1992 Corvette

Another year of little change in the makeup of the Corvette line.

The ZR-1 was basically a carry-over from the previous year with new model badges above the rear fender vents.
Standard Corvette models received an upgraded 300-hp 5.7-liter V-8 as well as Acceleration Slip Regulation.
The ZR-1 was again powered by the 32-valve DOHC 5.7-liter V-8 matched with a six-speed transaxle.
Corvette models used the aforementioned more powerful 5.7-liter V-8 fitted with the four-speed overdrive automatic or optional six-speed manual transmission.
Both models had new rectangular exhausts.
A new all-black dash treatment, relocated digital speedometer and improved instrument graphics were adopted.
A Traction Control system became standard equipment along with new Goodyear GS-C tires.
Corvettes colors were
- White
- Yellow
- Black
- Bright Aqua Metallic
- Polo Green II Metallic
- Black Rose Metallic
- Dark Red Metallic
- Quasar Blue Metallic
- Bright Red
Interiors came in Blue; Beige; Black; Light Beige; Light Gray; Red; and White.
Standard features included a removable body-color roof panel for hatchbacks or a convertible top.
All Corvette convertible buyers had a choice of Beige, Black, and White top colors and a Blue top was available with White Corvettes only.
Also standard was Black cloth upholstery.

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 coupe serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY23P*N5100001 to 1G1YY23P*N5119977
The convertible serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY33P*N5100001 to 1G1YY33P*N5119977
The ZR1 serial numbers ranged from 1G1YZ23J*N5800001 to 1G1YZ23J*N5800501

Position	Character	Description
1	1	US built
2	G	General Motors product
3	1	Chevrolet Motor Division vehicle
4 & 5	YY	Basic Corvette
4 & 5	YZ	Corvette ZR-1
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 2=Active manual belts with driver and passenger inflatable restraint system 3=Active manual belts with driver-inflatable restraint system 4=Passive automatic belts 5=Passive automatic belts with driver inflatable restraint system
8	P	LT1 5.7-liter Multiport-Fuel-Injection (MFI) Chevrolet or GM of Canada V8
8	J	LT5 - 5.7-liter MFI V-8
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	N	The model year where 1992
11	5	Bowling Green, KY
12-17	100001 and up	production sequence for coupes and convertibles
12-17	800001 and up	production sequence for ZR-1s

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
ZAC	LT1 350-cid	300-hp V-8	10.3:1	automatic	multi-port injection
ZUB	LT1 350-cid	300-hp V-8	10.3:1	manual	multi-port injection
ZAA	LT5 350-cid	375-hp V-8	11.0:1	manual	multi-port injection

The 1992 Corvette exterior colors were:
- 10 = White
- 35 = Yellow
- 41 = Black
- 43 = Bright Aqua Metallic
- 45 = Polo Green II Metallic
- 73 = Black Rose Metallic
- 75 = Dark Red Metallic
- 80 = Quasar Blue Metallic
- 81 = Bright Red
Upholstery Codes

Color	Cloth Upholstery	Leather Upholstery
Black	19C	193
White		103
Light Gray		143
Light Blue		643
Red		733

IDENTIFICATION

Model	Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Coupe	1YY	Y07	2-dr. Hatch Coupe - 2 passenger	$33,635	3223	14,604
Convertible	1YY	Y67	2-dr. Convertible - 2 passenger	$40,145	3263	5,875
ZR-1	1YZ	Z07	2-dr. Hatch Coupe - 2 passenger	$65,318	3465	502

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine (RPO LT1)	ZR-1 Engine (RPO LT5)
Type	V-8, 90-degree Overhead valve	V-8, 90-degree Overhead valve with 4 valves per cylinder and 4 overhead camshafts
Block	Cast iron block and cylinder head	Cast iron block and cylinder head
Displacement	350 cid (5.7 liters)	350 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke	4.00" x 3.48"	4.00" x 3.48"
Compression ratio	10.3:1	11.0:1
Brake horsepower	300 @ 5000	375 @ 5800 rpm
Torque	330 lb-ft @ 4000	370 lb-ft @ 5600
Main bearing	five	five
Valve lifters	hydraulic	hydraulic
Fuel supply	Multi-port injection (MPI) system	Multi-port injection (MPI) system

