The Stingray name (now just one word, not two) re-appeared on the Corvette model's front fenders in 1969 after being absent for the 1968 model year car. GM moved the ignition to the steering column and the back-up lights became part of the center taillights. Another noticable difference was a regular key lock on the doors as opposed to the door buttons that had been in use. Buyers could choose from 10 colors: Cortez Silver, Monaco Orange, LeMans Blue, Tuxedo Black, Monza Red, Fathom Green, Can-Am White, Riverside Gold, or Daytona Yellow. The starting point engine was the 427 cid/390 hp RPO L36 V-8, then came the RPO L68 with a three-barrel carb that sported 400 hp for about $325 more. Hot Rod
magazine tested an L88 and considered it "a street machine with soul." The primo power option was the RPO ZL1 aluminum block and head motor. The L88 had a top speed of 151 mph!
Coming soon is the 1/18 scale 1969 Corvette Stingray convertible model in Cortez Silver (pictured above) as AUTOart Diecast Model No. 71162. As a Millenium Edition diecast model, expect retail prices to be about $85 with delivery in the US sometime in late summer. It even sports the RPO N14 side-mount exhaust system! What true muscle car fan would be caught without one?
