1979 Corvette

The 1979 Corvette sales catalog declared "The Corvette evolution continues."

Not much of that evolution was visible, however, after the prior year's massive restyle.
Under the hood, the base engine received the dual-snorkel air intake introduced in 1978 for the optional L82 V-8, which added 10 horsepower.
The L82 V-8 had a higher-lift cam, special heads with larger valves and higher compression, impact-extruded pistons, a forged steel crankshaft, and finned aluminum rocker covers.
The "Y" pipe exhaust system had new open-flow mufflers, while the automatic transmission received a higher numerical (3.55:1) rear axle ratio.
All Corvettes now had the high-back bucket seats introduced on the 1978 limited-edition Indianapolis 500 Pace Car.
A high pivot point let the seat backrest fold flat on the passenger side, level with the luggage area floor.
An AM/FM radio was now standard.
Corvettes had black roof panel and window moldings.
Bolt-on front and rear spoilers (also from the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car) became available.
Buyers who didn't want the full Gymkhana suspension could now order heavy-duty shocks alone.
Standard equipment included the L48 V-8 with four-barrel carburetor, either automatic transmission or a four-speed manual gear box (close-ratio version available), power four-wheel disc brakes and limited-slip differential.
Other standard items included
- tinted glass
- a front stabilizer bar
- concealed windshield wipers and washers
- a day/night inside mirror
- a wide outside mirror
- an anti-theft alarm system
- a four-spoke sport steering wheel
- an electric clock
- a trip odometer
- a heater and defroster
- bumper guards
- a luggage security shade
The standard tires were P225/70R15 steel-belted radial blackwalls on 15 x 8-inch wheels.
Corvettes had a four-wheel independent suspension.
The bucket seats came with cloth-and-leather or all-leather trim.
The aircraft-type console held a 7,000-rpm tachometer, a voltmeter and oil-pressure, temperature and fuel gauges.
Seat inserts could have either leather or cloth trim.
The ten body colors were
- Classic White
- Silver
- Black
- Corvette Light Blue
- Corvette Yellow
- Corvette Dark Green
- Corvette Light Beige
- Corvette Red
- Corvette Dark Brown
- Corvette Dark Blue
Interiors came in Black; Dark Blue; Dark Brown; Light Beige; Red; Dark Green; and Oyster.

VIN Numbers

The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
Serial numbers ranged from 1Z87*9S400001 to 1Z87*9S453807

Position	Character	Description
1	1	Chevrolet Division
2	Z	Corvette
87	coupe
5	*	Engine type where * is replaced by the following 8 = L48 350-cid V8, 195-hp, 4-barrel 4 = L82 350-cid V8, 225-hp, 4-barrel
6	9	1979
7	S	Assembled in St. Louis, MO
8 to 13	400001 to 453807	production sequence

Engine serial number began 0001001
Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block just ahead of the cylinder head on the right-hand side combined with a three-letter engine code suffix
Also cast into the top rear of the block is a four-symbol code indicating when the engine was built
- The first letter of the date code shows the month the block was cast
- The one or two numbers shows the month
- The last digit shows the year
Engine suffixes:

Code	Engine	Horsepower	Compression	Transmission	Fuel Supply	Emission Control System
ZAA	L48 350-cid early production	195-hp V-8	8.2:1	manual	four-barrel carburetor
ZAB	L48 350-cid early production	195-hp V-8	8.2:1	automatic	four-barrel carburetor
ZAC	L48 350-cid early production	195-hp V-8	8.2:1	automatic	four-barrel carburetor	California
ZAD	L48 350-cid	195-hp V-8	8.2:1	automatic	four-barrel carburetor	high-altitude
ZAF	L48 350-cid	195-hp V-8	8.2:1	manual	four-barrel carburetor
ZAH	L48 350-cid	195-hp V-8	8.2:1	automatic	four-barrel carburetor
ZBB	L48 350-cid	225-hp V-8	8.2:1	automatic	four-barrel carburetor

The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
The Fisher Body Style Number 79-1YZ37 identifies a Corvette coupe
The body number is the production serial number of the body.
The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
The eleven 1979 Corvette exterior colors were:
- 10 = Classic White
- 13 = Silver
- 19 = Black
- 28 = Corvette Light Blue
- 52 = Corvette Yellow
- 58 = Corvette Dark Green
- 59 = Corvette Light Beige
- 72 = Corvette Red
- 82 = Corvette Dark Brown
- 83 = Corvette Dark Blue
Upholstery Codes

