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The 1989 Chevrolet Corvette

1989 White Corvette Coupe

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
Coupe1G1YY218xK5100001 - 1G1YY218xK5126328
Convertible1G1YY318xK5100001 - 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

PositionCharacterDescription
11US built
2GGeneral Motors product
31Chevrolet Motor Division vehicle
4YType of restraint system
5YCorvette
62 or 3Body style number
2 = Two door hatchback style 07, 08, 77, or 87
3 = Two door convertible style 67
71 or 21=Manual seat belts
3=Manual belts with driver-inflatable restraint system
4=Automatic belts
885.7-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
10KThe model year K=1989
115Bowling Green, Kentucky
12-17100001 and upProduction 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.

CodeEngineHorsepowerCompressionTransmissionFuel SupplyExtra Features
ZRAL98 350-cid240/245-hp V-89.5:1ManualTuned Port InjectionEngine Oil Cooler
ZRCL98 350-cid240/245-hp V-89.5:1Turbo Hydramatic AutomaticTuned Port InjectionEngine Oil Cooler
ZRBL98 350-cid240/245-hp V-89.5:1Turbo Hydramatic AutomaticTuned 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.
%
AC1Power Passenger Seat$240.00 20,578 77.9%
AC3Power Driver Seat$240.00 25,606 96.9%
AQ9Leather Sport Seats - U.S.$1,025.00 1,777 6.7%
AQ9Leather Sport Seats - Canada Export$1,025.00 1,174 4.4%
AQ9Leather Sport Seats - Europe Export$1,025.00 201 0.8%
AQ9Leather Sport Seats - Japan Export$1,025.00 110 0.4%
AR9Base Leather Seats$400.00 23,364 88.5%
B2KCallaway Twin Turbo$25,895.00 69 0.3%
B4PRadiator Boost Fan$75.00 20,281 76.8%
CC2Convertible HardtopN/A 1,573 6.0%
CC3See-Thru Roof PanelN/A 12,790 48.4%
C2LDual Removable Roof Panels$915.00 5,274 20.0%
24SRemovable Roof Panel, blue tint$615.00 8,748 33.1%
64SRemovable Roof Panel, bronze tint$615.00 4,042 15.3%
C68Electronic Air Conditioning$150.00 24,675 93.4%
DL8Twin Remote Heated Mirrors (convert.)$35.00 6,582 24.9%
D74Illuminated Driver Vanity Mirror$58.00 17,414 65.9%
FX3Selective Ride and Handling System$1,695.00 1,573 6.0%
G92Performance Axle Ratio, 3.07:1$22.00 10,211 38.7%
K05Engine Block Heater$20.00 2,182 8.3%
KC4Engine Oil Cooler$110.00 20,162 76.3%
MD8Automatic Transmission$0.00 22,299 84.4%
MN66-spd, Manual Transmission$0.00 4,113 15.6%
NN5California Emission Requirements$100.00 4,501 17.0%
UJ6Low Tire Pressure Warning System$325.00 6,976 26.4%
UU8Delco Bose Stereo System$773.00 24,145 91.4%
V01Heavy Duty Radiator$40.00 20,888 79.1%
V56Luggage Rack (convertible)$140.00 616 2.3%
Z51Performance Handling Package (coupe)$575.00 2,224 8.4%
ZR1ZR1 Pilot/Prototype VehiclesN/A 84 0.3%
AS8Manual Restraint SystemN/A N/A N/A
CF7Non-Transparent Removable Roof PanelN/A N/A N/A
C49Electric Rear DefoggerN/A N/A N/A
C60Manaul Control Air ConditioningN/A N/A N/A
DL8Twin Electric Remote Heated Sport MirrorsN/A N/A N/A
D3XSpeedometer Driven Gear (25513049)N/A N/A N/A
D4DSpeedometer Driven Gear (25513047)N/A N/A N/A
D7BSpeedometer Driven Gear (25513050)N/A N/A N/A
D7CSpeedometer Driven Gear (25513043)N/A N/A N/A
D9ASpeedometer Sensor (25007224)N/A N/A N/A
D9BSpeedometer Sensor (25007308)N/A N/A N/A
FE1Soft Ride SuspensionN/A N/A N/A
FE7Heavy Duty SuspensionN/A N/A N/A
GH03.54 Rear Axle RatioN/A N/A N/A
GM12.59 Rear Axle RatioN/A N/A N/A
GU22.73 Rear Axle RatioN/A N/A N/A
GW43.31 Rear Axle RatioN/A N/A N/A
G443.07 Rear Axle RatioN/A N/A N/A
JL9Anti-Lock Brakes (Front/Rear)N/A N/A N/A
K68105 Amp GeneratorN/A N/A N/A
L985.7 Liter, V-8 Engine, TPIN/A N/A N/A
MD84-Spd. Auto. Transmission, Turbo Hydramatic 700-R4N/A N/A N/A
na5Leaded Fuel Emission SystemN/A N/A N/A
NK4Sport Leather Steering WheelN/A N/A N/A
QA117x9.5 Aluminum Styled WheelN/A N/A N/A
T93Special Tail and Stop LampsN/A N/A N/A
UM6Stereo Radio w/ Cassette, Electric TunedN/A N/A N/A
T85Left Rule of Road HeadlampsN/A N/A N/A
UQ4Bose Speaker SystemN/A N/A N/A
U19Instrument Cluster, Kilometers/MilesN/A N/A N/A
U52Cluster, ElectronicN/A N/A N/A
XAUFront Tire: P275/40ZR17N/A N/A N/A
YAURear Tire: P275/40ZR17N/A N/A N/A
Z6ARear Window and Side Mirror Defogger SystemN/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.
%
10UWhite$0.00B-S-WB-BK-G-R-S3,2202,206 5,426 20.5%
20UMedium Blue Metallic$0.00BK-WB-BK925503 1,428 5.4%
28UDark Blue Metallic$0.00BK-S-WBK-S1,233698 1,931 7.3%
31UArctic Pearl$0.00N/AN/A243 27 0.1%
35UYellow$0.00N/ABuckskin80 8 0.0%
41UBlack$0.00BK-S-WBK-G-R-S2,9251,930 4,855 18.4%
68UDark Red Metallic$0.00BK-S-WBK-S2,3411,068 3,409 12.9%
81UBright Red$0.00BK-S-WBK-G-R-S4,7592,904 7,663 29.0%
90UGray Metallic$0.00BK-WBK-G16263 225 0.9%
96UCharcoal Metallic$0.00BK-S-WBK-G-S1,066374 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.
%
19CBlack Cloth$0.00871N/A 871 3.3%
60CSaddle Cloth$0.00400N/A 400 1.5%
192Black Leather$0.008,186852 9,038 34.2%
212Blue Leather$0.001,42855 1,483 5.6%
602Saddle Leather$0.004,159226 4,385 16.6%
732Red Leather$0.006,714425 7,139 27.0%
902Gray Leather$0.002,877219 3,096 11.7%


