1979 Chevrolet Corvette

1979 Chevrolet Corvette

1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CHANGES LITTLE
The 1979 Corvette changed very little from the 1978 mdoel. The front and rear spoilers that were designed for the ’78 Indy Pace Car were now optional on all ’79’s. The setup was supposed to reduce drag by 15%. The ’79 Corvette catalog was the last to feature body colors that had the name “Corvette” in front of them. Big changes, huh?

1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE INTERIORS
While few visual changes were made, the 1979 Chevrolet Corvette received lighter-weight seats that were taller in back (also developed for the 1978 Corvette Indy Pace Car. The passenger seat now folded flat, to the same level as the cargo area. Late-1979s got “upgraded” to an 85-MPH speedometer, which would be standard on the 1980-model.

1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ENGINES
Both the 195-horse L48 and the 225-horse L82 received a 5-horsepower bump over the previous year through the addition of a dual-snorkel air intake that improved breathing. The L82 also received a higher-lift cam, special heads with bigger valves, higher compression, new impact-extruded aluminum pistons, and a forged-steel crankshaft. L82s came with finned aluminum valve covers, where L48s had stamped steel covers.


1979 Chevrolet Corvette SPECIFICATIONS

Production

Base Price

Wheelbase

Overall Length

Overall Width

Overall Height

Ground Clearance

Track, F/R

Tire Size

Fuel Capacity

ENGINE SPECS:

Engine Type

Displacement

Bore & Stroke

Block Material

ENGINE OPTIONS:

RPO

Displacement

Horsepower @ RPM

Torque @ RPM

Compression

Valvetrain

Fuel System

53,807 Coupes

$10,220.00

98.0″

185.2″

69.0″

48.0″

4.5″

58.7″ / 59.4″

GR70-15

17 US gal / 64 liters

OHV 90-degree V8, 5 main bearings

350 ci / 5.7 liters

4.00″ X 3.48″

Cast Iron

Base L48

350 ci

195 hp @ 4000 rpm

285 lb/ft @ 2400 rpm

8.2:1

Hydraulic

Rochester 4-barrel

L82

350 ci

225 hp @ 5200 rpm

270 @ 3600 rpm

8.9:1

Hydraulic

Rochester 4-barrel