- May 11
- The 1,000 KM Spa-Francorchamps race is held in Europe. Finishing 1st in GT+5.0 class and 23rd overall is the Chris Tuerlinx #57 Corvette driven by Chris Tuerlinx and Etienne Stalpaert. [104.151] [163] [358.66] [423]
- May
- Owens Corning Fiberglas 1967 L88 Corvette begins 22 consecutive SCCA A-Production class race wins. [42.97] [851.29]
- (month unknown)
- Two XP-882 mid-engine prototypes are completed. [580.251]
- June 9
- The labor dispute is resolved, allowing 1969 model Corvette production to resume. [226.63] [722.47] [774.87]
- June
- Open-chamber cylinder heads (LO suffix) for the Corvette are first made available to the public. [147.19] [226.10] [264.80] [345.18] [625.32]
- A 1969 Corvette is built with a ZL-1 engine, ordered as a company car. [283.20]
- June 14
- In France, the 24 Hours of Le Mans race is held. The Swiss racing team of Georges Filipinetti enters two 1968 Corvette L-88s. The Scuderia Filipinetti #1 Corvette driven by Henri Greder and Reine Wisell leads the GT class until the transmission dies after 15 hours. [309.25] [423]
- (month unknown)
- AMT releases model kit #T-345 1969 Corvette convertible, in white plastic. [336.20]
- AMT releases model kit #Y-912 1969 Corvette T-Top, in white plastic. [336.20]
- Georges Filipinetti sells a 1969 Corvette L-88 to Henry Greder. [309.25]
vvv advertisement vvv
^^^ advertisement ^^^
- Jerry P. Palmer becomes assistant chief designer for Corvette. [152.29]
- The Mako Shark II is remodelled and renamed the Manta Ray. It is given a 427-ci ZL-1 aluminum engine, side exhausts, and three-speed automatic transmission. The roofline is two inches lower. [3.70] [5.159] [42.59] [104.138] [204.34] [542.55] [580.206]
- In New York City, the 1969 International Automobile Show is held. Motion Performance shows its 1970 prototype Phase III GT Corvette, with 427-ci engine. [28.12] [300.46]
- Corvette News magazine advertises a search for the oldest existing Corvette. Ed Thiebaud responds that he has 1953 Corvette #3 in California. [5.125]
- Sunoco sells its 1968 Corvette L88 to Quaker State. [327.39]
- MPC releases the 1/20-scale model kit #2001 1969 Corvette T-Top, in red plastic. [335.39]
- MPC releases the 1/20-scale model kit #2003 1968 Corvette convertible, in red plastic. [335.39]
- MPC releases model kit #569 1969 Corvette T-Top, in white plastic. [336.20]
- MPC releases model kit #669 1969 Corvette convertible, in white plastic. [336.20]
- An employee of Swedish Crucible Steel sells his 1964 Corvette Styling car to Bruce Boore. [576.104]
- July 13
- At the Watkins Glen raceway in Watkins Glen, New York, Watkins Glen Six Hours of Endurance race is held.
- Finishing 1st in GT+2.0 class and 7th overall is the Owens-Corning Fiberglas Racing Team #14 Corvette Sting Ray driven by Tony DeLorenzo and Dick Lang.
- Finishing 2nd in GT+2.0 class and 9th overall is the Robert Esseks #30 Corvette driven by Robert Esseks and John Paul.
[35.37] [42.97] [104.151] [263] [423] [580.237]
- (month unknown)
- At the 1970 model long lead press preview, Chevrolet presents an orange Corvette T-Top with an LT-2 engine. The engine features 454-ci, aluminum block, aluminum heads, and 12.25:1 compression. (The engine is cancelled before being put into production.) [221.54]
- August 2
- Sunoco (Sunray DX Oil Company merged into it) sells its 1967 L88 Corvette to Bob Luebbe of New York. [155.30] [237.52] [563.103]
- August 16
- At the New York National Speedway, the AHRA Summer Nationals drag races are held. John Mahler runs the 1/4-mile in 11.04 seconds at 129.00 MPH, in a 1967 L88 Corvette, setting a new world record in A/Sports Production class. (The car is retired, and never raced again.) [624.52]
- (month unknown)
- After considering Frank Winchell's XP-880 and Zora Arkus-Duntov's XP-882 mid-engine test cars, Chevrolet general manager John DeLorean shelves both concepts. He then asks the engineers to consider building a Corvette on a shortened new Camaro chassis. [454.143] [580.251] [774.101] (1970 [28])
- September 18
- The Tour de France begins, in Nice, France, comprising nine road courses and eleven hill climbs, over nine days. Henry Greder and André Vigneron race the ex-Scunderia Filipinetti #143 1968 Corvette L-88 T-Top. [309.25] [387.88] [580.230]
- September 26
- The Tour de France in Nice, France, ends. Finishing 1st in Group 3 Grand Touring class and 2nd overall is the Greder Racing Team #143 1968 Corvette L-88 T-Top driven by Henri Greder/André Vigneron. They scored wins at Nürburgring, Rouen, Le Mans, Charade, Albi, Cap Frehel, and Tourmalet. They finish 2nd overall behind a factory-backed Porsche 911R. [309.25] [345.18] [387.88] [423] [580.230]
- November 7
- The 250,000th Corvette rolls off the production line, a Riverside Gold convertible, purchased by George Dyer of California. [5.124] [6] [133.27] [580.230] [595.72] [774.89] (November 19 [133.67] [547.50])
- November 28
- The 1967 L-88 Corvette that was raced to a 1/4-mile class record of 11.04 seconds is displayed at the National Rod and Custom Car Show in Nassau Coliseum. [624.53]
- November 30
- At the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, the American Road Race of Champions final races of the SCCA Club Racing series are held.
- Finishing 1st in A Production class and 1st overall is the #7 1969 Corvette driven by Jerry Thompson. This is the first Corvette win in this class since 1962.
- Finishing 2nd in A Production class and 2nd overall is the #91 Corvette Sting Ray driven by Don Yenko.
- Finishing 3rd in A Production class and 3rd overall is the #6 Corvette driven by Herb Caplan.
- Finishing 4th in A Production class and 4th overall is the #77 Corvette driven by William Harrison.
- Finishing 1st in B Production class and 5th overall is the #87 Corvette Sting Ray driven by Allan Barker.
- Finishing 3rd in B Production class and 7th overall is the #25 Corvette Sting Ray driven by Doug Hooper.
- Finishing 5th in B Production class and 9th overall is the #47 Corvette driven by Dick Durant.
- Finishing 5th in A Production class and 12th overall is the #19 Corvette driven by Byron Willner.
- Finishing 9th in B Production class and 14th overall is the #41 Corvette driven by Fred Brandt.
- Finishing 10th in B Production class and 15th overall is the #29 Corvette driven by Fred Thompson.
- Finishing 7th in A Production class and 17th overall is the #1 Corvette driven by Tony DeLorenzo.
- Finishing 8th in A Production class and 18th overall is the #18 Corvette driven by John Paul.
- Finishing 11th in B Production class and 19th overall is the #68 Corvette driven by John Putnem.
- Finishing 12th in B Production class and 20th overall is the #74 Corvette driven by Cliff Gottlob.
[3.74] [35.37] [79.71] [104.151] [343.75] [345.18] [388.24] [394.4,12] [423] [580.230]
- (month unknown)
- Crew of the Apollo 12 space rocket (Charles Conrad, Richard Gordon, Alan Bean) each receive a gold and black Corvette coupe with 427-ci engine from General Motors, leased for $1 for one year. [580.230] [897.13]
- Henry Greder sells his 1968 L-88 Corvette to Jean Claude Aubriet. [309.25]
- Car and Driver magazine readers vote the Corvette as Best All-Around Car. [580.231]
- December
- Production of 1969 model Corvettes ends. [148.52]
- Paul van Valkenburgh of Sports Car Graphic magazine test drives the first and only 1970 Corvette with 454-ci LS-7 engine. (The Corvette option is not put into production.) [319.60] [580.234]
1970
- January
- Production of 1970 model Corvettes begins. [148.16,54]
- January 31
- At the Daytona International Raceway in Daytona, Florida, the Daytona 24 Hours race is held.
