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The 1989 Chevrolet Corvette
The 1989 Chevrolet Corvette introduced minor changes, the biggest being the introduction
of the six-speed manual transmission manufactured by ZF (Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen).
The new transmission senses the position of the throttle and only allowed shifts
from first to second if the throttle was high. If the throttle was minimal it would
block second gear and only allow a shift to fourth. This was one of the ways that
were used to get fuel economy higher. Also the standard wheel and tire this year
was the P275/40ZR17 tire and 17" wheel setup that had been part of the Z51 and Z52
packages in 1988. The Z52 option was no longer available. A new "Selective Ride
and Handling System" (RPO FX3) was only available with the manua transmissions and
cars equipped with the RPO Z51 "Performance Handling" package. The SRC system offered
three modes of driving: Tour, Sport and Performance. The low tire warning system
that had intially been slated for 1987 was redesigned and was finally available
as RPO UJ6 after being redesigned. A new simpler folding top for the convertibles
was introduced as well as newly designed seats. A fiberglass auxillary top was available
for the convertible for the first time since 1975. The sport seats were only available
in cars optioned with Z51 because of weight and fuel economy concerns. 84 Corvette
ZR-1 "King of the Hill" cars were built for evaluation and media preview although
the car was delayed until the 1990 model year. Planning was also started this year
on the new "C5" which was intended to be a 1993 model. Budgetary and GM executive
decisions delayed the introduction of the C5 until 1998.
Production Options and Build Statistics
Total 1989 Corvettes Built - 26,412
Total 1989 Coupes - 16,663
Total 1989 Convertibles - 9,749
| Serial Numbers |
|---|
| Coupe | 1G1YY218xK5100001 - 1G1YY218xK5126328 | | Convertible | 1G1YY318xK5100001 - 1G1YY318xK5126328 |
The "Vehicle Identification Number" (also VIN or serial number) is stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
Serial Number Decoder
| Position | Character | Description |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | US built | | 2 | G | General Motors product | | 3 | 1 | Chevrolet Motor Division vehicle | | 4 | Y | Type of restraint system | | 5 | Y | Corvette | | 6 | 2 or 3 | Body style number
2 = Two door hatchback style 07, 08, 77, or 87
3 = Two door convertible style 67 | | 7 | 1 or 2 | 1=Manual seat belts
3=Manual belts with driver-inflatable restraint system
4=Automatic belts | | 8 | 8 | 5.7-liter Tuned-Port-Injection Chevrolet or GM of Canada V8 | | 9 | ? | A check digit that calculates the characters in the serial number and gives it a single digit code and can be used to verify that the serial number is legitimate | | 10 | K | The model year K=1989 | | 11 | 5 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | | 12-17 | 100001 and up | Production Sequence for Coupes and Convertibles |
Engine Serial Number Decoder
1989 Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block after the engine number. The date code the engine was manufactured was also cast into the block. The engine serial number includes a production sequence number starting with 0001001 and one of the suffixes below.
| Code | Engine | Horsepower | Compression | Transmission | Fuel Supply | Extra Features |
|---|
| ZRA | L98 350-cid | 240/245-hp V-8 | 9.5:1 | Manual | Tuned Port Injection | Engine Oil Cooler | | ZRC | L98 350-cid | 240/245-hp V-8 | 9.5:1 | Turbo Hydramatic Automatic | Tuned Port Injection | Engine Oil Cooler | | ZRB | L98 350-cid | 240/245-hp V-8 | 9.5:1 | Turbo Hydramatic Automatic | Tuned Port Injection; | | | Callaway (RPO B2K) | Chevrolet engine coding was replaced:
First two digits: Model Year
