History Of The Corvette | Corvettes History

General Motors is and always has been America's greatest automotive car manufacturer. Edmonds says that

"Entering the 1950s, no corporation even came close to General Motors in its size, the scope of its enterprise or its profits. GM was twice the size of the second biggest company in the world — Standard Oil of New Jersey (forefather of today's ExxonMobil), and had a vast conglomeration of businesses ranging from home appliances to providing insurance and building Chevrolets, GMCs, Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, Buicks, Cadillacs and locomotives."

With this in mind, it is no surprise that General Motors was the company that produced the first two-seat sports car in America. General Motors has always been "ahead of the game" when it comes to innovative concepts and producing cutting-edge vehicles. The Corvette was just another day in world of GM dream-making perfection.

The Corvette Concept

In 1927 Chevrolet hired a man by the name of Harley Earl, who in the near future, would be responsible for the design of the Chevrolet Corvette. After WWII, soldiers returning from overseas were bringing home MGs, Jaguars, Alfa Romeos and other cars of similarity. Equipped with this information, Earl was able to convince General Motors of the need for a two-seat American sports car. The result was a 1953 Corvette, that was originally hand-built in Chevrolet's Flint, Michigan delivery center.

The Corvette Name

Myron E. "Scottie" Scott, will always be highlighted in history as the man who gave the Corvette its name.

In 1937, Chevrolet hired Myron Scott as an assistant director for the Public Relations department. Here Myron was responsible for the photography, marketing and public relations of the new cars. Her served this job for many years.

In 1953, a special executive meeting was arranged to find a name for a new Chevrolet sports car that was being developed. Following suite, the company wanted a name that started with a "C". Over 300 names were thought up and submitted for the running, but none of the 300 names made the final cut.

That night Scott was at home searching through the "C" section of the dictionary and discovered the definition of the word "corvette" which is "a speedy pursuit ship in the British navy". The next day Scott suggested "Corvette" to the group of thinkers and everyone fell in love with it.

The Corvette Lives On

Since 1953, there have been 6 generations of Corvettes manufactured - C1 - C6 - as well as various models ranging from the Stingray to the newest Corvette super-car... the Corvette ZR1. Corvette lovers around the world have chosen Corvette Smart USA by Maxie Price as their Corvette dealer of choice for Corvettes for sale. Corvette Smart USA by Maxie Price is the largest Corvette dealer in the Southeast and among the top Corvette dealers in the United States.

A Detailed History Of The Chevrolet Corvette

The 1950's Corvette | The Start Of Something Great

The Chevy Corvette first hit the scene in January of 1953 as a show car in the GM Motorama concept car show. The Corvette was a stylish two-seat convertible, designed to prove to the world that GM could create a sports car that would be able to compete with European models coming from the Jaguar and the MG. All of the 1953 Corvettes were Polo White with red interiors and black canvas tops.

There were only 300 1953 Corvettes produced, and evidence shows that nearly 225 still exist today. The first two to ever come off of the production line were used as tests and then destroyed.

There were two options offered: a signal seeking AM radio ($145.15) and a heater ($91.40). Although these were listed as options, all 1953 Corvettes were equipped with both items. The base price was $3,498.00, which included the federal excise tax and $248.00 for shipping and handling. The radio had a very unique feature... because fiberglass is electrically powerless, the radio's antenna was simply designed into the trunk lid. Using a steele body, this method would have been impossible.

The response to the Motorama car show was an outstanding success, and production began that June in Flint, Michigan. It would change the landscape of the American road forever.

The 1953 Chevrolet Corvettes were each built by hand and appeared nearly identical to the Motorama car. They were powered by the existing Chevrolet 235-cu.-in. 6-cylinder engine that was modified with a three-carburetor design along with a dual-exhaust to provide a sportier appearance. The Corvette's 150 horsepower engine was name the "Blue Flame", and it was teamed with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. However, this particular powertrain did not live up to the performance expectations of sports car enthusiast. Although Corvette sales climbed to 3,640 units in 1954, they dropped dramatically to just 700 in 1955 which fabricated rumors that the Corvette might be a short-lived automotive fluke. However, Zora Arkus-Duntov (known as the "Corvette Father") had something else in mind.

