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Corvette
History 1978-1982
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1978
1979
1980
1981
1982 |
 1978-1982:
The 1978 model came with a Silver Anniversary paint option and was chosen
pace car for the Indianapolis 500. In 1981, only one engine was available
to all models...the 190hp 350 V-8. Complications with the Arab Oil Embargo
and confusion in the ranks of Chevrolet management slowed the creation of
the fourth generation Corvette. This delay resulted in no Corvette model
for 1983
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PRODUCTION 1978
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46,776 coupes
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BASE PRICE
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$9,750
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BASE STYLES
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Sport Coupe
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SPECIAL STYLES
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Indy Pace Coupe: 6,502 made, starting at $13,653
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BASE ENGINE
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350 cubic inches, 185 horsepower
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ENGINE OPTIONS
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350/220 for both silver anniversary and pace car
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COLOR CHOICES
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Silver Anniversary (light silver on top, darker
silver on bottom)
Pace Car (Black with silver bottom, red stripe, special decals), Black,
Red, White, Silver
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POPULAR OPTIONS
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special paint option
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SERIAL NUMBERS
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Body & Chassis Coupe 1Z87L8S400001
--1Z87L8S440274
Body & Chassis Pace 1Z87L8S90001
-- 1Z87L8S96502
The 5th digit varied: L = base, 4 = L82
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Corvette history: First
year Corvette is selected to pace the 62nd Indianapolis 500 race. In
honor Corvette produces 6,502 expensive pace car editions, most selling
at over sticker price. Also with it being Corvette's 25th year, a
special Silver Anniversary paint option is available. Look for the
special 25th Silver Anniversary emblems on 1978 Vettes. Plus the back
window was styled into a fastback look and the instrumental panel had a
new design.
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PRODUCTION 1979
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53,807 coupes
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BASE PRICE
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$10,220
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BASE STYLES
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Sport Coupe
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BASE ENGINE
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350 cubic inches, 195 horsepower
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ENGINE OPTIONS
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350/225
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COLOR CHOICES
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Black, Dark Blue, Light Blue, Dark Brown, Dark
Green, Corvette Red, Silver, Classic White, Corvette Yellow
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POPULAR OPTIONS
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front spoilers, rear spoilers
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SERIAL NUMBERS
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Body & Chassis Coupe 1Z87L89S400001
-1Z87L89S453807
The 5th digit varied: L = base, 4 = L82
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Corvette history: Lots of
new standard equipment to make cruising even more enjoyable... features
like air conditioning, power windows, and a telescopic steering column.
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PRODUCTION
1980
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40,614 coupes
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BASE PRICE
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$13,140
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BASE STYLES
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Sport Coupe
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BASE ENGINE
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350 cubic inches, 190 horsepower
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ENGINE OPTIONS
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350/230
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COLOR CHOICES
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Black, Dark Blue, Dark Brown, Dark Claret, Red,
Silver, White, Yellow, Frost Beige
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POPULAR OPTIONS
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SERIAL NUMBERS
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Body & Chassis Coupe 1Z87L89S400001
-1Z87L89S453807
Fifth Digit Code: 8=350ci 190,
6=350ci 230hp (L82), H=305ci, 180hp
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| Wheelbase:
98" |
Track:
58.7" Front / 59.5" Rear |
Height:
48" Coupe |
| Length:
185.3" |
Width:
69" |
Curb
Weight: 3,336 lbs. |
| Tire
Size: P225/70R15 |
Plant:
St. Louis |
