History C3 1975

Heavy Weight

During Model Year 1975, Dave McClellan took over the Corvette Chief Engineer reins from legendary Zora Arkus-Duntov.   Just as Duntov disappeared, dramatic changes occurred.  His beloved Corvette dropped horsepower to an all-time low and eliminated the big-block option.    Catalytic converters were introduced in this MY and the convertible would go on hiatus.  

Sales were up 963 units to 38,465...sales, predominantly, of the coupe.   However, MY 1975 was a lackluster year in other respects.  The 1975 Corvette was heavier than its predecessor, adding 141 pounds over the 1974.  Since 1968, the Corvette had gained 319 pounds.  

The 454 big-block option disappeared.  The base engine for the Corvette had 160 horsepower...aside from 1953 and 1954, the lowest power output ever.   Base engine horsepower would not climb to 200 until 1980.  There was only one engine option - 205 horsepower L82 - for a cost of $336.   Only 2,372 owners selected the more powerful engine.  M21 4-speed, close-ratio transmissions appeared in only 1,057 Corvettes.  The last Corvette convertible was built in late July.  The next convertible wouldn't appear until 1986.

The new catalytic converter was connected to a pseudo dual exhaust which actually used a Y-pipe off the engine into a single converter and then branching off into two pipes and mufflers.  MY 1975 was also the first year of the High Energy Ignition (HEI) pointless ignition.

Classic White was overwhelmingly the most popular color (8007) followed by Silver (4710).  Steel Blue was the least selected color, in part because it was available for only three months of the model year.

The most popular option was power steering.  Kilometers per hour made it to the speedometer.  ...and, of course, there was the $400 Z07 suspension which provided your Corvette with special front and rear suspension parts, heavy-duty brakes and the gymkhana oversized anti-roll bars.  Only 144 Corvettes were sold with the Z07 option.

Exterior changes were extremely minor.   The rear bumper cover was now one piece.  The side view mirrors were wider and the car sat just over one-quarter inch higher.

The cost?  ...up $809 from '74 to $6,810 for the coupe.