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| {{Infobox Automobile | | {{Unreferenced|date=October 2008}} |
| | name = Chevrolet Corvette C3 | | {{otheruses4|the car|other uses|Mako}} |
| | image = [[Image:1971 Chevrolet Corvette LT1.jpg|250px|1971 Corvette LT1 coupe]] | | [[Image:Shortfin mako.svg|thumb|A shortfin mako shark.]] |
| | manufacturer = [[Chevrolet]]
| | [[Image:Chevrolet Corvette C3 01.jpg|thumb|The Corvette C3 (1968–1982), based on the Mako Shark II concept.]] |
| | parent_company = [[General Motors]]
| | The XP-755 '''Mako Shark''' show car was designed by [[Larry Shinoda]] under the direction of GM Design head [[Bill Mitchell]] in 1961, as a [[concept car|concept]] for future [[Chevrolet Corvette]]s. In keeping with the name, the streamlining, pointed snout, and other detailing was partly inspired by the look of that very fast fish. The "Mako Shark" was very similar to the 1963 Corvette, with some alterations. These included adding two more brake lights in the rear (six total), making the nose of the car longer and more pointed, creating a clear glass roof with a periscope-like rear-view mirror, and remodeling the interior. |
| | production = 1968–1982
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| | predecessor = [[Chevrolet Corvette C2]]
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| | successor = [[Chevrolet Corvette C4]] | |
| | class = [[Sports car]] | |
| | assembly = [[St. Louis, Missouri]]<br>[[Bowling Green, Kentucky]]
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| | body_style = 2-door [[coupé]]<br>2-door [[convertible]]
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| | layout = [[FR layout]]
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| }}
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| {{Infobox Automobile generation
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| | name = Base model
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| | image = [[Image:Chevrolet Corvette C3 (Orange Julep).JPG|250px|Chevrolet Corvette C3]]
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| | production = 1968–1982
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| | engine = {{Auto CID|350}} ''[[Chevrolet Small-Block engine#350|Small-Block]]'' [[V8]]
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| }}
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| {{Infobox Automobile generation
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| | name = Big-block
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| | production = 1968–1969
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| | engine = {{Auto CID|427}} [[V8]]
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| }}
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| {{Infobox Automobile generation
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| | name = Big-block
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| | production = 1970–1975
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| | engine = {{Auto CID|454}} [[V8]]
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| }}
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| :For an outline of all the Chevrolet Corvette generations see {{main|Chevrolet Corvette}}
| | A widespread story has it that Mitchell had an actual [[shortfin mako shark]] mounted on the wall in his office, and ordered his team to paint the car to match the distinctive blue-gray upper surface gently blending into white underside of the fish. After numerous attempts to match the fish's color scheme failed, the team hit upon the idea of kidnapping the fish one night, painting it to match their best efforts on the car, and returning it to the office. Mitchell never realized the difference and pronounced himself pleased with the team's duplication on the car of nature's handiwork.<ref>[http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/prototypes/mako1.html Mako Shark I: Interview with Larry Shinoda]</ref> |
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| The '''Chevrolet Corvette C3''' is a [[sports car]] patterned after Chevrolet's [[Mako Shark (show car)|"Mako Shark II"]] (designed by [[Larry Shinoda]]), produced between 1968 and 1982. It is the third and longest-running generation of [[Chevrolet Corvette]]s built and marketed by [[Chevrolet]].
| | After a period, he removed the original body and redesigned it as the "[[Mako Shark II]]" in 1965. The original Mako Shark was then retroactively called the "Mako Shark I". |
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| This generation has the distinction of being introduced to the motoring public in an unorthodox—and unintended—fashion. 1968 marked the introduction of [[Mattel]]'s now-famous [[Hot Wheels]] line of 1/64-scale die cast toy cars. General Motors had tried their best to keep the appearance of the upcoming car a secret, but the release of the Hot Wheels line several weeks before the Corvette's unveiling had a certain version of particular interest to Corvette fans: the "Custom Corvette", a GM-authorized model of the 1968 Corvette.