Convertible Top Colors

RPOColorProduction%
N/ABlackN/A0.0%
N/ASaddleN/A0.0%
N/AWhiteN/A0.0%


1989 Corvette Specifications

Mechanical Dimensions

FeatureDimensions
Wheelbase96.2 inches (2.443 m)
Overall length176.5 inches (4.483 m)
Overall width71.0 inches (1.803 m)
Overall height46.7 inches (1.186 m)
Front tread59.6 inches (1.514 m)
Rear tread60.4 inches (1.534 m)
Standard Wheel size16 x 8.5 inches
Standard TiresP275/40VR-17 Goodyear Eagle GT (Z-rated)
SteeringPower Rack and Pinion
Front SuspensionSingle fiberglass composite monoleaf transverse spring with unequal-length aluminum control arms and stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionFully independent five-link system with transverse fiberglass single-leaf springs, aluminum upper/lower trailing links and strut-rod tie-rod assembly
BrakesFour-wheel power disc
Body ConstructionUnibody with partial front frame
Fuel tank20 US Gal (16.7 Imp Gal) (76 liters)


Engine Specifications

FeatureBase Engine RPO L98
TypeV-8, 90-degree Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block and aluminum cylinder head
Displacement350 cid (5.7 liters)
Bore & Stroke4.00" x 3.48"
Compression Ratio9.5:1
Brake Horsepower240 @ 4000 (245-hp for hatchbacks using 3.07:1 rear axle due to use of low-restriction mufflers with this option combination only)
Torque345 lb-ft @ 3200
Main BearingFive
Valve LiftersHydraulic
Fuel SupplyTuned-port induction (TPI) system

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