Year

Body & Trim

1982

Base, Collector’s Edition

1981

Base

1980

Base

1979

Base

1978

Base, Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, Silver Anniversary Edition

1977

Base

1976

Stingray

1975

Stingray

1974

Base

1973

Base

1972

Base

1971

Base

1970

Base

1969

Base

1968

Base

Year

Change Description

1981 to 1982

On the 1981 to 1982 steering columns, the ignition lock cylinder housing is made from plastic with the pivot pinned in place. The lower column cover is changed to a shorter unit when compared to previous years. 1981 is also the first year for the resume function on cruise control, so the cruise control lever is specific to 1981 & 1982 only.

1980, Second Design

On the Late 1980 second design steering column, the lock housing changes from a metal to a plastic design.

1979, Third Design to 1980, First Design

The 1979 third design steering column has a change to the turn signal switch. This switch uses 13 leads instead of 10. Everything else on the column is similar to the 1979 second design steering column.

1979, Second Design

The 1979 second design steering column uses a different dimmer pivot which is pinned in place. This pivot requires the use of a straight turn signal/cruise control lever. The lock cylinder housing is made from metal and is the same as the 1978 third design/1979 first design housing.

1978, Third Design to 1979, First Design

The 1978 third design and the 1979 first design steering columns have a different metal lock cylinder housing. This housing uses a new ignition lock cylinder that is held in place by a special screw. The lock cylinders do not interchange.

1978, Second Design

The second design steering column in 1978 has a metal lock cylinder housing with the dimmer pivot pinned in place. The dimmer pivot requires the use of a turn signal/cruise control lever that is bent toward the driver.

1978, First Design

The first design steering column in 1978 has a metal lock cylinder housing with the dimmer pivot bolted to the housing. The dimmer pivot requires the use of a turn signal/cruise control lever that is bent toward the driver.

1977

1977 is a standalone year steering column. The wiper switch is in the column and the lower housing is built for 1977 columns only.

1975 to 1976

In 1975 to 1976, there was a change to the upper shaft assembly. The inner shaft was lengthened slightly to use a keeper clip after the steering hub nut was installed. This change required a longer tele lock rod to make up the difference in length.

1972 to 1974

In 1972 to 1974, the upper housing changed with the letters LOCK placed in an oval. The hazard knob also changed.

1970 to 1971

The 1970 to 1971 steering column has the same basic column design as the Late 1969 model, but it features a different upper shaft assembly, cancel cam and lock plate.

1969, Second Design

The rotating bell in the Late 1969 steering column is the same as the bell in the 1970 to 1976 steering columns. This bell still rotates, but you can no longer see it. It also has a plastic cover around it.

1969, First Design

The first design steering columns for Early 1969 have an exposed rotating bell which is painted the color of the steering column. The bell moves when the column is shifted to PARK in automatic Corvette models or REVERSE in manual Corvette models.