The inspiration for the purchase of the Mach Five C3 began with a 1980 Corvette poster, "THE POSTER". "The Poster" also began our love of Corvettes in general, leading to Mach Five's ownership of five different generations of Corvettes over the years including this C3 Restomod, as well as a C4 Z51, C5 Z51, C7 Z06, and a C8 Z51 (which is still currently owned, see separate "C8 Corvette" Page)
The Third generation (C3) Corvette aka "Shark", or "Coke Bottle", was introduced in 1968 and produced through 1982, with its design based on Larry Shinoda's 1965 Corvette Mako Shark II concept
The 1968 to 1972 model years of the C3 generation, aka the "Chrome Bumper" years, contain some of the most sought-after Corvettes in the brand’s history
The 1973 to 1977 years marked the low for the C3 generation, with Net horsepower dropping below 200hp due to the increasing US emissions requirements
While horsepower remained low for the balance of the C3 production, styling changes beginning with the "fastback" rear window in 1978 improved the appeal of the car with 1979 becoming the highest selling year in Corvette history.
1982 was the last model year for C3 Corvettes and were the first models produced at the new Bowling Green Assembly plant for the full model year.
For more information of the C3 evolution over its 15 years of production, click HERE
The Mach Five C3 Corvette (images #1-14) is a 1981 Restomod with a modern "LS Swap" engine that has been further performance modified. The Mach Five C3 Corvette modifications are detailed in the sections below.
Chevrolet C3 Corvette LS Swap Restomod
The First generation (C1) Corvette aka the "Solid-Axle" generation, was introduced in 1953. Over a ten-year life cycle, the C1 Corvette would include 4 sub-generations with distinctive characteristics - 1953-55, 1956-57, 1958-60, and 1961-62:
- The Corvette was launched in 1953 as a fiberglass bodied two seat roadsters with a 150hp Blue Flame inline-six engine, and a solid rear axle. A two-speed automatic was the only transmission offered, and all of the cars were Polo White with a Red interior, and engines painted Blue (Red, White & Blue symbolizing America's sports car), with a Black canvas top. Chevrolet produced 300 Corvettes in 1953 but sold just 183 of them. The balance of the unsold cars were gifted to GM executives, politicians, and movie stars.
- A new body was introduced for the 1956 model featuring a revised front end and scalloped sides; the taillamp fins were deleted. Rochester Ramjet mechanical Fuel Injection, aka the "Fuelie" was introduced in 1957
- The 283ci V8 283-290hp "Fuelie" was produced from 1957-61
- The 327ci V8 360-375hp "Fuelie" replaced the 283 in 1962 and continued through 1965
- Fuel injection was discontinued from 1966 until the C4 generation in 1984
- The 1958 Corvette received a body and interior revisions including a longer front end with quad headlamps, bumper exiting exhaust tips, revised steering wheel, and a dashboard with all gauges mounted directly in front of the driver
- In 1961, the rear of the car was completely redesigned with the addition of a tapered tail with four round lights
C1 Production ended after 6 years with the 1962 model year
The Second-generation Corvette (C2), aka the "Sting Ray" generation, was introduced in 1963 and produced until 1967. The form-fitting body is once again made of fiberglass. Chevy's 327 V-8 carries over and can be mated to either an automatic transmission or a three- or four-speed manual gearbox and featured an independent rear suspension. Rare C2 generation Corvettes include:
- 1963 "Split Window Coupe" 327ci 250hp
- 10,396 made
- 1963 "Z06" 327ci 360hp
- The first Corvette Z06
- Only 199 made
- 1963 "N03 Big Tank" 36 Gallon Fuel Tank
- Only 63 made
- 1967 "L71 Tri-Power" 427ci 435hp
- Tri-Power = 3 Holley 2-barrel carburetors
- 1967 "L89 Tri-Power" 427ci 435hp
- L71 engine with aluminum heads
- Only 16 made, even rarer than the L88
- 1967 "L88" 427ci 430hp**
- **The L88 engine was officially rated at only 430hp, but the actual figure is believed to be well over 500 hp, and closer to 600 hp in full race trim
- The L88 is the MOST EXPENSIVE CORVETTE model ever sold with 3 of the 20 total 1967 L88's made selling for more than $3M!
- While not a production vehicle (only 5 ever made, for racing only), the 2000lb 485hp aluminum 377ci 1963 Corvette Grand Sport "Cobra Killer" became legendary after dominating Ferrari GTOs, and Shelby Cobra's at Nassau Speed Week in 1963.
C2 Production ended after only 5 years with the 1967 model year
Click HERE for further information regarding the Corvette's full history