1989 CORVETTE

  • 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.

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.
  • The Coupe serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY218*K5100001 to 1G1YY218*K5126328
  • The Convertible serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY318*K5100001 to 1G1YY318*K5126328
    PositionCharacterDescription
    11US built
    2GGeneral Motors product
    31Chevrolet Motor Division vehicle
    4YType of restraint system
    5YCorvette car line series
    62 or 3Body style number
    2 = Two door hatchback style 07, 08, 77, or 87
    3 = Two door convertible style 67
    71 or 21=Manual seat belts
    3=Manual belts with driver-inflatable restraint system
    4=Automatic belts
    885.7-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
    10KThe model year where 1989
    115Bowling Green, KY
    12-17100001 and upproduction 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:
    CodeEngineHorsepowerCompressionTransmissionFuel SupplyExtra features
    ZRAL98 350-cid240/245-hp V-89.5:1manualtuned port injectionEngine oil cooler
    ZRCL98 350-cid240/245-hp V-89.5:1THM automatictuned port injectionEngine oil cooler
    ZRBL98 350-cid240/245-hp V-89.5:1THM automatictuned 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 and
      27 were done in 31 = Arctic Pearl.
  • Upholstery Codes
    ColorCloth UpholsteryLeather Upholstery
    Black19C192
    Saddle60C602
    Blue 212
    Red 732
    Gray 902

IDENTIFICATION

ModelModel No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
Coupe1YY07
2-dr. Hatch Coupe - 2 passenger
$31,545322916,663
Convertible1YY67
2-dr. Convertible - 2 passenger
$36,78532699,749

ENGINE

FeatureStandard Engine (RPO L98)
TypeV-8, 90-degree Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block and aluminum cylinder head
Displacement350 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke4.00" x 3.48"
Compression ratio9.5:1
Brake horsepower240 @ 4000 (245-hp for hatchbacks using 3.07:1 rear axle due to use of low-restriction mufflers with this option combination only)
Torque345 lb-ft @ 3200
Main bearingfive
Valve liftershydraulic
Fuel supplyTuned-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

FeatureCoupeConvertible
Wheelbase96.2 inches (2.443 m)
Overall length176.5 inches (4.483 m)
Overall width71.0 inches (1.803 m)
Overall height46.7 inches (1.186 m) 
Front tread59.6 inches (1.514 m)
Rear tread60.4 inches (1.534 m)
Standard Wheel size16 x 8.5 inches
Standard TiresP275/40VR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT (Z-rated)
Steeringrack and pinion (power assisted)
Front suspensionSingle fiberglass composite monoleaf transverse spring with unequal-length aluminum control arms and stabilizer bar
Rear suspensionFully independent five-link system with transverse fiberglass single-leaf springs, aluminum upper/lower trailing links and strut-rod tie-rod assembly
BrakesFour-wheel power disc
Body constructionUnibody with partial front frame
Fuel tank20 US Gal (16.7 Imp Gal) (76 liters)

OPTIONS

RPO AC1Power passenger seat$240
RPO AC3Power driver seat$240
RPO AQ9Leather sports seats$1025
RPO AR9Base leather seats$400
RPO B2KCallaway Twin Turbo installed by Callaway Engineering$25,895
RPO B4PRadiator boost fan$75
RPO CC2Auxiliary hardtop for convertible$1,995
RPO C2LDual removable roof panels for coupe$915
RPO 24SRemovable roof panels with blue tint for coupe$615
RPO 64SRemovable roof panels with bronze tint for coupe$615
RPO C68Electronic air conditioning control$150
RPO D74Illuminated driver vanity mirror$58
RPO FX3Selective electronic Ride & Handling$1695
RPO G92Performance axle ratio 3.07:1$22
RPO KO5Engine block heater$20
RPO KC4Engine oil cooler$110
RPO MN6Six-speed manual transmissionno-cost option
RPO NN5California emissions requirements$100
RPO UJ6Low tire pressure warning indicator$325
RPO UU8Delco-Bose stereo system$773
RPO V0lHeavy-duty radiator$40
RPO V56Luggage rack for convertible$140
RPO Z51Performance handling package for hatchback$575

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • Model-year production: 26,412.
  • Calendar-year production: 25,279.
  • Model-year sales by U.S. dealers: 23,928.
  • The $25,895 Callaway Twin-Turbo engine package could again be ordered through specific Chevrolet dealers as RPO B2K.
  • Cars that received this package were sent from Bowling Green, Kentucky, to the Callaway factory in Old Lyme, Connecticut, to receive engine modifications and other upgrades.
  • The 1989 Callaways had 382 hp and 562 lbs.-ft. of torque.
  • For 1989 Callaway Twin-Turbo Corvettes a different engine-coding system was used.
  • Callaway engines were stamped with the first two symbols indicating model year, followed by three symbols indicating order in the Callaway production sequence, followed by four symbols matching the last four digits of the Chevrolet VIN.
  • Chevrolet built 60 Corvette Challenge cars with standard engines.
  • Of these, 30 were shipped to Powell Development of America to receive race-modified engines and other competition modifications for the 1989 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Corvette Challenge racing series.
  • At the end of the year, these cars had their original factory-numbered engines reinstalled.
  • Chevrolet built 84 ZR-1 type 1989 Corvettes for testing, but then said on April 19 that the ZR-1's introduction would be delayed until 1990.

1989 CORVETTE PHOTOS


1989 Corvette

1989 Corvette

1989 Corvette

1989 Corvette

1989 Corvette

LITERATURE & LINKS




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