Description

The Chevrolet Corvette with the 5.7 L82 engine was a standout performance option during the later years of the C3 generation, particularly from 1973 to 1980. This engine was aimed at enthusiasts who still wanted strong performance despite increasing emissions regulations and fuel economy pressures of the era.

The L82 was a 350 cubic-inch (5.7-liter) small-block V8 that offered more power than the standard L48 engine. It featured higher compression, a performance camshaft, aluminum pistons, and a dual-snorkel air cleaner. In its early years, the L82 produced up to 250 horsepower, though output declined by the end of the decade, falling to around 210 horsepower by 1980 due to tightening federal emissions controls.

Despite the reduction in peak power numbers over time, the L82 maintained a reputation for stronger acceleration and a more responsive feel compared to the base engine. It was often paired with performance-oriented options like the close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission or the Turbo-Hydramatic automatic, as well as handling packages that included stiffer suspension, power disc brakes, and positraction rear axles.

L82-equipped Corvettes usually carried small exterior badges to distinguish them, though their differences were more mechanical than visual. Inside, they shared the same cockpit-style interior that defined the C3’s later years, often trimmed in leather and featuring deep bucket seats and aircraft-style gauges.

Today, the L82 Corvette is appreciated as one of the last performance-focused Corvettes before the full arrival of computerized engine management and fuel injection in the C4 generation. It represents a blend of classic muscle and evolving technology, making it a popular choice for collectors looking for a well-rounded and historically significant example of late 1970s American performance.