Next three digits: Callaway Sequence Number
Last four digits: last four digits of vehicle identification number | | | | | |
Production Options
| RPO | Description | Cost | Total |
|---|
| Prod. | % |
|---|
| AC1 | Power Passenger Seat | $240.00 | 20,578 | 77.9% | | AC3 | Power Driver Seat | $240.00 | 25,606 | 96.9% | | AQ9 | Leather Sport Seats - U.S. | $1,025.00 | 1,777 | 6.7% | | AQ9 | Leather Sport Seats - Canada Export | $1,025.00 | 1,174 | 4.4% | | AQ9 | Leather Sport Seats - Europe Export | $1,025.00 | 201 | 0.8% | | AQ9 | Leather Sport Seats - Japan Export | $1,025.00 | 110 | 0.4% | | AR9 | Base Leather Seats | $400.00 | 23,364 | 88.5% | | B2K | Callaway Twin Turbo | $25,895.00 | 69 | 0.3% | | B4P | Radiator Boost Fan | $75.00 | 20,281 | 76.8% | | CC2 | Convertible Hardtop | N/A | 1,573 | 6.0% | | CC3 | See-Thru Roof Panel | N/A | 12,790 | 48.4% | | C2L | Dual Removable Roof Panels | $915.00 | 5,274 | 20.0% | | 24S | Removable Roof Panel, blue tint | $615.00 | 8,748 | 33.1% | | 64S | Removable Roof Panel, bronze tint | $615.00 | 4,042 | 15.3% | | C68 | Electronic Air Conditioning | $150.00 | 24,675 | 93.4% | | DL8 | Twin Remote Heated Mirrors (convert.) | $35.00 | 6,582 | 24.9% | | D74 | Illuminated Driver Vanity Mirror | $58.00 | 17,414 | 65.9% | | FX3 | Selective Ride and Handling System | $1,695.00 | 1,573 | 6.0% | | G92 | Performance Axle Ratio, 3.07:1 | $22.00 | 10,211 | 38.7% | | K05 | Engine Block Heater | $20.00 | 2,182 | 8.3% | | KC4 | Engine Oil Cooler | $110.00 | 20,162 | 76.3% | | MD8 | Automatic Transmission | $0.00 | 22,299 | 84.4% | | MN6 | 6-spd, Manual Transmission | $0.00 | 4,113 | 15.6% | | NN5 | California Emission Requirements | $100.00 | 4,501 | 17.0% | | UJ6 | Low Tire Pressure Warning System | $325.00 | 6,976 | 26.4% | | UU8 | Delco Bose Stereo System | $773.00 | 24,145 | 91.4% | | V01 | Heavy Duty Radiator | $40.00 | 20,888 | 79.1% | | V56 | Luggage Rack (convertible) | $140.00 | 616 | 2.3% | | Z51 | Performance Handling Package (coupe) | $575.00 | 2,224 | 8.4% | | ZR1 | ZR1 Pilot/Prototype Vehicles | N/A | 84 | 0.3% | | AS8 | Manual Restraint System | N/A | N/A | N/A | | CF7 | Non-Transparent Removable Roof Panel | N/A | N/A | N/A | | C49 | Electric Rear Defogger | N/A | N/A | N/A | | C60 | Manaul Control Air Conditioning | N/A | N/A | N/A | | DL8 | Twin Electric Remote Heated Sport Mirrors | N/A | N/A | N/A | | D3X | Speedometer Driven Gear (25513049) | N/A | N/A | N/A | | D4D | Speedometer Driven Gear (25513047) | N/A | N/A | N/A | | D7B | Speedometer Driven Gear (25513050) | N/A | N/A | N/A | | D7C | Speedometer Driven Gear (25513043) | N/A | N/A | N/A | | D9A | Speedometer Sensor (25007224) | N/A | N/A | N/A | | D9B | Speedometer Sensor (25007308) | N/A | N/A | N/A | | FE1 | Soft Ride Suspension | N/A | N/A | N/A | | FE7 | Heavy Duty Suspension | N/A | N/A | N/A | | GH0 | 3.54 Rear Axle Ratio | N/A | N/A | N/A | | GM1 | 2.59 Rear Axle Ratio | N/A | N/A | N/A | | GU2 | 2.73 Rear Axle Ratio | N/A | N/A | N/A | | GW4 | 3.31 Rear Axle Ratio | N/A | N/A | N/A | | G44 | 3.07 Rear Axle Ratio | N/A | N/A | N/A | | JL9 | Anti-Lock Brakes (Front/Rear) | N/A | N/A | N/A | | K68 | 105 Amp Generator | N/A | N/A | N/A | | L98 | 5.7 Liter, V-8 Engine, TPI | N/A | N/A | N/A | | MD8 | 4-Spd. Auto. Transmission, Turbo Hydramatic 700-R4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | | na5 | Leaded Fuel Emission System | N/A | N/A | N/A | | NK4 | Sport Leather Steering Wheel | N/A | N/A | N/A | | QA1 | 17x9.5 Aluminum Styled Wheel | N/A | N/A | N/A | | T93 | Special Tail and Stop Lamps | N/A | N/A | N/A | | UM6 | Stereo Radio w/ Cassette, Electric Tuned | N/A | N/A | N/A | | T85 | Left Rule of Road Headlamps | N/A | N/A | N/A | | UQ4 | Bose Speaker System | N/A | N/A | N/A | | U19 | Instrument Cluster, Kilometers/Miles | N/A | N/A | N/A | | U52 | Cluster, Electronic | N/A | N/A | N/A | | XAU | Front Tire: P275/40ZR17 | N/A | N/A | N/A | | YAU | Rear Tire: P275/40ZR17 | N/A | N/A | N/A | | Z6A | Rear Window and Side Mirror Defogger System | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Color Options for 1989