- Finishing 1st in GT +2000 class and 6th overall is the Owens Corning Fiberglas #7 Corvette, driven by Jerry Thompson and John Mahler.
- Finishing 2nd in GT +2000 class and 11th overall is the Cliff Gottlob #89 1967 white Corvette L-88 convertible driven by Cliff Gottlob and Dave Dooley. They reach a top speed of 186 MPH.
- Finishing 3rd in GT +2000 class and 13th overall is the Owens-Corning Fibreglass #6 Corvette driven by Tony DeLorenzo and Dick Lang.
- Finishing 4th in GT +2000 class and 15th overall is the Or Costanzo #90 1969 Corvette L88 driven by Or Costanzo and Dave Heinz.
- Allan Barker, John Greenwood, and Richard Hoffmang race the John Greenwood #91 Corvette but do not finish due to an accident.
- Bob Johnson, Robert R. Johnson, and Jim Greendykeg race the Bob Johnson #8 Corvette but do not finish the race.
[35.37] [104.151] [200.10] [263.276] [389.74] [423] [580.234] [615.52] [767.60]
- (month unknown)
- General Motors' president Ed Cole decrees that all 1971 GM cars must be able to run on Research Octane 91 or less. [580.234]
- February
- 1970 model Corvettes begin arriving in dealer showrooms. [24] [79.55] [98.46] [104.74] [226.61] [237.59] [454.138] [580.230] [826.84] [903.77]
- March 21
- In Sebring, Florida, the 12 Hours of Sebring race is held.
- Finishing 1st in Grand Touring +5000 class, 10th overall, is the Troy Promotions #1 Corvette, driven by Tony DeLorenzo and Dick Lang. They set a new distance record for GT class. Tony DeLorenzo is clocked at 197 mph, making this Corvette the fastest to date.
- Finishing 2nd in Grand Touring +5000 class, 11th overall, is the Doug Bergen Racing #3 black 1969 L88 Corvette, driven by Bob Johnson, Robert Johnson, and Jim Greendyke.
- Finishing 4th in Grand Touring +5000 class, 20th overall, is the Troy Promotions #2 Corvette, driven by Jerry Thompson and John Mahler.
- Dave Heinz and Or Costanzo race Costanzo's #8 1969 Corvette L-88 in Grand Touring +5000 class. The crankshaft breaks after 191 laps, near the end of the race. They place 37th overall.
- John Greenwood and Allan Barker race Greenwood's #4 Corvette in Grand Touring +5000 class. After 159 laps, the car is out due to a failed clutch. They place 38th overall.
- Bill Schumacher and Bill Petree race Schumacher's #5 Corvette in Grand Touring +5000 class. After 34 laps, the car is out due to engine failure. They place 55th overall.
