The one-millionth Corvette was produced on July 2, 1992.
The LT1 was also the first Chevrolet powerplant to use "reverse flow cooling," in which the engine routed coolant directly to the cylinder heads, rather than sending it through the block first. This was said to allow higher bore temperatures and reduced ring friction, and also help cooling at key points. Mobil 1 synthetic oil was now used at the factory and was recommended for subsequent changes; the use of synthetic oil precluded the need for an engine-oil cooler, which was no longer offered as an option.
As
could be expected, the motoring press greeted the new standard engine with
gusto. Perhaps what Chevrolet did not expect was that most reviewers would also
conclude that the LT1 and its 300 bhp tended to make the ZR-1 with its 75 extra
horsepower -- not to mention its steep sticker price -- somewhat irrelevant. Car and Driver, for example, found that
while the ZR-1 could hit 60 mph from a standing start in 4.7 seconds, the LT1
could reach it in just 5.1 seconds. While the magazine's top speed of 179 mph
for the King of the Hill still reigned supreme, few rational motorists could
argue that the 161 mph top-end the LT1 reached wasn't enough. On paper and in
buyers' minds, the extra $31,683 tariff for the ZR-1's dwindling performance
premium hardly seemed worth it, and only a scant 502 buyers ordered RPO ZR1.
All 1992 Corvettes benefited from a new standard traction-control system called Acceleration Slip Regulation, which was developed in conjunction with Germany's Bosch. It used the ABS sensors to detect rear-wheel slip and apply the brakes to the affected wheels and/or throttle back power to maintain traction. A dashboard switch could be activated to disable the system. Further helping the car hug the road to match the LT1 powerplant's added muscle were standard new directional/asymmetrical-tread Goodyear GS-C tires.
Otherwise,
physical changes were nominal at best for '92. The car's twin exhaust outlets
were now rectangular in shape, and the ZR-1 acquired additional identifying
emblems on its side fenders.
The
1-millionth Corvette, a white convertible with specially stitched headrests,
rolled off the Bowling Green assembly line on
Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:
1984 Corvette | 1985 Corvette | 1986 Corvette |
1987 Corvette | 1988 Corvette | 1989 Corvette |
1990 Corvette | 1991 Corvette | 1992 Corvette |
1993 Corvette | 1994 Corvette | 1995 Corvette |
1996 Corvette |
Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:
- Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
- Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
- Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
- Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
- Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
- Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.
1992 Corvette Specifications
With a beefed-up new engine, the 1992 Corvette was more powerful. The newly standard Automatic Slip Regulation traction control also made it a delight to handle. Here are the specifications for the 1992 Corvette:
![]() Base horsepower jumped by 50 for the 1992 Corvette as the L98 gave way to a much-modified version called LT1. |
Vehicle Specifications | Hatchback | Hatchback (ZR-1) | Convertible |
Wheelbase, inches | 96.2 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
Length, inches | 178.6 | 178.6 | 176.6 |
Width, inches | 71.0 | 73.2 | 71.0 |
Track, inches | front: 57.7 rear: 59.1 | front: 57.7 rear: 60.6 | front: 57.7 rear: 59.1 |
Height, inches | 46.7 | 46.4 | 46.4 |
Curb weight, pounds | 3,223 | 3,465 | 3,263 |
Mechanical Specifications (2-door hatchback/convertible)
Suspension
front: Independent; unequal length upper and lower A-arms, transverse fiberglass leaf spring, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar
rear: Independent, upper and lower trailing arms, lateral arms, tie rods, halfshafts, transverse fiberglass leaf springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar
Wheels/Tires
P275/40ZR-17
(P315/35ZR-17 ZR-1, rear)
Brakes
front: anti-lock 11.9-inch disc
rear: anti-lock 11.9-inch disc
Transmission
4-speed automatic
6-speed manual
Standard axle ratio
3.45:1
Engine Specifications
Type | ohv V-8 | dohc V-8 |
Displacement, liters/cu inch | 5.7/350 | 5.7/350 |
Bore × Stroke, inches | 4.00 x 3.48 | 3.90 x 3.66 |
Fuel Management | Multi-Port Injection | Multi-Port Injection |
Horsepower @ rpm | 300 @ 5,000 | 375 @ 5,800 |
Torque @ rpm, pound-foot | 330 @ 4,000 | 370 @ 4,800 |
Published Performance Numbers
Acceleration | 300 hp, 6-speed manual |
0-60 mph, sec | 5.7 |
0-100 mph, sec | NA |
1/4-mile, sec @ mph | 14.1 @ 99.9 |
Source: Motor Trend
Vehicle Production and Base Prices
Car Type | Production | Price |
2-door coupe | 14,604 | $33,635.00 |
2-door convertible | 5,875 | 40,145.00 |
Options and Production
Option | Production | Price |
Base Seats, leather | 10,565 | $475.00 |
Base Seats, white leather | 752 | 555.00 |
Sport Seats, leather | 7,973 | 1,100.00 |
Sport Seats, white leather | 709 | 1,180.00 |
Power Passenger Seat | 16,179 | 305.00 |
Power Driver Seat | 19,378 | 305.00 |
Auxiliary Hardtop | 915 | 1,995.00 |
Dual Removable Roof Panels | 3,739 | 950.00 |
Removable Roof Panel, blue tint | 6,424 | 650.00 |
Removable Roof Panel, bronze tint | 3,005 | 650.00 |
Electronic Air Conditioning Control | 18,460 | 205.00 |
Selective Ride and Handling, electronic | 5,840 | 1,695.00 |
Performance Axle Ratio | 2,283 | 50.00 |
6-Speed Manual Transmission | 5,487 | 0.00 |
California Emission Requirements | 3,092 | 100.00 |
Low Tire Pressure Warning Indicator | 3,416 | 325.00 |
Stereo System, Delco-Bose | 3,241 | 823.00 |
Stereo System w/CD, Delco-Bose | 15,199 | 1,219.00 |
Luggage Rack (convertible) | 845 | 140.00 |
Adjustable Suspension Package (coupe) | 738 | 2,045.00 |
Special Performance Package (coupe) | 502 | 31,683.00 |
Color Choices and Production
Color Choice | Production | Color Choice | Production |
White | 4,101 | Yellow | 678 |
Black | 3,209 | Bright Aqua Metallic | 1,953 |
Polo Green II Metallic | 1,995 | Black Rose Metallic | 1,886 |
Dark Red Metallic | 1,148 | Quasar Blue Metallic | 1,043 |
Bright Red | 4,466 |
Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:
1984 Corvette | 1985 Corvette | 1986 Corvette |
1987 Corvette | 1988 Corvette | 1989 Corvette |
1990 Corvette | 1991 Corvette | 1992 Corvette |
1993 Corvette | 1994 Corvette | 1995 Corvette |
1996 Corvette |
Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:
- Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
- Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
- Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
- Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
- Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
- Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.