C3 Corvette (1968–1982): Specs, Price, Problems & Best Years

Name: C3 Corvette original MSRP and production by model year
Creator: CarWhere Research
License: https://www.carwhere.com/terms

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 5, 2026

The C3 Corvette ran for the 1968–1982 model years, as a coupe and convertible through 1975 and coupe-only after. Engines ranged from 427 big-blocks rated up to 435 hp in 1968–1969 to a 165-hp 350 in 1975. GM's base prices rose from $4,320 for a 1968 convertible to $18,290.07 for a 1982 coupe.[1][2][8][15]

Model years: 1968–1982[1][15]
Engines: 327 V8 (1968); 350 V8 (1969–1982); 427 V8 (1968–1969); 454 V8 (1970–1974); 305 V8 (1980, California)[1][2][3][7][13]
Horsepower range: 165 hp (1975 base 350, net) to 435 hp (1968–1969 L71 427, gross)[1][2][8]
Original base price: $4,320 (1968 convertible) to $18,290.07 (1982 coupe); 1982 Collector Edition $22,537.59[1][15]
Production: 542,861 cars, 1968–1982 (GM Heritage kits)[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
Body styles: Coupe with removable T-tops; convertible through 1975[2][8]

C3 Corvette trims, engines & horsepower

Manufacturer ratings. A dash means no source we could verify publishes the figure.

Model / variant	Years	Engine	Horsepower	Torque	Transmission
327 base	1968	327 cu in V8, 4-barrel	300 hp[1]	360 lb-ft @ 3,400 rpm	3-speed manual; 4-speed manual or automatic optional
327 L79	1968	327 cu in V8, 4-barrel	350 hp[1]	360 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm	—
350 base	1969–1970	350 cu in V8, 4-barrel	300 hp[2][3]	380 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm	3-speed manual (1969) / 4-speed manual (1970); automatic optional
350 L46	1969–1970	350 cu in V8, 4-barrel	350 hp[2][3]	380 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm	—
427 L36	1968–1969	427 cu in V8, 4-barrel	390 hp[1][2]	460 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm	—
427 L68	1968–1969	427 cu in V8, three 2-barrel carburetors	400 hp[1][2]	460 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm	—
427 L71L89 aluminum heads were optional (624 in 1968, 390 in 1969).	1968–1969	427 cu in V8, three 2-barrel carburetors, solid lifters	435 hp[1][2]	460 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm	—
427 L8880 built for 1968 and 116 for 1969; the 1969 list also shows 2 ZL1 aluminum-block 427s.	1968–1969	427 cu in V8, racing-oriented	430 hp[1][2]	—	—
350 LT125 ZR1 packages built around it.	1970	350 cu in V8, solid lifters	370 hp[3]	380 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm	—
454 LS5	1970	454 cu in V8, 4-barrel	390 hp[3]	500 lb-ft @ 3,400 rpm	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
350 baseThe 1971 kit lists both gross and net ratings.	1971	350 cu in V8, 4-barrel	270 hp (gross)[4]	360 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm gross; 300 lb-ft net	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
350 LT1	1971	350 cu in V8, solid lifters	330 hp (gross)[4]	360 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm gross	4-speed manual
454 LS5	1971	454 cu in V8	365 hp (gross)[4]	465 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm gross	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
454 LS6188 built.	1971	454 cu in V8	425 hp (gross)[4]	475 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm gross	4-speed manual or automatic
350 base	1972	350 cu in V8	200 hp (net)[5]	300 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
350 LT1	1972	350 cu in V8, solid lifters	255 hp (net)[5]	280 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm	4-speed manual
454 LS5Not available in California.	1972	454 cu in V8	270 hp (net)[5]	390 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
350 base	1973	350 cu in V8	190 hp[6]	270 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
350 L82	1973–1974	350 cu in V8	250 hp[6][7]	285 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
454 LS41974 was the last year of the 454 big-block.	1973–1974	454 cu in V8	275 hp (1973) / 270 hp (1974)[6][7]	395 lb-ft (1973) / 380 lb-ft (1974) @ 2,800 rpm	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
350 base	1974	350 cu in V8	195 hp[7]	275 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
350 baseFirst Corvette with a catalytic converter and HEI ignition.	1975	350 cu in V8	165 hp[8]	255 lb-ft @ 2,400 rpm	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
350 L82	1975	350 cu in V8	205 hp[8]	255 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
350 base	1976–1977	350 cu in V8	180 hp[9][10]	270 lb-ft @ 2,400 rpm	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
350 L82	1976–1977	350 cu in V8	210 hp[9][10]	255 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
350 base / L82	1978	350 cu in V8	185 hp / 220 hp[11]	—	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
350 base / L82	1979	350 cu in V8	195 hp / 225 hp[12]	—	4-speed manual; Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic optional
350 L48 base	1980	350 cu in V8	190 hp @ 4,400 rpm[13]	280 lb-ft @ 2,400 rpm	4-speed manual or automatic
350 L82	1980	350 cu in V8	230 hp[13]	275 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm	4-speed manual or automatic
305 LG4 (California)Required in California, at a $50 credit.	1980	305 cu in V8	180 hp @ 4,200 rpm[13]	255 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm	Automatic only
350 baseNo optional engines for 1981.	1981	350 cu in V8	190 hp[14]	280 lb-ft	4-speed manual or automatic
350 Cross-Fire InjectionNo optional engines for 1982.	1982	350 cu in V8, twin throttle-body injection	200 hp @ 4,200 rpm[15]	—	4-speed automatic (700-R4) only

