Corvette Classics History 1953 - 1996

Chevrolet unveiled the first Corvette in 1953. The name Corvette came from a warship 1856-1887 in the age of sail, Corvettes were smaller that the frigates. They were larger that small coastal patrol ships sometimes with a single gun deck.

Our very first Corvettes were built by hand in Chevrolet's customer delivery center in Flint, Michigan. In 1953 with steel in short supply a revolutionary new product called fiberglass was used to build the Corvettes body. The chassis was constructed of standard Chevrolet parts. Like the famed Blue Flame inline six- cylinder truck motor and the 2 speed powerglide automatic transmission. The Corvette included drum brakes but the inline six got some power options. It included a triple carb intake manifold for some extra excitement. Early in 1954 a Paxton supercharger became a power option installed by the dealer.

The Corvette project would have gotten left in history with the introduction of Chevrolet's first V-8 in 1955 the 265 ci engine breathed new life into the project. The new V-8 was paired with a new three speed manual transmission which turned the Corvette into a real performer. One other boost was the competition from Ford's new Thunderbird in 1955. Chevrolet would not be outdone.

We have had six generations of Corvettes to date. They call them versions C1 to
C6.

1957 Chevy Corvettes For Sale

The first Generation of Corvettes were based on a solid axle design was use between 1953 and ran all the way to 1962. Our second generation began with and you will love this, the (IRS) no not Uncle Sam independent rear suspension began in 1963. With the start of the Corvette in 1953 and all of them build by hand we ended up with only 300 copies. This makes the 1953 the rarest of all Corvettes ever made. 1954 was the last year to ever get a six cylinder motor. With the new V-8 in 1955 Chevrolet never looked back.

1956 was the first year for the American Hot Rod no longer was the Corvette just a County Club style sports car.

1957 was the first year for fuel injection it gave Chevrolet's V-8 a boost all the way to a full 290 hp. Chevrolet kept the slogan 1 horse power per cubic inch and called it 283 hp.

1956 produced the first hydraulic convertible to plus our first of the four speed manual transmissions.

1957 later in the year brought on the first real heavy duty brakes and a tougher suspension.

1958 we started seeing heavy chrome everywhere making a very classy Corvette with lots of flash. Some say the Corvette with the most flash ever built.

1959 - 1960 did not see any real changes except a little more HP and a lot less chrome.

1961 Chevrolet redesigned the rear end of the Corvette maybe for a little hint of some new things to come.

1962 the famous small block got a real boost. Chevrolet came out with a bigger bore the first 327 ci motors were born. With a powerful 360 hp making these the fastest of C-1s ever built. They had almost no chrome and we saw an end to a lot of things for the Corvette. No more solid rear axle's no more convertible only bodies.

1963 Corvettes came out with the first of its split window coupe and the first of the independent rear suspension. The 327 powered it to 360 hp.

1964 we lost the split rear window was dropped citing safety. 15 More HP, hitting 375 hp for the most for Corvettes to date.

1965 brought the first four wheel disk break Corvettes. The power to stop the muscle cars was a little pas due. This was an addition that came at a great time because Chevrolet produced the first Big Block motors at 396 ci.

1966 the year all Hot Rod motor sports people loved. The introduction of the 427 really Big Blocks and the most sought after collectibles of the Corvettes.

1967 got another boost to the 427 and L-88 version said to produce 430 hp but other underground estimates said it was more like 550 hp. There were only 21 were put in Corvettes in 1967.

Visit Here for Great Model Corvette Collectibles

1962 the famous small block got a real boost. Chevrolet came out with a bigger bore V8 the first 327 ci motors were born. With a powerful 360 hp making these the fastest of C-1s ever built. They had almost no chrome and we saw an end to a lot of things for the Corvette.

One Super Idea to Customize the 1962 Convertible

The picture provided from a car show is a Custom is what is called a 1962 on steroids. It features a wider 1962 body style convertible built on a 2004 chassis. It features an LT-1 motor tuned to about 375 HP. The color is unique used on the Lamborghini. An orange pearl makes for a beautiful car. Talk about having your cake and eating it too. The beauty of the 1962 on the sweet driving chassis with a little extra power makes for one sweet ride. One perfect combination for the special 1962 Corvette.

1967 got another boost to the 427 and L-88 version said to produce 430 hp but other underground estimates said it was more like 550 hp. There were only 21 were put in Corvettes in 1967.

1967 - 1969 provided a three duce carburetor on the 427 ci motors. The plan for 1967 was to be the first of the C-3 version designs. This was delayed until 1968.

1968 began the third generation for Chevrolet's Corvette. The new generation was leaked to the public by Mattel's Hot Wheels toys.

1969 Corvettes were produced with the first of the 350ci motors.

1970 the 427 Big Block got increased to 454 ci.

1970 - 1971 gave the Corvette big power increases to both the small block to 375 hp and Big Block to 425 hp.

