1979 Corvette Registry

in Brief

Story of Corvette goes all the way to year 1953 when the first Corvette rolled out from the factory in Flint, MI. Car was equipped with straight six and automatic transmission. First geneteration Corvettes used solid rear axles to put the power to the road.First V8 engine was put on Corvette two years after first one was presented. It made big difference to Corvettes market value against its rival Ford Thunderbird.

In 1956 new body style was presented. Car continued with V8 engine and solid axle.

Two years later Corvette had little face lift. Dual front lights were added with new grille and many smaller details. 1961 was the year that Corvette first had four round tail lights which were to become part of Corvette heritage for years to come.

1963 was the year for revolutionary, new Corvette. Car featured all two brand new shaped bodies both Convertible and Coupe. New frame was designed for this car and it came with independent rear suspension. Two Years later First Corvette was equipped with Big Block (396c.i.) and disk brakes all around. Year from this Big Block grew to 427c.i. to compete in the car manufacturers contest who has the biggest motor. Second generations era beacame to an end in 1968 when third generation was presented.

Coke Bottle or a shark was what the puplic started to call this new body Corvette. It kinda looks like one with all those curves. From 1968 to 1982 was equipped with two piece t-top on coupes. 1968-1972 were equipped with chrome bumbers on both ends. 1973 was first year with new design safety rubber bumber on front. 1974 was the first with rubber bumbers on both ends and last year of Big Block. Convertible era saw an end in 1975. 1976 was the last Stingray ever made. 1978 Corvette was the official Indianapolis 500 Pace Car and Corvette also celebrated its 25th Birthday with two special models: Pace Car replica and Silver Anniversary model. 1978 was also the first year with new shaped rear window. 1979 continued with the same theme as 1978 model. New seats introduced in 1978 Pace Car became standard seats in 1979. 140mph speedo changed to 85mph unit in the middle of production year. Three piece storage compartment was changed to two piece for late 1979ers. 1980 Corvette had another face lift with new bumber style on front and rear. In 1982 Corvette introduced special Collectors edition with pop up rear window and Fuel Injection.

Fourth generation Corvette was introduced with all new body chassis, brakes etc. There never was a 1983 Corvette because GM had to delay the new Corvette until 1984. 1986 convertible made come back performing as the years Official Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. 1990 was the year for new Lotus designed engine LT-5 and when you had one of these under your hood you had ZR-1 badge on new shaped rear bumber to tell everyone else about it.1991 the bumbers were updated to get new look for th old body. 1995 Corvette appeared again as the Official Indianapolis 500 Pace Car this was also the last year of ZR-1. 1996 Corvette had two special models: Gran Sport and Collectors Edition.

1997 Corvette presented its Fifth Generation model. This is the latest model available. New engine was designed for this car called LS-1, all aluminum engine. 1998 was the first year for new convertible and it also appeared as the Official Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. 1999 GM introduced new hardtop model. 2000 was the year of the vicious Z06/LS-6 option. Corvette today continues from this. And we are looking towards to see what the 50th Birthday brings out next year.