Interior options for exterior colors are suggested by Chevrolet. Other combinations could be ordered. | RPO | Color | Cost | Soft Top Color | Interior Color | Coupe | Convertible | Total |
|---|
| Prod. | % |
|---|
| 10U | White | $0.00 | B-S-W | B-BK-G-R-S | 3,220 | 2,206 | 5,426 | 20.5% | | 20U | Medium Blue Metallic | $0.00 | BK-W | B-BK | 925 | 503 | 1,428 | 5.4% | | 28U | Dark Blue Metallic | $0.00 | BK-S-W | BK-S | 1,233 | 698 | 1,931 | 7.3% | | 31U | Arctic Pearl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | 24 | 3 | 27 | 0.1% | | 35U | Yellow | $0.00 | N/A | Buckskin | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0.0% | | 41U | Black | $0.00 | BK-S-W | BK-G-R-S | 2,925 | 1,930 | 4,855 | 18.4% | | 68U | Dark Red Metallic | $0.00 | BK-S-W | BK-S | 2,341 | 1,068 | 3,409 | 12.9% | | 81U | Bright Red | $0.00 | BK-S-W | BK-G-R-S | 4,759 | 2,904 | 7,663 | 29.0% | | 90U | Gray Metallic | $0.00 | BK-W | BK-G | 162 | 63 | 225 | 0.9% | | 96U | Charcoal Metallic | $0.00 | BK-S-W | BK-G-S | 1,066 | 374 | 1,440 | 5.5% |
Color Codes: B=Blue, BK=Black, C=Cloth, G=Gray, L=Leather, R=Red, S=Saddle, W=White Codes 31U and 35U were not listed on the official color list but Chevrolet records indicate that 24 Arctic Pearl and 8 Yellow Corvettes were produced. The Gray Metallic (RPO 90U) was discontinued in November of 1988.
Interior Colors
| RPO | Color | Cost | Base | Sport | Total |
|---|
| Prod. | % |
|---|
| 19C | Black Cloth | $0.00 | 871 | N/A | 871 | 3.3% | | 60C | Saddle Cloth | $0.00 | 400 | N/A | 400 | 1.5% | | 192 | Black Leather | $0.00 | 8,186 | 852 | 9,038 | 34.2% | | 212 | Blue Leather | $0.00 | 1,428 | 55 | 1,483 | 5.6% | | 602 | Saddle Leather | $0.00 | 4,159 | 226 | 4,385 | 16.6% | | 732 | Red Leather | $0.00 | 6,714 | 425 | 7,139 | 27.0% | | 902 | Gray Leather | $0.00 | 2,877 | 219 | 3,096 | 11.7% |
Convertible Top Colors
| RPO | Color | Production | % |
|---|
| N/A | Black | N/A | 0.0% | | N/A | Saddle | N/A | 0.0% | | N/A | White | N/A | 0.0% |
1989 Corvette Specifications
Mechanical Dimensions
| Feature | Dimensions |
|---|
| Wheelbase | 96.2 inches (2.443 m) | | Overall length | 176.5 inches (4.483 m) | | Overall width | 71.0 inches (1.803 m) | | Overall height | 46.7 inches (1.186 m) | | Front tread | 59.6 inches (1.514 m) | | Rear tread | 60.4 inches (1.534 m) | | Standard Wheel size | 16 x 8.5 inches | | Standard Tires | P275/40VR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT (Z-rated) | | Steering | Power Rack and Pinion | | Front Suspension | Single fiberglass composite monoleaf transverse spring with unequal-length aluminum control arms and stabilizer bar | | Rear Suspension | Fully independent five-link system with transverse fiberglass single-leaf springs, aluminum upper/lower trailing links and strut-rod tie-rod assembly | | Brakes | Four-wheel power disc | | Body Construction | Unibody with partial front frame | | Fuel tank | 20 US Gal (16.7 Imp Gal) (76 liters) |
Engine Specifications
| Feature | Base Engine RPO L98 |
|---|
| Type | V-8, 90-degree Overhead valve | | Block | Cast iron block and aluminum cylinder head | | Displacement | 350 cid (5.7 liters) | | Bore & Stroke | 4.00" x 3.48" | | Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 | | Brake Horsepower | 240 @ 4000 (245-hp for hatchbacks using 3.07:1 rear axle due to use of low-restriction mufflers with this option combination only) | | Torque | 345 lb-ft @ 3200 | | Main Bearing | Five | | Valve Lifters | Hydraulic | | Fuel Supply | Tuned-port induction (TPI) system |
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