The third-generation Corvette
1969 marked the second year of the all-new “Mako Shark II” styling on the Corvette, and this was the best year ever for sales at that point in time. The ’69 cars incorporated no real body changes from the ‘68s, which was the starting year of the third-generation Corvettes, however, there was a great effort to improve quality control.
These second-year models of the Corvette did have a few minor differences, and enhancements that were not noticeable at first glance. Also included in the subtle refinements was the return on the name “Stingray,” only now spelled one word.
Normally the weather in this part of the country calls for the top to be down however, as is usually warm temperatures and lots of sunshine.
Behind the Wheel
Inside the 1969 Corvette there were a few changes as well. Across the board, GM changed ignition key location on their passenger cars that year, including Corvette, and with that came theft deterrent locking steering. T
The five available 427-cid engines
Under the hood, a new 350-cid small block replaced the 327 as the standard Corvette engine, and big block lovers had a field day, as there were no less than 5 different versions of the the 427-cid “Mark IV” engine available. The bread-and-butter big block was the 390-hp L36 version, which featured 10.25:1 compression ratio, a single 4-bbl.Quadrajet carburetor and hydraulic lifters. Next in the performance ladder was the L68, which was rated at 400-hp and came with the same overall equipment as the base version but had three Holley 2-bbl. carbs mounted on top.
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The L71 427 Corvette Stingray
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