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Wikipedia

Chevrolet Corvette

January 20, 2023

This article is about the sports car. For other uses, see Corvette (disambiguation).

The Chevrolet Corvette is a two-door, two-passenger luxury[1] sports car manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet since 1953.[2][3] With eight design generations, noted sequentially from C1 to C8, the Corvette is noted for its performance and distinctive fiberglass or composite panels. It was front-engined through 2019 and mid-engined since.[4]

Chevrolet Corvette
2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8
Overview
ManufacturerChevrolet (General Motors)
Also calledChevrolet Corvette Sting Ray
(1963–1967)
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
(1969–1976, 2014–present)
Production1953–present
Model years1953–1982
1984–present
AssemblyUnited States:
Body and chassis
ClassSports car/Grand tourer (S)
Body style2-door coupé
2-door convertible/roadster
Layout
Powertrain
Engine

The Corvette is currently the only two-seat sports car produced by a major United States auto manufacturer and it serves as Chevrolet's halo vehicle.[5]

In 1953, GM executives accepted a suggestion by Myron Scott, then the assistant director of the Public Relations department, to name the company's new sports car after the corvette, a small maneuverable warship.[6] The first model, a convertible, was introduced at the 1953 GM Motorama as a concept car; production models went on sale later that year. In 1963, the second generation was introduced in coupe and convertible styles. Originally manufactured in Flint, Michigan, and St. Louis, Missouri, the Corvette has been produced in Bowling Green, Kentucky, since 1981, which is also the location of the National Corvette Museum.

The Corvette has become widely known as "America's Sports Car."[7] Automotive News wrote that after being featured in the early 1960s television show Route 66, "the Corvette became synonymous with freedom and adventure," ultimately becoming both "the most successful concept car in history and the most popular sports car in history."[8]

History

First generation (C1; 1953–1962)

Main article: Chevrolet Corvette (C1)

The first generation of Corvette was introduced late in the 1953 model year. It first appeared as a show car for the 1953 General Motors Motorama, held January 17–23 at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.[9] At the time, Chevrolet general manager Thomas H. Keating said it was six months to a year away from production readiness.[10] The car generated enough interest to commence mass production on June 30, 1953.[11][12][13][14][15]

 
1953 Chevrolet Corvette displayed at the 1953 GM Motorama car show

Unique to Corvette was its hand laid-up fiberglass body. This generation was often referred to as the "solid-axle" models, with independent rear suspension appearing in the next.[16] Three hundred hand-built Corvette convertibles were produced, all Polo White, for the 1953 model year.[17]

The 1954 model year vehicles could be ordered in Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red, Black, or Polo White; 3,640 were built and sold slowly.

The 1953, 1954, and 1955 model years were the only Corvettes equipped with a 235 cu in (3.9 L) version of the second-generation Blue Flame inline-six rated at 150 hp (112 kW; 152 PS).

The 1955 model offered a 265 cu in (4.34 L) V8 engine as an option. Despite the poor sales of the Corvette at the time, the brand-new V-8 was an overwhelmingly popular option. Only 6 of the 1955 models were produced with the inline-six. With a large inventory of unsold 1954 models, GM limited production to 700 for 1955. With the new V8, the 0–60 mph time improved by 1.5 seconds,[13] and saw three new competitors called the Ford Thunderbird and the Studebaker Speedster introduced that same year, and the larger Chrysler C-300.

 
1956 Chevrolet Corvette transistorized "hybrid" (vacuum tubes and transistors) car radio option, which was GM's first start in using the modern solid-state electronics for a production car model.

A new body was introduced for the 1956 model featuring a new "face" and side coves; the taillamp fins were also gone.[18] An optional "Ramjet" fuel injection system was made available in the middle of the 1957 model year. It was one of the first American mass-produced engines in history to reach 1 hp (0.75 kW) per cubic inch (16.4 cubic cm) and Chevrolet's advertising agency used a "one hp per cubic inch" slogan for advertising the 283 hp (211 kW) 283 cu in (4.64 L) Small-Block engine.[19] Other options included power windows (1956), hydraulic ally-assisted convertible top (1956), heavy-duty brakes and suspension (1957), and four-speed manual transmission (late 1957).[19] Delco Radio transistorized signal-seeking "hybrid" car radio, which used both vacuum tubes and transistors in its radio's circuitry (1956 option).[20][21]

The 1958 Corvette received a body and interior freshening which included a longer front end with quad headlamps, bumper exiting exhaust tips, a new steering wheel, and a dashboard with all gauges mounted directly in front of the driver.[22] For 1958 only were 1958 hood louvers and twin trunk spears.[22] The 1959–60 model years had few changes except a decreased amount of body chrome and more powerful engine offerings.[23]

In 1961, the rear of the car was completely redesigned with the addition of a "duck tail" with four round lights. The light treatment would continue for all following model year Corvettes until 2014.[24] In 1962, the Chevrolet 283 cu in (4.64 L) Small-Block was enlarged to 327 cu in (5.36 L). In standard form it was rated at 250 hp (190 kW). For an extra 12% over list price, the fuel-injected version produced 360 hp (270 kW),[25] making it the fastest of the C1 generation. 1962 was also the last year for the wraparound windshield, solid rear axle, and convertible-only body style.[26] The trunk lid and exposed headlamps did not reappear for many decades.[27]

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    1953 Corvette exits assembly line

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    1954 Corvette convertible

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    1956 Corvette convertible

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    1959 Corvette convertible (rear)

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    1960 Corvette convertible

Second generation (C2; 1963–1967)

Main article: Chevrolet Corvette (C2)
 
