Most of the Corvette publicity this year centered on the eagerly-awaited ZR-1 which was claimed to be the world's fastest production automobile.
- After several announcements proved premature, the ZR-1's introduction was delayed until the 1990 model year.
- Meanwhile, the "ordinary" Corvette added a new ZF six-speed manual gearbox with two overdrive ratios.
- To meet fuel-economy standards, the ingenious transmission was designed with a computer that sent a signal to prevent shifts from first to second gear unless the gas pedal hit the floor.
- Instead, a blocking pin forced the shifter directly into fourth gear for improved fuel economy during light-throttle operation.
- Joining the option list was a new FX3 Delco-Bilstein Selective Ride Control system with a switch to select the desired degree of shock absorber damping for touring, sport, or competition driving.
- Only hatchbacks with a manual transmission and the Z51 Performance Handling package could get the ride-control option.
- For the first time since 1975, a removable fiberglass hardtop became available for the convertible, but not until late in the model year.
- Corvette colors were
- White
- Medium Blue Metallic
- Dark Blue Metallic
- Black
- Dark Red Metallic
- Bright Red
- Gray Metallic
- Charcoal Metallic
- Chevrolet also painted 33 cars in two non-standard colors.
- Six were done in Yellow and 27 were done in Arctic Pearl.
- Interior trims came in Blue; Black; Gray; Red; Saddle; and White.
- A removable body-color roof panel for hatchbacks or body-color convertible top were standard, along with cloth upholstery.
V.I.N. 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 Coupe serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY218*K5100001 to 1G1YY218*K5126328
- The Convertible serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY318*K5100001 to 1G1YY318*K5126328
| Position |
Character |
Description |
| 1 |
1 |
US built |
| 2 |
G |
General Motors product |
| 3 |
1 |
Chevrolet Motor Division vehicle |
| 4 |
Y |
Type of restraint system |
| 5 |
Y |
Corvette car line series |
| 6 |
2 or 3 |
Body style number
- 2 = Two door hatchback style 07, 08, 77, or 87
- 3 = Two door convertible style 67
|
| 7 |
1 or 2 |
1=Manual seat belts
3=Manual belts with driver-inflatable restraint system
4=Automatic belts |
| 8 |
8 |
5.7-liter Tuned-Port-Injection Chevrolet or GM of Canada 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 |
K |
The model year where 1989 |
| 11 |
5 |
Bowling Green, KY |
| 12-17 |
100001 and up |
production sequence for coupes and convertibles |
- 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 |
Extra features |
| ZRA |
L98 350-cid |
240/245-hp V-8 |
9.5:1 |
manual |
tuned port injection |
Engine oil cooler |
| ZRC |
L98 350-cid |
240/245-hp V-8 |
9.5:1 |
THM automatic |
tuned port injection |
Engine oil cooler |
| ZRB |
L98 350-cid |
240/245-hp V-8 |
9.5:1 |
THM automatic |
tuned port injection |
|
- The 1989 Corvette exterior colors were:
- 10 = White
- 20 = Medium Blue Metallic
- 28 = Dark Blue Metallic
- 41 = Black
- 68 = Dark Red Metallic
- 81 = Bright Red
- 90 = Gray Metallic
- 96 = Charcoal Metallic
- Chevrolet also painted 33 cars in two non-standard colors
- Six were done in 35 = Yellow
- 27 were done in 31 = Arctic Pearl
- Upholstery Codes
| Color |
Cloth Upholstery |
Leather Upholstery |
| Black |
19C |
192 |
| Saddle |
60C |
602 |
| Blue |
|
212 |
| Red |
|
732 |
| Gray |
|
902 |
IDENTIFICATION
| Model |
