Sofia Martinez
The Chevrolet Corvette (C3) is the third generation of the Corvette sports car produced from 1967 until 1982. The C3 Corvette features SMC body panels, which are made from a combination of plastic and fiberglass. This combination of materials resulted in stronger, more rigid, and lighter body panels compared to traditional fiberglass construction. The interior of the C3 Corvette was also redesigned, featuring new door panels, an actual glove box, and various convenience features such as intermittent wipers and illuminated vanity mirrors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Production years | 1967-1982 |
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet |
| Body panels | SMC |
| Body composition | Lightweight plastic and fiberglass |
| Engine | L48 |
| Horsepower | 185 hp (138 kW) |
| Interior | Leather or cloth upholstery, gray carpeting, lumbar support seats, glass t-tops, power windows, tilt/telescope steering wheel |
| Exterior | Coupe or convertible models, removable "T-top" roof panels, soft folding top, auxiliary hardtop |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The C3 Corvette was produced from 1967 to 1982
The C3 Corvette, produced from 1967 to 1982, was the third generation of Chevrolet's Corvette sports car. It was built for the 1968 to 1982 model years. The C3 Corvette was an evolution of the previous generation, carrying over engines and chassis components while introducing a redesigned body and interior. The car was available in either coupe or convertible models, with the coupe featuring a removable rear window and removable "T-top" roof panels. The convertible version offered a soft folding top, while an auxiliary hardtop was available as an optional extra.
The C3 Corvette set new sales records, with 53,807 produced for the 1979 model year. It was the second Corvette to carry the Stingray name, used for the 1969-1976 model years. The C3 was patterned after the Mako Shark II, designed by Larry Shinoda, featuring a pointed nose, steeply raked roofline, and a flat, duck-tail rear end. This "shark generation" of the Corvette debuted with a distinctive, aggressive look and improved performance.
The interior of the C3 Corvette featured revised door panels, providing additional shoulder room, and standard headrests. The steering wheel diameter was reduced to 15 inches for easier entry and exit, and map pockets were added in front of the passenger seat. The C3 offered various options, including power door locks, a power antenna, dual rear speakers, and a CB radio. The convenience group included intermittent wipers, floor mats, and an illuminated passenger-side vanity mirror.
The C3 Corvette underwent various changes throughout its production run. In 1978, the Corvette's 25th anniversary, the car received a new fastback rear window, improving aerodynamics and increasing luggage space. The 1981 model year saw the introduction of a composite Corvette leaf spring rear suspension, and it was the last C3 available with a manual transmission. The C3 generation also witnessed advancements in paint technology, with the adoption of the enamel-based basecoat/clearcoat system, which later evolved into a more environmentally friendly waterborne paint system.
How Plastic on Windows Helps Keep the Cold Out
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The body and interior were redesigned in 1968
The C3 Corvette, produced from 1967 to 1982, was the third generation of the Corvette sports car. In 1968, both the body and interior of the C3 Corvette were completely redesigned. The car was available in either coupe or convertible models, but the coupe was now a notchback fitted with a near-vertical removable rear window and removable "T-top" roof panels. A soft folding top was included with convertibles, while an auxiliary hardtop with a glass rear window was offered at an additional cost. The coupe also included hold-down straps and a pair of vinyl bags to store the roof panels, and above the luggage area was a rear window storage tray. The 1968 Corvette was based on the 1965 Corvette Mako Shark II concept, with its long hood, voluptuous fender flares, swept doors with flush-mount handles, and a low and elegant rear deck.
The C3 Corvette's body style was described as having a "shark-like" appearance, and it was patterned after the Mako Shark II designed by Larry Shinoda. The "shark" nickname was inspired by the concept car's tall fenders and upswept tail. Despite the challenges of translating the concept into a production vehicle, the C3 Corvette successfully incorporated the Mako Shark II's styling cues.
In terms of performance, the base engine for the 1968 Corvette was a 327-cubic-inch V-8 with 300 horsepower. Other engine options included another 327 V-8 with 350 horsepower and several big-block 427-cu-in V-8s with output ranging from 390 to 435 horsepower. The car offered a choice of a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission or a four-speed manual transmission.
The interior of the 1968 C3 Corvette also received updates. The number of C3 configurations for 1968 was impressive, with 10 exterior colors and seven interior colors to choose from. The optional convenience group introduced the previous year was now enhanced with intermittent (delay) wipers, floor mats, and an upgraded illuminated vanity mirror on the passenger side. Additionally, the single-snorkel air intake was changed to a dual-snorkel setup on L82-equipped cars, boosting output to 220 horsepower.
Fusing Plastic: Easy Home Techniques for Beginners
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The C3 Corvette was the second to carry the Stingray name
The C3 Corvette was the first to use "Stingray" as one word, as opposed to the previous generation's "Sting Ray". The name was retired after the C3 Corvette and did not return until 2014 with the release of the C7. The C3 Corvette was patterned after the Mako Shark II designed by Larry Shinoda, and it set a new trend for Chevrolet by restricting certain powertrain choices to California buyers due to the state's stringent emission standards.
