1969 Corvette Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Five Fast Facts You May Not Know
1969 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
1969 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
1. 350 CID V-8 Replaces 327
2. New Emblems Proclaim "Stingray" Not "Sting Ray"
3. All Aluminum ZL1 427 CID V-8 Appears
4. Vent Trim and Side Mount Exhausts New Options
5. Door Panels New and Head Rests Standard
1969 Corvette – Refinement the Key
After a year’s absence, the “Stingray” name now spelled as one word appeared on the front fenders just above the vent louvers. The backup lights were integrated into the center taillights. The ignition key was now on the steering column and the door depression button used in 1968 was eliminated , with a key lock put in its place. The ZL1 all aluminum 427 V-8 arrived, though only 2 cars received this engine.
1969 Corvette Resources
Equipment or products directly related to the Corvette. Click to view:
1969 Chevrolet Service Manual
PDF Download
$17.95 – Click Below to Purchase
1969 Chevrolet Service Manual
1969 Corvette Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes
Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:
1969 Corvette:
| 900 Tuxedo Black | |
| 972 Can-Am White | |
| 974 Monza Red | |
| 976 LeMans Blue | |
| 980 Riverside Gold | |
| 983 Fathom Green | |
| 984 Daytona Yellow | |
| 986 Cortez Silver | |
| 988 Burgundy | |
| 990 Monaco Orange |
Collector Car Insurers
Click on the links below to find your car’s value or get a quote:
1969 Corvette Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1969 Corvette Facts
In 1969, small block V-8 displacement increased from 327 CID to 350 CID, though HP figures did not increase, but torque was up – from 360 ft. lbs to 380. The 350 HP small block designation mover from L79 to L46 and carried a more radial camshaft. Other engines and transmission choices were unchanged, though the L30 base 427 CID V-8 identifier was changed to ZQ3 and the L79 motor was re-designated the L46. All cars featured 8-inch-wide steel wheels that were increased from 7 inches. Tire size remained the same, however this was the first year for optional “white letter” tires and would be the last for red strip tires. The seven available rear axle ratios were carried over from the previous year – 2.73:1 to 4.56:1. The standard ratio remained 3.08 with automatic and 3.36 with manual transmission. The optional Positraction rear axle was installed on more than 95% of the cars.
Stylistically, “Stingray” script nameplates appeared on front fenders, and now it was one word, versus the “Sting Ray” nameplate used previously. Exterior door handles were redesigned so the finger plate would actuate the door, eliminating the separate release button. Backup lights were integrated into the inboard taillights, headlight washers were added, and front grilles were made all black. Side-mounted exhausts and front fender vent trim were options for this year only.
On the interior, revised door panels provided additional shoulder room and headrests were standard. Steering wheel diameter was reduced from 16 to 15 inches to permit easier entry and exit. As in other GM cars, the ignition switch was moved from the dash to the steering column, and map pockets were added to the dash area in front of the passenger seat.
Coupes with their removable roof panels now accounted for 57% of the cars, a trend of outselling convertibles. This was the last year for the L88 engine and the only year for the ZL1 option, which offered an all-aluminum 427 CID engine that was listed at 430 hp. Rare options were: ZL1 aluminum block (2), J56 heavy-duty brakes (115), L88 engine (116), L89 aluminum heads (390).
1969 Corvette Factoids
Click a Tab to See the Details
- 350 CID V-8 Replaces 327
- All Aluminum ZL1 427 CID V-8 Appears
- Fender Vent Trim and New Size Exhausts New Options
- Interior Changes for 1969
The 327 CID V-8 was replaced with the 350 CID version, available on the Camaro since 1967. The base engine, identified as LQ3, utilizes the same camshaft profile as the former 327, however the 350 HP version (now labeled L46) used a more radical cam – identified by Chevrolet as having 346/340 degrees od duration and 0.4500″/0.4600″ lift and 1.70:1 rocker arm ratio.
Speaking of radical, nothing could be more so than the all-aluminum ZL1 engine. Basically, an aluminum version of the L88 was designed to lessen the front end weight of Corvettes in racing. Spec-wise, it was a lightweight L-88 and super expensive – even more so than the L88. The staggering $4,718 cost of the ZL1 option doubled the price of the 1969 Corvette.
While not impacting performance, these two options appeared on many 1969 Corvettes. easily distinguishing them from 1968 versions. The vent trim option code TJ2 was fitted to 11,962 cars, while the side mounted exhaust N14 ended up on 4,355 vehicles.
Reacting to complaints about interior space and in response to mandated safety regulations, head rests were now standard (after Jan 1, 1969), and the door panels were recessed more deeply into the door. Also steering wheel diameter was reduced from 16 to 15 inches to permit easier entry and exit.
1969 Corvette Facts – Models Offered
Click a Tab to See the Details
The Corvette Coupe no longer sported a fastback body, but a traditional coupe setup except that there were what are called “flying buttresses” on each side to give the appearance of a flowing C pillar. The roof had removable panels (“T-tops”) and the rear window could be removed to give open air driving. New was that the Stingray name (now spelled as one word) appeared on the front fenders above the vent louvers. The backup lights were integrated into the center taillights. The ignition was now on the steering column and the door depression button used in 1968 was eliminated, with a key lock put in its place. Standard equipment included front and rear disc brakes, headlight washers, center console, wheel trim rings, carpeting, and all-vinyl upholstery.
The Corvette convertible was styled like the coupe, less the fixed roof and flying buttress C pillars. New was that the Stingray name (now spelled as one word) appeared on the front fenders above the vent louvers. The backup lights were integrated into the center taillights. The ignition was now on the steering column and the door depression button used in 1968 was eliminated, with a key lock put in its place. Standard equipment included front and rear disc brakes, headlight washers, center console, wheel trim rings, carpeting, and all-vinyl upholstery.
1969 Corvette Facts – Engines
Click a Tab to See the Details
- 300 HP 350 CID V-8
- 350 HP 350 CID V-8
- 390 HP 427 CID V-8
- 400 HP 427 CID V-8
- 435 HP 427 CID V-8
- L-89 435 HP 427 CID V-8
- L-88 430 HP 427 CID V-8
- ZL1 430 HP 427 CID V-8
300 HP V-8 Standard. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main Bearings.
Displacement: 350 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.48 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.25:1.
Horsepower: 300 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 380 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve Lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 280 degrees, Exhaust: 288 degrees, Overlap 58 degrees. Lift: Intake: 0.3900″, Exhaust: 0.4100″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel (manual transmission) 7029203; (automatic transmission) 7029202.
350 HP V-8 Option L46. Four-Speed Transmission Only. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 350 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.48 inches.
Compression ratio: 11.00:1.
Horsepower: 350 @ 5800 RPM.
Torque: 360 @ 3600 RPM
Valve lifters: Hydraulic
Camshaft timing: Intake: 346 degrees, Exhaust: 340 degrees, Overlap 114 degrees. Lift: (Intake) 0.4500″; (Exhaust) 0.4600″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel 7029207.
NOTE: Not available with automatic transmission.
Turbo-Fire 427 V-8 (RPO L36). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 427 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.250 x 3.76 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.25:1.
Horsepower: 390 @ 5400 RPM.
Torque: 460 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 350 degrees, Exhaust: 350 degrees, Overlap 118 degrees. Lift: Intake: 0.4614″; Exhaust: 0.4800″.
Carburetor: Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel (manual transmission) 7029215; (automatic transmission) 70829204.
Turbo-Fire 427 V-8 (RPO L68). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 427 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.250 x 3.76 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.25:1.
Horsepower: 400 @ 5400 RPM.
Torque: 460 @ 3600 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 300 degrees, Exhaust: 300 degrees, Overlap 72 degrees. Lift: Intake: 0.4614″; Exhaust: 0.4800″.
Carburetors: Holley three 2-barrel Manual Transmission: (front) #3902353, (center) #3940929, (rear) #3902353. Automatic Transmission: (front) #3902353, (center) #3940930, (rear) #3902353.