C3 Corvette original MSRP by year

Base price when new, as published by the manufacturer — not today's value.

Model year	Model / body	Original MSRP	Destination	Note
1968	Sport Coupe	$4,663[1]	—
1968	Convertible	$4,320[1]	—
1969	Sport Coupe	$4,781[2]	—
1969	Convertible	$4,438[2]	—
1970	Sport Coupe	$5,192[3]	—
1970	Convertible	$4,849[3]	—
1971	Sport Coupe	$5,496[4]	—
1971	Convertible	$5,259[4]	—
1972	Sport Coupe	$5,533[5]	—
1972	Convertible	$5,296[5]	—
1973	Sport Coupe	—[6]	—	The 1973 kit we opened has no option/price page.
1973	Convertible	—[6]	—	The 1973 kit we opened has no option/price page.
1974	Sport Coupe	$6,001.5[7]	—
1974	Convertible	$5,765.5[7]	—
1975	Sport Coupe	$6,810.1[8]	—
1975	Convertible	$6,550.1[8]	—
1976	Sport Coupe (1YZ37)	$7,604.85[9]	—
1977	Sport Coupe (1YZ37)	$8,647.65[10]	—
1978	Sport Coupe (1YZ87)	$9,351.89[11]	—
1978	Limited Edition Pace Car (1YZ87/78)	$13,653.21[11]	—
1979	Sport Coupe (1YZ87)	$10,220.23[12]	—	Starting price; GM raised it several times during 1979, to $12,313.23 by year end.
1980	Sport Coupe (1YZ87)	$13,140.24[13]	—	Starting price; raised four times during 1980, to $14,345.24.
1981	Sport Coupe (1YY87)	$16,258.52[14]	—
1982	Sport Coupe (1YY87)	$18,290.07[15]	—
1982	Collector Edition Hatchback (1YY07)	$22,537.59[15]	—

Base retail prices are from the option lists reproduced in GM Heritage Center vehicle information kits. The 1973 kit has no price page, so 1973 is left blank. Options, taxes and dealer charges were extra.

C3 Corvette production by year

Model year	Units built	Note
1968	28,566[1]	9,936 coupes, 18,630 convertibles.
1969	38,762[2]	22,129 coupes, 16,633 convertibles.
1970	17,316[3]	10,668 coupes, 6,648 convertibles.
1971	21,801[4]	14,680 coupes, 7,121 convertibles.
1972	27,004[5]	20,496 coupes, 6,508 convertibles.
1973	30,464[6]	25,521 coupes, 4,943 convertibles.
1974	37,502[7]	32,028 coupes, 5,474 convertibles.
1975	38,465[8]	33,836 coupes, 4,629 convertibles.
1976	46,558[9]	Coupes only.
1977	49,213[10]	Coupes only.
1978	46,776[11]	40,274 coupes plus 6,502 Pace Car editions.
1979	53,807[12]	Coupes only; highest C3 total.
1980	40,614[13]
1981	40,606[14]
1982	25,407[15]	18,648 coupes plus 6,759 Collector Editions.
Total (years listed)	542,861

All totals come from the Corvette fact pages in GM's Heritage kits and add up to 542,861 cars. GM's 1973 fact page notes that 4,000 VINs (24,001–28,000) went unused, so the last 1973 serial ends in 34,464 although 30,464 were built.

