- "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.
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