Arkus-Duntov, an engineer on the Corvette team since 1953 and a former European road racer, set out to give Corvette the two things it needed most -- better performance and better handling. The Corvette's evolution into a true sports car began in 1955 when a 265-cu.-in. V8 that generated 195 horsepower was offered. A 3-speed manual transmission was also offered by the end of the year.

In 1955, Zora Arkus-Duntov set a new record in the Daytona "Measured Mile" at just over 150 miles per hour driving the prototype V8-powered Corvette.

The Corvette received its first major styling updates in 1956. Changes included an all-new body with "scooped out" sides, outside door handles, roll-up windows and an optional removable hardtop.

The Corvette got a very nice performance boost to go along with its styling in 1957. The 283-cu.-in. V8 was modified with fuel injection to produce an unprecedented 283 horsepower, and a new 4-speed manual transmission was available as a $188 option. This made the Corvette one of the first cars in the world to mate a fuel-injected V8 engine with a 4-speed manual gearbox.

The Corvette lit up the streets in 1958 in more ways than one. The fuel-injected 283-cu.-in. V8 was now cranking out up to 290 horsepower, and the Corvette's new body design featured four headlights, giving it an even slicker look than the previous model year..

The 1960's Corvette | Gaining Momentum

In 1960, Corvette production topped the 10,000 mark for the first time. It now owned a solid niche in the market and became part of America's culture and foundation, especially in the automotive world.

From 1960 to 1962, power, performance, luxury and styling enhancements made the Corvette more and more appealing to a wider variety of buyers. 1961 was the first year for Corvette trademark quad taillights. In 1962, engine displacement was increased to 327 cu. in. and top horsepower was up to 360. WOW!

But the most exciting changes were still a year away...

In 1963, Chevrolet unveiled its all-new Corvette Coupe and Convertible models that would catapult the already American icon into the forefront of the automotive industry. They called it the Sting Ray. This was the first time the Corvette was available as a hardtop coupe model as well as the traditional convertible. Both Corvettes featured a new design that was significantly more stylish than the previous generation. It was also the first year for hidden headlamps. This Corvette also included an idependent rear suspension.

The 1963 Sting Ray Corvette Coupe featured a split rear-window design, but it was replaced with a single-piece rear window in 1964 because of visibility complaints. Owning a 1963 split-window Corvette Coupe is a cherished prize among collectors today, and most likely will remain that way.

The Sting Ray Corvettes were the automotive success story of 1963 throughout the automotive industry. They were the "talk of the town" so to speak. Chevrolet had to add a second shift of factory workers to its St. Louis, Missouri assembly plant to keep up with the high demand, and dealers reported that owners were waiting months for their cars to be built. By the end of the model year, Corvette production would surpass the 20,000-unit milestone.

The Sting Rays continued the Corvette evolution through the mid-1960s. In 1965, the 396-cu.-in. "Big Block" V8 was available in the Corvette. It was rated at 425 horsepower. Four-wheel disc brakes were also made standard, although buyers could choose drum brakes as a cost-delete option while supplies of parts lasted.

In 1967, the limited-production L88 Corvette was officially rated at 430 horsepower, although some Corvette historians believe that figure was artificially low. Only 20 of the L88 Corvettes were built.

The all-new 1968 Corvette was dramatically different in appearance from any other Corvette. Bearing a striking resemblance to Chevrolet's "Mako Shark II" concept vehicle, it literally changed the way people looked at cars. Along with its bold new look, the 1968 Corvettes introduced hidden windshield wipers and removable T-Tops on Coupe models. In 1968, the Corvette production hit a new record of 28,566. Corvette received its most radical styling change in 1968, and this basic body design would continue to evolve for the next 20 years.

Stung by the criticism of the 1968 Corvette, Chevrolet worked very hard to resolve the issues for the 1969 model year. A number of quality control and build problems were addressed to assure that the Corvette remained an excellent vehicle.

The original "Sting Ray" name tag mysteriously disappeared from the 1968 Corvette, but reappeared in 1969 as a single word "Stingray".

Engine choices for 1969 didn't change much with the popular 427 cu. in. 435 hp motor still the king of the hill. The 327 cu in. selection was dropped in favor of the L46 350 -cu.-in. Two of the engines offered - the L88 and ZL1 - were racing engines, neither of which were practical for street use.

The 1970's Corvette | Change Is In The Air

The 1970s were a time of great change for the Corvette. While a late production start for the 1970 model year prevented the first cars from rolling off the assembly line until January, sales rebounded quickly in 1971. But at the same time, outside forces, such as the oil embargo and increasing government regulations and control, were having a negative impact on the Corvette's performance.