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Options
| Code |
Description |
Quantity |
| 1YZ87 |
Base
Corvette Sport Coupe |
40,514 |
| AU3 |
Power
Door Locks |
32,692 |
| CC1 |
Removable
Glass Roof Panels |
19,695 |
| C49 |
Rear
Window Defroster |
36,589 |
| FE7 |
Gymkhana
Suspension |
9,907 |
| F51 |
Heavy
Duty Shock Absorbers |
1,695 |
| K30 |
Cruise
Control |
30,821 |
| L82 |
350ci
230 hp Engine |
5,069 |
| MM4 |
4
Speed Manual Transmission |
5,726 |
| MX1 |
Automatic
Transmission |
34,838 |
| N90 |
Aluminum
Wheels (4) |
34,128 |
| QGB |
White
Letter Steel Belted Tires P225/70R15 |
26,208 |
| QXH |
White
Letter Steel Belted Tires P225/60R15 |
13,140 |
| UA1 |
Heavy
Duty Battery |
1.337 |
| U58 |
AM/FM
Radio Stereo |
6,138 |
| UM2 |
AM/FM
Radio Stereo With 8 Track |
15,708 |
| UN3 |
AM/FM
Radio Stereo With Cassette |
15,148 |
| UP6 |
AM/FM
Radio Stereo With CB |
2,434 |
| U75 |
Power
Antenna |
32,863 |
| UL3 |
Radio
Delete |
201 |
| V54 |
Roof
Panel Carrier |
3,755 |
| YF5 |
California
Emissions Certification |
3,221 |
| ZN1 |
Trailer
Package |
796 |
Suffix
| ZAK:
350ci, 190hp AT |
ZBD:
350ci, 230hp UU |
| ZAM:
350ci, 190hp MT |
ZCA:
305ci, 180hp AT CE |
| ZBC:
350ci, 230hp AT |
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CE=California
Emissions, EP=Early Production, MT=Manual Trans, AT=Automatic Trans,
AC=Air Conditioning, AH=Aluminum Heads, HA=High Altitude UU=Uncertain
Usage
Base Engine: 350ci V8 190hp -
In California 305ci V8 180hp
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Corvette history:
Now two engine displacements were available in Corvettes. After several
years of weight increases, the 1980 Corvette was lighter because of
lower density roof panels reduced thickness in hood and outer doors, and
using aluminum for the differential housing and cross member.
Soft spoilers were molded into the
bumper caps. Also many Corvette owners got the adrenalin to push the
speedometer to the max.... now topping out (due to Federal Requirements)
at 85 miles per hour.
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PRODUCTION 1981
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40,606 coupes
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BASE PRICE
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$16,258
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BASE STYLES
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Sport Coupe
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BASE ENGINE
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350 cubic inches, 190 horsepower
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ENGINE OPTIONS
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none
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COLOR CHOICES
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Black, Dark Blue Metallic, Bright Blue Metallic,
Maroon Metallic, Charcoal Metallic, Silver/Blue, Silver/Charcoal, Beige/
Bronze, Claret, Red, Silver Metallic, White, Yellow, Beige
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POPULAR OPTIONS
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"two tone" paint combinations and
metallics
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SERIAL NUMBERS
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Body & Chassis St
Louis 1G1AY8764BS400001
- 1G1AY8764BS431611
Body/Chassis Bowling Green 1G1AY8764B5100001 -
1G1AY8764B5108995
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Corvette history: No engine
options were available in 1981. With the gigantic new Bowling Green
assembly plant opening in June, 1981, Corvettes serial numbers
determined their birth place. Check out all the paint options.
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PRODUCTION 1982
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25,407 coupes
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BASE PRICE
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$18,290
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BASE STYLES
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Sport Coupe
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SPECIAL STYLE
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Collector Edition: 6,759 made costing $22,537
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BASE ENGINE
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350 cubic inches, 200 horsepower
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ENGINE OPTIONS
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none
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COLOR CHOICES
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Black, Dark Blue, Bright Blue, Silver Blue,
Silver, Silver Beige, Silver Blue/Dark Blue, Silver/Dark Claret,
Silver/Charcoal, White/Silver
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POPULAR OPTIONS
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"two tone" paint combinations
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SERIAL NUMBERS
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Body & Chassis Coupe
1G1AY8785C500001 - 1G1AY8785C5125407
Body/Chassis Collector 1G1AY0786C5100001
- 1G1AY0786C5125407
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Corvette history: Last year
for the C3 body style. All Corvettes for 1982 were automatics. A special
Collector Edition Corvette hatchback was produced, paint silver with
gold base and a matching interior. Cross Fire injection system was
introduced.
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