1989 CORVETTE

Most of the Corvette publicity this year centered on the eagerly-awaited ZR-1 which was claimed to be the world's fastest production automobile.

• After several announcements proved premature, the ZR-1's introduction was delayed until the 1990 model year.
• Meanwhile, the "ordinary" Corvette added a new ZF six-speed manual gearbox with two overdrive ratios.
• To meet fuel-economy standards, the ingenious transmission was designed with a computer that sent a signal to prevent shifts from first to second gear unless the gas pedal hit the floor.
• Instead, a blocking pin forced the shifter directly into fourth gear for improved fuel economy during light-throttle operation.
• Joining the option list was a new FX3 Delco-Bilstein Selective Ride Control system with a switch to select the desired degree of shock absorber damping for touring, sport, or competition driving.
• Only hatchbacks with a manual transmission and the Z51 Performance Handling package could get the ride-control option.
• For the first time since 1975, a removable fiberglass hardtop became available for the convertible, but not until late in the model year.
• Corvette colors were
  • White
  • Medium Blue Metallic
  • Dark Blue Metallic
  • Black
  • Dark Red Metallic
  • Bright Red
  • Gray Metallic
  • Charcoal Metallic
• Chevrolet also painted 33 cars in two non-standard colors.
• Six were done in Yellow and 27 were done in Arctic Pearl.
• Interior trims came in Blue; Black; Gray; Red; Saddle; and White.
• A removable body-color roof panel for hatchbacks or body-color convertible top were standard, along with cloth upholstery.

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.
• The Coupe serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY218*K5100001 to 1G1YY218*K5126328
• The Convertible serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY318*K5100001 to 1G1YY318*K5126328

• 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 1989 Corvette exterior colors were:
  • 10 = White
  • 20 = Medium Blue Metallic
  • 28 = Dark Blue Metallic
  • 41 = Black
  • 68 = Dark Red Metallic
  • 81 = Bright Red
  • 90 = Gray Metallic
  • 96 = Charcoal Metallic
• Chevrolet also painted 33 cars in two non-standard colors
  • Six were done in 35 = Yellow
  • 27 were done in 31 = Arctic Pearl
• Upholstery Codes

IDENTIFICATION

Model	Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Coupe	1Y	Y07	2-dr. Hatch Coupe - 2 passenger	$31,545	3229	16,663
Convertible	1Y	Y67	2-dr. Convertible - 2 passenger	$36,785	3269	9,749

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

• Automatic Transmission
  • Four-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic (TMH 700-R4)
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 3.06:1
    • 2nd = 1.63:1
    • 3rd = 1.00:1
    • 4th = 0.70:1
    • Rev = 2.29:1
  • Final drive ratio: 2.59:1 or 3.07:1
• Manual Transmission
  • Four-speed manual with overdrive
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.88:1
    • 2nd = 1.91:1
    • 3rd = 1.33:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • overdrive = 0.67:1
    • Rev = 2.78:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.07:1

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES