1970 Corvette and 1971 Corvette

The body design for the 1970 Corvette was updated with fender swells to reduce debris damage and new fender louvers to replace the four vertical slots of the 1968 and 1969 models. Seats were also redesigned for increased headroom. The new solid lifter 454 CI big block LT1 engine made its debut as well. Chevrolet unveiled the experimental mid-engine XP-895 Corvette at the New York Auto Show. The car was the restyled XP-882.

The 1971 Corvette was one of the model years least changed in appearance. A labor dispute in May of 1969 caused the 1969 model production to run long, shortening normal 1970 production by over four months. To compensate, Chevrolet treated 1971 Corvette production as an extension of 1970. GM also directed its divisions to cut octane requirement in all 1971 engines; this effort carried a higher priority than appearance changes. One visible clue to the 1971's outward appearance was amber parking light lenses, although some very early production had clear lenses.