Turbo-Fire 427 V-8 (RPO L71). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings, 4-bolt caps.
Displacement: 427 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.250 x 3.76 inches.
Compression ratio: 11.00:1.
Horsepower: 435 @ 5800 RPM.
Torque: 460 @ 4000 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 316 degrees, Exhaust: 302 degrees, Overlap 80 degrees. Lift: 0.5197″.
Carburetors: Holley three 2-barrel (front) #3902353, (center) #3940929, (rear) #3902353.
NOTE: Not available with automatic transmission.
Turbo-Fire 427 V-8 (RPO L89). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings, 4-bolt caps.
Displacement: 427 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.250 x 3.76 inches.
Cylinder Heads: Aluminum.
Compression ratio: 11.00:1.
Horsepower: 435 @ 5800 RPM.
Torque: 460 @ 4000 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 316 degrees, Exhaust: 302 degrees, Overlap 80 degrees. Lift: 0.5197″.
Carburetors: Holley three 2-barrel (front) #3902353, (center) #3940929, (rear) #3902353.
NOTE: Not available with automatic transmission.
427 V-8 (RPO L88) Race Engine. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings, 4-bolt caps.
Displacement: 427 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.250 x 3.76 inches.
Cylinder Heads: Aluminum.
Compression ratio: 11.00:1.
Horsepower: 430 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 485 @ 4000 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 347 degrees, Exhaust: 364 degrees, Overlap 136 degrees. Lift: Intake: 0.5586″; Exhaust: 0.5800″.
Carburetor: 850 CFM Holley 4 barrel #3925519.
NOTE 1: Not available with automatic transmission.
NOTE 2: The specifications on these engines were modified during the year. Both L88 and ZL1 were built with closed chamber heads until March 1969, when the open combustion chamber aluminum heads finally were in production and began being fitted to the L88 and ZL1 engines.
427 V-8 (RPO ZL1) Race Engine. Overhead valves. Aluminum block. Five main bearings, 4-bolt caps.
Displacement: 427 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.250 x 3.76 inches.
Cylinder Heads: Aluminum.
Compression ratio: 11.00:1.
Horsepower: 430 @ 4600 RPM.
Torque: 485 @ 4000 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 347 degrees, Exhaust: 364 degrees, Overlap 136 degrees. Lift: Intake: 0.5600″; Exhaust: 0.6000″.
Carburetor: 850 CFM Holley 4 barrel #3925519.
NOTE 1: Not available with automatic transmission.
NOTE 2: The specifications on these engines were modified during the year. Both L88 and ZL1 were built with closed chamber heads until March 1969, when the open combustion chamber aluminum heads finally were in production and began being fitted to the L88 and ZL1 engines.
1969 Corvette Facts – Chassis Features
-
- Wheelbase: 98.00 inches.
- Overall length: 182.10 inches.
- Overall width: 69.00 inches.
- overall height: Coupe 47.80 inches; Convertible 47.90 inches.
- Front tread: 58.70 inches.
- Rear tread: 59.40 inches.
- Tires: F70 x 15 – tubeless.
1969 Corvette Facts – Powertrains
- Transmission Ratios
- 300 HP Only – Three-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.54:1, Second: 1.50:1, Third 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.63:1.
- 300 HP Four-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.52:1, Second: 1.88:1, Third 1.46:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.59:1.
- 350-390-400-435 HP Four-Speed Close Ratio Manual Transmission – First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.64:1, Third 1.28:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.26:1.
- 350-390-400-435 HP Four-Speed Wide ratio Manual Transmission – First: 2.52:1, Second: 1.88:1, Third 1.46:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.59:1.
- 430 HP L88 and ZL1 Four-Speed Manual Transmission – First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.64:1, Third 1.28:1, Fourth: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.26:1.
- 300, 390, 400 HP Only – Three-Speed Turbo Hydra-Matic Transmission – 1st 2.48:1, 2nd: 1.48:1, 3rd: 1.00:1. Reverse: 2.08:1.
- Rear Axle Ratios
Manual Transmissions –
– 300 HP 3-Speed & 4-speed Manual: 3.36:1; Optional: 3.08:1.
