Vettes-Corvettes.com

C3 Corvette History The First Corvette T-Top
The third generation Corvette surrounded the second generation's chassis with a glass reinforced plastic body and the first Corvette T-top.
Enthusiast received their first glimpse of the new 'Vette when Mattel released their "Hot Wheels" version about three weeks before the official C3 unveiling, despite the secrecy surrounding the third-generation product launch. In 1962 GM planned the production of 100 Grand Sport Corvettes. Though the plans never came about, there were five built. They were driven by well known drivers in history such as the famed NASCAR racers Roger Penske and Jim Hall, Indianapolis 500 winner A. J. Foyt, and La Mans and Daytona winner, Dick Guldstrand among others. These five cars, #'s 001-005, are all held by private owners and are among the most coveted and valuable Corvettes ever built. There were minor styling changes over the third-generation; subtle trim differences mostly, occurred with each of the first five models. In 1973 however, the Corvette discontinued the front chrome bumpers and replaced them with one made of a urethane-compound often referred to as the "5 mph" bumper, due to its claim to sustain little or no damage when hit at 5 mph or below. It wasn't until the following year that the rear bumper was also replaced with urethane as well, and for the first time we had a "no-chrome" Corvette. 1976 saw the last Stingray, and with the 1978 model, we were introduced to the glass bubble rear window. The first opening rear hatch was offered in 1982, available on the collector's edition model only and only offered with an automatic transmission. For Used C3 Corvettes For Sale