1969 Corvette

Description

The third generation of the Corvette, the C3, was manufactured from 1968 to 1982.

For 1969, the push-button for the door lock was replaced with a key lock. Back-up lights were incorporated into the inner tail lights which now had red lenses with a white center. The ignition lock moved from the dash to the steering column for the first time. A small plaque with the engine size and horsepower was added to the console, and a map pocket was added to the passenger side of the dash.

"Stingray" badges were added to the front fenders above the louvers. In C2 Corvettes, the name was two words (Sting Ray). The four-slot louvers remained the same for this year, but could now have optional chrome inserts.

The base engine grew to 350 cubic inches in '69 and was rated at 300 horsepower and 300 foot-pounds of torque. A number of 427 cubic inch big block engines were available, including the L88 and the all aluminum ZL1. 1969 was the last year for the 427, and the only year that factory side exhausts could be ordered.

1969 Corvette Key Differences

Front fender vents with four vertical slots and a "Stingray" badge above them, and no push-button for the door lock signify a 1969 Corvette.

Similar Years

1969 and 1968 Corvettes are basically the same and share the same front grill, round front signal lights, and 4-slot side louvers.

How to Identify a 1969 Corvette

1969 Corvette Fender Louvers

• The side fender louvers were again four vertical slots (1968 - 1969)

1969 Corvette Chrome Fender Vents

• Chrome inserts for the front fender vents could be ordered as an option

1969 Corvette Door Handle

• For 1969, the push-button door lock was replaced with a more traditional key lock cylinder (1969 - 1982)

1969 Corvette Grill

• The grill was the same horizontal bar pattern as last year (1968 - 1969)
• Front signal lights again were round (1968 - 1969)
• The one-piece chrome front bumper remained unchanged (1968 - 1972)

1969 Corvette Removable Roof

• On coupes, lift-out T-Top roof panels were standard (1968 - 1982)
• 1971 Vette shown

1969 Corvette Rear Window

• The rear window on Corvette coupes was a flat, vertical pane with flying butresses (1968 - 1977)
• The rear window was removable for more ventilation (1968 - 1972)

1969 Corvette Front Flags Emblem

• The front flags flags emblem did not change for 1969 (1968 - 1972)

1969 Corvette Tail lights

• The tail lights on the '69 Vette were different and had one light on each side with a white-lensed center for the back-up lights (1969 - 1982

1969 Corvette Rear Bumper

• Dual chrome rear bumpers were the same as last year (1968 - 1972)

1969 Corvette Big Block Hood

• A different hood was used with 427 big block engines which had a raised center with air exhaust vents (1968 - 1972)
• "427" badges were mounted on each side of the hood

1969 Corvette Hardtop

• Hardtops were an extra-cost option for convertible Corvettes (1968 - 1975)
• Steel tips were added to the ends of the hardtop roof (1969 - 1975)

More 1969 Corvette Pictures

For more photos of vintage 1969 Corvettes, visit the C3 Corvette Image Gallery at the Muscle Car Jungle.

If you have any comments, or would like to report any errors or omissions, contact us at feedback@oldcarsguide.com