1997 CORVETTE

It was another landmark year for Corvette in that the 1997 C5 model was the first all-new Corvette in 13 years and only the fifth or sixth (depending upon your viewpoint) major change in the car's 44-year history.

• The "fifth-generation" Corvette was offered only as a coupe in its debut year.
• Among the equipment featured for the C5 was a new, more compact 5.7-liter LS1 V-8 that produced 350 hp and 345 lbs.-ft. of torque.
• Although the engine was rated as 5.7-liter, the actual dimension was 5.669 liters as opposed to last years model of 5.733 liters
• A rear-mounted transaxle opened up more interior space and helped maintain a near 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution.
• An Electronic Throttle Control system allowed engineers a limitless range of throttle progression.
• The 1997 Corvette's underbody structure was the stiffest in the car's history and consisted of two full-length, hydro-formed perimeter frame rails coupled to a backbone tunnel.
• The rails consisted of a single piece of tubular steel, replacing the 14 parts used previously.
• The cockpit of the all-new Corvette featured a twin-pod design reminiscent of the original 1953 Corvette.
• The instrument panel contained traditional backlit analog gauges and a digital Driver Information Center that comprised a display of 12 individual readouts in four languages.
• The new-design blunt tail section allowed for smoother airflow and resulting 0.29 coefficient of drag.
• The C5 Corvette was offered with a 4L60-E electronic four-speed overdrive automatic as the base transmission and an optional six-speed manual transmission.
• Corvettes came in Arctic White; Sebring Silver Metallic; Nassau Blue; Black; Light Carmine Red Metallic; Torch Red; and Fairway Green Metallic.
• Interiors came in Black; Light Gray; and Firethorn Red.
• Standard features included a removable body-color roof panel.
• Leather seats were standard equipment.

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 serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY22G*V5100001 to 1G1YY22G*V5109093

• 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 1997 Corvette exterior colors were:
  • 10 = Arctic White
  • 13 = Sebring Silver Metallic
  • 23 = Nassau Blue Metallic
  • 41 = Black
  • 53 = Light Carmine Red Metallic
  • 70 = Torch Red
  • 87 = Fairway Green Metallic.
• 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	$37,495	3229	9,092

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

• Four Speed Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission (TMH 700-R4) with floor-mounted gear shifter
• Six-speed Manual with overdrive and floor-mounted gear shifter

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES