C3 Visual ID guide
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2000
Location: Oak Harbor WA
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
C3 Visual ID Guide
Ever wish you could quickly tell a 68 from a 69, or a 76 from a 77? Here's a simple C3 Visual ID guide (assuming the cars are "stock enough" to profile). I welcome any inputs to update this, especially if you spot an error. I'm not trying to compile a list of ALL the differences (interior, engine, suspension, etc.), just the visual ones on the body, so you can impress your significant other as you walk or drive by..... For instance, I still can't tell the difference between a 71 - 72.... This is a work in progress. Updates are included as I get them:
68: Chrome front and rear. Spoiler rear end. Classic 4 "shark gill" front fender vents, no logo above vents. Cross Flag emblem on nose. Chrome rocker molding 2 piece top black stripe. Push button door ****. Unique separate back up lights below rear chrome. The front side marker lights have white lenses.
69: Same as '68 but with the "Stingray" emblem above front fender vents. Factory side pipes. Push button door **** replaced with just the keyhole. Rear back up lights incorporated into inner two rear lamps. The front side marker lights have amber lenses.
70: Same as '69 but the fender vents sported a "mesh effect" look to match the new mesh front grills. Rear of fenders flared slightly to reduce road rash. Chrome rocker molding with black stripe at top. Front grills have studs. Square exhaust tips, hole off center (outboard). Side marker lights now larger.
71: Same as '70, but front grill studs replaced with screws, and front turn signals have amber lens instead of white.
72: Same as '71, but no fiber optics. Last year for rear drop down window.
73: Rear chrome only. Rear tail pipes rectangular, with hole in center. Fender vents large, single square opening. Front bumper urethane, front grills horizontal (no longer mesh squares). Front nose emblem changed to round with cross flags inside.
74: No more chrome bumpers. No more chrome grills. No rear spoiler. Two-piece rear urethane bumper. No logo or emblem on gas tank door. Rear C O R V E T T E individual letters recessed into bumper cover. Tail lights unique: no visible retaining screws.
75: Same as '74 except one piece rear, and bumper gas lid logo returns. Also, two small rubber pads added to front and rear bumpers on either side of license plate. Shape of the front bumper cover changed, instead of straight across, the cover goes up between the headlights.
76 Same as '75, but C-O-R-V-E-T-T-E changed to single piece 'Corvette' on rear bumper cover. No fake "Astroventilation" vents behind rear window. Last year of chrome pillar posts.
77: Same as '76, but the "Stingray" emblem no longer above front fender vents, and the crossed flags front nose emblem replaces the circular emblem. Pillar posts black.
78: Wrap around rear window, many 25th anniversary paint schemes, many "Official Indy Pace Car" schemes, cast aluminum wheels, "silver Aniversary" emblems. Black rocker molding.
79: Same as '78 but without any of the "Silver Anniversary" emblems.
80: New cowl front nose design and integrated front and rear spoilers. Chrome trim on the rocker panel.
81: Same as '80, but no chrome trim on rocker panels.
82: First year to offer opening "hatchback" rear window (CE model only). "Cross Fire Injection" above front fender vents.
Here's a summary of what the hood and gas door emblems ('74 had no gas door emblem) looks like (thanks to the folks at Corvette Central--I scanned this from their catalog):
[Modified by kenko74, 8:12 AM 4/11/2004]
68: Chrome front and rear. Spoiler rear end. Classic 4 "shark gill" front fender vents, no logo above vents. Cross Flag emblem on nose. Chrome rocker molding 2 piece top black stripe. Push button door ****. Unique separate back up lights below rear chrome. The front side marker lights have white lenses.
69: Same as '68 but with the "Stingray" emblem above front fender vents. Factory side pipes. Push button door **** replaced with just the keyhole. Rear back up lights incorporated into inner two rear lamps. The front side marker lights have amber lenses.
