1979 Corvette

Classic Car Image Gallery

1979 Corvette
All 1979 Corvette models got the high-back seats from the previous year's Pace Car Replica, and its spoilers were a new option. See more classic car pictures.
The changes for the 1979 Corvette were of an evolutionary nature. The base L48 gained 10 horsepower -- 20 in the California and high-altitude versions -- by adopting the L82's more efficient twin-snorkel air cleaner; the optional engine itself tacked on five horses. Shock rates were standardized instead of varied with transmission. On cars with automatic, final drive ratio was lowered from 3.08:1 to 3.55:1.

The lightweight seats previewed in the '78 Pace Car Replica were now standard, bringing more rearward travel and different inertia seatback locks. But they still didn't include reclining seatbacks, now being found on the cheapest Japanese cars.

Pace Car-style front and rear spoilers became optional, and tungsten-halogen high-beam headlamps were phased in. The basic AM/FM radio option became standard, and the crossed-flags body insignia returned. These added features, combined with a strong inflationary spiral, pushed the car's base price over $10,000 for the first time -- all the way up to $12,220.23.

While reviewers continued to be of two minds about the Shark, especially when compared to the more-nimble imports of the day, including the Mazda RX-7, Datsun 280ZX, and Porsche 924, they continued to gush over the Corvette's impressive straight-line numbers. Road & Track took an L82 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, 127 mph flat out, and covered the standing quarter-mile in 15.3 seconds at 95 mph.

Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:

1978 Corvette
1979 Corvette 1980 Corvette
1981 Corvette 1982 Corvette­

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:
  • Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.

Advertisement

1979 Corvette Specifications

With inflation still galloping, the base price for the 1979 Corvette broke the psychologically important $10,000 barrier for the first time (by $220). Despite this, sales moved up again, reaching 53,807. Here are the specifications for the 1979 Corvette:


1979 Corvette
The 1979 Corvette’s improved "breathing" took the base V-8 up to 195 bhp, the L82 to 225.

Vehicle Specifications
Coupe
Wheelbase, inches
98.0
Length, inches
185.2
Width, inches
69.0
Track, inches
front: 58.7 rear: 59.4
Height, inches
47.9
Curb weight, pounds
3,565

Mechanical Specifications (2-door coupe)

Suspension
front: Independent; upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar
rear: Independent, lateral leaf springs, struts, U-joint halfshafts, trailing arms, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers

Wheels/Tires
P225/70R-15

Brakes
front: 11.75-inch disc
rear: 11.75-inch disc

Transmission
3-speed Hydra-Matic
4-speed manual

Standard axle ratio
3.55:1 (auto) 3.36:1 (manual)

Engine Specifications

Type ohv V-8
ohv V-8
Displacement, liters/cubic inch
5.7/350 5.7/350
Bore X stroke, inches 4.00 X 3.48 4.00 X 3.48
Fuel management
1 X 4-bbl. 1 X 4-bbl.
Horsepower @ rpm
185 @ 4,000
220 @ 5,200
Torque @ rpm, pound-foot
270 @ 2,400
260 @ 3,600

Published Performance Numbers

Acceleration220 hp, 4-speed manual
0-60 mph, second
6.6
0-100 mph, second
18.5
1/4-mile, second @ mph
15.6 @ 91

Vehicle Production and Base Prices

Car Type
Production Price
2-door coupe
53,807 $10,220.23

Options and Production

Option Production Price
Power Windows
20,631

$141.00

Power Door Locks
9,054
$131.00
Removable Glass Roof Panels
14,480
$365.00
Rear Window Defogger
41,587
$102.00
Air Conditioning
47,136
$635.00
Sport Mirrors
48,211
$45.00
Spoilers, front and rear
6,853
$265.00
Gymkhana Suspension
12,321
$49.00
Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
2,164
$33.00
Optional Rear Axle Ratio
428
$19.00
Cruise Control
34,445
$113.00
225 hp Engine
14,516
$565.00
4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio
4,062
$0.00
Automatic Transmission
41,454
$0.00
High Altitude Emission Equipment
56
$35.00
Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column
47,463
$190.00
Aluminum Wheels
33,741
$380.00
White Letter SBR Tires, P255/60R15
17,920 $226.20
White Letter SBR Tires, P255/70R1529,603 $54.00
AM/FM Radio, stereo w/8-track tape
21,435
$228.00
AM/FM Radio, stereo w/CB
4,483 $439.00
AM/FM Radio, stereo w/cassette
12,110
$234.00
AM/FM Radio, stereo9,256
$90.00
Power Antenna
35,730
$52.00
Dual Rear Speakers
37,754
$52.00
Heavy Duty Battery
3,405
$21.00
California Emission Certification
3,798
$83.00
Trailer Package
1,001
$98.00
Power Windows and Door Locks
28,465
$272.00
Convenience Group
41,539
$94.00

Color Choices and Production

Color Choice
Production
Classic White
8,629
Black
10,465
Corvette Yellow
2,357
Corvette Light Beige2,951
Corvette Dark Blue
5,670
Silver
7,331
Corvette Light Blue3,203
Corvette Dark Green
2,426
Corvette Red
6,707
Corvette Dark Brown
4,053

Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:

1978 Corvette
1979 Corvette 1980 Corvette
1981 Corvette 1982 Corvette­

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

  • Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Loading...