The Chevrolet C3 model had the longest production run in the history of the Corvette, and people considered it one of the most beautiful in this series. With a design inspired by the Mako II concept car designed by Larry Shinoda under the direction of Bill Mitchell, the C3 broke the rules of the American sports car. It was launched at the beginning of the oilcar era, but its appearance was unlike anything else on the market. But Mitchell and GM knew that an open-top version was required, and the quickest solution was a T-shaped top.
The T-top had a wide V-shaped urethane front bumper, while most cars still had chrome-plated metal ones. Its retractable four headlights protected and improved the aerodynamics of the car, the long hood stood below the top of the front fenders, and the side line was a double curved shape lowered on the doors and raised again above the rear wheel arches. A spoiler was built into the rear of the inclined trunk lid. The T-Top featured a beam that connected the windshield to the safety arc above the seats. Its removable panels were small enough to fit behind the seats.
Inside, the automaker installed low-slung sports bucket seats separated by a high center console, where Chevrolet placed the handbrake. Since it was more of a luxury car than a sports coupe, it had a central rack on which GM placed audio system controls and ventilation controls. The dashboard was tilted towards the occupants of the car.
Under the hood of the Chevrolet Corvette, a 5.7-liter low-block V-8 engine was installed, paired with a three-speed automatic transmission.
