corvetteinfocenter.jpg

1969

Home
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
1977
1976
1975
1974
1973
1972
1971
1970
1969
1968
1967
1966
1965
1964
1963
1962
1961
1960
1959
1958
1957
1956
1955
1954
1953

ZL1

1969zl1.jpg

Wheel Base: 98"
Length: 14' 11"
Width: 5' 10"
Weight: 3220 lbs
Trans: 3 Speed  Auto
   or 3 Speed Manual
   or 4 Speed Manual
Brakes: 11.75" Disk
 
Engines
Base: 350ci V8 w/ 300hp
Optional: 350ci V8 w/ 350hp
Optional: 427ci V8 w/ 390hp
Optional: 427ci V8 w/ 400hp
Optional: 427ci V8 w/ 435hp
Optional: 427ci V8 w/ 430hp (probably true 550hp)
Optional: 427ci V8 w/ 430hp (probably true 580hp)

Stung by the criticism of the 1968 Corvette, Chevrolet worked hard to resolve the problems for the 1969 model year. Various quality control and build problems were addressed wherever possible. The door panels were redesigned to recover some interior room. Overall fit and finish improved. The 250,000th Corvette was built in November 1969.

A fiber optics system enabled the driver to monitor the lights function on the center console.

Engine statistics, including horsepower, torque, displacement and compression ratio were proudly on display below the shifter.

The "Sting Ray" name tag had strangely disappeared from the 1968 Corvette, but reappeared in 1969 as one word - "Stingray".

The ignition key moved from its 1968 location on the dash near the upper right corner of the tachometer to the steering column in response to new anti-theft regulations. Power steering had become popular with a majority of Corvettes so equipped in 1969. Wheel size increased one inch to 8 inches and the steering wheel diameter went from 16 inches to 15 inches.

Engine choices for 1969 were mostly the same with the popular 427 cu. in. 435 hp motor still the king of the hill. The 327 cu in. selection was dropped in favor of the L46 350 cu. in. mill. Two of the engines offered - the L88 and ZL1 - were racing engines not practical for street use.

The ZL1 was pretty much identical to the L88 except the ZL1 was an all aluminum block and the L88 was an iron block.  The ZL1 engine was about 100lbs lighter than the L88.   Only 2 ZL1s were built in 1969 and only 1 in for sure still accounted for today.  No one knows what happed to or were the 2nd ZL1 is.  The ZL1 still today is the most powerful Corvette ever produced.

Aspiring musicians who were used to carrying their gear with the mid years Corvette coupes were in for a shock when the C3 generation appeared. Cargo volume did a nose dive; an area where nice sized amplifiers once occupied was now suitable for not much more than a tambourine. The solution for many owners was a luggage rack. While it may not have done much for the aesthetics or aerodynamics of the Corvette, it made sense for road trips.

The side exhaust, which had been an integral part of the Corvette "bad boy" image since 1965, went on hiatus for 1968 but returned in 1969.

Back up lights were integrated into the tail lights in 1969.

1969 Corvette Brochure

1969 Corvette Options List

Corvette Info Center is not associated with GM or Chevrolet Motor Division.
This site is best viewed with Mozilla Firefox.