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

Feature	Coupe	Convertible	ZR-1
Wheelbase	96.2 inches (2.443 m)	96.2 inches (2.443 m)	96.2 inches (2.443 m)
Overall length	176.6 inches (4.486 m)	176.6 inches (4.486 m)	178.5 inches (4.534 m)
Overall width	71.1 inches (1.806 m)	71.1 inches (1.806 m)	73.1 inches (1.857 m)
Overall height	46.3 inches (1.176 m)		46.3 inches (1.176 m)
Front tread	57.7 inches (1.466 m)	57.7 inches (1.466 m)	57.7 inches (1.466 m)
Rear tread	59 inches (1.499 m)	59 inches (1.499 m)	60.6 inches (1.539 m)
Front Tires	P275/40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT	P275/40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT	P275/40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT
Rear Tires	P275/40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT	P275/40ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT	P315/35ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT
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	Fiberglass; separate ladder frame with cross-members
Fuel tank	20 US Gal (16.7 Imp Gal) (76 liters)

OPTIONS

RPO AC1	Power passenger seat	$305
RPO AC3	Power driver seat	$305
RPO AQ9	Leather sports seats	$1,100
RPO AQ9	White leather sports seats	$1,180
RPO AR9	Base leather seats	$425
RPO AR9	Base White leather seats	$555
RPO CC2	Auxiliary hardtop for convertible	$1,995
RPO C2L	Dual removable roof panels for coupe	$950
RPO 24S	Removable roof panels with blue tint for coupe	$650
RPO 64S	Removable roof panels with bronze tint for coupe	$650
RPO C68	Electronic air conditioning control	$205
RPO FX3	Electronic Selective Ride & Handling system	$1,695
RPO G92	Performance axle ratio 3.07:1	$50
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	$823
RPO UlF	Delco-Bose stereo system with compact disc changer	$1219
RPO V56	Luggage rack for convertible	$140
RPO Z07	Adjustable suspension package tor hatchback coupe	$2,045
RPO ZR-1	Special performance package for hatchback coupe	$31,683

HISTORICAL NOTES

Model-year production: 20,479.
Calendar-year sales: 19,819.
The 1,000,000th Corvette was produced on July 2,1992.
It was a 1992 Corvette convertible and was posed for a factory publicity photograph alongside a first-year 1953 Corvette.
With the introduction of the base LT1 V-8, the introduction of an Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR) traction-control system as standard equipment and the standard use of Goodyear Eagle GS-C high-performance tires with directional and asymmetrical tread design, Chevrolet Motor Division could advertise that "The all-around performance of the Corvette has been raised to the highest point in the car's 39-year history."
Eight major factors contributed to the increased power of the LT1 engine:
1. A reverse-flow cooling system
2. Computer-controlled ignition timing
3. A low-restriction exhaust system incorporating a two-piece converter and exhaust-runner assembly for easier service access
4. The use of high-compression-ratio pistons
5. The use of a new camshaft profile
6. The use of new free-flowing cylinder heads
7. The use of four-bolt main bearing caps on the three center bearings
8. The use of new synthetic SW-30 engine oil (also eliminating the need for a separate engineoil cooler).
An LT1-powered Corvette with automatic transmission was tested for 0-to-60 mph in 5.26 seconds and did the quarter mile in 13.9 seconds at 102.2 mph.
An LT1-powered Corvette with the six-speed manual transmission was tested for 0-to-60 mph in 4.92 seconds and did the quarter mile in 13.7 seconds at 103.5 mph.
A 1992 Corvette ZR-1 with standard manual transmission was tested for 0-to-60 mph in 4.3 seconds and did the quarter mile in 12.9 seconds.
This proved that the LT1 engine had dramatically narrowed the performance gap between the base Corvette and the much more expensive ZR-1 Corvette.
On August 28, 1992, Chevrolet Motor Division announced that David McLellan would be retiring as Corvette chief engineer.
McLellan had taken over the Corvette program after the retirement of Zora Arkus-Duntov in 1975.
Chevy's assistant manager of public relations Tom Hoxie said in 1992, "During McLellan's 18-year tenure he transformed the Corvette from an American muscle car into an internationally-acclaimed, high-performance sports car that runs rings around a host of more expensive European and Japanese models."
Said McLellan, "I can't think of a better time for me to be leaving.
No manufacturer has ever built one million sports cars and at the age of 40 the Corvette is stronger than it's ever been.
Our all-new car is a few years old and it's time to let someone else put their stamp on it."

1992 CORVETTE

VIN Numbers

IDENTIFICATION

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

PHOTOS

LITERATURE & LINKS