1969 Chevrolet Corvette C3

The Corvette received a major restyling in 1968, a first since 1963. The Sting Ray name was no longer used but would make its return on the front fenders in 1969, as the 'Stingray' (no space). The base V8 overhead valve engine displaced 350 cubic inches and delivered 300 horsepower. Depending on setup and tune, the 350 CID could produce 370 horsepower. An optional 427 CID offered 390 to 430 horsepower. These were the stated horsepower, but in reality, the horsepower ratings were much higher.

Changes to the 1969 Corvette included the elimination of the door depression found in the 1968 Corvette. In its place was now a key lock. Disc brakes could be found at all four corners. Standard equipment included an all-vinyl upholstery, headlight washers, center console, and wheel trim rings. Back-up lights were now integrated into the center taillights. Buyers had the option of selecting ten exterior colors including Can-Am White, Tuxedo Black, LeMans Blue, Monaco Orange, Fathom Green, Monza Red, Daytona Yellow, Riverside Gold, Burgundy, and Cortez Silver. The convertible body style came in a choice of white, black, or beige soft tops.

The Sport Coupe body style had a base price of $4,760 while the convertible sold for $4,420. A total of 22,129 examples of the Sport Coupe and 16,633 Convertibles were built. 116 examples were selected with the L88 option. The L88 essentially transformed the Corvette into a factory racing package. General Motors intended the L88s to stay on the racetracks, so they attempted to make it less appealing to non-racing customers. They advertised the L88's horsepower rating at 5,200 RPM instead of its 6,500 RPM redline. Thus, on paper, it was less powerful yet more expensive than the 534 horsepower L71. GM also did not mention the L88's aluminum heads and a 12.5:1 compression ratio. The development work of the engine was initiated by Zora Arkus-Duntov in 1962. The 'Heavy-Duty 427' engine would provide the basis of the L88 competition engine which powered Roger Penske's Sunoco-sponsored Corvette to victory at the 1966 Daytona 24 Hour race. Released for sale in 1967, the 1969 L88 option had a steep $1,032 price tag.

The L88-powered Corvette earned a GT-class win at the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona, where Jerry Grant and Dave Morgan hit a stunning top speed of 194 mph. Jerry Thompson and Tony De Lorenzo drove the L88 in SCCA racing for 1969 where they won the A/Production title. In 1972, Luigi Chinetti's North American Racing Team (N.A.R.T.) scored a class win at Le Mans.

When buyers selected the L88, the option eliminated a heater and radio but included heavy-duty brakes, gearbox and suspension, and a transistorized ignition and Posi-Traction differential.

A total of 216 examples of the L88 Corvette were built during the three-year production run.

Due to a labor strike, the 1969 Corvette enjoyed a lengthy production lifespan. A total of 28,566 Corvettes were produced in 1968, followed by 38,762 examples in 1969, and 17,316 in 1970 (a shortened production year)

Mechanical Specifications
The 1969 Corvette rested on a 98-inch wheelbase and had an overall length of 182.5 inches. It rode on F70-15 tires.

The 350 cubic-inch V8 engine had overhead valves, a 4-inch bore, a 3.48-inch stroke, 10.25:1 compression, a Rochester four-barrel carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters, and five main bearings. It developed 300 horsepower at 4,800 RPM.

- The 'L46' 350 cubic-inch V8 with a four-barrel carburetor and 350 hp was optional at $131.65.
- The 'L36' 427 CID V8 with four-barrel carburetors and 390 hp was $184.
- The 'L68' 427 CID V8 Tri-Power engine with 400 hp was $326.
- The 'L71' 427 CID V8Tri-Power with 435 hp was $437.10.
- The 'L88' 427 CID V8 with aluminum heads, single Holley four-barrel carburetor, and 430 hp (stated output) was $1032.15.

A three-speed manual transmission was standard. An automatic transmission was optional for an additional $221.80. A Heavy-Duty close-ratio four-speed manual floor shift transmission added $290 to the base price, and the Wide-Ratio four-speed manual transmission with floor shift controls was an extra $184. The Close-Ratio four-speed manual with floor-shift was $184.

Rear axle gear ratios included: 2.73:1, 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1, and 4.56:1

Third Generation Corvette
The 'Third Generation' (C3) Corvette was introduced for the 1968 model year and produced through 1983. The body and interiors were new, but the engine and many of the chassis components were sourced from the preceding 'Second Gen' C2 Corvette. Beginning in 1969, the 327 cubic-inch engine was replaced by the 350 CID V8 as the standard engine. Another new addition with the all-aluminum big-block 427 cu in (7.00 L) ZL-1 engine which (unofficially) produced 560 horsepower and endowed the Corvette with a 1/2 mile time of 10.89 seconds.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2019