America's Sport Car - 1953
Year One! The 53' Corvette, designated C1. Not considered a serious product in GM's lineup. It would now be the longest production car built, but for 1983, GM held off.
1953 (C1) Corvette, this the 6th produced. Corvettes manufactured was considered somewhat a novelty, no door handles, windows, powered by GM's Blue Flame 6-cylinder engine and two-speed automatic transmission. Just 300 were produced, but its clean lines were praised; it was an eye stopper, no doubt. A basic cruiser it was, minimum body roll, OK power, and open to the air!
All 300 of the European inspired new Roadsters were Polo White with red interiors. All hand laid-up with fiberglass, had the advantage of low tooling cost, and importantly light weight. The design was sleek, with just enough edge-bullet tail lights and grill covered headlamps.
Its running gear was was basic GM components. With numbers small and first efforts with fiberglass quality was so-so.
My Favorite ... I'm old ...
Side sculpture, classic lines, I"ll take this one ...
1958, first generation. But with the fuel injected 283, 3-Speed Manual, and open air is all I need.
1962 Convertible. This last of the first generation (C1), had become a serious sports car. Now with a potent 327 fuel injected ci small block V8 (360 hp) Still it's solid rear axle, bias ply tires, drum brakes, makes for a fun cruiser, not a road runner.
Second Generation adds Performance ...
Engineers struggle to maintain the Vetts Character
63 Hardtop Stingray. Overall shorter and narrower than the C1, the C2 may have gotten its inspiration from the Jaguar E-Type.
1963 Corvette was all new, first of the C2s. Choose the Coupe or convertible or a "split-window", offered only in 1963. Independent rear suspension a strengthened frame with multiple chassis, gear ratio options put the car squarely in the performance camp.
1966 -1967 Vetts, the best of the second gen.
Big Block power, 4-wheel disc brakes, improved reliability, "iconic" styling make late C2s favorites.
The 1966, and 1977 Corvettes are considered standouts of the C2, or second generation. Great looks, with the bumped hood, and side pipes, 4-speed manual transmission and big power with the fuel injected 426 ci big block. This convertible is a perfect example.
Mid-Engine Vette Arrives in 2020
long awaited, but expectations exceeded ...
Comparison to Ferrari and Lamborgini are now legitimate. This generation is more rocket ship than sportster. The new mid-engine Corvette is an all new ball game. Acceleration o-60mph sub 4.0 sec. Hang on!
Hy-bred 2025 Vette ... yes
Power to the front wheels, 670 Standard horses ...
E-Ray Corvette ... 2025 saw 42,000 Corvettes produced. And 1,400 were "E-Rays", this is one of them.
60 HP added, body width increased by 4 inches, larger tires, etc. With low slung chassis, C8s have sensing lift systems, that provide several additional inches of ground clearance.
Still a great deal? The new C8s are prices at $100,000 and up; OK cheap compared to a Ferrari.