The body and interior of the C3 Corvette were completely redesigned, with the car available in either coupe or convertible models. The coupe featured a notchback design with a removable rear window and removable "T-top" roof panels, while the convertible included a soft folding top. The C3 Corvette also introduced new features such as intermittent (delay) wipers, floor mats, and an illuminated passenger-side vanity mirror. Additionally, the base L48 engine generated 185 hp, and the single-snorkel air intake was changed to a dual-snorkel set-up on L82-equipped cars, boosting output to 220 hp.
The C3 Corvette played a significant role in the evolution of Corvette's lightweight body panels and paint systems. The introduction of the C3 generation in 1968 marked a shift towards plastic-infused formulas for the SMC body panels, with the 1981 models being about 100 pounds lighter than their 1980 counterparts. The modern basecoat/clearcoat paint system also emerged during the latter part of the C3 generation, marking a transition from lacquer paint to an enamel-based system.
Bleaching Yellowed Plastic: Effective and Safe Techniques
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The C3 Corvette set new sales records
The C3 Corvette, the third generation of the Corvette sports car, was produced from 1967 to 1982 by Chevrolet for the 1968 to 1982 model years. It set new sales records, with 53,807 produced for the 1979 model year. This was a record that stood even when compared to the sales figures of Corvette's of yesteryear. The C3 Corvette was a significant improvement over its predecessors, with a completely redesigned body and interior. The car was available in either coupe or convertible models, with the coupe featuring a notchback design and removable "T-top" roof panels. The convertible model came with a soft folding top, while an auxiliary hardtop with a glass rear window was offered as an optional extra.
The C3 Corvette was patterned after the Mako Shark II designed by Larry Shinoda, and it set new standards for both performance and style. The 1974 Stingray, for example, was capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.8 seconds. The C3 was also the second Corvette to carry the Stingray name, which was written as a single word ("Stingray") for the C3 generation. This naming convention was used only for the 1969-1976 model years, after which the name was retired until 2014 when it returned with the release of the C7.
The C3 Corvette was a pioneer in terms of both body materials and paint. Starting with the C3 generation in 1968, body parts were made using the \"chop gun\" method, in which pieces of fibreglass matting and polyester resin were "blown" into a mould to build up the part layer by layer. This method represented a significant advancement in production technology. Over time, the material composition of the C3 Corvette's body panels evolved, with Corvette engineers altering the specifications to reduce the car's curb weight. This was achieved mainly by making the body panels thinner, as the SMC material was denser and stronger than conventional fibreglass.
The C3 Corvette also played a role in advancing paint technology. In 1981, an assembly-plant changeover from St. Louis to Bowling Green resulted in a switch to a more plastic-infused formula for the SMC body panels. This change made the Corvette about 100 pounds lighter than its 1980 counterpart. Additionally, the move to Bowling Green led to the adoption of the enamel-based basecoat/clearcoat paint system, which became the industry standard within a few years.
The C3 Corvette's popularity was further enhanced by its selection as the pace car for the 1978 Indianapolis 500. This honour resulted in the production of Limited Edition Indy Pace Car Replica Corvettes, which made up about 15% of total C3 Corvette production. These replicas featured distinctive styling, including black over silver metallic paint with a bright red pinstripe and spoilers on both ends. The pace car interiors, influenced by Bill Mitchell, featured full silver leather or silver leather/gray cloth upholstery and gray carpeting.
How to Join Metal and Plastic with Super Glue
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$54.95 $58.98
$34.28
The C3 Corvette was the pace car for the 1978 Indianapolis 500
The Chevrolet Corvette C3 was the pace car for the 1978 Indianapolis 500, marking the Corvette's 25th anniversary. It was the second Corvette to carry the Stingray name, although this time it was a single word rather than the two-word version used for the C2 generation. The C3 Corvette was produced from 1967 until 1982, with engines and chassis components mostly carried over from the previous generation. However, the body and interior were new, with the coupe now featuring a notchback design and a near-vertical removable rear window. The convertible model included a soft folding top, while an auxiliary hardtop was offered at an additional cost.
The C3 Corvette pace car was powered by the L82, a 350-cubic-inch overhead valve V8 engine capable of producing 220 horsepower at 5,200 RPM. The car featured a distinctive black and metallic silver design with a bright red pinstripe and spoilers on both ends. The interior, influenced by Bill Mitchell, included silver leather or silver leather/gray cloth upholstery and gray carpeting.
The pace car had several notable features, such as new thin-shell design lumbar support seats, glass t-tops, alloy wheels, power windows, air conditioning, a tilt/telescope steering wheel, power locks, and a rear defogger. The 1978 Indianapolis 500 race was started by Jim Rathmann driving this official pace car.
The C3 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car Edition is highly sought after by collectors, with prices ranging from $11,000 to $29,000.
Microwaves and Plastic: What's the Reaction?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Chevrolet Corvette (C3) is the third generation of the Corvette sports car produced from 1967 until 1982.
The C3 Corvette's body parts were made of SMC body panels, which were denser and stronger than conventional fiberglass.
The interior parts of the C3 Corvette, such as the dashboard, door panels, and console trim, feature plastic components.
The C3 Corvette's interior featured redesigned door panels, a glove box, and an aircraft-styled center console. The pace car interiors featured silver leather or silver leather/gray cloth upholstery.
Yes, you can purchase interior screw sets from suppliers like Willcox Corvette to replace rusty or mismatched screws in the dashboard and interior plastic trim.