| | The 1968 Corvette styling was highly derivative of the Mako Shark II. |
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| In 1969, GM enlarged their small-block [[V8 engine|V8]] again to 350 in³ (5.7 L) and the ZL1 option was offered, with an all aluminum 427 big-block engine listed at 430 horsepower (320 kW) but generally accepted as delivering at least one hundred horsepower (75 kW) more than that.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} This option cost $4,700 (the ZL1 was a $3,010 option that consisted of an assortment of aluminum cylinder block and heads on top of the $1,032.15 L88 race option.), and only 2 were ever built.<ref>[http://www.rowleycorvette.com/stats69.html][http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/05/automobiles/05SPIN.html?_r=1&oref=login NY Times] </ref>
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| In 1970 the 427 big-block [[V8]] was enlarged to 454 in³ (7.4 L). Power peaked in the 1970 and 1971 models, with the 1970 LT-1 small-block putting out 370 hp (276 kW) and the 1971 454 big-block having its last year of big power with 425 hp (317 kW). In 1972, GM moved to the [[horsepower#hp (SAE)|SAE Net]] measurement for power (away from the previous SAE Gross standard), which resulted in lower values expressed in reported horsepower. Along with the move to [[unleaded fuel]] which required lower [[compression ratio]]s, emission controls, and catalytic converters, power continued to decline and bottomed out in 1975—the base L48 engine put out 165 hp (123 kW), and the optional L82 engine put out 205 hp (153 kW). This was the lowest power Corvette since the first year of production. Nevertheless, ''[[Car and Driver]]'' magazine found the Corvette to be the fastest accelerating American car for 1976, with a 0-60 time of 7.1 seconds. Power remained fairly steady for the rest of the C3 generation, ending in 1982 with the 200 hp (149 kW) L83 engine. In 1980, all California-spec Corvettes received the smaller 305 cubic-inch V8 due to that state's more stringent emission regulations along with an automatic transmission for just that one year, while 49-state Corvettes continued with the 350 V8 and a choice of automatic or four-speed manual transmissions.
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| Styling changed subtly over the generation. In 1973, the Corvette dropped the front chrome bumpers for a [[urethane]]-compound "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 to "freshen" the car appearance for it's 25th Anniversary. Corvette production hit its peak in 1979, at 53,807.<ref name="nytimes.com">[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/05/automobiles/05SPIN.html?_r=1&oref=login That ’70s ’Vette: Just Another Girly Car? - New York Times<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 1980, the Corvette got an integrated [[Aerodynamics|aerodynamic]] redesign that resulted in a significant reduction in drag. 1980 was also the introduction of many weight-saving components such as thinner body panels and an aluminum Dana 44 IRS differential (instead of the previously used but arguably stronger iron GM 10 bolt IRS diff).<ref name="nytimes.com"/>
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| ==Special Editions==
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| [[Image:1975 Chevrolet Corvette convertible front.jpg|thumb|1975 Chevrolet Corvette convertible]]
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| [[Image:1981 Chevrolet Corvette last day.jpg|thumb|St. Louis "Last Day" 1981 coupe]]
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| ===Collector Edition===
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| The 1982 '''Collector Edition''' was the first Corvette [[hatchback]], foreshadowing the C4 Corvette. It included a "cross-fire" TBI [[fuel injected]] engine good for 200 hp (149 kW). 6,759 Collector Edition Corvettes were produced that year, out of a total production of 25,407.
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| The Collector Edition also had special aluminum wheels designed to look like the bolt-on wheels of the 1967 car. A special color scheme was used inside and out along with Collector Edition badges. The Collector Edition had a "0" in the sixth digit of the VIN rather than the "8" found on standard Corvettes. This was the first Corvette to sell for more than $20,000, with a base price of $22,537.59.
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| ===Indianapolis 500 pace cars===
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| The C3 Coupe was chosen as the [[List of Indianapolis 500 pace cars|pace car]] for the [[1978 Indianapolis 500|1978]] [[Indianapolis 500]]<ref>[http://www.mathewscollection.com/corvette/Corvette_78_Coupe_Pace.htm 1978 Corvette Pace Car]</ref>. To celebrate this choice on its 25th year of production, Chevrolet intended to produce just over 300 [[replica]] pace cars. That number was increased later due to high demand, with Chevrolet deciding to produce one replica for every Chevrolet dealer in the [[United States]] at the time, 6,502 cars in total.
