var q 1982corvettecollectorseditionseatcoversChevrolet Corvette C3 Wikipedia. This article is about the third generation Chevrolet Corvette C3. For general Corvette information, see Chevrolet Corvette. Chevrolet Corvette C31. Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. Overview. Manufacturer. The Chevrolet Division of General Motors. Also called. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 1. Production. 19. 681. Model years. 19. 681. Assembly. Designer. BibMe Free Bibliography Citation Maker MLA, APA, Chicago, Harvard. Body and chassis. Class. Sports car. Body style. Layout. FR layout. Powertrain. Engine. Transmission. Dimensions. Wheelbase. Length. 18. 2. 1 in 4,6. MY1. 96. 81. 85. MY1. 98. 2Width. MY1. 96. 86. 9. 0 in 1,7. MY1. 98. 2Height. MY1. 96. 84. 8. 0 in 1,2. MY1. 98. 2Curb weight. Chronology. Predecessor. Chevrolet Corvette C2Successor. Chevrolet Corvette C4The Chevrolet Corvette C3 was a sports car that was produced by Chevrolet for the 1. 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 5. The C3 is the third generation of the Chevrolet Corvette, while the 1. Corvette Stingray. 4HistoryeditMako Shark II ConcepteditThe Corvette C3 was patterned after the Mako Shark II designed by Larry Shinoda. Executed under Bill Mitchells direction, the Mako II had been initiated in early 1. Once the mid engined format was abandoned the ShinodaMitchell car was sent to Chevrolet Styling under David Holls, where Harry Hagas studio adapted it for production on the existing Stingray chassis. The resulting lower half of the car was much like the Mako II, except for the softer contours. The concept cars name was later changed to Manta Ray. The C3 also adopted the sugar scoop roof treatment with vertical back window from the mid engined concept models designed by the Duntov group. It was intended from the beginning that the rear window and that portion of the roof above the seats to be removable. 5The Shark has the distinction of being introduced to the motoring public in an unorthodoxand unintendedfashion. GM had tried their best to keep the appearance of the upcoming car a secret, but the release of Mattels die cast Hot Wheels line several weeks before the C3s unveiling had a certain version of particular interest to Corvette fans the Custom Corvette, a GM authorized model of the 1. Corvette. 1. 96. 81. For 1. 96. 8, both the Corvette body and interior were completely redesigned. The Chevrolet Corvette C3 was a sports car that was produced by Chevrolet for the 1968 through 1982 model years. Engines and chassis components were mostly carried. Search Over 30,000 Corvette Parts And Accessories To Restore 195314 Corvettes. Buy Your Corvette Performance Parts From Ecklers 50 Yrs Of Corvette Experience. Holt Auto Sales Your Corvette and Muscle Car Dealer. As before, the car was available in either coupe or convertible models, but coupe was now a notchback fitted with a near vertical removable rear window and removable roof panels T tops. A soft folding top was included with convertibles, while an auxiliary hardtop with a glass rear window was offered at additional cost. Included with coupes were hold down straps and a pair of vinyl bags to store the roof panels, and above the luggage area was a rear window stowage tray. The enduring new bodys concealed headlights moved into position via a vacuum operated system rather than electrically as on the previous generation, and the new hide away windshield wipers utilized a problematic vacuum door. The door handles were flush with the top of the doors with a separate release button. Front fenders had functional engine cooling vents. Side vent windows were eliminated from all models, replaced with Astro Ventilation, a fresh air circulation system. In the cabin, a large round speedometer and matching tachometer were positioned in front of the driver. Auxiliary gauges were clustered above the forward end of the console and included oil pressure, water temperature, ammeter, fuel gauge, and an analog clock. A fiber optic system appeared on the console that monitored exterior lights and there was no glove box. The battery was relocated from the engine area to one of three compartments behind the seats to improve weight distribution. New options included a rear window defroster, anti theft alarm system, bright metal wheel covers, and an AM FM Stereo radio. 6 All cars ordered with a radio, like the C2 cars, continued to be fitted with chrome plated ignition shielding covering the distributor to reduce interference. The chassis was carried over from the second generation models, retaining the fully independent suspension with minor revisions and the four wheel disc brake system. The engine line up and horsepower ratings were also carried over from the previous year as were the 3 and 4 speed manual transmissions. The new optional Turbo Hydramatic 3 speed automatic transmission RPO M4. Powerglide. The L3. L small block. V8 engine rated at 3. W and a 3 speed manual transmission were standard, but only a few hundred 3 speed manual equipped cars were sold. The 4 speed manual was available in M2. M2. 1 close ratio transmission versions. The M2. 2 Rock Crusher, a heavy duty, close ratio 4 speed gearbox, was also available for certain applications. 6 The engine line up included the L7. W high performance version of the 3. L small block. Also available were several variants of the 4. L big block. V8, that taken together made up nearly half the cars. There was the L3. W version with a Rochester 4 barrel carburetor The L6. W motor with a Holley triple 2 barrel carb set up 3 X 2 tri power The L7. W with a tri power The L8. L7. 1 engine but with much lighter aluminum cylinder heads rather than the standard cast iron. Then there was the L8. Chevrolet designed strictly for off road use racing, with a published rating of 4. W, but featured a high capacity 4 barrel carb, aluminum heads, a unique air induction system, and an ultra high compression ratio 1. All small block cars had low profile hoods. All big block cars had domed hoods for additional engine clearance with twin simulated vents and 4. The new seven inch wide steel wheels had F7. Rare options were L8. J5. 6 heavy duty brakes 8. UA6 alarm system 3. L8. 9 aluminum heads 6. Corvette Stingray Coupe. In 1. 96. 9, small block engine displacement increased from 3. L to 3. 50 cu in 5. L, though output remained the same. All other engines and transmission choices remained unchanged from the previous year, though the L3. ZQ3 and the L7. 9 motor was redesignated the L4. All cars featured 8 inch wide 2. Tire size remained the same, although this was the first year for optional white lettered tires and the last for red striped tires. Carried over from the previous year were seven available rear axle ratios ranging from 2. Standard ratio remained 3. The optional Positraction rear axle, mandated on many enginegearbox combinations, was installed on more than 9. Stingray script nameplates appeared on front fenders, now one word, in contrast to the Sting Ray name used previously. Exterior door handles were redesigned so the finger plate would actuate the door, eliminating the separate release button. Backup lights were integrated into the inboard taillights, headlight washers were added, and front grilles were made all black. Side mounted exhausts and front fender vent trim were options for this year only. On the inside, revised door panels provided additional shoulder room in the C3s tighter cabin and headrests became standard. Steering wheel diameter was reduced from 1. Accounting for 5. An extended production cycle due to a labor dispute increased 6. This was the last year for the L8. ZL1 option, which offered an all aluminum 4. L big block engine listed at 4. W. Rare options ZL1 aluminum block 2, J5. L8. 8 engine 1. 16, L8. Car and Driver magazine wrote in October 1.