What changed year by year

The C3 kept one body shape for 15 years, but engines, bumpers and emissions equipment changed constantly. Output figures drop sharply after 1971 partly because GM moved from gross to net ratings.

Model year	Key change
1968	New C3 body on carried-over chassis; 327 and 427 engines, 300–435 hp
1969	327 replaced by 350 as the standard engine; 2 ZL1 aluminum-block 427s; 38,762 built
1970	LT1 350 (370 hp) and 454 LS5 (390 hp); 4-speed manual becomes standard
1971	Last year for fiber-optic light monitors; LS6 454 (425 hp gross); kit lists gross and net ratings
1972	Net ratings only: 200–270 hp; final year of the 1970–1972 LT1
1973	Body-color front bumper for 5-mph rules; first radial tires; 4,000 VINs unused
1974	Last 454 big-block
1975	Catalytic converter and HEI ignition; last convertible until 1986
1976–1977	Coupe only; 180/210 hp; leather standard from 1977
1978	25th anniversary; fastback rear glass; Silver Anniversary paint and 6,502 Pace Car editions
1979	Front and rear spoilers from the pace car offered; highest C3 production, 53,807
1980	Four price rises during the year; 305 required in California
1981	Fiberglass-reinforced monoleaf rear spring on automatic, standard-suspension cars; Bowling Green, Kentucky production began June 1, 1981; St. Louis ended August 1
1982	Cross-Fire Injection 350 (200 hp), automatic only; Collector Edition hatchback

Sources: [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

High-performance C3 build counts

GM's option lists give exact counts for the rarest engines, which helps judge whether a claimed car is plausible.

Year	Engine/package	Units built
1968	L88 427 (430 hp)	80
1969	L88 427 (430 hp)	116
1969	L71 427 (435 hp)	2,722
1970	LT1 350 (370 hp)	1,287
1970	ZR1 package	25
1970	LS5 454 (390 hp)	4,473
1971	LS6 454 (425 hp)	188
1971	LT1 350 (330 hp)	1,949
1972	LT1 350 (255 hp)	1,741
1974	LS4 454 (270 hp)	3,494
1978	Pace Car edition	6,502
1982	Collector Edition	6,759

Sources: [1][2][3][4][5][7][11][15]

Which C3 to buy

For maximum rated power, 1968–1971 cars offer the 427 and 454 big-blocks and the solid-lifter LT1. For a convertible, the last chance is 1975. Later coupes from 1976–1982 are the most plentiful, with more standard equipment; the 1982 car is the only C3 with fuel injection, and the 1980 L82 is the strongest late car at 230 hp.[1][3][4][8][13][15]

C3 Corvette problems & recalls

Aftermarket remanufactured rear calipers with faulty seals (1968–1982)

NHTSA equipment campaign 03E032000 covers Cardone remanufactured rear calipers (part nos. 18-7019, 18-7020, 16-7019, 16-7020) built February–April 2003 for 1965–1982 Corvettes. Faulty piston seals can leak brake fluid. This is a supplier recall, not a GM one, but it affects any C3 fitted with those parts.[16]

NHTSA safety recall campaigns (from the NHTSA recalls dataset)
Campaign	Date	Model years	Component	Summary
03E032000	2003-05-12	1965–1982	Service brakes: remanufactured rear brake calipers (aftermarket equipment)	Equipment recall by Cardone, not GM. Remanufactured rear calipers, part nos. 18-7019, 18-7020, 16-7019 and 16-7020, built February 1 to April 25, 2003 for 1965–1982 Corvettes, were made with faulty piston seals that can let brake fluid leak. Cardone repurchased unsold stock and offered customers a refund. (15,899 vehicles potentially affected)[16]

The NHTSA recalls dataset has no GM campaign whose defect summary names 1968–1982 Corvettes. The one Corvette-specific entry for these years is the aftermarket caliper recall below.

Check any specific car for open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Best and worst C3 Corvette years

Each call is tied to a documented fact — a mechanical change, a recall or a published rating — not opinion.

