Search

Chevrolet Corvette C3 (1968)

  • Chevrolet Corvette C3 (1968)

Chevrolet Corvette C3

The Chevrolet Corvette C3 is a sports car patterned after Chevrolet's "Mako Shark" (designed by Larry Shinoda), produced between 1968 and 1982. It is the third generation of Chevrolet Corvettes built and marketed by Chevrolet.

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.

In 1969, GM enlarged their small-block again to 350 in³ (5.7 L), and in 1970 the 427 big-block 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 SAE Net 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 ZQ3 engine put out 165 hp (123 kW), and the optional L82 engine put out 205 hp (153 kW). Power remained fairly steady for the rest of the C3 generation, ending in 1982 with the 200 hp (149 kW) L83 engine.

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. In 1980, the Corvette got an integrated aerodynamic redesign that resulted in a significant reduction in drag.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia.

Chevrolet Corvette C3 (1968)
      • 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray
        2020

        Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray's exterior has a bold, futuristic expression with mid-engine exotic proportions, but it is still unmistakably Corvette. It's lean and muscular...

      • 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
        2024

        Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray's two driver-initiated electric modes enable the car to travel under electric propulsion in certain conditions. The electric motor also...

      • 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
        2023

        2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 debuts an all-new 5.5L DOHC V-8 engine that marks a return to natural aspiration for the track-capable performance model.

      • 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
        2025

        Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's 5.5L, twin-turbo DOHC flat-plane crank LT7 engine is the result of engineering prowess and pushing the boundaries of what the engine architecture can do.

      4 ⇵
      • 2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray
        2014

        Chevrolet is redefining modern performance with the debut of the all-new Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray. And only a Corvette with the perfect balance of...

      • 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
        2015

        The Z06 rejoins the Corvette lineup for 2015 as the most capable model in the iconic car's 62-year history. It stretches the performance envelope for...

      • 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
        2019

        The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's LT5 6.2L V-8 engine advances Corvette's supercharging legacy, which began with the 2009 sixth-generation ZR1 and continued...

      3 ⇵
      • 2005 Chevrolet Corvette
        2005

        Marking the sixth generation of its legacy, the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette C6 delivers more power, passion and precision to reach a new standard of...

      • 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
        2006

        Model year 2006 will always be known as the year the 505-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Z06 was let loose on the sports car world. With its 505-horsepower...

      • 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
        2009

        Chevrolet officially announced the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 - an American supercar that brings the technology and engineering refinement of...

      3 ⇵
      • 2003 Chevrolet Corvette
        2003

        The C5 was also the first Corvette to incorporate a drive-by-wire throttle; and variable-effort steering, whereby the assist level of the power steering...

      • 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
        2002

        A successor to the ZR-1 made its debut in 2001 as the Z06, giving a nod to the high-performance Z06 version of the C2 Corvette of the 1960s.

      2 ⇵
      • 1983 Chevrolet Corvette C4
        1983

        The Chevrolet Corvette C4 is a sports car introduced at the close of 1982 production as a 1984 model and ended in 1996, meaning that there's no such thing...

      • 1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3
        1968

        The Chevrolet Corvette C3 is a sports car patterned after Chevrolet's "Mako Shark" (designed by Larry Shinoda), produced between 1968 and 1982.

      • 1963 Chevrolet Corvette C2
        1963

        The Chevrolet Corvette C2 is a sports car designed by Larry Shinoda under the styling direction of Bill Mitchell, and produced between 1963 and 1967. It is...

      • 1953 Chevrolet Corvette C1
        1953

        The Chevrolet Corvette C1 is a sporty automobile produced from 1953 through 1962. It is the first generation of Chevrolet Corvettes built and marketed by...

  • CoupesCoupe / 2-door
      • 2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
        2024

        33 Stradale has a powerful and muscular volume, featuring the sinuous roundness typical of Alfa Romeo, epitomized by the 1967 33 Stradale.

      • 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
        1967

        Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was the most beautiful and the most expensive sports car on the market, then selling for almost 10 million Italian lire, compared to 6 or 7 million...

      • 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS
        2025

        For the new 911 Carrera GTS models, Porsche's engineers used knowledge gained from motor racing as the basis for designing the hybrid system.

      • 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera
        2025

        The 911 Carrera still features a 3.0-litre boxer engine with twin turbocharging. This engine, too, has been comprehensively revamped. Among other things, it has now adopted...