1963 Corvette Sting Ray coupe

The second generation (C2) Corvette, which introduced Sting Ray to the model, continued with fiberglass body panels, and overall, was smaller than the first generation. The C2 was later referred to as mid-years.[28] The car was designed by Larry Shinoda with major inspiration from a previous concept design called the "Q Corvette," which was created by Peter Brock and Chuck Pohlmann under the styling direction of Bill Mitchell.[29] Earlier, Mitchell had sponsored a car known as the "Mitchell Sting Ray" in 1959 because Chevrolet no longer participated in factory racing. This vehicle had the largest effect on the styling of this generation, although it had no top and did not give away what the final version of the C2 would look like.[30] The third inspiration was a mako shark Mitchell had caught while deep-sea fishing.[31]

Production started for the 1963 model year and ended in 1967. Introducing a new name, "Sting Ray", the 1963 model was the first year for a Corvette coupé and it featured a distinctive tapering rear deck (a feature that later reappeared on the 1971 "Boattail" Buick Riviera) with, for 1963 only, a split rear window. The Sting Ray featured hidden headlamps, non-functional hood vents, and an independent rear suspension.[32] Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov never liked the split rear window because it blocked rear vision, but Mitchell thought it to be a key part of the entire design. Maximum power for 1963 was 360 hp (270 kW) and was raised to 375 hp (280 kW) in 1964. Options included electronic ignition, the breakerless magnetic pulse-triggered Delcotronic first offered on some 1963 Pontiac models.[33][failed verification] On 1964 models the decorative hood vents were eliminated and Duntov, the Corvette's chief engineer, got his way with the split rear window changed to a full-width window.

 
1965 Corvette Sting Ray coupe

Four-wheel disc brakes were introduced in 1965, as was a "big block" engine option: the 396 cu in (6.49 L) V8. Side exhaust pipes were also optionally available in 1965, and continued to be offered through 1967. The introduction of the 425 hp (317 kW) 396 cu in (6.49 L) big block in 1965 spelled the beginning of the end for the Rochester fuel injection system.[34] The 396 cu in (6.49 L) option cost US$292.70 while the fuel injected 327 cu in (5.36 L) engine cost US$538.00. Few could justify spending US$245.00 more for 50 hp (37 kW) less, even though FI could deliver over 20 mpg on the highway and would keep delivering fuel despite high G-loading in corners taken at racing speeds. Another 1963 and 1964 option was the Z06 competition package, which offered stiffer suspension, bigger, multi-segment lined brakes with finned drums, and more. Only a couple hundred coupes and a single convertible were factory-equipped this way in 1963. With only 771 fuel-injected cars built in 1965, Chevrolet discontinued the option at the end of the 1965 production, having introduced a less-expensive big block 396 engine rated at 425 hp in the middle of the production year and selling over 2,000 in just a few months. For 1966, Chevrolet introduced an even larger 427 cu in (7.00 L) Big Block version. Other options available on the C2 included the Wonderbar auto-tuning AM radio, AM-FM radio (mid-1963), air conditioning (late-1963), a telescopic steering wheel (1965), and headrests (1966). The Sting Ray's independent rear suspension was successfully adapted for the new-for-1965 Chevrolet Corvair, which solved the quirky handling problems of that unique rear-engine compact.[35]

 
1967 Corvette Sting Ray convertible
 
Corvette Sting Ray tail lights

1967 was the final model year for the second generation. The 1967 model featured restyled fender vents, less ornamentation, and backup lamps - which were on the inboard in 1966 - were now rectangular and centrally located. The first use of all four taillights in red started in 1961 and was continued thru the C2 line-up except for 1966. This feature returned for the 1967 model year and then continued on all Corvettes since. The 1967 model year had the first L88 engine option that was rated at 430 hp (320 kW), but unofficial estimates place the output at 560 hp (420 kW) or more.[36] Only twenty such engines were installed at the factory. From 1967 through 1969, the Holley triple two-barrel carburetor, or Tri-Power, was available on the 427 L89 (a $368 option, on top of the cost for the high-performance 427).[37] Despite these changes, sales slipped more than 15%, to 22,940 (8,504 coupes, off close to 15%, and 14,436 convertibles, down nearly 19%).[note 1]

Duntov came up with a lightweight version of the C2 in 1962. Concerned about Ford and what they were doing with the Shelby Cobra, GM planned to manufacture 100 Grand Sport Corvettes, but only five were actually built.[38] They were driven by historic drivers such as Roger Penske, A. J. Foyt, Jim Hall, and Dick Guldstrand among others. Today the five cars (001-005) are all held by private owners, and are among the most coveted and valuable Corvettes ever built.[39] 002 is exhibited in the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum and is in running condition.[40]

Third generation (C3; 1968–1982)

Main article: Chevrolet Corvette (C3)
 
1969 Corvette Stingray coupe with T-top panels removed

The third-generation Corvette, patterned after the Mako Shark II concept car, was introduced for the 1968 model year and was in production until 1982. C3 coupes featured the first use of T-top removable roof panels. It introduced monikers that were later revived, such as LT-1, ZR-1, Z07, and Collector Edition. In 1978, Corvette's 25th anniversary was celebrated with a two-tone Silver Anniversary Edition and an Indy Pace Car replica edition of the C3. This was also the first time that a Corvette was used as a Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500.[41]

Engines and chassis components were mostly carried over from the C2, but the body and interior were new. The 350 cu in (5.7 L) engine replaced the old 327 cu in (5.36 L) as the base engine in 1969, but power remained at 300 hp (224 kW). 1969 was the only year for a C3 to optionally offer either a factory-installed side exhaust or a normal rear exit with chrome tips. The all-aluminum ZL1 engine was also new for 1969; the special big-block engine was listed at 430 hp (321 kW), but was reported to produce 560 hp (420 kW) and propelled a ZL1 through the 1/4 mile in 10.89 seconds.[42]