1968–1969Best bet

Strongest rated C3s: 427s at 390–435 hp gross with 460 lb-ft, and the 350-hp small-block option.[1][2]

1970–1972 LT1Best bet

Solid-lifter LT1 350 rated 370 hp in 1970, 330 hp gross in 1971 and 255 hp net in 1972; 1,287, 1,949 and 1,741 built.[3][4][5]

1982Best bet

Only C3 with fuel injection (Cross-Fire, 200 hp) and the last of the generation; 6,759 Collector Editions.[15]

1975Check carefully

Lowest C3 rating at 165 hp for the base engine; and the first Corvette year with a catalytic converter.[8]

1980 California carsCheck carefully

California cars had to use the 305 LG4 (180 hp), automatic only.[13]

Model-year complaint data across every Corvette: Corvette years to avoid.

What to check before buying a used C3 Corvette

Check the VIN against GM's range for the year; for example 1968 194378S400001–194378S428566 and 1976 1Z37L6S400001–1Z37L6S446558.
Use the VIN's fifth digit to confirm the engine where GM coded it: 1973 J=190 hp, T=250 hp L82, Z=454; 1976 L=180 hp, X=210 hp L82.
On a 1973 car, a serial between 24,001 and 28,000 should not exist; GM's fact page says those numbers were never used.
Ask what rear calipers are fitted; Cardone remanufactured units 18-7019, 18-7020, 16-7019 or 16-7020 from 2003 fall under recall 03E032000.
For an L88, ZL1, ZR1, LS6 or LT1 claim, compare against GM's build counts and ask for original paperwork.
On a 1975–1982 car, confirm the factory catalytic converter is still fitted; GM introduced it on the 1975 model.
A 1978 Pace Car should be one of 6,502 and carry the replica's included equipment (e.g. A31, C49, C60, N37, UM2 per GM's list).
On a 1980 car from California, expect the 305 LG4 with an automatic; a 350 or a manual suggests a non-California car or a swap.

C3 Corvette prices today

Prices on used Corvettes vary widely with mileage, options and condition, so we don't publish a single value. Compare current listings below.

Corvette prices & listingsCurrent market prices and listings by model year.Search Corvettes for saleLive inventory search across dealers.

More Corvette research

← C2 Corvette (1963–1967)C4 Corvette (1984–1996) →

Frequently asked questions

What years are C3 Corvettes?

The C3 covers the 1968 through 1982 model years. It was sold as a T-top coupe and a convertible through 1975, and as a coupe only from 1976.

How much did a C3 Corvette cost new?

GM's option lists show base prices from $4,320 for a 1968 convertible and $4,663 for a 1968 coupe, up to $18,290.07 for a 1982 coupe and $22,537.59 for the 1982 Collector Edition.

How many C3 Corvettes were made?

GM's kits add up to 542,861 cars over 15 years. The peak was 53,807 in 1979, and the low was 17,316 in 1970.

What is the most powerful C3 Corvette?

By rating, the 1968–1969 L71 427 at 435 hp gross with 460 lb-ft. The 1970 LS5 454 had the most torque, 500 lb-ft.

When was the last C3 convertible?

1975. GM's fact page says the last 1975 convertible was built in the last week of July 1975, and convertibles did not return until 1986.

Why do later C3s have so much less horsepower?

Partly ratings: the 1971 kit lists gross and net figures, and from 1972 GM published net ratings. Emissions equipment such as the 1975 catalytic converter also cut output, down to 165 hp.

Which C3 has fuel injection?

Only the 1982, with Cross-Fire twin throttle-body injection on the 200-hp 350 and an automatic transmission.

Sources

Every figure on this page is footnoted to one of these sources. Secondary references are used only to corroborate manufacturer and government figures.

1968 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1969 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1970 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1971 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1972 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1973 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1974 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1975 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1976 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1977 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1978 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1979 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1980 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1981 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
1982 Chevrolet Corvette vehicle information kit (specifications, Corvette fact pages, option list with prices and quantities) — GM Heritage Center (gm.com)
Recalls Data (dataset 6axg-epim) — NHTSA via U.S. DOT data.transportation.gov

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by General Motors. Chevrolet, Corvette, Stingray, Z06, ZR1, ZR1X, E-Ray and Grand Sport are trademarks of General Motors.