The original high-performance LT1 Corvette engine was a 350-cu.-in. "Small Block," and was introduced in 1970. It generated 370 horsepower. That same year, the "Big Block" displacement was increased to 454 cu. in., and was rated at 390 horsepower in the LS5 version.

In 1971, a special-purpose "Big Block" V8 was available that produced an amazing 425 horsepower, outstanding for the 1970's. But 1971 was the last year for "gross" horsepower ratings. The industry changed to a "net" rating system that accounted for the weight, exhaust system, vehicle accessories and other components that altered horsepower ratings. It provided a truer measure of an engine's performance once placed in a working vehicle and is still used today.

The Convertible model was dropped at the end of the 1975 model year and would not be available again for the next 11 years.

In 1977, Corvette hit a new record milestone as the 500,000th car rolled off the assembly line. Leather seats were standard for the first time, but buyers could choose to have cloth interiors as a no-cost option. Production reached 49,213 units.

Corvette celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1978 and, in recognition of this event, was selected to be the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500. Two special Corvette models were produced for public sale -- a Pace Car appearance edition and a special Silver Anniversary paint package.

In 1979, the Corvette production hit 53,807 units which is a record that still stands today.

The 1980's Corvette | Anticipating Greatness

Corvette sales remained strong in the early 1980s. It was clearly now a part of the American fabric, attracting buyers with its rich heritage, dramatic styling and performance concept.

There were no 1983 Corvettes produced for public sale, but 43 pilot models of the new-generation Corvette were built in 1983 for testing purposes. Today, one of those 1983 pilots is on display at the Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The rest were scrapped.

The originally planned 1983 Corvette brought forward some of the most dramatic design changes in Corvette's history. Many of the changes included technology that had not been approved for automobile application. Although the technology was readily available, it had to be tested and developed into the manufacturing process with the quality, reliability, and durability proven before it could be integrated into vehicles that would be sold to the public.

In 1984, Chevrolet introduced the first all-new Corvette since 1968. It featured an all-new body design, a double-wishbone front suspension and five-link independent rear suspension teamed with Goodyear Gatorback unidirectional tires. Inside, the cockpit hugged the driver and featured advanced electronic instrumentation for the first time.The introduction of the 1984 Corvette was one of the most eagerly awaited vehicle announcements in recent history. It was named Motor Trend's "Car of The Year."

The Corvette Convertible arrived back on the scene in 1986. To celebrate the convertible's return, Corvette again paced the Indy 500 and all convertibles were designated Pace Car replicas. The evolution of Corvette as a world-class performance car also continued with the addition of new standard 4-wheel ABS, an increase in maximum horsepower to 230 from its 5.7 Liter V8 and continued suspension fine-tuning. The PASS-Key® theft-deterrent system was also added as standard equipment on all models.

The handling of the Corvette made great strides in 1989 with the Performance Handling Package becoming standard equipment, along with new 17-inch wheels and tires. The Selective Ride Control adjustable suspension system was also introduced -- allowing drivers to choose between three different operating modes: "Touring," "Sport" and "Performance." A new 6-speed manual transmission was also offered, giving drivers added ability to maximize the Corvette power range.

The 1990's Corvette | Technology & Innovation

The Corvette ZR1 roared to the streets in 1990 with an all-new 375 horsepower LT5 engine under its hood. Designed in a unified effort between General Motors and Lotus, the LT5's dual overhead cam, 32-valve design made Corvette the talk of the automotive world. To help distinguish the appearance of the ZR-1 from standard Corvette Coupes, it was given a unique convex rear fascia and quad rectangular taillights. All Corvettes received a new cockpit design that included digital readouts and analog gauges as well as a driver air bag. The maximum horsepower of the standard L98 engine was increased to 250.

Corvette received styling refinements for 1991 that included wrap-around front parking/cornering lamps, new side-panel louvers and a ZR-1 style convex rear fascia on all models. To help differentiate the look of the ZR-1, its center high-mounted stop lamp remained on the roof, while it was integrated into the rear fascia on both Coupe and Convertible.

