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.

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 serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY22G*V5100001 to 1G1YY22G*V5109093
    PositionCharacterDescription
    11US built
    2GGeneral Motors product
    31Chevrolet Motor Division vehicle
    4&5YYCorvette
    62 or 3Body style number
    2 = Two door hatchback style 07, 08, 77, or 87
    72 or 42=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
    8GLS1 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
    10VThe model year where 1997
    115Bowling Green, KY
    12-17100001 and upproduction 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:
    CodeEngineHorsepowerCompressionTransmissionFuel SupplyExtra features
    ZYDLS1 350-cid345-hp V-810.1:1automaticmulti-port injection 
    ZYCLS1 350-cid345-hp V-810.1:1manualmulti-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
    ColorLeather Upholstery
    Black193
    Light Gray923
    Red943

IDENTIFICATION

ModelModel No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
Coupe1YY07
2-dr. Hatch Coupe - 2 passenger		$37,49532299,092

ENGINE

FeatureStandard Engine (RPO LS1)
TypeV-8, 90-degree Overhead valve
BlockCast aluminum block and cylinder head
Displacement346 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke3.90" x 3.62"
Compression ratio10.1:1
Brake horsepower345 @ 5600
Torque350 lb-ft @ 4400
Main bearingfive
Valve liftershydraulic, two valves per cylinder
Fuel supplySequential 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

FeatureCoupe
Wheelbase104.5 inches (2.654 m)
Overall length179.7 inches (4.564 m)
Overall width73.6 inches (1.869 m)
Overall height47.7 inches (1.212 m)
Front tread62.0 inches (1.575 m)
Rear tread62.1 inches (1.577 m)
Standard Tires Front/RearP245/45ZR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT / P275/40ZR-18 Goodyear Eagle GT
Steeringrack and pinion (power assisted)
Front suspensionIndependent 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.
BrakesAntilock four-wheel power disc
Body constructionFiberglass; integral perimeter frame with center backbone/all-welded steel body frame construction
Fuel tank19.1 US Gal (15.9 Imp Gal) (72 liters)

OPTIONS

RPO CJ2Dual-zone air conditioning$365
RPO AQ9Adjustable leather bucket seats, requires six-way power passenger seat$625
RPO G92Performance axle ratio, not available with six-speed manual transmission$100
RPO CYFCalifornia emission system$170
RPO JL4Active-handling System$500
RPO Z51Performance handling Package with Bllstein adjustable Ride-Control system$350
RPO F45Continuously Variable Real Time Damping, not available with RPO Z51 Pkg$1,695
RPO AABMemory package to recall settings for
  • outside rearview mirrors
  • radio
  • power seats
  • heating-ventilation and air-conditioning controls
$150
RPO UlSRemote CD changer$600
RPO UNODelco/Bose music system$100
RPO V49Front license plate frame$15
RPO T96Fog lamps$65
RPO D42Luggage shade and cargo net$50
RPO B34Front floor mats$25
RPO B84Body side moldings$75
RPO C2LDual body color-keyed roof panel and blue transparent roof panel$950
RPO CC3Roof panel with blue tint$650
RPO AG2Power six-way passenger seat$305

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • The all-new C5 Corvette was designed under the direction of John Cafaro.
  • American Woman Motorscene magazine named the 1997 Corvette its "Most likely to be immortalized" car.
  • The C5 Corvette could do five second 0-to-60-mph runs and cover the quarter mile in 13.28 seconds at 107.6 mph according to Vette magazine

1997 CORVETTE PHOTOS


1997 Corvette

1997 Corvette

1997 Corvette

1997 Corvette

1997 Corvette

LITERATURE & LINKS




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