Reliability
Maintenance Costs
Parts & Support
Market Appeal

The third Generation Corvette spanned the peak of the performance era into the depths of the low-power Seventies. The third Corvette's new shape came almost directly from the Mako Shark II concept car, yet the wheelbase was the same as before, and there were both convertible (through 1975) and coupe versions. All coupes after 1975 were fitted with T-tops. Big Block 427 and 454 cubic inch engines were available from 1968-1974, with output from 390 to 560 hp. Performance in the 350 small-blocks ranged from the 1970 LT1 at 370 hp to the 1975 L48 at 165 hp. Major revisions for 1973 and 1978 altered body styling details and added creature comforts. 1968-1972 Corvettes offer the most performance and are the most collectible, but high-horsepower 1968-69 cars will cost well into six figures. Other notable C3 cars include the 1978 Pace Car edition with its special black and silver paint scheme. Other third generation Corvettes are still languishing in collector appeal, but may see a decent run-up as the first and second generation Corvettes head for the stratosphere.