Color	Cloth & Leather Upholstery	Leather Upholstery
Oyster	12C	122
Dark Blue	29C	292
Dark Green	49C	492
Light Beige	59C	592
Red		722

IDENTIFICATION

Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
1Y	Z87	2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger	$10,220	3372	53,807

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

Feature	Standard Engine (RPO L48)	Optional Engine (RPO L82)
Type	V-8, 90-degree Overhead valve
Block	Cast iron block
Displacement	350 cid (5.7 liters)	350 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke	4.00 x 3.48"	4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio	8.2:1	8.9:1
Brake horsepower	195 @ 4000	225 @ 5200
Torque	285 lb-ft @ 3200	270 lb-ft @ 3600
Main bearing	five
Valve lifters	hydraulic
Fuel supply	Rochester M4MC	Rochester M4MC

Standard Manual Transmission
- four-speed fully-synchronized
- floor-mounted gear shifter
- gear ratios
  - 1st = 2.85:1
  - 2nd = 2.02:1
  - 3rd = 1.35:1
  - 4th = 1.00:1
  - Rev = 2.85:1
- Final drive ratio: 3.36:1
Optional Manual Transmission
- close ratio four-speed fully-synchronized
- floor-mounted gear shifter
- gear ratios
  - 1st = 2.43:1
  - 2nd = 1.61:1
  - 3rd = 1.23:1
  - 4th = 1.00:1
  - Rev = 2.35:1
- Final drive ratio: 3.36:1
Automatic Transmission
- Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic
- floor-mounted gear shifter
- gear ratios
  - 1st = 2.52:1
  - 2nd = 1.52:1
  - 3rd = 1.00:1
  - Rev = 1.93:1
- Final drive ratio: 3.55:1

CHASSIS

Feature	Coupe
Wheelbase	98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length	185.2 inches (4.704 m)
Overall width	69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height	48 inches (1.219 m)
Ground Clearance	4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
Front tread	58.7 inches (1.491 m)
Rear tread	59.5 inches (1.511 m)
Wheel size	15 x 8 inches
Tires	P225/70R-15 SBR (steel-belted radial)
Positraction	standard
Steering	recirculating ball
Front suspension	Independent, unequal-length control arms with ball joints, coil springs, and stabilizer bar
Rear suspension	Independent, trailing link, transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs
Brakes	Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers
Ignition	HEI electronic
Body construction	Separate fiberglass body and box-type ladder frame with cross-members
Fuel tank	24 US Gal (20 Imp Gal) (91 liters)

OPTIONS

RPO A31	Electric power windows	$141
RPO CC1	Removable glass roof panels	$365
RPO C49	Rear window defogger	$102
RPO C60	Air conditioning	$635
RPO D35	Sport mirrors	$45
RPO FE7	Gymkhana suspension	$49
RPO F51	Heavy-duty shock absorbers	$33
RPO G95	Highway ratio rear axle	$19
RPO K30	Cruise Control	$113
RPO L82	350-cid 225-hp V-8	$565
RPO MM4	Four-speed manual transmission	no-cost option
RPO M21	Four-speed manual close-ratio transmission	no-cost option
RPO MX1	Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission	no-cost option
RPO N37	Tilt-telescopic steering column	$190
RPO QGR	P255/70R-15 Raised-white-letter steel-belted radial tires	$54
RPO QBS	P255/60R-15 White Aramid BR tires	$226.20
RPO U58	AM-FM stereo radio	$90
RPO UM2	AM-FM stereo radio with 8-track tape system	$228
RPO UN3	AM-FM stereo radio with cassette	$234
RPO UP6	AM-FM stereo radio with CB system and power antenna	$439
RPO U75	Power antenna	$52
RPO U81	Dual rear speakers	$52
RPO UA1	Heavy-duty battery	$21
RPO ZN1	Trailering package	$98
RPO ZQ2	Power windows and door locks	$272
RPO ZX2	Convenience group	$84

1979 CORVETTE

VIN Numbers

IDENTIFICATION

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

PHOTOS

LITERATURE & LINKS