Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 19641965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976
1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
1992 Corvette LT1 Engine
Real Corvette Horsepower is Back
Starting in the mid 1970s, emissions regulations became a significant part of the performance automotive scene. Power output dropped dramatically; the 1975 Corvette was rated at only 165 hp. Car enthusiasts were concerned. If the present was bad, what would the future, which promised more stringent regulations, be like? It did not look good.
They need not have worried. What happened was a long, slow and sometimes painful return to speedier times. Corvette engines steadily gained about five or fifteen horsepower almost every year. By 1991 the L98 base Corvette engine was rated at 250 hp.
It all changed drastically with the introduction of the LT1 motor in the 1992 Corvette.
The LT1 (above and right) was named after the highly regarded solid lifter small block LT-1 (note the hyphen) motor first used in the 1970 Corvette. The horsepower increased by 20% to 300 hp. This was accomplished by using computer controlled ignition timing, a low restriction exhaust system, a more aggressive camshaft profile and free-flow cylinder heads. Max. RPM was 5,700, a whopping 700 RPM more than its L98 predecessor.
Probably the most interesting change in the LT1 was the revised cooling system strategy. Most engines route the coolant from the water pump to the block and through the head(s). In the LT1, coolant took the opposite path, starting in the cylinder heads and then cooling the engine block. Cooling off the heads first enabled the LT1 to reach new horsepower levels.
Also worth noting: All LT1 engines left the factory with Mobil 1, the recommended lubricant. The synthetic 5W-30 engine oil eliminated the need for a separate oil cooler.
There was a dark side to all the technological progress. The new "Opti-spark" distributor had problems and were recalled early in the production run. According to some sources, given enough time, they would all fail if not replaced.
Something special happened in 1992: The One Millionth Corvette was built! Click Here for details.
1992 Corvette Options, Prices
| RPO | Description | Production | Price |
| 24S | Removable Roof Panel, blue tint (coupe) | 6,424 (31.37%) | $650.00 |
| 64S | Removable Roof Panel, bronze tint (coupe) | 3,005 (14.67%) | $650.00 |
| AC1 | Power Passenger Seat | 16,179 (79.00%) | $305.00 |
| AC3 | Power Driver Seat | 19,378 (94.62%) | $305.00 |
| AQ9 | Sports Seats, leather | 7,973 (38.93%) | $1,100.00 |
| AQ9 | Sports Seats, white leather | 709 (3.46%) | $1,180.00 |
| AR9 | Base Seats, leather | 10,565 (51.59%) | $475.00 |
| AR9 | Base Seats, white leather | 752 (3.67%) | $555.00 |
| C2L | Dual Removable Roof Panels (coupe) | 3,739 (18.26%) | $950.00 |
| C68 | Electronic Air Conditioning Control | 18,460 (90.14%) | $205.00 |
| CC2 | Auxiliary Hardtop (convertible) | 915 (4.47%) | $1,995.00 |
| FX3 | Selective Ride and Handling, electronic | 5,840 (28.52%) | $1,695.00 |
| G92 | Performance Axle Ratio | 2,283 (11.15%) | $50.00 |
| MN6 | 6-Speed Manual Transmission | 5,487 (26.79%) | n/a |
| NN5 | California Emission Requirements | 3,092 (15.10%) | $100.00 |
| U1F | Stereo System with CD, Delco-Bose | 15,199 (74.22%) | $1,219.00 |
| UJ6 | Low Tire Pressure Warning Indicator | 3,416 (16.68%) | $325.00 |
| UU8 | Stereo System, Delco-Bose | 3,241 (15.83%) | $823.00 |
| V56 | Luggage Rack (for convertible) | 845 (4.13%) | $140.00 |
| Z07 | Adjustable Suspension Package (coupe) | 738 (3.60%) | $2,045.00 |
| ZR1 | Special Performance Package (coupe) | 502 (2.45%) | $31,683.00 |
|
Total Production:
20,479
Notes: Base Corvette Coupe with 350 cu. in. 300 hp engine and four speed automatic transmission: $33,635.00. |
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Colors
| Code | Exterior | Quantity | Interior | Soft Top | |
| 10 | White | 4,101 (20.03%) | Black / Light Beige / Light Gray / Red / White | Blue / Beige / Black / Wh | |
| 35 | Yellow | 678 (3.31%) | Black / Light Beige / Light Green / White | Beige / Black / White | |
| 41 | Black | 3,209 (15.67%) | Black / Light Beige / Light Gray / Red / White | Beige / Black / White | |
| 43 | Bright Aqua Metallic | 1,953 (9.54%) | Black / Light Beige / Light Green / White | Beige / Black / White | |
| 45 | Polo Green II Metallic | 1,995 (9.74%) | Black / Light Beige / White | Beige / Black / White | |
| 73 | Black Rose Metallic | 1,886 (9.21%) | Black / Light Beige / Light Green / White | Beige / Black / White | |
| 75 | Dark Red Metallic | 1,148 (5.61%) | Black / Light Beige / Light Green / White | Beige / Black / White | |
| 80 | Quasar Blue Metallic | 1,043 (5.09%) | Black / Light Beige / Light Green / White | Beige / Black / White | |
| 81 | Bright Red | 4,466 (21.81%) | Black / Light Beige / Light Green / Red / White | Beige / Black / White | |
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