      2 ⇵
      • 2019 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
        2019

        The increased performance of the new Porsche 911 Carrera 4S goes hand-in-hand with the further development of the front-axle drive. The clutch and differential...

      • 2023 Porsche 911 Dakar
        2023

        One of the most striking new features of the Porsche 911 Dakar is the significantly increased ground clearance. At 161 mm, it rides some 50 mm higher than...

      • 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe
        2020

        This enables the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe to accelerate from 0-100 kmh in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed of 293 kmh. The optional Sport Chrono Package shaves...

      • 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S
        2021

        The muscular rear wing sections with integrated air intakes emphasise the sleek body of the Porsche 911 Turbo S. The new look of the rear is completed by...

      4 ⇵
      • 2016 Porsche 911 Carrera
        2016

        The Porsche 911 has been the world's best-selling sports car for decades. Now the new generation has arrived to further extend this lead. With innovative...

      • 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S
        2016

        The Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe now develops 427 kW (580 hp) and sprints to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds. Its top speed of 330 km/h is twelve km/h higher than before.

      2 ⇵
      • 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera S
        2013

        Porsche is proud to present the new Porsche 911 Carrera , a completely new generation of the iconic coupe that has been acclaimed as one of the world's...

      • 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe
        2013

        Porsche is doubling its range of driving fun in the new 911 generation by launching the all-wheel drive Porsche 911 Carrera 4 on the market in four model...

      • 2017 Porsche 911 R
        2017

        With its new Porsche 911 R, Porsche unveiled a puristic sports car in classical design at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. Its 368 kW (500 hp)...

      • 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S
        2014

        In front, the new Porsche 911 Turbo S is distinguished by additional air scoops in black in the lateral cooling air openings. The front lights in LED...

      4 ⇵
      • 2009 Porsche 911 Targa 4S
        2009

        The power unit of the Porsche 911 Targa 4S, in turn, displacing 3.8 litres, develops an even more substantial 385 bhp (283 kW), accelerating Porsche's...

      • 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera
        2009

        The 2009 911 Carrera Coupe develops 345 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 288 lb.-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm. That's an output of 95.5 hp per liter and represents...

      • 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera 4
        2009

        The all-wheel-drive, brawny Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and its higher-performance variant, Carrera 4S Coupe offer the skilled enthusiast driver...

      • 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS
        2011

        With a power output of 408 hp, outstanding vehicle dynamics and emphatically sporty equipment, the new Porsche 911 Carrera GTS ascends to the pinnacle of...

      • 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo
        2010

        Introducing the new Porsche 911 Turbo making its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Porsche is once again setting the highest standard in the...

      • 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S
        2011

        Porsche's engineers have developed the new top model in the 911 series for the sports car driver demanding the very best in performance and driving...

      6 ⇵
      • 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera
        2005

        The all-new Porsche 911 launches with a pair of coupes that package innovative technology, more powerful engines, enhanced aerodynamics and new interiors...

      • 2007 Porsche 911 Targa 4
        2007

        The 2007 Porsche 911 Targa 4 and Porsche 911 Targa 4S feature a unique roof system that provides their occupants with a panoramic view even when the top...

      • 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera 4
        2007

        The fabled wide-body, all-wheel-drive version Porsche 911 returns for the 2007 model year with several enhancements. These include tire-pressure monitoring...

      • 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo
        2007

        The sixth generation of the range-topping Porsche 911 Turbo provides towering performance in a practical, stylish and functional package suitable for...

      4 ⇵
      • 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
        2002

        The 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S combines the 320-horsepower normally aspirated 911 Carrera engine with the all-wheel-drive chassis, body design and...

      • 2002 Porsche 911 Targa
        2002

        The Porsche 911 Targa updates a sliding glass roof design first used on the previous-generation 911 Targa, offered in the U.S. in 1996 and 1997. The...

      • 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera
        2002

        Porsche for 2002 has given the Porsche 911 Carerra models a larger, more powerful engine and a new look inspired by the 911 Turbo . The new engine makes...

      • 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo
        2001

        From the first Porsche 911 Turbo, this top model has always stood apart from other Porsche 911 models by virtue of functional design differences. Nothing...

      • 2005 Porsche 911 Turbo S
        2005

        The 444 horsepower (SAE) generated by the Porsche 911 Turbo S's engine is supplemented by 457 pound-feet (620 Nm) of torque, yet all of that awesome energy...

