Black C3 Corvettes: A Unique History

Black has one of the most interesting histories of any Corvette color. It was one of the original colors offered in 1954, appeared on every generation through 1969, and then disappeared entirely. Chevrolet did not produce a single black Corvette from 1970 through 1976.

When black returned in 1977 as code 19 Black, demand was immediate. Chevrolet produced 6,070 black Corvettes that first year back, and the color remained one of the most popular choices through the end of C3 production in 1982. That 7-year gap makes late-model black C3 Corvettes (1977–1982) especially meaningful to collectors. They represent the return of one of the most iconic Corvette colors after nearly a decade away.

For a complete overview of C3 features and specifications, see our C3 Corvettes guide.

Black Corvette Stingrays, Convertibles & T-Tops

A black Corvette Stingray is one of the most aggressive-looking classic cars on the road.

The Stingray nameplate appeared on C3 Corvettes from 1969 through 1976, and black was only available during the first two of those years. In 1968 as Tuxedo Black and 1969, the final year of Tuxedo Black. That makes a black 1969 Corvette Stingray one of the rarest and most sought-after C3 configurations. After 1969, black wouldn’t return until 1977, after the Stingray name had already been retired from the C3.

Black convertible Corvettes are equally rare in the C3 era. Chevrolet offered convertibles from 1968 through 1975, but black was only available for 1968 and 1969. A black C3 Corvette convertible from either of those years is an extremely collectible car.

After 1975, all C3 Corvettes came as T-top coupes, and all-black T-tops from 1977 onward, especially triple black examples with a black interior, are among the most popular configurations on the market.

Black Corvette Paint Codes: Every Black by Year

Below is a complete guide to every black Corvette color, organized by generation. Unlike most other Corvette colors, black has a surprisingly interrupted history including that 7-year gap during C3 production.

C1 Corvette Blacks (1953–1962)

The C1 Corvette launched in 1953 in Polo White only, but black arrived in the very next year:

• 1953: No black available. Polo White was the only option.
• 1954 – Black: 4 produced. One of the rarest Corvettes of any color or year.
• 1955: No black was offered.
• 1956 – Onyx Black: 810 produced. Returned alongside a completely new body design.
• 1957 – Onyx Black: 2,189 produced.
• 1958 – Black: 493 produced. New body style with quad headlights.
• 1959 – Tuxedo Black: 1,594 produced.
• 1960 – Tuxedo Black: 1,268 produced.
• 1961 – Tuxedo Black: 1,340 produced.
• 1962 – Tuxedo Black: Production numbers unknown. The final year of the C1 body style.

C2 Corvette Blacks (1963–1967)

The C2 Corvette continued with Tuxedo Black throughout its production run:

• 1963 – Tuxedo Black (code 900): Production numbers unknown. A black 1963 split-window coupe is one of the most valuable Corvettes in existence.
• 1964 – Tuxedo Black (code 900): 1,897 produced.
• 1965 – Tuxedo Black (code AA): 1,191 produced. First year for disc brakes.
• 1966 – Tuxedo Black (code 900): 1,190 produced.
• 1967 – Tuxedo Black (code 900): 815 produced. The final C2 and last year for the fixed-roof coupe.

Early C3 Blacks (1968–1969) & The 7-Year Gap

The 1968–1972 C3 Corvettes introduced the Mako Shark body, but black had a very short run before disappearing entirely:

• 1968 – Tuxedo Black (code 900): 708 produced. The first black on the new C3 body.
• 1969 – Tuxedo Black (code 900): Production numbers unknown. The last year for Tuxedo Black, and the last year for any black Corvette until 1977.
• 1970–1976: No black Corvette was produced. For seven consecutive model years, Chevrolet did not offer black on the Corvette. This is one of the most surprising facts in Corvette history and makes the early black C3s (1968–1969) and the late returning blacks (1977+) especially collectible.

Late C3 Blacks (1977–1982): The Return of Black

Black made its triumphant return in 1977 and quickly became one of the most popular C3 colors. All late black C3s fall within the 1973–1977, 1978–1979, and 1980–1982 generation pages:

• 1977 – Black (code 19): 6,070 produced. The first black Corvette in 8 years. Last year for the short rear window.
• 1978 – Black (code 19): 11,075 total black Corvettes produced, including 6,502 Black/Silver Indy Pace Cars. The 25th Anniversary year.
• 1979 – Black (code 19): 10,465 produced.
• 1980 – Black (code 19): 7,250 produced. New front and rear spoiler bumper design.
• 1981 – Black (code 19): 4,712 produced. The transition year — last Corvettes from St. Louis, first from Bowling Green.
• 1982 – Black (code 19): 2,357 produced. The final year of the C3 body style.