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The third generation Corvette, patterned after Chevrolet's Mako Shark
Concept Corvette, started in 1968 and ended in 1982. Although only
the years 1969 to 1976 wore the Stingray emblem, the body styles are
all virtually the same.
In 1969, GM enlarged their small block again to 350 in, and in 1970,
the 427 big block was enlarged to 454 in. Power peaked in the 1970
and 1971 models, with the 1970 LT-1 small block putting out 370 hp
and the 1971 454 big block having its last year of big power with 425
hp. In 1972, GM moved to the horsepower measurement for power (away
from the previous SAE Gross standard), which resulted in lower values
expressed in HP. Along with the move to unleaded fuel, emission controls,
and catalytic converters, power continued to decline and bottomed out
in 1975 — the base engine put out 165 hp, and the optional L82
engine put out 205 hp. Power remained fairly steady for the rest of
the C3 generation, ending in 1982 with the 200 hp L83 engine.
Styling changes were subtle over the generation. In 1973, the Corvette
dropped the front chrome bumpers for a urethane "5 mph" bumper
but kept the rear chrome bumpers. In 1974, The rear chrome bumpers
became urethane, too, making 1973 the last Corvette model year with
any chrome bumpers. 1975 was the last year for the convertible, and
1978 saw the introduction of a glass bubble rear window. In 1980, the
Corvette got an integrated aerodynamic redesign that resulted in a
significant reduction in drag. In 1982, an opening rear hatch was offered
for the first time on the Corvette available only on the collectors
edition model. A new engine featuring cross fire injection, a fuel
injection carburetor hybrid, was also introduced this year.
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