[35.37] [42.97] [104.151] [200.10] [263] [348] [423] [580.237] [585.99] [767.60]
- March
- Zora Arkus-Duntov shows the XP-882 prototypes to GM Styling head Bill Mitchell and Chevrolet engineer Alex Mair. They instruct him to prepare one for showing at the upcoming New York Automobile Show. [580.253]
- April 2
- The 52nd Annual New York Automobile Show is held. Chevrolet unveils the experimental transverse mid-engined XP-882 Corvette prototype. Ford shows its Pantera, and American Motors shows its AMX/3, both mid-engine prototypes. [5.167] [28.58] [36] [42.88] [47.57] [58.53] [104.76] [158.32] [385.27] [390.57] [454.143] [542.55] [580.253] [896.55] (1971 [104.139])
- April 6
- The Corvette assembly plant shuts down, due to lack of parts, due to a Teamsters Union workers' strike. [226.63] [722.48] [774.87]
- (month unknown)
- Work resumes on project XP-882 mid-engine Corvette prototype. A new body is designed, and the project number changes to XP-895. [175.28] [213.55] [580.253]
- After the positive response to the mid-engined XP-882 at the New York auto show, Chevrolet general manager John DeLorean approves funding for developing a manual transmission for the Mark IV 454 engine. [454.143]
- May 6
- The Corvette assembly plant re-opens, with 1970 model production resuming. [226.63] [722.48] [774.87]
- June 15
- In Paris, France, the 24 Hours of Le Mans race is held. Finishing 1st in GT 5000+ class is the Greder Racing #2 Corvette driven by Henri Greder and Jean-Pierre Rouget. Jean-Claude Aubriet and Jacques Bourdon race the Ecurie Léopard #1 1968 Corvette L-88, but crash partway through the race. [309.25] [423]
- (month unknown)
- The Manta Ray show car debuts, with ZL-1 427-ci engine. [204.34] [580.208]
- The Corvette Aero Coupe is revised and displayed as the Corvette Scirocco. It features side exhaust covers, new paint, high-mounted racing mirrors, and electric rear window. [79.60] [257.78]
- At Lime Rock, Connecticut, Robert Miller takes First Place in SCCA A-production class in his 1966 L72/M22 Corvette. [175.85]
- Zora Arkus-Duntov presents Bill Mitchell with the idea of a four-rotor engined Corvette show car. Zora gives him the chassis from the 1970 New York show car. [28.59]
- General Motors' president initiates changing how engine horsepower ratings are reported, from gross to SAE net. [6] [580.235]
- AMT releases two promotional model Corvettes, a metallic red 1970 convertible, and a metallic blue 1970 T-Top. [312.16]
- AMT releases model kit #Y-718 1970 Corvette convertible, in white plastic. [336.20]
- AMT releases model kit #Y-732 1970 Corvette T-Top, in white plastic. [336.20]
- MPC releases the 1/20-scale model kit #3070 1970 1/2 Corvette T-Top, in white plastic. [335.39]
- MPC releases model kit #570 1970 Corvette T-Top, in yellow plastic. [336.20]
- July 31
- Production of 1970 model Corvettes ends. [148.54] [226.63]
- August
- The Classic Corvette Club (1953-55) is founded. [12] [18.8] [176.7]
- Production of 1971 model Corvettes begins. [148.56]
- November 10
- General Motors signs a deal with holders of the Wankel patents for US$50 million. (In 1972, two Corvette test cars will be built with two-rotor and four-rotor engines.) [5.167] [42.90] [454.157] [580.256] [774.102] (November 11 [385.32])
- November 16
- Bob Luebbe sells his 1967 Corvette L88 to David Laughlin. [237.72] [563.104] (1971 [155.30])
- November 29
- At the Road Atlanta raceway in Braselton, Georgia, the American Road Race of Champions final races of the SCCA Club Racing series are held.
- Finishing 1st in A Production class is the #48 Corvette driven by John Greenwood.
- Finishing 2nd in A Production class is the #12 Corvette driven by Jerry Thompson.
- Finishing 3rd in A Production class is the #11 Corvette driven by Tony DeLorenzo.
- Finishing 1st in B Production class is the #87 Corvette Sting Ray driven by Allan Barker.
- Finishing 3rd in B Production class is the #27 Corvette Sting Ray driven by Rich Sloma.
[42.98] [79.72] [104.151] [214.26] [343.75] [394.4,12] [423] [518.196]
- (month unknown)
- The Repair Department of the St. Louis Corvette plant begins building a limited number of ZR-1 Corvettes with LT-1 small-block motors, for competing in SCCA Class B racing, and ZR-2 Corvettes with LS6 454 big-block motors for SCCA Class A. [77.107]
- Car and Driver magazine readers vote the Corvette as Best All-Around Car. [580.231]
- December
- The US Congress passes the Clean Air Bill in the National Environmental Policy Act. This establishes regulations specifying fuel economy and emissions standards for cars sold in the US. Auto makers are given less than six years to develop engines that reduce emissions by ninety percent. [454.140]
- Sales of 1970 model Corvettes ends. [169.48]
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