Corvette performance continued to grow in 1992 with the introduction of the second-generation LT1 -- putting a 300-horsepower engine back in the standard Corvette. The engine was designated LT1 because it was the first Chevy "Small Block" to surpass the horsepower of the original LT1 in 1970. The Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR) system and Goodyear GS-C asymmetrical tires were also introduced as standard equipment. ZR-1 received a ZR-1 badge on the sides of its clam shell hood. The one-millionth Corvette was built on July 2, 1992 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

For 1993, LT5 output was boosted to 405 horsepower, and a special 40th Anniversary package was available on all models. Passive Keyless Entry (PKE) was also added as standard equipment.

The cockpit of Corvette was transformed for 1994 with a new single-piece instrument panel, a front-passenger air bag, and new door panels. Both the standard and Sport seats were also restyled, and leather seats became standard equipment.

The most noticeable change on the 1995 Corvette was the revised gill panel design. This also marked the last year for the ZR-1. Corvette served as the Official 1995 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car.

Two distinctive Corvettes are part of the 1996 lineup: the Grand Sport and Collector Edition. Both celebrate the rich heritage of the Corvette, and mark the end of the C4 style. The new optional LT4 engine is introduced (required on Grand Sport).

Chevrolet's Corvette has been in production since June 1953. The 1997-Current Corvette is referred to as the C5 or "Fifth Generation" Corvette. This is the first totally new Corvette -- the 1953 Corvette used parts shared with other Chevrolets, but in addition to a totally redesigned body, the 1997 Corvette employed a new frame, engine and rear mounted transmission. The 1997 model year was a short production year.

In 1998 Corvette produced its fourth Indy Pace Car Replica model.

In 1999 Chevrolet brought out a fixed roof coupe they call a "Hardtop" version, the first "fixed roof" model since 1967. Current models include the convertible, the coupe and the hardtop.

The New Millenium Corvette | Advancing Even Further

The 2000 Corvette employed few external changes. New wheels were introduced, a standard version and a hi-polished version, and the passenger's outside door key lock entry was discontinued. In January another new 2000 standard painted wheel was introduced.

2001 saw the introduction of the Z06 model. Based on the fixed roof coupe model, the Z06 is Chevrolet's race ready model. The Z06 comes with the LS6 engine and functioning front air intake grills and functioning rear brake duct air intake grills directly behind the doors. The 6-speed manual transmission is the only transmission available in the Z06.

In 2002 the Z06's LS6 engine was upped to 405 H.P.

2003 is Corvette's 50th anniversary. A 50th anniversary option is available on the coupe and convertible, but not on the Z06. The 50th anniversary option consists of a special "Anniversary Red" paint, a special "shale" colored interior and special 50th Anniversary badging. The Z06 remained unchanged from the 2002 model. Also new for 2003 is Magnetic Selective Ride Control which replaced the Real Time Damping system.

And so Corvette continues to make history as the C6 is opening another chapter.

The EX-122 Chevrolet Corvette

This car is the oldest Corvette in existence! It is the first Corvette show car. It was actually built in the latter part of 1952. It is officially known as EX 122. This was the GM Motorama Corvette that was shown at the Waldorf in NY in Dec. 1952. Back then, it was equipped with a 6 cylinder engine, powerglide auto trans, it was white with a red interior and black top, as all the future '53 production Corvette's were. The car was carried , babied and handled very carefully through the various auto shows throughout the USA. It then stood in the lobby of the GM building until the 1953 model came into production and was then used as a engineering department test car.

About that time the new Chevrolet V8 265 cu. in. was being developed for engineering so they removed the 235 CI 6 and installed the V8. The car was taken to the proving grounds where it was run on a 25,000 mile durability test and then completely torn down with each part being inspected for future production purposes. It was then not needed for engineering and it was reassembled using new production pieces wherever the experimental parts showed wear. It was then repainted red, a new top was installed along with a new interior. It was used as a courtesy car for about 5000 miles and then was sold.

Russell Sanders who was ahead of the enginnering dept. bought the car in 1956. He had a rough time trying to register the car because of it's serial # EX 122, which denotes an experimental car. He got the car registered in Michigan then moved to Rochester NY ( Rochester Products of GM) and the car was used by various members of his family, in particular his daughter. The daughter was not able to use the car while attending college, so he sold it. He sold the car to John Engle of Rochester NY for $1000 in 1959. John Engle owned this car until his death in 2001. His family sold it to A private collector for $300,000.

Some of this information was written and produced by Rick Daniels.

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The History Of The Chevrolet Corvette