There was an extended production run for the 1969 model year due to a lengthy labor strike, which meant sales were down on the 1970 models, to 17,316.[43] 1970 small-block power peaked with the optional high compression, high-revving LT-1 that produced 370 hp (276 kW). The 427 big-block was enlarged to 454 cu in (7.44 L) with a 390 hp (291 kW) rating. The ZR-1 special package was an option available on the 1970 through 1972 model years, and included the LT-1 engine combined with special racing equipment. Only 53 ZR-1's were built.[44]

In 1971, to accommodate regular low-lead fuel with lower anti-knock properties, the engine compression ratios were lowered which resulted in reduced power ratings. The power rating for the 350 cu in (5.7 L) L48 base engine decreased from 300 to 270 horsepower and the optional special high-performance LT1 engine decreased from 370 to 330 horsepower. The LS5 454 cu in (7.4 L) motor was carried over and produced 365 hp (272 kW). Offered in ‘71 only was the LS6 454 cu in (7.4 L) big-block featuring aluminum heads and delivering 425 hp (317 kW), the highest of the 1970-1972 series, and could be ordered with an automatic transmission. For the 1972 model year, GM moved to the SAE Net measurement which resulted in further reduced, but more realistic, power ratings than the previous SAE Gross standard.[45] Although the 1972 model's 350 cu in (5.7 L) horsepower was actually the same as that for the 1971 model year, the lower net horsepower numbers were used instead of gross horsepower. The L48 base engine was now rated at 200 hp (150 kW) and the optional LT1 engine was now rated at 270 hp (200 kW).[27] 1974 models had the last true dual exhaust system that was dropped on the 1975 models with the introduction of catalytic converters requiring the use of no-lead fuel. Engine power decreased with the base ZQ3 engine producing 165 hp (123 kW), the optional L82's output 205 hp (153 kW), while the 454 big-block engine was discontinued. Gradual power increases after 1975 peaked in 1980 with the model's optional L82 producing 230 hp (172 kW) in its final year.[23] 1981 saw a single engine, the L81, which had 190 hp (142 kW) while the fuel-injected 1982 L83 had 200 hp (149 kW).[46][47]

Styling changed subtly throughout the generation until 1978 for the car's 25th anniversary. The Sting Ray nameplate was not used on the 1968 model, but Chevrolet still referred to the Corvette as a Sting Ray; however, 1969 (through 1976) models used the "Stingray" name as one word, without the space.[48] In 1970, the body design was updated including fender flares, and interiors were refined, including redesigned seats and indication lights near the gear shift that were an early use of fiber optics. Because of government regulation, the 1973 Corvette's chrome front bumper was changed to a 5-mile-per-hour (8 km/h) system with a urethane bumper cover.[49] 1973 Corvettes are unique in that sense, as they are the only year when the front bumper was polyurethane and the rear retained the chrome two-piece bumper set. 1973 was also the last year chrome bumpers were used. The optional wire-spoked wheel covers (left) were offered for the last time in 1973. Only 45 Z07 were built in 1973. From 1974 onwards both the front and rear bumpers were polyurethane.[12]

In 1974, a 5-mile-per-hour (8 km/h) rear bumper system with a two-piece, tapering urethane bumper cover replaced the Kamm-tail and chrome bumper blades, and matched the new front design from the previous year. The 1975 model year ended the convertible body style until it returned 11 years later, and Dave McLellan succeeded Zora Arkus-Duntov as the Corvette's Chief Engineer.[50] For the 1976 models the fiberglass floor was replaced with steel panels to provide protection from the catalytic converter's high operating temperature. For 15 model years the names Corvette, Sting Ray, and Stingray were synonymous. 1977 was the last year the tunneled roof treatment with a vertical back window was used, in addition, leather seats were available at no additional cost for the first time. The black exterior color returned after a six-year absence.[51]

The 1978 25th Anniversary model introduced the fastback glass rear window and featured a new interior and dashboard. Corvette's 25th anniversary was celebrated with the Indy 500 Pace Car limited edition and a Silver Anniversary model featuring silver over gray lower body paint. All 1979 models featured the previous year's pace car seats and offered the front and rear spoilers as optional equipment.[28] 53,807 were produced for the model year, making 1979 the peak production year for all versions of the Corvette. Sales have trended downward since then.[52] In 1980, the Corvette received an integrated aerodynamic redesign that resulted in a significant reduction in drag. After several years of weight increases, 1980 Corvettes were lighter as engineers trimmed both body and chassis weight.[22] In mid-1981, production relocated from St. Louis, to Bowling Green, Kentucky (where all subsequent Corvette generations have since been manufactured),[citation needed] and several two-tone paint options were offered. The 1981 models were the last available with a manual transmission until well into the 1984 production run. In 1982, a fuel-injected engine returned, and a final C3 tribute Collectors Edition featured an exclusive, opening rear window hatch.[22]

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    1971 Corvette Stingray coupe

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    Corvette Sting Ray detail

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    1974 Corvette Stingray coupe

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    1978 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car Edition (rear)

Fourth generation (C4; 1984–1996)

Main article: Chevrolet Corvette (C4)
 
1984 Corvette with targa top open
 
1990 Red C4 Corvette

The fourth-generation Corvette was the first complete redesign of the Corvette since 1963. Production was to begin for the 1983 model year, but quality issues and part delays resulted in only 43 prototypes for the 1983 model year produced that were never sold. All of the 1983 prototypes were destroyed or serialized as 1984 model year except one with a white exterior, medium blue interior, L83 350 ci, 205 hp V8, and 4-speed automatic transmission.[11] After extensive testing and modifications were completed, it was initially retired as a display sitting in an external wall over the Bowling Green Assembly Plant's employee entrance. Later this only surviving 1983 prototype was removed, restored, and is now on display at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is still owned by GM.[53][54] On February 12, 2014, it was nearly lost to a sinkhole which opened up under the museum. Eight other Corvettes were severely damaged.[55]

Regular fourth generation production began on January 3, 1983; the 1984 model year and delivery to customers began in March 1983. The 1984 model carried over the 350 cu in (5.7 L) L83 slightly more powerful (5 hp) "Crossfire" V8 engine from the final 1982 third-generation model.[28] New chassis features were aluminum brake calipers and an all-aluminum suspension for weight savings and rigidity. The new one-piece Targa top had no center reinforcement. Retractable headlights continued to be used, but they were now single units, which were last used in 1957. A new electronic dashboard with digital liquid crystal displays for the speedometer and tachometer was standard. Beginning in 1985, the 230 hp (170 kW) L98 engine with tuned port fuel injection became the standard engine.[11]

September 1984 through 1988 Corvettes were available with a "4+3" transmission designed by Doug Nash - a 4-speed manual coupled to an automatic overdrive on the top three gears. It was devised to help the Corvette meet U.S. fuel economy standards.[56] Since 1981 (when it was last offered), a manual transmission returned to the Corvette starting with production in late 1984. The transmission proved to be problematic and was replaced by a modern ZF 6-speed manual transmission in 1989.[57]

In 1986, the second Corvette Indy Pace Car was released. It was the first convertible Corvette since 1975. A Center High Mounted Signal Light (CHMSL) – a third center brake light – was added in 1986 to comply with safety regulations. While the color of the pace car used in the race was yellow, all 1986 convertibles also had an Indy 500 emblem mounted on the console, making any color a "pace car edition". In 1987, the B2K twin-turbo option became available from the factory. The Callaway Corvette was a Regular Production Option (RPO B2K). The B2K option coexisted in 1990 and 1991 with the ZR-1 option, which then replaced it. Early B2Ks produced 345 hp (257 kW) and 450 lb⋅ft (610 N⋅m);[58] later versions boasted 450 hp (336 kW) and 613 lb⋅ft (831 N⋅m).[59]

1988 saw the 35th Anniversary Edition of the Corvette. Each of these featured a special badge with an identification number mounted next to the gear selector and was finished with a white exterior, wheels, and interior.[22] In 1990, the ZR1 option Corvette was introduced with the LT5 engine designed by Lotus and built in the Mercury Marine plant in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The LT5 engine was a 4-cam (DOHC) design producing 375 hp (280 kW) when at "open throttle". The C4 ZR1 ran from 1990 thru 1995 model years. In 1991, all Corvettes received updates to the body, interior, and wheels. The convex rear fascia that set the 1990 ZR-1 apart from the base model was now included on L98 Corvettes, making the styling of the expensive ZR-1 even closer to that of the base cars. The most obvious difference remaining between the base and ZR-1 models besides the wider rear wheels was the location of the CHMSL, which was integrated into the new rear fascia used on the base model, but remained at the top of the rear hatch on the ZR-1's.[27]

For the 1992 model year, the 300 hp (220 kW) LT1 engine was introduced, an increase of 50 hp (37 kW) over 1991's L98 engine. This engine featured reverse-flow cooling (the heads were cooled before the block), which allowed for a higher compression ratio of 10.5:1. A new distributor was also debuted. Called "Optispark", the distributor was driven directly off the front of the camshaft and mounted in front of the timing cover, just above the crankshaft and harmonic balancer.[27] Also new for 1992 was Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR), a form of traction control that utilized the Corvette's brakes, spark retard, and throttle close-down to prevent excessive rear wheel spin and possible loss of control. The traction control device could be switched off if desired.[22]

A special 40th Anniversary Edition was released in 1993, which featured a commemorative Ruby Red color, 40th anniversary badges, and embroidered seat backs. The 1993 Corvette also marked the introduction of the Passive Keyless Entry System, making it the first GM car to feature it. Production of the ZR-1 ended in 1995 after 6,939 cars had been built.[56] 1996 was the final year of C4 production, and featured special models and options, including the Grand Sport and Collector Edition, OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics), run-flat tires, and the LT4 engine. The 330 hp (246 kW) LT4 V8 was available only with a manual transmission, while all 300 hp (224 kW) LT1 Corvettes used automatic transmissions.[34]

Chevrolet released the Grand Sport (GS) version in 1996 to mark the end of production of the C4 Corvette. The Grand Sport moniker was a nod to the original Grand Sport model produced in 1963. A total of 1,000 GS Corvettes were produced, 810 as coupes and 190 as convertibles.[34] The 1996 GS came with the high-performance LT4 V8, producing 330 hp (246 kW) and 340 lb⋅ft (460 N⋅m). The Grand Sport came only in Admiral Blue with a white stripe down the middle, black wheels, and two red stripes on the front left wheel arch.[60]

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    1986 Corvette convertible Indy 500 Pace Car Edition

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    1990 C4 Corvette Rear Drivers side

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    1988 Corvette coupe

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    1990 C4 Corvette Front top off

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    1992 Corvette ZR-1

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    1996 Corvette Grand Sport

Fifth generation (C5; 1997–2004)

Main article: Chevrolet Corvette (C5)
 
Corvette C5 coupe

The C5 Corvette was redesigned from the ground up after sales from the previous generation began to decline. Production of the C5 Corvette began in 1996 but quality/manufacturing issues saw its release to the public in mass delayed until 1997, and continuing through the 2004 model year. The C5 was a completely new design that featured many new concepts and manufacturing breakthroughs that would be carried forward to the C6 & C7. It had a top speed of 176 mph (283 km/h) and was judged by the automotive press as a breakthrough with vastly improved dynamics in nearly every area over the previous C4 design. Innovations included a 0.29 drag coefficient, near 50/50 weight distribution, and active handling (the first stability control for a Corvette). It also weighed less than the C4. It was the first time the platform was badge engineered as the Cadillac XLR with limited sales.

 
Corvette C5 convertible

An all-new LS1 aluminum engine (Gen III small block) featured individual ignition coils for each cylinder, and aluminum block and pistons. It was initially rated at 345 hp (257 kW) and 350 lb⋅ft (470 N⋅m), but was increased to 350 hp (260 kW) in the 2001 edition. The new engine, combined with the new body, was able to achieve up to 28 mpg on the highway.[61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70]

 
Corvette Z06

For its first year, the C5 was available only as a coupe, although the new platform was designed from the ground up to be a convertible, which returned in 1998, followed by the fixed-roof coupe (FRC) in 1999. One concept for the FRC was for it to be a stripped-down model with a possible V6 engine (nicknamed in-house as the "Billy Bob").[71] By 2000, FRC plans laid the groundwork for the return in 2001 of the Z06, an RPO option not seen since Zora's 1963 race-ready Corvette.[72]

The Z06 model replaced the FRC model as the highest-performance C5 Corvette. Instead of a heavier double-overhead cam engine like the ZR-1 of the C4 generation, the Z06 used an LS6, a 385 hp (287 kW) derivative of the standard LS1 engine. Using the much more rigid fixed roof design allowed the Z06 unprecedented handling thanks to upgraded brakes and less body flex.[73] Those characteristics, along with the use of materials such as a titanium exhaust system and a carbon fiber hood in the 2004 model year, led to further weight savings and performance gains for the C5 Z06. The LS6 was later upgraded to 405 hp (302 kW) for 2002–2004. Although the Z06's rated power output is equal to that of the C4 ZR-1, the improved rigidity, suspension, brakes, and reduced weight of the C5 produced a car quicker than C4 ZR-1.[74]

Sixth generation (C6; 2005–2013)

Main article: Chevrolet Corvette (C6)
 
Corvette C6 coupe
 
C6 Corvette ZR1
 
2010 Corvette Grand Sport

For the C6 Corvette GM wanted to focus more on refining the C5 than trying to redesign it.[75] Car & Driver, and Motor Trend, described the C6 as an "evolution of the C5, instead of a complete redo". The C6 wheelbase was increased while body overhangs were decreased when compared to the C5. Retractable headlights were replaced with fixed units, making this the first model since 1962 to be so equipped. The C6 brought a new and improved interior compared to the C5. As a result of the upgraded interior, the C6 had a slight increase in passenger hip room. It also sported an updated LS1/LS6 engine now called the LS2. This engine was primarily an LS1/LS6 with a bump in displacement from 5.7L to 6.0 liters. The increased displacement of the 6.0 bumped the LS2's horsepower up by 50 HP over its LS1 progenitor, although still 5 HP less than the upgraded LS6 engine found in the previous C5 Z06. Thus the LS2 was now at 364 cu in, and it produced 400 hp (300 kW) at 6000 rpm and 400 lb⋅ft (540 N⋅m) at 4400 rpm, giving the vehicle a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of under 4.2 seconds.[76] Its top speed was 190 mph (310 km/h).

The C6 generation did not match the previous generation's relatively good fuel economy, despite its relatively low 0.28 drag coefficient and low curb weight, achieving 16/26 mpg (city/highway) equipped with automatic or manual transmissions; like all manual transmission Corvettes since 1989, it is fitted with Computer Aided Gear Selection (CAGS) to improve fuel economy by requiring drivers to shift from 1st gear directly to 4th in low-speed/low-throttle conditions. This feature helps the C6 avoid the Gas Guzzler Tax by achieving better fuel economy.[77]

The new Z06 arrived as a 2006 model in the third quarter of 2005. It has a 7.0 L version of the small block engine codenamed LS7. At 427.6 cubic inches, the Z06 was the largest small block ever offered by General Motors. Because of the Corvette's former use of 427 cubic-inch big blocks in the late-1960s and early 1970s, the LS7's size was rounded down to 427 cubic inches. Official output was 505 hp (377 kW) and has a 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time of 3.7 seconds. Top speed is 198 mph (319 km/h).[78] Another first for a Corvette, the Z06 featured a full aluminum chassis. The frame mirrored the C5/6 architecture, but substituted aluminum hydroformed rails and aluminum extrusions and castings fore and aft. This dropped weight from 419 to 287 pounds while improving chassis stiffness.[79]

For 2008, the Corvette received a mild freshening: a new LS3 engine with displacement increased to 6.2 L (380 cu in), resulting in 430 hp (321 kW) and 424 lb⋅ft (575 N⋅m) (436 hp (325 kW) and 428 lb⋅ft (580 N⋅m) if ordered with the optional performance exhaust). The 6-speed manual transmission also has improved shift linkage and a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.0 seconds, while the automatic is set up for quicker shifts giving the C6 automatic a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) time of 4.0 seconds, quicker than any other production automatic Corvette. The interior was slightly updated and a new 4LT leather-wrap interior package was added. The wheels were also updated to a new five-spoke design.[80]

The ZR1 was formally announced in a December 2007 press statement by General Motors, where it was revealed that their target of 100 hp (75 kW) per 1 L (61 cu in) had been reached by a new "LS9" engine with an Eaton-supercharged 6.2-liter engine producing 638 hp (476 kW) and 604 lb⋅ft (819 N⋅m). The LS9 engine was the most powerful to be put into a GM production sports car.[81] Its top speed was 205 mph (330 km/h).[82]

The historical name Grand Sport returned to the Corvette lineup in 2010 as an entirely new model series that replaced the Z51 option. The new model was an LS3 equipped Z06 with a steel frame instead of aluminum. It retained many of the features of the Z06 including a wide body with 18x9.5 and 19x12 inch wheels, dry-sump oiling (manual transmission coupes only), 6-piston 14-inch front brakes and 4-piston rear, and improved suspension.[53] Manual transmission-equipped G/S coupe models received a tweaked LS3 with a forged crank, are built in Z06 fashion by hand, and utilize a dry-sump oil system. The first three gears were also made shorter for better throttle response and faster acceleration.[83] A new launch control system was introduced for all models that allow for sub-4-second 0–60. EPA is estimated at 26 MPG highway, 1.0 G on skid pad.[24]

Beginning with the 2011 model year, buyers of the Corvette Z06 and ZR1 were offered the opportunity to assist in the build of their engines. Titled the "Corvette Engine Build Experience," buyers paid extra to be flown to the Wixom, Michigan Performance Build Center.[84] Participants helped the assembly line workers build the V8 engine, then took delivery of the car at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, near the Corvette final assembly point.[85]

The last C6 Corvette was manufactured in February 2013.[86][87] In May 2013, a federal investigation of problems with more than 100,000 C6 lighting systems was announced.[88]

Seventh generation (C7; 2014–2019)

Main article: Chevrolet Corvette (C7)
 
2014 Corvette Stingray coupe
 
2014 Corvette Stingray convertible
 
2019 Corvette ZR1

Development for the seventh generation Corvette started in 2007. Originally set to be introduced for the 2011 model year, its introduction was delayed for three years. It was finally released for the 2014 model year.[89] Mid-engine and rear-engine layouts had been considered, but the front-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD) platform was chosen to keep production costs lower.[90]

To GM's product planners and marketers, the fact that the Corvette had become known as an "old man's toy" became a prime factor in developing the next generation. Studies showed that about 46 percent of Corvette buyers in 2012, through October, were 55 or older, compared with 22 percent of Audi R8 and 30 percent of Porsche 911 customers. The head of Chevy marketing, Chris Perry, acknowledges that too many people saw it as the car of "the successful plumber." John Fitzpatrick, Corvette's marketing manager said "It's the old saying, 'Nobody wants to be seen driving an old man's car, but everybody wants to be seen driving a young man's car.' "[52] To counter that perception GM planned to make the new generation C7 more aspirational to younger people. Towards that end, a camouflaged version of the car was made available in the popular video game Gran Turismo 5 in November 2012.[91] As part of the marketing effort associated with the introduction of the new generation, the 2013 Indianapolis 500 utilized a Corvette for the 12th time as its pace car.

The Motley Fool reports that Chevrolet could be earning $10,000 or more in gross profit for every Corvette it sells.[92][unreliable source?] GM's profit on sales is separate from the profits made by the individual dealerships selling the cars to the public.

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette includes an LT1 6.2 L V8 (376 cu in) making 455 hp (339 kW) or 460 hp (340 kW) with the optional performance exhaust. The LT1 engine (the "LT1" designation was first used by GM in 1970 and then later in 1992.) is in the Gen V family of small block engines, which will be used in GM vehicles as the new small V8 option. It features three advanced technologies to the new LT1 V8 engine: direct injection, variable valve timing, and an active fuel management system.[93] Fuel injectors are located under the intake manifold. The Corvette remains rear-wheel drive with the transaxle located in the rear. Transmission choices include a 7-speed manual or a 6-speed (2014) / 8-speed (2015-) automatic with paddle shifters. The new interior includes wide-bottom seats as standard, with sportier versions with high side bolsters optional. The Corvette's flag logo has been revised for the new car and a small casting of a stingray has been added to the car's ornamentation.

Features of the new generation's structure include a carbon fiber hood and removable roof panel. The fenders, doors, and rear quarter panels remain composite. At the rear of the car, the trademark round taillights have changed to a more squarish form. The underbody panels are made of "carbon-nano" composite and it makes use of a new aluminum frame that locates the four wheels an inch farther apart, front to rear and side to side. Luggage space decreased by 33% from the previous generation's.[94] The overall weight of the car was not announced by General Motors for many months after its first showing in January 2013. Despite the increased use of aluminum and other light weight materials, numerous publications reported that the weight would remain essentially unchanged from that of the previous generation's.[95][96][97] In August 2013, the weight of the new Corvette was reported to be 3,444 lb (1,562 kg),[98] meaning it would weigh more than the previous generation's C6 ZR1 model (3,324 lb (1,508 kg)). The ZR1 C6 weight included a supercharger and intercooler on its 6.2L engine.[99]

Chevrolet announced the C7 Z06 at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. The 2015 Z06 Corvette has 650 hp from the supercharged LT4 aluminum 6.2 L V8 engine.[100][101]

The new generation Corvette resurrected the "Stingray" name. Originally spelled "Sting Ray" on 1963 through 1967 models and "Stingray" from 1969 until 1976.[102]

For the 2015 model, Chevrolet began offering a transaxle version of the 8L90 8-speed automatic to replace the previous 6-speed 6L80.[103][104]

 
2017 Corvette Grand Sport Collector Edition #43
 
2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Collector Edition Dash Plaque

For the 2017 model year Chevrolet once again introduced the Grand Sport (GS) model.[105] This model includes Z06 wide-body styling features and suspension tuning along with the Z51 dry sump LT1 engine configuration. Grand Sport models were available in 10 exterior colors and could have the optional Heritage Package which included hash-mark fender graphics (available in six colors. As part of the introduction of the Grand Sport in Geneva, Switzerland, Chevrolet also announced a 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Collector Edition that was to be limited to 1,000 vehicles in total with 850 for the US Market. Final production numbers show 784 Coupes and 151 Convertibles were built; 935 total.[106]

The $4,995 Z25 Option Package was a cosmetic upgrade that contained the following: blue fender hash-marks, two-tone blue leather seating surfaces with a logo on the seat headrest, blue leather stitching, serialized edition numbered dash plaque, and carpeted floor mats with logo,

For the 2019 model year, the ZR1 variant returned. This model features a new LT5 engine. The long block of the LT5 is the same as the LT4, but the supercharger displacement was increased from 1.7 liters to 2.65 liters. The C7 ZR1 power output is 755 horsepower.

The last C7 Corvette (also making it the last front-engined Corvette), a black Z06, was auctioned off on June 28, 2019, for $2.7 million[107] at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast auction. The auction benefited the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which helps pay off mortgages for the families of first responders that were killed in the line of duty and builds "mortgage-free, accessible smart homes" for injured service members.[108]

Eighth generation (C8; 2020–present)

Main article: Chevrolet Corvette (C8)
 
2020 Chevrolet Corvette

The 2020 Corvette model, both coupe and convertible configurations of the base-model Stingray made their debut within a 3-month gap. The coupe made its debut on July 18, 2019, with three launch colors, red (with the Z51 Package), white, and blue while the convertible made its debut on October 2 at the Kennedy Space Center along with the C8.R race car, which took part at the 2020 Daytona 24 Hours.

The Corvette C8 is the first production Corvette to have a rear mid-engine configuration.[109] It is also GM's first rear mid-engine production car since the 1984 Pontiac Fiero. The base engine is a 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 (called the LT2), which generates 495 horsepower and 470 lb/ft of torque when equipped with either the performance exhaust package or Z51 performance package. The C8 is the first Corvette to be offered without a traditional manual transmission, while the convertible is the first Corvette with a retractable hardtop.[110]

In January 2020 the car became the most expensive charity vehicle sold that week at the Barrett-Jackson auction, selling for $3 million. The proceeds of the sale went to the Detroit Children's Fund.[111]

The LT2 saw fuel management system upgrades for the 2022 model year which featured a new fuel pump and injectors. The base price was also increased by $1200. A new IMSA GTLM Championship Edition package, limited to 1000 units, was introduced for 2022.[112]

The Corvette C8 Z06 is expected to debut in the 2023 model year. It will feature a 670 horsepower 5.5 liter naturally-aspirated DOHC flat-plane crank V8. This engine, the LT6, is the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8 engine. The Z06 is redlined at 8600 RPM and feature the same dual-clutch transmission as the Stingray, albeit with gearing changes specific to the performance of this model.[113]

Awards

Over the years, the Corvette has won awards from automobile publications as well as organizations such as the Society of Automotive Engineers.

  • Automobile Magazine ranked the 1963–1967 Sting Ray first on their "100 Coolest Cars" list, above the Dodge Viper GTS, the Porsche 911, and others.[114] In 2013, Automobile Magazine selected the Corvette C7 as its "Automobile of the Year".[115]
  • Sports Car International placed the Corvette at number 5 on their list of the "Top Sports Cars of the 1960s".
  • Hot Rod magazine in its March 1986 issue selected the 1973–74 Corvette LS6 454 as one of the "10 most collectable muscle cars" in the company of 1968–70 Chevelle, 1970 'Cuda, 1970 Challenger, 1966–67 Fairlane, 1968–70 AMX, 1970 Camaro Z28, 1968–70 GTO, 1968–69 Charger, and 1967–68 Mustang.[116]
  • Car and Driver readers selected the Corvette "Best all around car" nine out of eleven years in Car and Driver's Reader's Choice Polls including 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1975.
  • Car and Driver magazine selected the Corvette for its annual Ten Best list sixteen times: the C4 from 1985 through 1989, the C5 in 1998, 1999, and 2002 through 2004, the C6 from 2005 through 2009, and the C7 in 2014.
  • Motor Trend magazine named the Corvette Car of the Year in 1984, 1998, and 2020.
  • Society of Automotive Engineers publication Automotive Engineering International selected the 1999 Corvette Convertible, (along with the Mercedes-Benz S500) "Best Engineered Car of the 20th century".[117]
  • The 2005 Corvette was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award and was named "Most Coveted Vehicle" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year contest.
  • U.S. News & World Report[118] selected the 2010 Corvette the "Best Luxury Sports Car for the Money".
  • Edmunds.com, in its "100 Best Cars Of All Time" list, ranked the 1963 Corvette Stingray as the 16th best car ever produced worldwide. The 1990 ZR1 took #50, the 1955 Corvette V8 took #72, and the 2009 ZR1 took #78 overall.
  • The 2014 Corvette was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award.

NASA Corvettes

 
Astronaut Alan Shepard's Corvette on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Astronaut Alan Shepard, a long-time Corvette owner, was invited by then GM Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov to drive pre-production Corvette models. General Motors executives later gave Shepard a 1972 model with a Bill Mitchell interior. Jim Rathmann, a Melbourne, Florida Chevrolet dealer and winner of the 1960 Indy 500, befriended astronauts Shepard, Gus Grissom, and Gordon Cooper. Rathmann convinced GM President Ed Cole to set up a program that supplied each astronaut with a pair of new cars each year. Most chose a family car for their wives and a Corvette for themselves.[119] In his memoir Last Man On The Moon, Gene Cernan describes how this worked. The astronauts received brand-new Corvettes, which they were given the option to purchase at a "used" price after they'd been driven 3000 miles. Alan Bean recalls Corvettes lined up in the parking lot outside the astronaut offices at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, and friendly races between Shepard and Grissom along the Florida beach roads and on beaches as local police turned a blind eye.[120] Shepard, Grissom and Cooper even pulled each other on skis in the shallow water. The Mercury and later astronauts were unofficially tied to the Corvette and appeared in official photographs with their cars and with mock-ups of space vehicles such as the Apollo Lunar Module or Lunar Roving Vehicle. Cooper talked of the races along Cocoa Beach in his eulogy of Shepard at the Johnson Space Center in 1998.[121]

Concept cars

Corvette concept cars have inspired the designs of several generations of Corvettes.[122] The first Corvette, Harley Earl's 1953 EX-122 Corvette prototype was itself, a concept show car, first shown to the public at the 1953 GM Motorama at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on January 17, 1953. It was brought to production in six months with only minor changes.