– 350 HP Close Ratio Four-speed: 3.70:1, Optional 4.11:1.
– 350 HP Wide Ratio Four-speed: 3.36:1, Optional 3.55:1.
– 390 and 400 HP Close Ratio Four-speed: 3.36:1; Optional 3.08:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1.
– 390 and 400 HP Wide Ratio Four-speed: 3.08:1; Optional 3.36:1.
– 425 HP Close Ratio Four-speed: 3.55:; Optional 3.36:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1.
– 430 HP L88 & ZL1 Close Ratio Four-speed: 3.36:1; Optional 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.
Three Speed Automatic Transmissions –
– 300 HP: 3.08:1.
– 350 HP: Not Available.
– 390 and 400 HP Automatic: 3.08:1; Optional 2.73:1.
– 435 HP and L88: Not Available.
Optional available Dealer Installed rear axle gear ratios: 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.
1969 Corvette Facts – Powertrain Options
Engines:
-
- 350 cubic inch 300 horsepower four-barrel carburetor engine standard.
- L46 350 cubic inch 350 horsepower V-8 engine ($131.65).
- L36 427 cubic inch 390 horsepower V-8 four-barrel carb engine ($221.20).
- L68 427 cubic inch 400 horsepower V-8 Tri-carb engine ($326).
- L71 427 cubic inch 435 horsepower V-8 Tri-carb engine ($437.10).
- L88 427 cubic inch 430 horsepower V-8 four-barrel carb engine ($1,032.15).
- L89 427 cubic inch 435 horsepower V-8 – Aluminum cylinder ($832.05).
- ZL1 427 cubic inch 430 horsepower V-8 – Aluminum bl0ck and heads ($4,718.35).
Other:
-
- 3-speed manual transmission standard and only available on 300 HP only.
- 3-speed automatic transmission ($221.80).
- 4-speed close ratio M-22 Heavy Duty manual floor shift transmission ($290.40).
- 4-speed close ratio M-21 manual transmission with floor shift ($184.80).
- 4-speed wide ratio M-20 manual transmission with floor shift ($184.80).
- Heavy-duty brakes ($384.45).
- Side-mount exhaust system ($147.45).
- F41 front and rear suspension ($36.90).
- Transistor ignition system ($81.10).
- Positive Traction Rear Axle ($46.35)
1969 Corvette Facts – Significant Options
-
- Air conditioning ($428.70).
- Alarm system ($26.35).
- Custom Deluxe front shoulder belts ($42.15).
- Detachable hardtop ($252.80).
- Detachable hardtop vinyl roof covering ($57.95).
- Driver and passenger head restraints ($17.95), standard after Jan 1 1969.
- Heavy-duty power brakes ($384.45).
- Leather seats ($79.00).
- Power brakes ($42.15).
- Power steering ($105.35).
- Power windows ($63.20).
- Radio, AM/FM stereo ($278.10).
- Radio, AM/FM with fixed height antenna ($172.75).
- Rear window defroster ($32.65).
- Special red stripe F70-15 tires ($31.30).
- Special white stripe F70-l 5 tires ($31.30).
- Speed warning indicator ($11.60).
- Steering Column, Adjustable ($84.30).
- Tinted windows ($16.90).
1969 Corvette Downloads and Images
1969 Corvette Facts – Related Document Downloads
Files directly related to the Chevrolet Corvette will appear below:
1969 Corvette Print Advertisements
1969 Corvette AMA Specifications Sheets
1968 Corvette L-88 AMA Specifications Sheets (same as 1969).
1969 Corvette Factory Specifications Sheets
1969 Corvette 435 HP 427 CID Road Test – Car and Driver Magazine
1969 Corvette Facts – Related Images
Related Images to the Chevrolet Corvette Line will appear below
1969 Corvette Convertible
The 1969 Corvette Convertible was little changed from 1968 with 16,608 delivered.
1969 Corvette Coupe
The 1969 Corvette Coupe remained much like as it was introduced in 1968. 22,154 were produced.