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| The replicas were equipped with a two toned color scheme (black on top and silver on bottom with a red line circumventing the car an inch below the intersection of the other two colors) with several sticker emblems on the door and behind the rear fender wells. The pace cars were equipped with otherwise optional tinted glass t-tops and rear [[Spoiler (automotive)|spoiler]].
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| ====Special VINs====
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| The [[VIN]]s of the replicas differed from the standard Corvette. An example VIN is 1Z8748S420001. The 1Z87 was the code for all models, the first 4 was the [[Internal combustion engine|engine]] (in this case the L-82), the last 5 digits signify the actual number the car had. The pace car last five VINs began with 9 (example 900189)
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| ===ZR1===
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| The ZR1 option is an $1,221.00 option available exclusively with the LT-1 engine option. It was a special racing package that included the solid-lifter small-block engine, heavy-duty four-speed transmission, power brakes, aluminum radiator, and a revised suspension with special springs, shocks, stabilizer bar, and spindle-strut shafts. Since it was competition equipment, the ZR1 could not be ordered with power windows, power steering, air conditioning, a rear-window defogger, wheel covers, or a radio.<ref>[http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1971-corvette.htm 1971 Corvette]</ref>
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| ===ZR-2===
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| It is a 1-year option originally planned for 1970<ref>[http://www.titanbrammer.com/ 1970 ZR-2 Corvette]</ref>, but officially released in 1971 for $1,747.00. It included the racing equipment options in ZR1, but it is an option for the LS-6 engine. Per GM policy, 1971 Corvette engines were detuned to run on low-lead fuel, except for the LS-6 454, which was rated at {{convert|425|bhp|abbr=on}} on premium gas. 188 cars in the 1971 model included LS-6 [[engine]], with 12 cars including the ZR-2 package.<ref>[http://corvettemuseum.com/specs/2001/hist.htm 2001 Corvette - Historical Background<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
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| ==Production notes==
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| {|class=wikitable
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| !Year!!Production!!Base Price!!Notes
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| |- align=right
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| |1968||28,566||$4,663||align=left|First C3; 2-piece [[T-top]]s are new; three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic replaces two-speed Powerglide as automatic transmission option
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| |- align=right
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| |1969||38,462||$4,780||align=left|First year of the 350 in³ [[Chevrolet Small-Block engine#350|Small-Block]]; longer model year extended to December, 1969 due to delay in introduction of 1970 model; "Stingray" emblem added
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| |- align=right
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| |1970||17,316||$5,192||align=left|First year for the [[Chevrolet Small-Block engine#LT-1|LT-1]] Small-Block and 454 in³ [[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#454|Big-Block]]; three-speed manual transmission dropped and four-speed manual became standard with Turbo Hydra-matic available as no-cost option with all engines except LT-1 350; posi-traction also made standard equipment; introduced along with all-new second-generation [[Chevrolet Camaro]] on Feb. 26, 1970
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| |- align=right
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| |1971||21,801||$5,496||align=left|Significant horsepower drops due to reduced compression ratios to meet GM corporate edict requiring all engines to run low-octane unleaded gasoline; horsepower ratings based on both "gross" and "net" figures with the former based on engine hooked to dynometer while "net" ratings were based on horsepower as installed in vehicle with accessories and emission controls hooked up
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| |- align=right
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| |1972||27,004||$5,533||align=left|Last year for front chrome bumpers, the LT-1, and the optional removable rear window; horsepower ratings now advertised in SAE net figures only
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| |- align=right
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| |1973||30,464||$5,561||align=left|Only year with chrome rear and plastic front bumpers; radial tires made standard equipment
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| |- align=right
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| |1974||37,502||$6,001||align=left|Plastic bumpers all around (rear with a center split); last year of the 454
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| |- align=right
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| |1975||38,645||$6,810||align=left|[[Catalytic converter]]s are new; last year of the convertible until 1986; new (simulated) pads stick out of the bumpers. One piece rear bumper
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| |- align=right
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| |1976||46,558||$7,604||align=left| Alloy wheels an option. Last year of "Stingray" emblem.
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| |- align=right
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| |1977||49,213||$8,647||align=left|New interior console.
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| |- align=right
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| |1978||46,776||$9,750||align=left|Silver Anniversary and [[List of Indianapolis 500 pace cars|Indy 500 Pace Car]] versions; new fastback rear and redesigned instruments & interior.
