Corvette Emblem history
The Corvette emblem is one of the most recognizable emblems in the automotive industry and is a symbol of American performance and freedom. The emblem has gone through many iterations over the years, but the basic design has remained the same as Chevrolet's first version in 1953 featured crossed flags.
in 1953
The flag on the left is red with the Chevrolet bowtie symbol and a symbol called the fleur-de-lis (lily flower, which symbolizes peace and purity ) after Louis Chevrolet's French roots and the checkered flag on the right reflects the motorsport history of Chevrolet and Corvette.
Originally, the flag on the left was supposed to be the American flag, but it was changed before release because it is illegal to use the American flag in a commercial product.
Corvette C3 nose and gas lid emblems
In the first years of the Corvette C3 generation from 1968 to 1972, a similar simple cross flag nose emblem was used as in the 1967 Corvettes. This was the only time the same emblem was used on two different Corvette generations.
A similar emblem was also used on the gas lid between 1968 and 1973, but the late 1973 and 1974 Corvettes had no emblem at all.
In 1973 and 1974, the emblem changed to include a circular red frame around a cross flag with the words "Chevrolet Motor Division Corvette" around it. In 1975 and 1976, a similar emblem was used, but the text around it was removed and the word "Corvette" was added below the flags in chrome letters.
In 1975 and 1976, the gas lid emblem was similar in appearance to the nose emblem.
In 1977, the Corvette's nose emblem changed to the same design language as in 1968 - 1972, but the shape of the flags changed slightly. This same emblem was also in use in 1979.
1977 and 1979
1978 was the Corvette's 25th anniversary; to celebrate it, all 1978 models, including the Pace Car Replica, received anniversary emblems on the nose and the gas lid.
nose emblem 1978
A more modern nose and gas lid emblem was introduced in 1980 when the entire car design also underwent a change. In 1981, a similar emblem was used, but its outline was black rather than chrome.
In the final year of the Corvette C3 generation, two different emblems were used, the Collector Editions got a unique round emblem with a cross flag, while the regular version only had the flags.
nose emblem 1982
Corvette C3 rear emblems
During the Corvette C3 generation, there were three different rear emblems. Separate Corvette letters were used between 1968 and 1975 on the rear of the car with minor changes. From 1976 until the end of the C3 generation, a one-piece emblem was used, and its shape changed slightly in 1980.
1976 - 1979 and 1980 - 1982
Corvette C3 fender emblems
In the first year of the Corvette C3 generation, 1968, there was no fender emblem, you can read about this in the Stingray article. The Stingray Emblem came back in 1969 and was around until the end of 1976.
1977 was the first year without the additional Stingray name, and the fender emblem changed to a cross flag, as in the nose emblem from 1977-1979. The exception to this was that in early 1977 Corvettes did not have a fender emblem at all.
1977 - 1979
1980 - 1981 Corvettes did not have fender emblems, the only exception being the 1980 L82 engined cars that had an L82 emblem.
All 1982 Corvettes received the Crossfire injection emblem, as Corvettes did not have carburetors for the first time.
Corvette C3 hood emblems
Big block Corvettes had hood emblems indicating the engine cu in, "427" emblems 1969 - 1970, and "454" emblems 1970 - 1974, in 1973 - 1974 the numbers were red, previously they were black.
After the big block era came the L82 emblems, which were in use between 1975 and 1977.
