Third generation · C3 "Stingray" · 1968–1982
1979Chevrolet Corvette
The Coke-bottle 'shark' body — the longest-running Corvette generation. Big-block muscle early, then detuned through the 1970s emissions era; the original ZR1 option appeared 1970–1972.
Photo: SG2012 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Start here
What do you need to know?
This page covers the whole 1979 Chevrolet Corvette model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.
Documented lineup
Find your exact 1979 Corvette
Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified
These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.
Corvette Coupe with removable roof panels — 3-speed automatic
- Body
- Coupe with removable roof panels
- Engine
- 350 cu in small-block V8
- Gearbox
- 3-speed automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Corvette Coupe with removable roof panels — 4-speed manual
- Body
- Coupe with removable roof panels
- Engine
- 350 cu in small-block V8
- Gearbox
- 4-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
No factory configuration matches those filters.
The 1979 model year
Overview
The 1979 Chevrolet Corvette was the C3 Stingray model-year specification for the U.S. market. Its documented factory range comprised 350 cu in small-block V8 with 3-speed automatic or 4-speed manual.
Specifications
- Engines
- 350 cu in small-block V8
- Transmissions
- 3-speed automatic, 4-speed manual
- Body styles
- Coupe with removable roof panels
Year over year
What changed
- The coupe-only C3 continued with year-specific emissions, trim and equipment revisions.
Worth knowing
Notable
- This page records the U.S. 1979 factory powertrain and body-style range rather than borrowing a nearby model year's specification.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- For a 1979 Corvette, verify the VIN, installed powertrain and service history against the exact-year GM document; age, modifications and deferred maintenance are more useful evidence than generation-wide reputation.
- Check the NHTSA VIN lookup for unrepaired safety recalls before purchase or road use.
Maintenance & service parts
Keep your 1979 Corvette on the road
Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.
Service desk
What this car needs & when
Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1979 Chevrolet Corvette. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.
- Service topics
- 13
- Factory intervals
- 12
- Fitment-scoped
- 13
- Exact references
- 1
Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.
Engine oil and filter — change
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Chassis — lubricate; fluid levels and clutch-pedal free travel — check
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Rear-axle lubricant — change; manual-transmission lubricant — check
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Cooling system — check
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Wheel bearings — repack; steering-gear seals — check; clutch cross-shaft — lubricate
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Automatic-transmission fluid and filter — change
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Tires, wheels, disc brakes, exhaust, suspension, steering, brake hydraulics, power steering, and parking brake — check
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Drive belts — check
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Fuel and evaporative-control filters — replace
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Fuel filter
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Evaporative-control filter; also check fuel cap, tank, and lines
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
PCV system, valve, and filter — check
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Spark plugs — replace and wires — check
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Emission Control Maintenance Schedule I
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Emission Control Maintenance Schedule II
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Air-cleaner element — replace
Sourced interval available
Source: Chevrolet — 1979 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance schedule · Maintenance and Lubrication, Figure OB-1 — Vehicle Maintenance Schedule · checked
Engine oil filter — catalog fitment
Exact reference available
Manufacturer-catalog fitment only; no service interval is inferred.
Baldwin B27 cataloged fitment
This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not alter Chevrolet's service interval.
Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · Chevrolet 1979 Corvette V8-350 (5.7L) application row — Lube — B27 · checked
Verified ordering references
- Validated equivalentBaldwin B27
Qty. 1 · Engine lubricating-oil filter · catalog-listed
Cataloged for the 1979 Corvette 5.7-liter application; confirm the installed engine and filter dimensions.
Catalog: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · Chevrolet 1979 Corvette V8-350 (5.7L) application row — Lube — B27 · checked
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Sources
Other Third generation years
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