Corvette C3 Charts 1968–1982
Production Numbers • Engine Specs • Colors • Options
Explore essential Corvette C3 charts: production numbers, engine specifications, exterior & interior colors, options, and performance data for every year from 1968 to 1982. All data verified from GM Heritage Center archives.
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Corvette C3 Production Numbers 1968–1982
The third-generation Corvette (C3) was produced from model year 1968 through 1982 — a 15-year run that saw dramatic shifts in sales, design, and performance due to oil crises, emissions regulations, and changing consumer preferences. Below is a verified breakdown of production by year and body style, sourced directly from GM Heritage Center records and Chevrolet’s official historical data.
First Generation C3 (1968–1972)
The early chrome-bumper years were heavily affected by the 1969 UAW strike at St. Louis, which extended 1969 production and shortened the 1970 model year — making 1970 the lowest-production C3 year ever.
| Year | Total Production |
|---|---|
| 1968 | 28,566 |
| 1969 | 38,762 |
| 1970 | 17,316 |
| 1971 | 21,801 |
| 1972 | 27,004 |
| Total 1968–1972 | 133,449 |
Second Generation C3 (1973–1977)
The rubber-bumper era faced the 1973 oil crisis and increasingly strict emissions standards, yet production climbed steadily, peaking in 1977 — the best-selling C3 year of all time.
| Year | Total Production |
|---|---|
| 1973 | 30,464 |
| 1974 | 37,502 |
| 1975 | 38,465 |
| 1976 | 46,558 |
| 1977 | 49,213 |
| Total 1973–1977 | 202,202 |
Third Generation C3 (1978–1982)
The fastback redesign and anniversary editions boosted sales, with 1979 setting the all-time C3 record at 53,807 cars. Production ended mid-1982 to transition to the C4.
| Year | Coupe | Convertible | Total Production |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 40,575 | 6,152 | 46,776 |
| 1979 | 38,865 | 10,465 | 53,807 |
| 1980 | 40,614 | — | 40,614 |
| 1981 | 40,606 | — | 40,606 |
| 1982 | 25,407 | — | 25,407 |
| Total 1978–1982 | 207,210 | ||
| Grand Total C3 Production (1968–1982) | 542,861 | ||
The Corvette C3 Convertible (1968–1975)
The C3 convertible debuted in 1968 and remained in production only until 1975. Convertibles represented 65 % of sales in 1968 but dropped to just 12 % by 1975 due to safety concerns and shifting buyer preferences. Chevrolet discontinued the convertible after 1975; the next open-top Corvette wouldn’t appear until the C4 in 1986.
Transmissions
Transmission choices evolved dramatically over the C3’s lifespan — from close-ratio M22 “Rock Crusher” 4-speeds to the first use of the 700-R4 overdrive automatic in 1982. Detailed specifications and code breakdowns are available in the dedicated article: Corvette C3 Transmissions 1968–1982.
Other articles
General
- Corvette C3 years
- Corvette Specs, Colors, etc. by year:
1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 - Is the Corvette C3 always a Stingray?
- Corvette C3 charts
- Corvette C3 books
- Mako Shark II
- Corvette L88
- Greenwood Corvettes
- Reader's Wheels: Corvette 1968
- Restomod Corvette C3s
- Corvette C3 Buyer's Checklist
Technical
Interior and Exterior Features
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