      5 ⇵
      • 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera
        1997

        In the end, staking everything on the Porsche 911, Type 993 paid off for Porsche. The chapter of air-cooled engines in this unique model history ended...

      • 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera RS
        1995

        The Porsche 911 Carrera RS is a lightweight variant of the Porsche 993 Carrera . It features a naturally aspirated 3.8 liter engine with 300 hp (DIN). On...

      • 1995 Porsche 911 Turbo
        1995

        The new generation also set standards with its drive unit: the Porsche 911 Turbo with standard all-wheel drive came with two turbochargers in 1995.

      3 ⇵
      • 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 30 Years Edition
        1993

        The 911 Jubilee model was one of the most distinctive variations of the 964 generation, with only 911 of these special, limited-edition cars to mark 30 years...

      • 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo
        1993

        Porsche introduced the 964 Turbo model in March 1990 as the successor to the Porsche 930 . Unfortunately, they hadn't had the necessary time to develop a...

      • 1992 Porsche 911 Turbo S 3.3
        1992

        The 911 Turbo initially adopted its predecessor's 3.3 litre engine, which at that time produced 320 PS, and the 911 Turbo S engine delivered an impressive 381 PS.

      3 ⇵
      • 1984 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera
        1984

        As from 1983, this even increased again to 3.2 litres, with a power output of up to 250 PS for the 911 SC RS. The enormous development potential of the air-cooled...

      • 1964 Porsche 911 2.0 Coupe
        1964

        For five decades, the 911 has been the heart of the Porsche brand. Few other automobiles in the world can look back on such a long tradition and such...

      • 1963 Porsche 901
        1963

        Porsche proudly presents the eagerly anticipated successor to the 356. The new sports car, originally known as the 901, is following in great footsteps.

      2 ⇵
      • 1972 Lamborghini Urraco
        1972

        Lamborghini Urraco is a fast 2+2 coupe, with mid-mounted V8 rear engine and independent suspension, with MacPherson strut system on both front and rear...

      • 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS
        1964

        Porsche 904's mid-engine layout was inherited from the 718, also known as the RSK (Rennsport - racing, kurz - short), the factory's leading race car.

      • 1979 BMW M1
        1979

        Right from the start the BMW M1 was the fastest road-going sports car built in Germany, as timed by a leading car journal: In a test conducted in 1979...

      • 2017 Honda NSX
        2017

        Specifically created to bring a 'New Sports eXperience' to the supercar segment, the Honda NSX challenges prevailing beliefs about supercars, just as the...

      • 2002 Honda NSX
        2002

        The biggest exterior changes for the NSX came in 2002 when it received a facelift with fixed headlights and various other cosmetic refinements such as xenon...

      • 1990 Honda NSX
        1990

        Honda NSX was the first production car to feature an all-aluminium semi-monocoque, incorporating a revolutionary extruded aluminium alloy frame and suspension components.

      • 1998 Honda NSX
        1998

        The Honda NSX (Acura NSX in North America and Hong Kong) is a sports car produced by the Japanese automaker Honda. It has a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive...

      • 1992 Honda NSX-R
        1992

        Honda NSX-R's 3.0-litre engine had a blueprinted and balanced crankshaft assembly which is exactly the same labour-intensive high precision process done for...

      3 ⇵
      • 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
        2009

        With the new Gallardo LP560-4, Lamborghini once again sets a higher standard for super sports cars. With its new engine, permanent four-wheel drive...

      • 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera
        2011

        Even more dynamic, lighter, more powerful and stunning - the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera is the new top model in the Gallardo line-up. Its...

      2 ⇵
      • 2003 Lamborghini Gallardo
        2003

        Lamborghini Gallardo, the smaller cousin of the Lamborghini Murcielago , was design to be a cutting edge sports car that could still be used as an everyday...

      • 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
        2008

        With the Gallardo Superleggera, to be launched at the 2007 Geneva motor show, Automobili Lamborghini presents an uncompromisingly high-performance sports...

      2 ⇵
      • 2005 Ferrari F430
        2005

        The Ferrari F430 hails the arrival of a whole new generation of Ferrari V8-engined berlinettas. Every inch of the car was inspired by the engineering...

      • 2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia
        2008

        Lightweight, simple and striking with a distinctive engine and exhaust sound: every last detail of the Ferrari 430 Scuderia exudes uncompromising...

      2 ⇵
  •  
  •  
  • SHOW MORE
Full-screen image
×
Hide
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
© 2005-2025