1979 CORVETTE

The 1979 Corvette sales catalog declared "The Corvette evolution continues."

• Not much of that evolution was visible, however, after the prior year's massive restyle.
• Under the hood, the base engine received the dual-snorkel air intake introduced in 1978 for the optional L82 V-8, which added 10 horsepower.
• The L82 V-8 had a higher-lift cam, special heads with larger valves and higher compression, impact-extruded pistons, a forged steel crankshaft, and finned aluminum rocker covers.
• The "Y" pipe exhaust system had new open-flow mufflers, while the automatic transmission received a higher numerical (3.55:1) rear axle ratio.
• All Corvettes now had the high-back bucket seats introduced on the 1978 limited-edition Indianapolis 500 Pace Car.
• A high pivot point let the seat backrest fold flat on the passenger side, level with the luggage area floor.
• An AM/FM radio was now standard.
• Corvettes had black roof panel and window moldings.
• Bolt-on front and rear spoilers (also from the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car) became available.
• Buyers who didn't want the full Gymkhana suspension could now order heavy-duty shocks alone.
• Standard equipment included the L48 V-8 with four-barrel carburetor, either automatic transmission or a four-speed manual gear box (close-ratio version available), power four-wheel disc brakes and limited-slip differential.
• Other standard items included
  • tinted glass
  • a front stabilizer bar
  • concealed windshield wipers and washers
  • a day/night inside mirror
  • a wide outside mirror
  • an anti-theft alarm system
  • a four-spoke sport steering wheel
  • an electric clock
  • a trip odometer
  • a heater and defroster
  • bumper guards
  • a luggage security shade
• The standard tires were P225/70R15 steel-belted radial blackwalls on 15 x 8-inch wheels.
• Corvettes had a four-wheel independent suspension.
• The bucket seats came with cloth-and-leather or all-leather trim.
• The aircraft-type console held a 7,000-rpm tachometer, a voltmeter and oil-pressure, temperature and fuel gauges.
• Seat inserts could have either leather or cloth trim.
• The ten body colors were
  • Classic White
  • Silver
  • Black
  • Corvette Light Blue
  • Corvette Yellow
  • Corvette Dark Green
  • Corvette Light Beige
  • Corvette Red
  • Corvette Dark Brown
  • Corvette Dark Blue
• Interiors came in Black; Dark Blue; Dark Brown; Light Beige; Red; Dark Green; and Oyster.

V.I.N. NUMBERS

• The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
• Serial numbers ranged from 1Z87*9S400001 to 1Z87*9S453807

• Engine serial number began 0001001
• Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block just ahead of the cylinder head on the right-hand side combined with a three-letter engine code suffix
• Also cast into the top rear of the block is a four-symbol code indicating when the engine was built
  • The first letter of the date code shows the month the block was cast
  • The one or two numbers shows the month
  • The last digit shows the year
• Engine suffixes:

• The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
• The Fisher Body Style Number 79-1YZ37 identifies a Corvette coupe
• The body number is the production serial number of the body.
• The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
• The eleven 1979 Corvette exterior colors were:
  • 10 = Classic White
  • 13 = Silver
  • 19 = Black
  • 28 = Corvette Light Blue
  • 52 = Corvette Yellow
  • 58 = Corvette Dark Green
  • 59 = Corvette Light Beige
  • 72 = Corvette Red
  • 82 = Corvette Dark Brown
  • 83 = Corvette Dark Blue
• Upholstery Codes

IDENTIFICATION

Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
1Y	Z87	2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger	$10,220	3372	53,807

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

• Standard Manual Transmission
  • four-speed fully-synchronized
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.85:1
    • 2nd = 2.02:1
    • 3rd = 1.35:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 2.85:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.36:1
• Optional Manual Transmission
  • close ratio four-speed fully-synchronized
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.43:1
    • 2nd = 1.61:1
    • 3rd = 1.23:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 2.35:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.36:1
• Automatic Transmission
  • Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.52:1
    • 2nd = 1.52:1
    • 3rd = 1.00:1
    • Rev = 1.93:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.55:1

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES