Chevy Corvette 1978-1982
When the third-generation Corvette debuted in 1968, gasoline was cheap,
motors were big, and few people worried about the economy. Throughout the Seventies, and through some of the worst times car manufacturers had seen, Chevrolet was able to keep their fiberglass-bodied sports car relevant, and sell more models than ever before.
For 1978, a new roofline and fastback not only added looks, but increased visibility and luggage space as well. Slight performance gains were seen through use of a lower restriction exhaust system and dual-snorkel air cleaner. The addition of a glove-box was a welcome interior upgrade. And to commemorate its twenty-fifth year in production, a pair of Limited Edition models were offered.
1978 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car
Since its very first running in 1911, the annual Indy 500 race has chosen a pace car to lead the racecars around the first lap.
For 1978 the Corvette was chosen.
Originally intending to build only 2,500 pace car replicas (a hundred for every year of production), Chevrolet built a total of 6,200, one for each dealership.
The Corvette pace car featured alloy wheels, raised-white-letter Goodyear tires, front and rear spoilers, and special black-over-silver paint. Exterior decals were installed by the dealer at the owner's request.
1978 Corvette Anniversary Edition
The second Limited Edition Corvette for 1978 was the two-tone, silver-over-grey Silver Anniversary model. Raised-white-letter tires and alloy wheels were standard, as was a color-matching silver interior. Tinted glass roof panels, optional on regular models, were standard on both Limited Edition models. Special commemorative emblems adorned the nose and deck on each of the 47,667 Corvettes manufactured this year.
1979 Corvette
1979 started Corvette's three-year diet. Weight-reducing measures included thinner, lighter seats, and the use of more plastics. An AM/FM radio was now standard, and seat-backs folded flat, which helped access storage space. All Corvettes were fitted with anti-theft steering column ignition locks. A dual-snorkel air induction air cleaner and lower restriction exhaust boosted power slightly. Bolt-on spoilers became optional. 53,807 cars were sold this year, the highest production of the third-generation models.
1980 Corvette
A redesigned front-end included an integral air dam and three-piece spoiler, which improved radiator airflow and lowered the car's drag coefficient from 0.50 to 0.44. A rear spoiler was built into the redesigned back panel.
Air conditioning, power windows, and tilt-telescopic steering wheel were now all standard equipment.
Cornering lights appeared on the front fenders.
Engineers found ways to lose nearly 250 pounds off the car, such as switching from cast-iron to aluminum on the intake manifold and differential housing. At 3,495 pounds, it was the lightest Corvette since 1968. Goodyear Eagle high-performance radial tires became optional, starting a three-decade relationship between Chevrolet and the Ohio-based tire company. Despite improvements, sales dropped to 40,614 units.
1981 Corvette
The U.S. oil crisis of the Seventies and ever-increasing emissions laws made fuel efficiency a priority. 1981 marked the beginning of computer-run engines, providing better fuel metering and driveability. The Corvette was one of the first GM models equipped with the new Computer Command Control system. In contrast to those glorious old days with seemingly endless engine choices, there was only one engine offered, the L-81 350-cid small-block V-8 producing 190 horsepower.
Further weight reduction was seen by replacing the steel rear transverse spring with one made from reinforced plastic. Manual-shift models kept the multi-leaf steel spring, as did those with the optional Gymkhana suspension. New stainless-steel free-flowing exhaust manifolds weighed 14 pounds less than the previous year's cast-iron manifolds.
Standard items now included air conditioning, power windows, push-button AM/FM radio, leather wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and a luggage security shade. Goodyear Eagle GT tires on steel wheels, sized at 255-70-15, were standard, with 255-60-15 Eagles fitted to the optional alloy wheels. Power door locks, six-way power drivers seat, glass roof panels were other popular options.
In June of 1981, Corvette production transferred from St. Louis to Bowling Green, Kentucky. The new state-of-the-art facility, covering 212 acres, was a giant step in reversing the car's reputation for sub-standard quality finish. Lacquer paint was phased out, with all Corvettes now finished in durable two-stage enamel. Sales for 1981 model year were 45,631.
1982 Corvette
An on-going dispute between Chevrolet and Borg-Warner, combined with the all-new fourth-generation Corvette due out the following year, prompted Chevrolet not to offer any transmission options this year. GM's new 700R automatic transmission was installed in all 1982 cars. The four-speed overdrive unit helped achieve the quickest acceleration times since the 1974 Corvette, and at the same time return its best fuel-mileage yet.
L83 Crossfire Engine
Increased pollution regulations, along with rising gasoline prices, led to Chevrolet's return to fuel-injected motors in 1982. The 350-cid L83 Crossfire motor featured two cross-mounted throttle-bodies, one for each bank of cylinders. A cross-ram intake manifold was designed to quicken the velocity of the air/fuel mixture ratio.
Computerized metering helped boost horsepower while also lower emissions.
Engine compression was raised from last year's 8.2:1 to 9.0:1.
At full throttle, a solenoid-operated trap door opened under the hood and allowed cool, cowl-ducted air into the motor.
The exhaust system was reworked, and an electric fuel pump mounted inside the gas tank replaced the mechanical style pump.
Although a far cry from the sophisticated engines of today, the Crossfire Injection system raised horsepower figures to 200 and produced a respectable 283 lb/ft of torque.
1982 Collector Edition Corvette
To commemorate the last of the series, Chevrolet built 6,759 Collector Edition Corvettes, which featured a frameless, lift-up rear hatch, finned cast-aluminum wheels, special gradient-tint silver paint, and bronze-tinted T-tops.
Inside was a matching silver-grey interior with multi-tone leather seats and door trim.
Engraved on the right spoke of the steering wheel was Zora-Arkus Duntov's signature.
The Corvette still turned people's heads, but underneath was a twenty-year-old frame and suspension. Anticipation of the fourth-generation Corvette , coupled with the worst economic recession America had seen since the Great Depression, made the 25,407 units sold in 1982 the lowest in over a decade.
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