1979 Corvette Production and Performance Numbers

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1978 Corvette Production Numbers 1980 Corvette Production Numbers

Below is a complete listing of 1979 Corvette RPO codes, production and performance numbers.

Model Year Highlights

  • The 1978 front and rear spoiler package used on the Pace Car was now offered as an option on the 1979 model which helped to decrease drag by approximately 15%.
  • The base L48 and optional L82 engines gained 5 horsepower over the previous model year due to a less restrictive muffler design.
  • Tungsten-halogen lights replaced the high beams lamps on the 1979 Corvettes and were gradually introduced early on in production.
  • Some late model 1979 Corvettes received the new 85mph speedometers which were introduced on the 1980 model year.
Available Options
RPO Description Price Production   RPO Description Price Production
1YZ87 Base Coupe $10,220.23 53,807   N37 Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column $190 47,463
A31 Power Windows $141 20,631   N90 Aluminum Wheels (4) $380 33,741
AU3 Power Door Locks $131 9,054   QBS White Letter Steel Belted Tires - P255/70R15 $226.20 17,920
CC1 Removable Glass Roof Panels $365 14,480   QGR White Letter Steel Belted Tires - P225/70R15 $54 29,603
C49 Rear Window Defogger $102 41,587   UA1 Heavy Duty Battery $21 3,405
C60 Air Conditioning $635 47,136   UM2 AM-FM Radio Stereo w/ 8-track $228 21,435
D35 Sport Mirrors $45 48,211   UN3 AM-FM Radio Stereo w/ Cassette $234 12,110
D80 Front and Rear Spoilers $265 6,853   UP6 AM-FM Radio Stereo w/ CB $439 4,483
FE7 Gymkhana Suspension $49 12,321   U58 AM-FM Radio Stereo $90 9,256
F51 Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers $33 2,164   U75 Power Antenna $52 35,730
G95 Optional Rear Axle Ratio $19 428   U81 Dual Rear Speakers $52 37.754
K30 Cruise Control $113 34,445   YF5 California Emissions Certification $83 3,798
L82 350ci. 225hp engine $565 14,516   ZN1 Trailer Package $98 1,001
M21 4-spd, Close Ratio Manual Trans. $0.00 4,062   ZQ2 Power Windows and Door Locks $272 28,465
MX1 Automatic Transmission $0.00 41,454   ZX2 Convenience Group $94 41530
NA6 High Altitude Emissions Equipment $35 56          
Total Production (all coupes): 53,807

Color Options
RPO Exterior Interior Production
10 Classic White B-DB-DG-LB-O-R 8,629
13 Silver B-DB-DG-O-R 7,331
19 Black B-LB-O-R 10,465
28 Corvette Light Blue B-DB-O 3,203
52 Corvette Yellow B-LB-O 2,357
58L Corvette Dark Green B-DG-LB-O 2,426
59 Corvette Light Beige B-DB-DG-LB-R 2,951
72 Corvette Red B-LB-O-RW 6,707
82 Corvette Dark Brown B-LB-O 4,053
83 Corvette Dark Blue B-DB-LB-O-R 5,670
Abbreviations:  BG=Blue Green, B=Black, DB=Dark Blue, DG=Dark Green, L=Leather, LB=Light Beige, O=Oyster, R=Red

Interior Color Codes
RPO Color Production
12C O/C 2,606
29C DB/C 2,142
49C DG/C 517
59C LB/C 2,224
122 O/L 9,316
292 DB/L 4,768
492 DG/L 907
592 LB/L 8,818
722 R/L 9,181

Performance Review
Magazine GM Spec. R&T R&T
Pub. Date   Dec. 1978 Apr. 1979
Engine   L82 L82
Transmission   4-Speed Man. 4-Speed Man.
0-30 mph (sec) NA 2.5 NA
0-40 mph (sec) NA 3.6 NA
0-50 mph (sec) NA 4.9 NA
0-60 mph (sec) NA 6.6 6.6
0-70 mph (sec) NA 8.6 NA
0-80 mph (sec) NA 10.9 NA
0-90 mph (sec) NA 13.7 NA
0-100 mph (sec) NA 17.5 17.5
1/4 Mile (sec/mph) NA 15.3 / 95.0 15.3 / 95.0
Top Speed(mph) NA 127 132
Braking (ft.) NA 198 ft. (70 - 0 mph) 198 ft. (70 - 0 mph)
Lateral Accel. NA NA 0.77 G
"R&T":  Road and Track

It should be noted that the test results published by Road and Track in April of 1979 are exactly the same as those previously published in their December 1978 issue with the exception of top speed.