1979 CORVETTE

  • "The Corvette evolution continues," declared the 1979 Corvette sales catalog.
  • 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.

I.D. 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
    PositionCharacterDescription
    11Chevrolet Division
    2ZCorvette
    87coupe
    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
    691979
    7SAssembled in St. Louis, MO
    8 to 13400001 to 453807production 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:
    CodeEngineHorsepowerCompressionTransmissionFuel SupplyEmission Control System
    ZAAL48 350-cid early production195-hp V-88.2:1manualfour-barrel carburetor 
    ZABL48 350-cid early production195-hp V-88.2:1automaticfour-barrel carburetor 
    ZACL48 350-cid early production195-hp V-88.2:1automaticfour-barrel carburetorCalifornia
    ZADL48 350-cid195-hp V-88.2:1automaticfour-barrel carburetorhigh-altitude
    ZAFL48 350-cid195-hp V-88.2:1manualfour-barrel carburetor 
    ZAHL48 350-cid195-hp V-88.2:1automaticfour-barrel carburetor 
    ZBBL48 350-cid225-hp V-88.2:1automaticfour-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
    ColorCloth & Leather UpholsteryLeather Upholstery
    Oyster12C122
    Dark Blue29C292
    Dark Green49C492
    Light Beige59C592
    Red 722

IDENTIFICATION

Model No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
1YZ87
2-dr. Sport Coupe - 2 passenger
$10,220337253,807

ENGINE

FeatureStandard Engine (RPO L48)Optional Engine (RPO L82)
TypeV-8, 90-degree Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block
Displacement350 cid (5.7 liters)350 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.48"4.00 x 3.48"
Compression ratio8.2:18.9:1
Brake horsepower195 @ 4000225 @ 5200
Torque285 lb-ft @ 3200270 lb-ft @ 3600
Main bearingfive
Valve liftershydraulic
Fuel supplyRochester M4MCRochester M4MC

TRANSMISSION

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

FeatureCoupe
Wheelbase98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length185.2 inches (4.704 m)
Overall width69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height48 inches (1.219 m)
Ground Clearance4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
Front tread58.7 inches (1.491 m)
Rear tread59.5 inches (1.511 m)
Wheel size15 x 8 inches
TiresP225/70R-15 SBR (steel-belted radial)
Positractionstandard
Steeringrecirculating ball
Front suspensionIndependent, unequal-length control arms with ball joints, coil springs, and stabilizer bar
Rear suspensionIndependent, trailing link, transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs
BrakesHydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers
IgnitionHEI electronic
Body constructionSeparate fiberglass body and box-type ladder frame with cross-members
Fuel tank24 US Gal (20 Imp Gal) (91 liters)

OPTIONS

RPO A31Electric power windows$141
RPO CC1Removable glass roof panels$365
RPO C49Rear window defogger$102
RPO C60Air conditioning$635
RPO D35Sport mirrors$45
RPO FE7Gymkhana suspension$49
RPO F51Heavy-duty shock absorbers$33
RPO G95Highway ratio rear axle$19
RPO K30Cruise Control$113
RPO L82350-cid 225-hp V-8$565
RPO MM4Four-speed manual transmissionno-cost option
RPO M21Four-speed manual close-ratio transmissionno-cost option
RPO MX1Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmissionno-cost option
RPO N37Tilt-telescopic steering column$190
RPO QGRP255/70R-15 Raised-white-letter steel-belted radial tires$54
RPO QBSP255/60R-15 White Aramid BR tires$226.20
RPO U58AM-FM stereo radio$90
RPO UM2AM-FM stereo radio with 8-track tape system$228
RPO UN3AM-FM stereo radio with cassette$234
RPO UP6AM-FM stereo radio with CB system and power antenna$439
RPO U75Power antenna$52
RPO U81Dual rear speakers$52
RPO UA1Heavy-duty battery$21
RPO ZN1Trailering package$98
RPO ZQ2Power windows and door locks$272
RPO ZX2Convenience group$84

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • Introduced: September 25,1978. Model-year production: 53,807 (Chevrolet initially reported a total of 49,901 units).
  • Calendar-year production: 48,568.
  • Calendar-year sales by U.S. dealers: 38,631.
  • Model-year sales by U.S. dealers: 39,816.
  • For what it's worth, 7,949 Corvettes were painted this year in Classic White, while 6,960 carried Silver paint.
  • Only 4,385 Corvettes had the MM4 four-speed manual gearbox, while 4,062 ran with the close-ratio M21 version.

1979 CORVETTE PHOTOS


1979 Corvette

1979 Corvette

1979 Corvette

1979 Corvette

1979 Corvette

LITERATURE & LINKS




email me: