1975 Chevrolet Corvette: Specs, Changes & Market Trends

1975 Corvette Browse the article 1975 Corvette

1975 Corvette

Chevy stayed with the status quo again for the 1975 Corvette, when the only physical change was a pair of small extrusions with black pads for each bumper as additional parking-lot protection.

Convertible volume continued to sink, falling to 4,629 units for the model year. Convertible demand was on the wane generally, and the government accelerated the trend by threatening to enact safety standards for rollover protection that would have effectively banned fully open cars in the United States after 1975. Ironically the legislation never materialized, but it gave domestic producers the excuse they'd been waiting for to drop slow-selling ragtops, and the romantic Corvette roadster would disappear like so many others, not to return to the lineup for another decade.

This ragtop is a '75 Corvette, identified by the small
black bumper pads added front and rear. Also, the rear fascia
was now one piece rather than split.

The big-block V-8 ostensibly returned for the 1975 Corvette, only to be dropped very early in the model run, leaving the small-block L82 as the only engine option. And its power was down as well, to 205 bhp. The base 350 also withered, detuned to a measly 165 bhp. Those ratings might have been even lower had it not been for the catalytic converter, that new and more efficient emissions cleanup device adopted for most 1975 American cars. New for 1975 was a breakerless electronic ignition system, accompanied by an electronic (instead of mechanical) tachometer drive. A headlights-on warning buzzer was added per federal dictates.

Though little more was new besides the advertising, Corvette sales continued to climb. The 1975 sales tally rose to within 300 units of the 1969 peak at 38,465.

Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:

1968 Corvette
1969 Corvette 1970 Corvette 1971 Corvette 1972 Corvette 1973 Corvette 1974 Corvette 1975 Corvette 1976 Corvette 1977 Corvette


Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

• Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
• Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
• Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
• Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
• Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
  
• Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.

1975 Corvette Specifications

Appearance was all but unchanged for the 1975 Corvette, and the big-block V-8 returned, albeit briefly. Here are the specifications for the 1975 Corvette:

Thanks to period inflation, base prices for Corvettes were
higher than previous years' prices.

Vehicle Specifications
Convertible Coupe Wheelbase, inches
98.0 98.0 Length, inches
185.2 185.2 Width, inches
69.0 69.0 Track, inches
front: 58.7 rear: 59.4
front: 58.7 rear: 59.4
Height, inches
47.9 47.9 Curb weight, pounds
3,660 3,660

Mechanical Specifications (2-door convertible/coupe)

Suspension
front: Independent; upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar
rear: Independent, lateral leaf springs, struts, U-joint halfshafts, trailing arms, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers

Wheels/Tires
8 X 15

Brakes
front: 11.75-inch disc
rear: 11.75-inch disc

Transmission
3-speed Hydra-Matic
4-speed manual

Standard axle ratio
3.36:1

Engine Specifications

Type ohv V-8
ohv V-8
Displacement, liters/cubic inch
5.7/350 5.7/350Bore X stroke, inches 4.00 X 3.48 4.00 X 3.48Fuel management
1 X 4-bbl. 1 X 4-bbl.Horsepower @ rpm
165 @ 3,800
205 @ 4,800
Torque @ rpm, pound-foot
255 @ 2,400
255 @ 3,600

Published Performance Numbers

Acceleration205 hp, 4-speed manual
0-60 mph, second
7.7
0-100 mph, second
NA
1/4-mile, second
16.1

(Source: Car and Driver)

Vehicle Production and Base Prices

Car Type
Production Price 2-door coupe
33,836 $6,810.10 2-door convertible
4,629 $6,550.10

Options and Production

Option Production PriceCustom Interior Trim
NA

$154.00

Power Windows
28,745
$93.00
Custom Shoulder Belts (std w/coupe)
646
$41.00Auxiliary Hardtop
2,407
$267.00
Vinyl Covering
279
$350.00
Rear Window Defroster
13,760
$46.00
Air Conditioning
31,914
$490.00
Optional Rear Axle Ratio
1,969
$12.00
Gymkhana Suspension
3,194
$7.00
Power Brakes
35,842
$50.00
205 hp Engine
2,372
$336.00
4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio
1,057
$0.00
Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission
473
$0.00
Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column
31,830
$82.00
Power Steering
37,591
$129.00
White Stripe Steel Belted Tires, GR70 X 15
5,233 $35.00
White Letter Steel Belted Tires, GR70 X 15
30,407 $48.00
Dual Horns
22,011
$4.00
AM/FM Radio, stereo
24,701
$284.00
AM/FM Radio
12,902 $178.00
Heavy Duty Battery
16,778
$15.00
Map Light (on rearview mirror)
21,676
$5.00
California Emission Test
3,037
$20.00
Off Road Suspension and Brake Package
144
$400.00

Color Choices and Production

Color Choice
Production
Classic White
8,007
Bright Blue
2,869
Bright Green
1,664
Medium Saddle
3,403
Dark Red
3,342
Silver
4,710
Steel Blue
1,268
Bright Yellow
2,883
Orange Flame
3,030
Mille Miglia Red
3,355

Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:

1968 Corvette
1969 Corvette 1970 Corvette 1971 Corvette 1972 Corvette 1973 Corvette 1974 Corvette 1975 Corvette 1976 Corvette 1977 Corvette

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

• Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
• Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
• Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
• Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
• Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
  
• Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.