Model No. |
Body/Style No. |
Body Type |
Factory Price |
Shipping Weight |
Production Total |
| Coupe |
1Y |
Y07 |
2-dr. Hatch Coupe - 2 passenger
|
$31,545 |
3229 |
16,663 |
| Convertible |
1Y |
Y67 |
2-dr. Convertible - 2 passenger
|
$36,785 |
3269 |
9,749 |
ENGINE
| Feature |
Standard Engine (RPO L98) |
| Type |
V-8, 90-degree Overhead valve |
| Block |
Cast iron block and aluminum cylinder head |
| Displacement |
350 cid (5.7 liters) |
| Bore & Stroke |
4.00" x 3.48" |
| Compression ratio |
9.5:1 |
| Brake horsepower |
240 @ 4000 (245-hp for hatchbacks using 3.07:1 rear axle due to use of low-restriction mufflers with this option combination only) |
| Torque |
345 lb-ft @ 3200 |
| Main bearing |
five |
| Valve lifters |
hydraulic |
| Fuel supply |
Tuned-port induction (TPI) system |
TRANSMISSION
- Automatic Transmission
- Four-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic (TMH 700-R4)
- floor-mounted gear shifter
- gear ratios
- 1st = 3.06:1
- 2nd = 1.63:1
- 3rd = 1.00:1
- 4th = 0.70:1
- Rev = 2.29:1
- Final drive ratio: 2.59:1 or 3.07:1
- Manual Transmission
- Four-speed manual with overdrive
- floor-mounted gear shifter
- gear ratios
- 1st = 2.88:1
- 2nd = 1.91:1
- 3rd = 1.33:1
- 4th = 1.00:1
- overdrive = 0.67:1
- Rev = 2.78:1
- Final drive ratio: 3.07:1
CHASSIS
| Feature |
Coupe |
Convertible |
| Wheelbase | 96.2 inches (2.443 m) |
| Overall length | 176.5 inches (4.483 m) |
| Overall width | 71.0 inches (1.803 m) |
| Overall height |
46.7 inches (1.186 m) |
|
| Front tread | 59.6 inches (1.514 m) |
| Rear tread | 60.4 inches (1.534 m) |
| Standard Wheel size | 17 x 8.5 inches |
| Standard Tires | P275/40VR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT (Z-rated) |
| Steering | rack and pinion (power assisted) |
| Front suspension | Single fiberglass composite monoleaf transverse spring with unequal-length aluminum control arms and stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension | Fully independent five-link system with transverse fiberglass single-leaf springs, aluminum upper/lower trailing links and strut-rod tie-rod assembly |
| Brakes | Four-wheel power disc |
| Body construction | Unibody with partial front frame |
| Fuel tank | 20 US Gal (16.7 Imp Gal) (76 liters) |
OPTIONS
| RPO AC1 |
Power passenger seat |
$240 |
| RPO AC3 |
Power driver seat |
$240 |
| RPO AQ9 |
Leather sports seats |
$1025 |
| RPO AR9 |
Base leather seats |
$400 |
| RPO B2K |
Callaway Twin Turbo installed by Callaway Engineering |
$25,895 |
| RPO B4P |
Radiator boost fan |
$75 |
| RPO CC2 |
Auxiliary hardtop for convertible |
$1,995 |
| RPO C2L |
Dual removable roof panels for coupe |
$915 |
| RPO 24S |
Removable roof panels with blue tint for coupe |
$615 |
| RPO 64S |
Removable roof panels with bronze tint for coupe |
$615 |
| RPO C68 |
Electronic air conditioning control |
$150 |
| RPO D74 |
Illuminated driver vanity mirror |
$58 |
| RPO FX3 |
Selective electronic Ride & Handling |
$1695 |
| RPO G92 |
Performance axle ratio 3.07:1 |
$22 |
| RPO KO5 |
Engine block heater |
$20 |
| RPO KC4 |
Engine oil cooler |
$110 |
| RPO MN6 |
Six-speed manual transmission |
no-cost option |
| RPO NN5 |
California emissions requirements |
$100 |
| RPO UJ6 |
Low tire pressure warning indicator |
$325 |
| RPO UU8 |
Delco-Bose stereo system |
$773 |
| RPO V0l |
Heavy-duty radiator |
$40 |
| RPO V56 |
Luggage rack for convertible |
$140 |
| RPO Z51 |
Performance handling package for hatchback |
$575 |
