1997 CORVETTE

It was another landmark year for Corvette in that the 1997 C5 model was the first all-new Corvette in 13 years and only the fifth or sixth (depending upon your viewpoint) major change in the car's 44-year history.

• The "fifth-generation" Corvette was offered only as a coupe in its debut year.
• Among the equipment featured for the C5 was a new, more compact 5.7-liter LS1 V-8 that produced 350 hp and 345 lbs.-ft. of torque.
• Although the engine was rated as 5.7-liter, the actual dimension was 5.669 liters as opposed to last years model of 5.733 liters
• A rear-mounted transaxle opened up more interior space and helped maintain a near 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution.
• An Electronic Throttle Control system allowed engineers a limitless range of throttle progression.
• The 1997 Corvette's underbody structure was the stiffest in the car's history and consisted of two full-length, hydro-formed perimeter frame rails coupled to a backbone tunnel.
• The rails consisted of a single piece of tubular steel, replacing the 14 parts used previously.
• The cockpit of the all-new Corvette featured a twin-pod design reminiscent of the original 1953 Corvette.
• The instrument panel contained traditional backlit analog gauges and a digital Driver Information Center that comprised a display of 12 individual readouts in four languages.
• The new-design blunt tail section allowed for smoother airflow and resulting 0.29 coefficient of drag.
• The C5 Corvette was offered with a 4L60-E electronic four-speed overdrive automatic as the base transmission and an optional six-speed manual transmission.
• Corvettes came in Arctic White; Sebring Silver Metallic; Nassau Blue; Black; Light Carmine Red Metallic; Torch Red; and Fairway Green Metallic.
• Interiors came in Black; Light Gray; and Firethorn Red.
• Standard features included a removable body-color roof panel.
• Leather seats were standard equipment.

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 serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY22G*V5100001 to 1G1YY22G*V5109093

Position	Character	Description
1	1	US built
2	G	General Motors product
3	1	Chevrolet Motor Division vehicle
4 & 5	YY	Corvette
6	2 or 3	Body style number 2 = Two door hatchback style 07, 08, 77, or 87
7	2 or 4	2=Active manual belts with driver and passenger inflatable restraint system 4=Active manual belts with frontal and side-impact driver and front passenger inflatable restraint system
8	G	LS1 5.7-liter (346 cu. in) Sequential multiport-fuel-injection (SFI) 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	V	The model year where 1997
11	5	Bowling Green, KY
12-17	100001 and up	production sequence for coupes

• 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
ZYD	LS1 350-cid	345-hp V-8	10.1:1	automatic	multi-port injection
ZYC	LS1 350-cid	345-hp V-8	10.1:1	manual	multi-port injection

• The 1997 Corvette exterior colors were:
  • 10 = Arctic White
  • 13 = Sebring Silver Metallic
  • 23 = Nassau Blue Metallic
  • 41 = Black
  • 53 = Light Carmine Red Metallic
  • 70 = Torch Red
  • 87 = Fairway Green Metallic.
• Upholstery Codes

Color	Leather Upholstery
Black	193
Light Gray	923
Red	943

IDENTIFICATION

Model	Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Coupe	1Y	Y07	2-dr. Hatch Coupe - 2 passenger	$37,495	3229	9,092

ENGINE

Feature	Standard Engine (RPO LS1)
Type	V-8, 90-degree Overhead valve
Block	Cast aluminum block and cylinder head
Displacement	346 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke	3.90" x 3.62"
Compression ratio	10.1:1
Brake horsepower	345 @ 5600
Torque	350 lb-ft @ 4400
Main bearing	five
Valve lifters	hydraulic, two valves per cylinder
Fuel supply	Sequential Multi-port injection (MPI) system

TRANSMISSION

• Four Speed Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission (TMH 700-R4) with floor-mounted gear shifter
• Six-speed Manual with overdrive and floor-mounted gear shifter

CHASSIS

Feature	Coupe
Wheelbase	104.5 inches (2.654 m)
Overall length	179.7 inches (4.564 m)
Overall width	73.6 inches (1.869 m)
Overall height	47.7 inches (1.212 m)
Front tread	62.0 inches (1.575 m)
Rear tread	62.1 inches (1.577 m)
Standard Tires Front/Rear	P245/45ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT / P275/40ZR-18 Goodyear Eagle GT
Steering	rack and pinion (power assisted)
Front suspension	Independent SLA forged-aluminum upper and lower control arms and steering knuckle, transverse monoleaf springs, steel stabilizer bar, and spindle offset.
Rear suspension	Independent five-link design with tow and camber adjustment, cast-aluminum upper and lower control arms and knuckle, transverse monoleaf springs, steel tie rods and stabilizer bar, and tubular U-jointed metal matrix composite driveshaft.
Brakes	Antilock four-wheel power disc
Body construction	Fiberglass; integral perimeter frame with center backbone/all-welded steel body frame construction
Fuel tank	19.1 US Gal (15.9 Imp Gal) (72 liters)

OPTIONS

RPO CJ2	Dual-zone air conditioning	$365
RPO AQ9	Adjustable leather bucket seats, requires six-way power passenger seat	$625
RPO G92	Performance axle ratio, not available with six-speed manual transmission	$100
RPO CYF	California emission system	$170
RPO JL4	Active-handling System	$500
RPO Z51	Performance handling Package with Bilstein adjustable Ride-Control system	$350
RPO F45	Continuously Variable Real Time Damping, not available with RPO Z51 Pkg	$1,695
RPO AAB	Memory package to recall settings for outside rearview mirrors radio power seats heating-ventilation and air-conditioning controls	$150
RPO UlS	Remote CD changer	$600
RPO UNO	Delco/Bose music system	$100
RPO V49	Front license plate frame	$15
RPO T96	Fog lamps	$65
RPO D42	Luggage shade and cargo net	$50
RPO B34	Front floor mats	$25
RPO B84	Body side moldings	$75
RPO C2L	Dual body color-keyed roof panel and blue transparent roof panel	$950
RPO CC3	Roof panel with blue tint	$650
RPO AG2	Power six-way passenger seat	$305

HISTORICAL NOTES

LITERATURE & LINKS

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