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| |- align=right
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| |1979||53,807||$10,220||align=left|New interior comfort features; highest Corvette sales year to date
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| |- align=right
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| |1980||40,614||$13,140||align=left|Lightened materials and bumper-cap spoilers; Federal government required {{convert|85|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} speedometer; California cars powered by 305 V8 and automatic transmission for this year only
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| |- align=right
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| |1981||40,606||$16,258||align=left|Production is switched from St. Louis to new Bowling Green plant; 350 V8 returns in California cars
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| |- align=right
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| |1982||25,407||$18,290||align=left|No manual transmission offered; new cross-fire fuel-injected [[Chevrolet Small-Block engine#L83|L83]] engine; Collectors Edition hatchback is ¼ of total sales
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| |-
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| !Total!!542,741!!!!
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| |}
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| ==Engines==
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| {| class=wikitable
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| !Engine
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| !Year
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| !Power
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| |-
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| |305 in³ "Calif. Only" LG4 [[V8]]||1980||180 hp (134 kW) net
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| |-
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| |rowspan=2|327 in³ ''[[Chevrolet Small-Block engine#327|Small-Block]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]]||1968||300 hp (224 kW)
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| |-
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| |1968–1969||350 hp (261 kW)
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| |-
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| |rowspan=21|350 in³ ''[[Chevrolet Small-Block engine#350|Small-Block]]'' [[V8]]||1969||300 hp (224 kW)
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| |-
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| |1970||350 hp (261 kW)
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| |-
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| |1970–1971||370 hp (276 kW)
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| |-
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| |1971||270 hp (201 kW)
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| |-
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| |1971||330 hp (246 kW)
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| |-
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| |1972||200 hp (149 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1972||255 hp (190 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1973||190 hp (142 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1973–1974||250 hp (186 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1974||195 hp (145 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1975||165 hp (123 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1975||205 hp (153 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1976–1977||180 hp (134 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1976–1977||210 hp (157 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1978||185 hp (138 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1978||220 hp (164 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1979||195 hp (145 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1979||249 hp (168 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1980–1981||190 hp (142 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1980||230 hp (172 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1982||200 hp (149 kW)
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| |-
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| |rowspan=2|427 in³ ''[[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#427|Big-Block]]'' [[V8]]||1968–1969||390 hp (291 kW)
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| |-
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| |1968–1969||400 hp (298 kW)
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| |-
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| |427 in³ ''[[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#427|Big-Block]]'' Tri-Power [[V8]]||1968–1969||435 hp (324 kW)
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| |-
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| |-
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| |427 in³ ZL1 aluminum [[V8]]||1969||550-680 hp (410-507 kW) estimated
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| |-
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| |-
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| |rowspan=5|454 in³ ''[[Chevrolet Big-Block engine#454|Big-Block]]'' [[V8]]||1970||390 hp (291 kW)
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| |-
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| |1971||{{Convert|365|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} gross, {{Convert|285|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} net
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| |-
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| |1971||425 hp (317 kW)
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| |-
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| |1972, 1974||270 hp (201 kW) net
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| |-
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| |1973||275 hp (205 kW) net
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| |}
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
| {{reflist|1}} | | {{Reflist}} |
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| ==See also== | | ==External links== |
| * [[Chevrolet Corvette]] | | * [http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1960-1969/1961-Chevrolet-Mako-Shark-Corvette-Concept-SA-Top-1280x960.jpg 1961 Mako Shark 1 Concept] |
| {{commonscat|Chevrolet Corvette C3}}
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| == External links ==
| | [[Category:Concept automobiles]] |
| <!--===========================({{NoMoreLinks}})===============================-->
| | [[Category:Chevrolet Corvette|Mako Shark]] |
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| <!--===========================({{NoMoreLinks}})===============================-->
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| {{Commonscat|Chevrolet Corvette}}
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| *{{dmoz|Recreation/Autos/Makes_and_Models/Chevrolet/Corvette/1968-1982/|Chevrolet Corvette: 1968-1982}}
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| {{Corvette timeline}} | | {{Classicpow-auto-stub}} |
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| [[Category:Chevrolet Corvette|C3]] | | [[sv:Mako Shark]] |
This article about a car produced between 1945 and 1975 is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
This article about a car produced between 1945 and 1975 is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.