on. Early chrome-bumper cars (1968-1972) trade at a premium over the later rubber-bumper cars, with 1968-1971 big blocks at the top.

By the SuperMotors Editorial Team · Last updated July 2026 · Spotted an error? Suggest a correction

Asked all the time

What engines came in the 1968-1982 Corvette C3?

The Corvette C3 launched in 1968 with 327 small blocks (300 and 350 hp) and 427 big blocks up to the 435 hp L71, plus the race-oriented L88. The 350 replaced the 327 in 1969, 454s replaced the 427 in 1970 (LS5, then the 425 hp gross LS6 in 1971), and big blocks ended after 1974. From 1975 the C3 was 350-only except for a California 305 in 1980, finishing with the 200 hp Cross-Fire injected L83 350 in 1982.

Which years of the C3 Corvette are most desirable?

The 1968-1972 chrome-bumper Corvette C3s carry the strongest values, especially 1968-1971 big-block cars (L71, L88, LS6) and the 1970-1972 LT-1 350 small blocks. Among later cars, the 1975 convertible (last of the generation), the 1978 Pace Car replica, and the 1982 Collector Edition draw the most interest.

Why did C3 Corvette horsepower drop so much in the 1970s?

Two things hit the 1968-1982 Corvette C3. In 1972 GM switched from gross to net horsepower ratings, which lowered numbers on paper without changing the hardware much. Then real losses followed from compression drops for low-lead fuel (1971) and emissions equipment, including catalytic converters in 1975, when the base 350 bottomed at 165 hp net.

When did the C3 Corvette switch from chrome to rubber bumpers?

The Corvette C3 got a body-color urethane front bumper cover in 1973 while keeping the chrome rear bumper, making 1973 a one-year combination. The urethane rear followed in 1974. Cars from 1968-1972 are the chrome-bumper C3s.

What was special about the 1982 Corvette Collector Edition?

The 1982 Corvette Collector Edition was the C3's send-off: silver-beige paint, turbine-style aluminum wheels, and the first opening rear hatch glass on a Corvette. Like all 1982 C3s it used the 200 hp L83 350 with Cross-Fire throttle-body injection and the four-speed 700-R4 automatic; no manual was offered that year.

What transmissions did the C3 Corvette use?

The 1968-1982 Corvette C3 offered Muncie four-speed manuals until the Borg-Warner Super T-10 phased in during 1974, in wide and close ratio versions. The only automatic from 1968 to 1975 was the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 400; the THM 350 joined it behind the base engine in 1976 and was the sole automatic from 1978 through 1981. The four-speed overdrive 700-R4 was the only transmission offered for 1982.

Technical Reference

Member-uploaded diagrams & documents for this generation. AI-classified; community-verified where badged.

Schematics (4)

Blueprints (9)

Torque Specs (1)

Exploded Parts (34)

Vacuum Routing (1)

Data/Spec Plates (1)

Service Procedures (1)

The wall · registered 1968–1982 Corvettes

Sorted by depth of documentation. Click any vehicle to open its permanent record.

Blue C3 Corvette coupe with silver stripes, side pipes and flared fenders on a driveway“stingray76”1976 Corvette · Busterbronco1,240 photos Wrecked 1976 Chevrolet Corvette with front end damage, hood open, and driver's door ajar“Other vette pictures”1976 Corvette · Busterbronco217 photos Black 1975 Chevrolet Corvette with side pipes and aftermarket wheels1975 Corvette1975 Corvette · Quil105 photos White C3 Corvette T-top coupe on asphalt with Dunlop white-letter tires“Dad's 1981 Vette”1981 Corvette · stangmata50l84 photos 1977 Chevrolet Corvette, light blue, driver's side front quarter view“L82”1977 Corvette · CapitalJ47 photos Blue Chevrolet Corvette C3 interior with door open and black seats1973 Corvette1973 Corvette · RMS9439 photos Silver 1979 Chevrolet Corvette parked in gravel lot1979 Corvette1979 Corvette · Joe Rosen37 photos Black 1975 Chevrolet Corvette front 3/4 view1975 Corvette1975 Corvette · JoeBob190125 photos Yellow sports car parked on driveway, front quarter view. Other cars and houses in background1979 Corvette1979 Corvette · TonyR20 photos Corvette Collector Edition emblem on a silver car body1982 Corvette1982 Corvette · superbronco14 photos White Chevrolet Corvette with red and white racing stripes on the fender, parked indoors1982 Corvette1982 Corvette · Mike Gunn11 photos 1982 Chevrolet Corvette rear view with North Carolina license plate WZN-44621982 Corvette1982 Corvette · GWilliams7 photos Red C3 Corvette rear view with four round tail lights and antique auto plate A141511971 Corvette1971 Corvette · Grumpy Sechler6 photos Red C3 Corvette coupe with T-top parked on residential street, 3/4 front view“Betsy”1979 Corvette · leadfoot5 photos Dark green C3 Corvette T-top parked at a curb with a red Corvette ahead of it1980 Corvette1980 Corvette · reredol4 photos White C3 Corvette coupe shown in side profile in a driveway near a garage.1974 Corvette1974 Corvette · racerex3 photos White C3 Corvette parked in a garage, showing its rear quarter panel and side profile1981 Corvette1981 Corvette · goingballistic3 photos Black Corvette Stingray coupe on concrete, white-letter Dunlop tires, old gas pump and wood fence behind.“Stinger”1975 Corvette · Scott thomas3 photos Orange-red C3 Corvette race car number 23 in pit lane with driver holding helmet“Orange Bomb”1973 Corvette · Jim Macaulay3 photos Orange C3 Corvette with black front end parked on dirt by a ROAD CLOSED sign in arid hills.“Stingray”1976 Corvette · aero3192 photos Red C3 Corvette coupe, driver-side profile, child in driver's seat, parked by a wooden fence“Moby Dick”1969 Corvette · mcdick2 photos Dark red C3 Corvette convertible parked in front of an A-10 Warthog jet1968 Corvette1968 Corvette · Jim Macaulay2 photos White C3 Corvette parked next to a red car and a boat on a trailer1977 Corvette1977 Corvette · SuperBronco19671 photo “Merlin”1976 Corvette · Busterbronco0 photos “Stingray”1977 Corvette · QCCM10 photos “RED”1979 Corvette · Thunderbird0 photos “Misty”1978 Corvette · DemonLincoln0 photos “C-note”1981 Corvette · Coneman0 photos 1982 Corvette1982 Corvette · rjs82vette0 photos 1969 Corvette1969 Corvette · Ruin0 photos “81C3”1981 Corvette · 81C30 photos 1969 Corvette1969 Corvette · UniBodyCrusher0 photos “The Vette”1975 Corvette · Christian Carlson0 photos 1979 Corvette1979 Corvette · RandersF1500 photos