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Chevrolet
( Chevy )
Corvette History
::
The 1950's - A legend was Born!
The
Corvette debuted in January of 1953 as a show car in the GM Motorama.
It was a stylish two-seat convertible, designed to show the world
that GM could create a sports car to compete with European nameplates
like Jaguar and MG. All 1953 Corvettes were Polo White with red
interiors. The response to the Motorama show car was overwhelmingly
positive, and production began that June in Flint, Michigan. It
would change the landscape of the American road forever.
The 1953 Corvettes
were 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 and dual
exhaust to give it more sports car-like performance. Named the Blue
Flame Special, this engine generated 150 horsepower, and it was
teamed with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. This powertrain,
however, did not live up to the performance expectations of sports
car buyers. Although sales climbed to 3640 units in 1954, they fell
off dramatically to just 700 in 1955 setting off rumors that Corvette
might be a short-lived automotive experiment. But Zora Arkus-Duntov
had different ideas. 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.
Corvette's evolution
into a true sports car began in 1955 when a 265-cu.-in. V8 that
generated 195 horsepower was offered; and by the end of the model
year, a 3-speed manual transmission was also available. In 1955,
driving a prototype V8-powered Corvette, Zora Arkus-Duntov set a
new record in the Daytona "Measured Mile" at just over
150 miles per hour. Corvette received its first major styling update
in 1956. Changes included an all-new body with "scooped out"
sides, outside door handles, roll-up windows and an optional removable
hardtop. Corvette got a 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 offered as a $188 option -- making Corvette one
of the first cars in the world to mate a fuel-injected V8 engine
with a 4-speed manual gearbox. Corvette lit up the streets in 1958
in more ways than one. The fuel-injected 283-cu.-in. V8 was now
producing up to 290 horsepower, and Corvette's new body design featured
four headlights.
:: The 1960's - Split Windows and V-8's!
In 1960, Corvette
production topped the 10,000 mark for the first time. It was now
carving out a solid niche in the market and becoming a part of American
culture. In each year between 1960 and 1962, performance and styling
enhancements made it more and more appealing to a wide 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. But the most exciting changes were still
a year away.
In 1963, Chevrolet
unveiled its all-new Corvette Coupe and Convertible models -- the
Sting Rays. This was the first time Corvette was available as a
hardtop coupe model as well as the traditional convertible. Both
cars featured an all-new body design that was significantly trimmer
and more stylish than the previous generation. It was also the first
year for concealed headlamps. The chassis was all new as well, including
an independent rear suspension. The 1963 Sting Ray Coupe featured
a split rear-window design, but it was replaced with a single-piece
rear window in 1964 because owners complained about visibility.
Today, a 1963
split-window Coupe is a cherished prize among collectors. The Sting
Rays were the automotive success story of the year. Chevrolet had
to add a second shift to its St. Louis, Missouri assembly plant
to keep up with demand, and dealers reported owners 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 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,
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 15 years.
:: The 1970's - 25th Anniversary Edition
The 1970s were
a time of great change for 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 in 1971 and continued
to climb. But at the same time, outside forces, such as the oil
embargo and increasing government regulations, were having an impact
on Corvette performance.
The original
high-performance LT1 engine, a 350-cu.-in. "Small Block,"
was introduced in 1970. It generated 370 horsepower. That 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
425 horsepower. But 1971 was the last year for "gross"
horsepower ratings. The industry changed to a "net" rating
system that accounted for the exhaust system, vehicle accessories
and other components. It provided a truer measure of an engine's
performance and is still used today.
The Convertible
model was dropped at the end of the 1975 model year. The next Corvette
Convertible would not be available until 1986. In 1977, Corvette
hit the 1/2-million milestone as the 500,000th car rolled off the
assembly line. Leather seats were standard for the first time, although
buyers could choose cloth 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 models were produced for public sale -- a Pace Car appearance
edition and a special Silver Anniversary paint package. In 1979,
Corvette production hit 53,807 units -- a record that still stands
today.
:: The 1980's - MotorTrend's, "Car of the
Year!"
Sales of Corvette
remained strong in the early '80s. It was clearly now a part of
the American fabric, attracting buyers with its rich heritage and
dramatic styling. 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. 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
surrounded the driver and featured advanced electronic instrumentation.
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." For 1986, the Corvette Convertible was back!
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.
Corvette handling
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 - Decade of the ZR-1!
ZR-1 roared to
life in 1990 with an all-new 375 horsepower LT5 engine under its
hood. Designed in a cooperative 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 an all-new
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 current style. The new optional LT4 engine is introduced (required
on Grand Sport). Written by Scott
Rear
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