70: Same as '69 but the fender vents sported a "mesh effect" look to match the new mesh front grills. Rear of fenders flared slightly to reduce road rash. Chrome rocker molding with black stripe at top. Front grills have studs. Square exhaust tips, hole off center (outboard). Side marker lights now larger.
71: Same as '70, but front grill studs replaced with screws, and front turn signals have amber lens instead of white.
72: Same as '71, but no fiber optics. Last year for rear drop down window.
73: Rear chrome only. Rear tail pipes rectangular, with hole in center. Fender vents large, single square opening. Front bumper urethane, front grills horizontal (no longer mesh squares). Front nose emblem changed to round with cross flags inside.
74: No more chrome bumpers. No more chrome grills. No rear spoiler. Two-piece rear urethane bumper. No logo or emblem on gas tank door. Rear C O R V E T T E individual letters recessed into bumper cover. Tail lights unique: no visible retaining screws.
75: Same as '74 except one piece rear, and bumper gas lid logo returns. Also, two small rubber pads added to front and rear bumpers on either side of license plate. Shape of the front bumper cover changed, instead of straight across, the cover goes up between the headlights.
76 Same as '75, but C-O-R-V-E-T-T-E changed to single piece 'Corvette' on rear bumper cover. No fake "Astroventilation" vents behind rear window. Last year of chrome pillar posts.
77: Same as '76, but the "Stingray" emblem no longer above front fender vents, and the crossed flags front nose emblem replaces the circular emblem. Pillar posts black.
78: Wrap around rear window, many 25th anniversary paint schemes, many "Official Indy Pace Car" schemes, cast aluminum wheels, "silver Aniversary" emblems. Black rocker molding.
79: Same as '78 but without any of the "Silver Anniversary" emblems.
80: New cowl front nose design and integrated front and rear spoilers. Chrome trim on the rocker panel.
81: Same as '80, but no chrome trim on rocker panels.
82: First year to offer opening "hatchback" rear window (CE model only). "Cross Fire Injection" above front fender vents.
Here's a summary of what the hood and gas door emblems ('74 had no gas door emblem) looks like (thanks to the folks at Corvette Central--I scanned this from their catalog):
[Modified by kenko74, 8:12 AM 4/11/2004]
#2
Re: C3 Visual ID guide (kenko74)
Here is a few items. Plastic bumpers were urethane not neopreme.
75 last year for C3 vert
70-77 chrome rocker molding with black stripe at top.
78-79 black rocker molding.
68-69 chrome rocker molding 2 piece top black stripe.
:cheers:
75 last year for C3 vert
70-77 chrome rocker molding with black stripe at top.
78-79 black rocker molding.
68-69 chrome rocker molding 2 piece top black stripe.
:cheers:
#3
Le Mans Master
Re: C3 Visual ID guide (JBR)
76: 'C-O-R-V-E-T-T-E' changed to single piece 'Corvette' on rear bumper cover.
I think my 75 rear cover has the bumperettes molded in, but I might be
confused with the fiberglass replacement. I'll check tonight.
I think my 75 rear cover has the bumperettes molded in, but I might be
confused with the fiberglass replacement. I'll check tonight.
#5
Melting Slicks
Re: C3 Visual ID guide (wcsinx)
Also the shape of the front bumper cover changed in 75, 73 & 74 went straight across 75 on up the cover goes up between the headlights
Steve :steering:
Steve :steering:
#7
Team Owner
Re: C3 Visual ID guide (JBR)
When I look at a 68/69 I always check the doors to determine the year. 68 has the push button while 69s just have the keyhole. Stingray badge is an easy add-on. :) MJ
#11
Omega Aficianado
Re: C3 Visual ID guide (cchristo)
80 has chrome trim on the rocker panel, 81 doesn't.
Not all 82s are hatchback. only the CEs are. the biggest visuals are the Crossfire injection trim, and the flags are different from the 80/81 flags
#13
Pro
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: C3 Visual ID guide (Roadster71)
i never see people mention the fact that a 68 has completely differennt back-up lights BELOW the chrome in the rear, 69 and on has them on the inside of the quad lights.