1972 was the first big hit to power with emission controls, unleaded fuel and catalytic converters. Corvettes power options continued to drop until 1975 and stayed at the low output levels until 1982.

1973 axed the chrome bumpers on the front and went to the urethane what was called the five mile per hour bumpers.

1974 got the urethane bumpers on the rear end making Corvettes without any chrome.

1975 was the last year for a convertible. Convertible Corvettes did not show up again until 1986.

1976 produced the last Stingray model.

1977 went through Chevrolet Corvettes Chief Engineer being switched to a new designer.

1978 Chevrolet produced a Silver Anniversary model that was picked to be an Indy Pace Car. It was a Fast Back with a glass rear window that had the biggest production numbers until the C-5 introduction.

1980 Chevrolet produced the first real aerodynamic design that reduced drag.

1982 on the Collector's edition a hatch that opened on the rear was offered. The only motor option available in 1982 was the L-83 with the new cross fire injection which was a hybrid carburetor fuel injection. And there was no option for a manual transmission available.

1983 - 1984 turned out the C-4 generation Corvettes. Production troubles caused Chevrolet to skip the 1983 except for 44 prototypes. All of them were crushed except for number 23. Number 23 you can see at the Corvette Museum in Kentucky.

1984 really started production of the version C-4 and it did not end until 1996. The C-4 began as a complete redesign for Corvette except it used the cross fire injection L-83 motor from the previous years. Updates included the first chassis and suspension changes since 1963. The rear hatch provided cargo access. The Corvette design got new brakes that had aluminum calipers and one of the first aluminum frames. Plus a one piece Targa top that had not reinforcement in the center. Corvette also got its first electronic dashboard with LCD for the tachometer and speedometers.

1985 on a new L-98 motor that had tuned port fuel injection rated at 230 hp.

1986 With the return of the convertible got Chevrolet its second Indy Pace Car. Also the first ZR-1 375 hp an all aluminum block V-8 with 4 overhead camshafts and 32 valves.

1988 produced the 35th Anniversary Edition of the Corvettes. A few of these cars had an ID number put on a badge located next to the gear shifter. One other way to identify the limited editions was the white one white on everything from wheels, exterior trim to interior rugs, seats and steering wheel were all white.

1990 the ZR-1 was run at the Firestone test track in Fort Stockton Texas. They used a stock motor without the catalytic converter. A 24 hour endurance record was set. The team averaged 175 MPH even with refueling and driver changes.

1991 minor updates provided for the Corvettes on the body wheels and interiors.

1992 performance was being brought back to the base models with a 300 hp LT-1 motor.

1993 Chevrolet still producing the C-4 generation Corvettes came out with the 40th Anniversary Commemorative Edition. Ruby Red color and badges with embroidered seat backs. Corvettes in 1993 introduced General Motors first Keyless Entry System.

1995 ended the production of the ZR-1 with a total of 6,939 Corvettes with the motor. The last versions in the LT-5 boosted HP to 405 and also had better emissions control.

1996 the last year for the C-4 version gave us some cool options to end the line with. We got a Grand Sport Collector Edition with and On Board Diagnostics and run flat tires. It had the new LT-4 motor 330 hp that went with all manual transmission models. All the automatic transmission models still had the older LT-1 motors. Chevrolet produced a Grand Sport to end the C-4 version production. They made 1000 of them 810 coups and 190 convertibles. They were identified by a special VIN number sequence to make them different from any other 1996 C-4 models. The Grand Sports got an LT-4 that put out 330 hp with 340 foot pounds of torque. As a final Edition to commemorate the end of the C-4 a reissue Collector Edition was produced with low numbers. They were Sebring Silver some with matching silver 5 spoke wheels.

2008 Corvette

The 2008 Corvette may just very well be the best Corvette ever produced. The new C6 generation has come a long way since its birth in 2005 and now on the fourth generation in 2008. For one thing it is selling very well to date. In 2007 the C6 put 40,561 Corvettes on the road. Not the top seller but holding its own on the market. The record goes to the 1984 with 51,547 cars on the road. But they did cheat a little because Chevrolet skipped 1983 so the 1984 numbers are for 2 years. But the C4 did do very well in sales over it life 1984 to 1996 putting out 27,552 cars a year on average.

The C5 generation 1997 to 2004 did not do too bad either with 31,089 cars a year. C6 2005 to 2008 is right up there averaging 37,318 cars a year. All you Corvette lovers should start making some noise now because GM execs are getting the idea the market share is starting to slip. The next thing you know it will be gone forever if we are not careful.

Why the 1957 Chevrolet's even today still has a following. There are still 57's being restored and customized. Rebuilt with more powerful engines with lots of HP, modern disk brakes all the special additions that make these classics super Sunday afternoon relaxing joy rides.

For a Little Fun History Visit Some 1957's