Corvette C3 Quality: Getting Better

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.

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.

Base Corvette engine of which ~10,085 were made for 1969.

L46 engine (RPO L46; $131.65) - the other small block engine - of which 12,846 were made for 1969.

L36 engine (RPO L36; $437.10) of which 2,722 were made for 1969, the highest output choice.

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.

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 and C8 Corvettes.

Right: 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.

Left: Since it's inception, GM has campaigned to get the Corvette recognized as a sports car.

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.

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.

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.

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.