Originally Posted by tompugh (Post 1576954121)

Why is the '69 considered the best year of the C3s? Why, why, why? discuss...

Originally Posted by Alan 71 (Post 1576961084)

Hi,
For me it's because in 69 you could order a black, black, black, 427/435, convertible. (Yes, the 68 is close but the 69 had some of the 68 bugs worked out).
Regards,
Alan

Please make believe this is a 69.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...0/DSC_0295.jpg

Originally Posted by early shark (Post 1576975374)

It's not often that the newer models get improved materials in their making over the older models, but in the corvette model this was the case. Although I like the '68, '69 Corvette style very much, my preference is for the '70 thru '72 models with '71 being my favorite...why?

The materials used in their construction and styling changes. I prefer the cast metal front grilles over plastic, also the metal rocker mouldings over fiberglass, the metal side marker housings over plastic. I also prefer the restyled seats, center console and dash and door panels.

I think the flared wheel wells are more manly and the squared exhaust styling more aggressive in appearance.

Originally Posted by Rally68 (Post 1576954708)

I think you have a typo, you mean 68, right?

Originally Posted by Vampyre (Post 1576987151)

I heard it was the 1981's :)

Originally Posted by jr9170 (Post 1576984069)

:yesnod: :thumbs:

Originally Posted by LancePearson (Post 1576991820)

I bid and lost on a 69 convertible before getting my 76 but what I like is the front end of my 76 and the back end of the 69 with its chrome bumper, sort of squared off look. Don't know what the two would look like on one car but I am not all that wild about the chrome bumper front end but love the ass!

Lance

Originally Posted by bb62 (Post 1576993108)

You've never seen a 73?

Originally Posted by Solid LT1 (Post 1576981497)

That dealer built 69 LT-1 shure was a slow SLUG compared to the one Car Life tested in the 1970 model year. The 70 model went 102MPH in the 1/4 mile where the "69" dealer modified car only went 99MPH. I'm thinking it was running a std points ignition rather than the K-66 that was amnditory on the 70-71 LT-1 Vettes.

Call it what you want, there were NO 69 LT-1 Vettes in my book, they couldn't spare the intakes from Z/28 production and now with more than 20,000 extra Z/28 clones, building a 69 LT-1 clone won't be easy either. Not having a 6500RPM redline on the tach and no screw in rocker studs makes it not desirable to a guy like me who appreciates the evolution of the species. Chevy spent extra $$$ on the 70 and up LT-1 motors after too many warranty claims on the 67-69 Z/28 motors as they spit valvetrain parts out at high RPM. The screw in studs and guide plates were invented by one of my heros Smokey Yunick for race applications and no dealer conversion would ever have these details performed during a conversion.

I'n reading that article I think th eowner of that Vette was something of a WHIMP and should have stuck with the 350HP motor as he didn't want to motor wound out during testing. I care for my Vettes but I also use them to their full potential just like Zora would want me to do:D

Originally Posted by 7T1vette (Post 1576987045)

But I would suggest the 'best of show' to be the 1970 cars: it has the upgrades mentioned above and also has the most powerful engines (other than the L-88's, of course).

Originally Posted by 7T1vette (Post 1576987045)

But I would suggest the 'best of show' to be the 1970 cars: it has the upgrades mentioned above and also has the most powerful engines (other than the L-88's, of course).

Originally Posted by Faster Rat (Post 1576999134)

So what engine in 1970 was more powerful than a 11.0:1 compression ratio solid lifter triple carbureted 427/435 L71...which was rated at 5300 rpm but probably put out near 500hp at 6500 rpm redline? Or what low-production engine in 1971 for that matter...the 9.0:1 compression solid lifter stroked LS6? I don't think so..........

For those of us who were involved with drag racing back in the late sixties, the factory muscle car maximum horsepower wars ended in 1969. Blame it on insurance, emissions or whatever...the handwriting was on the wall. I went into the military in 1969 and when I got out in 1972, I went to the Chevy dealer. I was absolutely shocked at what I saw available in the new car market. The oil embargo and gas lines in 1973 merely sealed the deal.

Originally Posted by Rally68 (Post 1576954708)

I think you have a typo, you mean 68, right?