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Corvette C3 Quality: Getting Better

1969 Corvette C3 Coupe Color: Monza Red
1969
Stung by the criticism of the 1968 Corvette, Chevrolet worked hard to resolve the problems for the 1969 model year. Various quality control and build problems were addressed wherever possible. The door panels were redesigned to recover some interior room. Overall fit and finish improved. The 250,000th Corvette was built in November 1969.
1969 Corvette C3 - Color: Monza Red 1969 Corvette
1969 Corvette Center Console
Very Clever: A fiber optics system enabled the driver to monitor the lights function on the center console.


Below: Engine statistics, including horsepower, torque, displacement and compression ratio were proudly on display below the shifter. Similar plaques could be found on 1970 and 1971 Corvettes. 1972 thru 1976 Corvettes also had plagues but the horsepower figure was dropped.
1969 Corvette Base Engine Specifications Plate
Base Corvette engine of which ~10,085 were made for 1969.
1969 Corvette L46 Engine Specifications Plate
L46 engine (RPO L46; $131.65) - the other small block engine - of which 12,846 were made for 1969.
1969 Corvette L36 Engine Specifications Plate
L36 engine (RPO L36; $437.10) of which 2,722 were made for 1969, the highest output choice.
1969 Corvette L71 Engine Specifications Plate
L71 engine (RPO L71; $131.65) of which 10,531 were made for 1969, the most popular of the big block choices for that year.

1969 Corvette C3 Side Fender Stingray script The "Sting Ray" name tag had strangely disappeared from the 1968 Corvette, but reappeared in 1969 as one word - "Stingray". It would continue thru the 1977 model year and then reappear in the C7 Corvette.

Shown is the front fender louver trim (RPO TJ2; $21.10). It first appeared on the options list for 1969 but were included on some very late 1968 Corvette builds. They could be found on 11,962 (30.86%) 1969 Corvettes.


1969 Corvette Stingray For Sale

\\\'69 Red fastback - 72,000mi
Price: $20,000 obo
Exterior: Red
Interior: Red
Miles: 72,000
Location: Bernardsville, NJ

Click Here for more info

\\\'69 Monza Red Fastback, 72000 miles, with t-tops (aftermarket moonroof as well), 350/4bbl, auto. trans (more)

Corvette For Sale Banner

1969 Corvette steering wheel
The ignition key moved from its 1968 location on the dash near the upper right corner of the tachometer to the steering column in response to new anti-theft regulations. Power steering had become popular with a majority - 59% - of Corvettes so equipped in 1969. Wheel size increased one inch to 8 inches and the steering wheel diameter went from 16 inches to 15 inches.

1969 Corvette 427 cubic inch big block hood
Engine choices for 1969 were mostly the same with the popular 427 cu. in. 435 hp engine still the king of the hill. The 327 cubic inch engine, first seen in 1962, was dropped in favor of the 350 cubic inch as the standard (300 horsepower) and the optional 350 cubic inch 350 horsepower (RPO L46; $131.65) engines. Two of the engines offered - the L88 and ZL1 - were racing engines not practical for street use.

Below: 427 cubic inch 400 horsepower engine (RPO L68; $326.55). 2,072 were installed in 1969 Corvettes.

1969 Corvette 427 big block L68 engine

1969 Corvette Front Turn Signal Lights
As with the 1968 model, 1969 Corvettes featured round front turn signal lights. 1970 and later Corvettes had flat squared off front turn signal lights.
1969 Corvette Front_Fender Flare
Above: 1969 Corvette front fender flare and Below: 1970 (and later) Corvette fender flare. The upgrade was more than a styling enhancement; it also served to keep road grime from accumulating. The rear fenders received a similar treatment.
1970 Corvette Front-Fender Flare

1969 Corvette Options, Prices

RPO Description Production Price
Genuine Leather 3,729 (9.62%) $79.00
A01 Soft Ray Tinted Glass, all windows 31,270 (80.67%) $16.90
A31 Power Windows 9,816 (25.32%) $63.20
A82 Headrests (Became standard equipment on Corvettes manufactured in 1969) 38,762 (100.00%) $17.95
A85 Custom Shoulder Belts (standard with coupe) 600 (1.55%) $42.15
C07 Auxiliary Hardtop (for convertible) 7,878 (20.32%) $252.80
C08 Vinyl Covering (for auxiliary hardtop) 3,266 (8.43%) $57.95
C50 Rear Window Defroster 2,485 (6.41%) $32.65
C60 Air Conditioning 11,859 (30.59%) $428.70
F41 Special Front and Rear Suspension 1,661 (4.29%) $36.90
G81 Positraction Rear Axle, all ratios 36,965 (95.36%) $46.35
J50 Power Brakes 16,876 (43.54%) $42.15
J56 Special Heavy Duty Brakes 115 (0.30%) $384.45
K05 Engine Block Heater 824 (2.13%) $10.55
K66 Transistor Ignition System 5,702 (14.71%) $81.10
L36 427 cu. in. 390hp Engine 10,531 (27.17%) $221.20
L46 350 cu. in. 350hp Engine 12,846 (33.14%) $131.65
L68 427 cu. in. 400hp Engine 2,072 (5.35%) $326.55
L71 427 cu. in. 435hp Engine 2,722 (7.02%) $437.10
L88** 427 cu. in. 430hp Engine 116 (0.30%) $1,032.15
L89 Aluminum Cynlinder Heads for L71 390 (1.01%) $832.05
M20 4-Speed Manual Transmission 16,507 (42.59%) $184.80
M20 4-Speed Manual Transmission 16,507 (42.59%) $184.80
M21 4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio 13,741 (35.45%) $184.80
M21 4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio 13,741 (35.45%) $184.80
M22 4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio, heavy duty 101 (0.26%) $290.40
M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission 8,161 (21.05%) $221.80
MA6 Heavy Duty Clutch 102 (0.26%) $79.00
N14 Side Mount Exhaust System 4,355 (11.24%) $147.45
N37 Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column 10,325 (26.64%) $84.30
N40 Power Steering 22,866 (58.99%) $105.35
P02 Deluxe Wheel Covers 8,073 (20.83%) $57.95
PT6 Red Stripe Tires, F70x15, nylon 5,210 (13.44%) $31.30
PT7 White Stripe Tires, F70x15, nylon 21,379 (55.15%) $31.30
PU9 White Letter Tires, F70x15, nylon 2,398 (6.19%) $33.15
TJ2 Front Fender Louver Trim 11,962 (30.86%) $21.10
U15 Speed Warning Indicator 3,561 (9.19%) $11.60
U69 AM-FM Radio 33,871 (87.38%) $172.75
U79 AM-FM Radio, stereo 4,114 (10.61%) $278.10
UA6 Alarm System 12,436 (32.08%) $26.35
ZL1 Special L88 (aluminum block) Required K66, F41, J56 and G81. Radio and air conditioning was not available with the ZL1. 2 (0.01%) $4,718.35

Total Production: 38,762
Coupe: 22,129 (57.09%)
Convertible: 16,633 (42.91%)

Notes: Base Corvette Coupe with 350 cu. in. 300 hp engine and three speed manual transmission: $4,781.00.

Base Corvette Convertible with 350 cu. in. 300 hp engine and three speed manual transmission: $4,438.00.

Colors

Code Exterior Quantity Interior Soft Top Wheels
900 Tuxedo Black n/a Black / Bright Blue / Green / Gunmetal / Red / Saddle Black / White / Beige Silver
972 Can-Am White n/a Black / Bright Blue / Green / Gunmetal / Red / Saddle Black / White / Beige Silver
974 Monza Red n/a Black / Red / Saddle Black / White / Beige Silver
976 LeMans Blue n/a Black / Bright Blue Black / White / Beige Silver
980 Riverside Gold n/a Black / Saddle Black / White / Beige Silver
983 Fathom Green n/a Black / Green / Saddle Black / White / Beige Silver
984 Daytona Yellow n/a Black Black / White / Beige Silver
986 Cortez Silver n/a Black / Bright Blue / Green / Gunmetal / Red / Saddle Black / White / Beige Silver
988 Burgundy n/a Black / Saddle Black / White / Beige Silver
990 Monaco Orange n/a Black Black / White / Beige Silver

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What are the differences in the bodies, if any, between a 1968 corvette and a 1969?
I have a 1969 Corvette that the previous owner put a 1980 body on. I would like to put an appropriate body on it. I’ve found a 1968 body. If there are no differences i’ll Just go with it.

2025 Corvette
C8 ZR1

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