1982 Chevrolet Corvette C3

The third-generation Corvette finally bowed in 1982 after a 15-year run with the same basic body and a chassis that dated back to 1963. In celebration of this milestone, Chevrolet created a special Collection Edition that became the first Corvette with a base price exceeding $20,000 (its price was $22,537.59). In an effort to prevent the counterfeiting of Collector Edition Corvettes, only pre-ordered cars were built with special vehicle identification number plates. In addition to special two-tone Silver-Beige paint with contrasting pinstriping, special cloisonné emblems, a Silver-Beige leather interior, mid-year-look finned aluminum wheels, Bronze-tinted glass roof panels and a wealth of options as standard equipment, the Collector Edition featured a lift-up frameless glass hatchback.

25,407 Corvettes were produced during 1982, with 6,759 of those being the 'Collector Edition.'

Ever-tightening emissions standards challenged engineers, and for 1982, Corvette adopted Cross-Fire Injection to become the first 'fuelie' Vette since 1965. The twin Rochester throttle body injectors looked somewhat like carburetors and were mounted diagonally on each side of a broad aluminum intake manifold. Cross-Fire's higher level of sophistication added 10 horsepower, now an even 200. The new Cross-Fire Injection system improved throttle response and fuel economy. In another 'retro' move, the four-speed manual transmission was dropped, meaning that for the first time since 1954, all Corvettes came with automatic. The four-speed automatic used a computer-controlled torque converter and overdrive and a lower first-gear ratio for acceleration.

Equipment included power windows, locks and mirrors, an AM/FM 8-track, tilt/telescopic steering, air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes.