1982 Corvette

For the first time since 1955, no stick shift Corvettes were produced.

Every Corvette had a new type of four-speed automatic transmission with lockup function in every gear except first.
Under the hood was a new kind of 350-cid V-8 with Cross-Fire fuel injection.
Twin throttle-body injectors with computerized metering helped boost horsepower to 200 (10 more than in 1981) and cut emissions at the same time.
This was the first fuel-injected Corvette in nearly two decades.
It had a much different type of fuel-injection system since mini-computerization had arrived.
In the gas tank was a new electric fuel pump.
Externally, the final version of the "big" (Stingray-style) Corvette changed little, but the Collector Edition model displayed quite a few special features, highlighted by a frameless glass lift-up hatch in place of the customary fixed backlight.
Its unique Silver-Beige metallic paint was accented by pin stripes and a "fading shadow" treatment on hood, fenders and doors ... plus distinctive cloisonne emblems.
Special finned wheels were similar to the cast-aluminum wheels that dated back to 1967.
The Collector Edition's removable glass roof panels had special bronze coloring and solar screening.
The model's crossed-flags emblems read "Corvette Collector Edition" around the rim.
Inside was a matching Silver-Beige metallic interior with multi-tone leather seats and door trim.
Even the Collector Edition's hand-sewn leather-wrapped steering wheel kept the theme color and its leather-covered horn button had a cloisonne emblem.
The tires were P255/60R-15 Goodyear SBR WLT Eagle GT
Standard equipment for other Corvettes included
- power brakes and steering
- P225/70R-15/B SBR tires on steel wheels with center hub and trim rings
- cornering lamps
- front fender louvers
- halogen high-beam retractable headlamps
- dual remote sport mirrors
- tinted glass
The body-color front bumper had a built-in air dam.
Also standard
- Luggage security shade
- air conditioning
- push-button AM/FM radio
- concealed wipers
- power windows
- time-delay dome/courtesy lamps
- headlamp-on reminder
- a lighted visor vanity mirror
- a leather wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel
- a 7,000-rpm tachometer
- an analog clock with sweep second hand
- a day/night mirror
- a lighter
- a trip odometer
Bucket seats could be trimmed in all-cloth or leather options
Standard body colors were
- White
- Silver
- Black
- Silver Blue
- Dark Blue
- Bright Blue
- Charcoal
- Silver Green
- Gold
- Silver Beige
- Red
- Dark Claret
Four two-tones were available
- White and Silver
- Silver and Charcoal
- Silver and Dark Claret
- Silver Blue and Dark Blue
Interiors came in Charcoal; Camel; Dark Blue; Dark Red; Silver Beige; Silver Green; and Silver Gray.

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.
The Bowling Green Assembly Plant Serial numbers ranged from 1G1AY87*6C5100001 to 1G1AY87*6C512408

Position	Character	Description
1	1	US built
2	G	General Motors product
3	1	Chevrolet Motor Division vehicle
4	A	Type of non-passive passenger restraint system
5	Y	Corvette car line series
6 & 7	87	Body style number: two-door plainback special coupe
6 & 7	07	Collector Edition two-door hatchback coupe
8	8	5.7-liter Cross-Fire Injection (CFI) Chevrolet V8
9	?	A check digit that calculates the characters in the serial number and gives it a single digit code and can be used to verify that the serial number is legitimate
10	C	The model year where C = 1982
11	5	Bowling Green, KY
12-17	100001 and up	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
ZBA	L83 350-cid	200-hp V-8	9.0:1	automatic	cross-fire fuel injection
ZBC	Early production L83 350-cid	200-hp V-8	9.0:1	automatic	cross-fire fuel injection	California
ZBN	L83 350-cid	200-hp V-8	9.0:1	automatic	cross-fire fuel injection	California

The 1982 Corvette exterior colors were:
- 10 = White
- 13 = Silver
- 19 = Black
- 24 = Silver Blue
- 26 = Dark Blue
- 31 = Bright Blue
- 39 = Charcoal
- 40 = Silver Green
- 56 = Gold
- 59 = Silver Beige
- 70 = Red
- 99 = Dark Claret
- 10/13 = White and Silver
- 13/39 = Silver and Charcoal
- 13/99 = Silver and Dark Claret
- 24/26 = Silver Blue and Dark Blue
Upholstery Codes

Color	Cloth & Leather Upholstery	Leather Upholstery
Dark Blue	29C	222
Camel	64C	642
Dark Red	74C	742
Silver Gray		132
Charcoal		182
Silver Green		402

IDENTIFICATION

Model	Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Corvette	1Y	Y87	2-dr. Coupe - 2 passenger	$18,290	3213	18,648
Collector Edition	1Y	Y07	2-dr. Hatch Coupe - 2 passenger	$22,538	3222	6,759

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

Feature	Standard Engine (RPO L83)
Type	V-8, 90-degree Overhead valve
Block	Cast iron block
Displacement	350 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke	4.00" x 3.48"
Compression ratio	9.0:1
Brake horsepower	200 @ 4200
Torque	285 lb-ft @ 2800
Main bearing	five
Valve lifters	hydraulic
Fuel supply	Cross-fire fuel injection (twin TBI - throttle body injection)

CHASSIS

Feature	Coupe
Wheelbase	98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length	185.3 inches (4.704 m)
Overall width	69.0 inches (1.753 m)
Overall height	48.4 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 (Base Corvette)	P225/70R-15 SBR (steel-belted radial)
Tires (Collector Corvette)	P225/60R-15 SBR (steel-belted radial)
Positraction	standard
Steering	recirculating ball (power assisted)
Front suspension	Upper/lower A-arms, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Rear suspension	Fully independent with half-shafts, lateral struts, control arms, and transverse leaf springs
Brakes	Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers
Ignition	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 AU3	Power door locks	$155
RPO A42	Power driver seat	$197
RPO CC1	Removable glass roof panels	$443
RPO C49	Rear window defogger	$129
RPO DG7	Electric sport mirrors	$125
RPO D84	Two-tone paint	$428
RPO FE7	Gymkhana suspension	$61
RPO K35	Cruise control	$165
RPO N90	Four aluminum wheels	$458
RPO QGR	P255/70R-15 Raised-white-letter steel-belted radial tires	$80
RPO QXH	P255/60R-15 Raised-white-letter steel-belted radial tires	$542.52
RPO ULS	Radio delete	$124 credit
RPO UM4	AM-FM electronic tuning stereo radio with 8-track tape system	$386
RPO UM6	AM-FM electronic tuning stereo radio with cassette	$423
RPO UNS	AM-FM electronic tuning stereo radio with cassette and CB system	$755
RPO U58	AM-FM stereo radio	$101
RPO U75	Power antenna	$60
RPO V08	Heavy-duty cooling	$57
RPO V54	Roof panel carrier	$144
RPO YFS	California emissions certification	$46

HISTORICAL NOTES

Introduced: December 12,1981.
Model-year production: 25,407.
Calendar-year production: 22,838.
Model-year sales by U.S. dealers: 22,086.
All Corvettes now came from the factory at Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Production fell dramatically this year, reaching the lowest total since 1967.
The 1982 model was the last Corvette to employ the same basic body introduced in 1968.
Its chassis dated back to even five years before that.
No doubt, some buyers preferred to wait for the next generation to arrive.
Still, this was the end of the big 'Vette era: "An enthusiast's kind of Corvette. A most civilized one," according to the factory catalog.
Road & Track called it "truly the last of its series," though one with an all-new drive train.
The Collector Edition earned the dubious distinction of being the first Corvette to cost more than $20,000.
The Collector Edition was built to order, rather than according to a predetermined schedule.
It carried a special VIN code with a "0" in the sixth position (Body Code 07), but did not have a separate serial number sequence.
The special VIN plates were used to prevent swindlers from turning an ordinary Corvette into a special edition (which had happened all too often with 1978 Indy Pace Car replicas).

1982 CORVETTE

VIN Numbers

IDENTIFICATION

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

PHOTOS

LITERATURE & LINKS