 
Mako Shark II advertisement (1966)

Harley Earl's successor, Bill Mitchell was the man behind most of the Corvette concepts of the 1960s and 1970s. The second-generation (C2) of 1963 was his, and its design first appeared on the Stingray Racer of 1959. It made its public debut at Maryland's Marlborough Raceway on April 18, 1959, powered by a 283 cu in (4.64 L) V8 with experimental 11:1 compression aluminum cylinder heads and took fourth place. The concept car was raced through 1960 having only "Sting Ray" badges before it was put on the auto-show circuit in 1961.[123]

In 1961 the XP-755 Mako Shark show car was designed by Larry Shinoda as a concept for future Corvettes. In keeping with the name, the streamlining, pointed snout, and other detailing was partly inspired by the look of that very fast fish. The 1961 Corvette tail was given two additional tail lights (six total) for the concept car. The body inspired the 1963 production Sting Ray.[citation needed]

In 1965 Mitchell removed the original concept body and redesigned it as the Mako Shark II. Chevrolet actually created two of them, only one of which was fully functional. The original Mako Shark was then retroactively called the Mako Shark I. The Mako Shark II debuted in 1965 as a show car and this concept influenced Mitchell's redesigned Corvette of 1968.[citation needed]

The Aerovette has a mid-engine configuration using a transverse mounting of its V8 engine. Zora Arkus-Duntov's engineers originally built two XP-882s during 1969. John DeLorean, Chevy general manager, ordered one for display at the 1970 New York Auto Show. In 1972, DeLorean authorized further work on the XP-882. A near-identical body in aluminum alloy was constructed and became the XP-895 "Reynolds Aluminum Car." Duntov and Mitchell responded with two Chevrolet Vega (stillborn) Wankel 2-rotor engines joined together as a 4-rotor 420 hp (310 kW) engine which was used to power the XP-895. It was first shown in late 1973. The 4-rotor show car was outfitted with a 400 cu in (6.6 L) small-block V8 in 1977 and rechristened Aerovette. GM chairman Thomas Murphy approved the Aerovette for 1980 production, but Mitchell's retirement that year, combined with then Corvette chief engineer Dave McLellan's lack of enthusiasm for the mid-engine design and slow-selling data on mid-engined cars killed the last hope for a mid-engine Corvette.[citation needed]

A Corvette Stingray Anniversary concept car was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, fifty years after the Sting Ray racer-concept of 1959.[124] The vehicle was based on a combination of the 1963 Sting Ray and the 1968 Stingray. The new Stingray concept appears in the 2009 movie Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, as the vehicle mode of the character Sideswipe.[125] A convertible/speedster version was used for the same character in the 2011 sequel, Transformers: Dark of the Moon.[126]

  •  

    1959 Corvette XP-87 Stingray Racer concept

  •  

    A 1959 Scaglietti Corvette

  •  

    The XP-87 with a 1963 model and designer Bill Mitchell

  •  

    1961 Mako Shark concept

  •  

    1965 Mako Shark II concept

  •  

    1977 Aerovette concept

  •  

    2009 Corvette Stingray concept

Production

Production statistics from when the first-generation of Corvettes was released in 1953 until the present.[26]

Year Production Notes
C1 1953 300 First generation (C1) begins; production starts on June 30; Polo White with red interior and black top is only color combination; Options were interior door handles; "clip in" side curtains were a substitute for roll-up windows.
1954 3,640 Production moves to St. Louis; exterior colors: blue, red, and black are added; top color-beige is added, and longer tailpipes.
1955 700 Both inline-6 and 265 cu in (4.34 L) V8 engines produced; 3-speed manual transmission added late in the model year.
1956 3,467 New body with roll-up windows; V8-only; 3-speed manual transmission becomes standard equipment and Powerglide automatic is optional.
1957 6,339 283 cu in (4.64 L) V8; Optional 4-speed manual and fuel injected engine option added.
1958 9,168 Quad-headlights and longer, face-lifted body; new interior and dash, fake louvers on hood and chrome strips on trunk lid; the number of "teeth" in grille reduced from 13 to 9.
1959 9,670 First black interior and dash storage bin; only year with a turquoise top; louvers and chrome strips from 1958 removed.
1960 10,261 Minor changes to the interior: red and blue bars on the dash logo, vertical stitching on seats.
1961 10,939 New rear styling, bumpers, and round taillights. New fine-mesh grill.
1962 14,531 327 cu in (5.36 L) V8 engine; last year with a trunk until 1998. New black grill with chrome surround, and chrome rocker panel moldings.
1963 21,513 Second generation (C2) begins; new coupe body style introduced (only year for split rear window); coupe more expensive than the convertible.
C2
1964 22,229 rear backlite windows of coupe changed to single pane window; hood louvers deleted.
1965 23,564 396 cu in (6.49 L) Big-Block V8 added; last year of fuel injected engine option (until 1982-std.); side-discharge exhaust introduced. Manufacturer colors change color code names. 4-wheel disc brakes were introduced.
1966 27,720 427 cu in (7.00 L) Big-Block V8 with unique bulging hood; 327 cu in (5.36 L) 300 horsepower (220 kW) small block V8 standard. Headrests, 4-way hazard lights, and a day/night rearview mirror were not standard, but available as factory options.
1967 22,940 five-louver fenders are unique; Big-Block hood bulge redesigned as a scoop; parking brake changed from pull-out under dash handle to lever mounted in the center console; Tri-power 427 would become a sought-after Corvette.
1968 28,566 Third generation (C3) begins; New body and T-top removable roof panels, new interior, engines carried over, three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic replaces two-speed Powerglide as automatic transmission option.
C3
1969 38,762 First year of the 350 cu in (5.7 L) Small-Block; longer model year extended to December 1969 due to delay in the introduction of 1970 model; "Stingray" front fender nameplates added, new interior door panels and inserts, 17-inch black-vinyl steering wheel (replaced 18-inch wood-rim wheel).
1970 17,316 First year for the LT-1 Small-Block and 454 cu in (7.44 L) Big-Block; three-speed manual transmission dropped and four-speed manual became standard with Turbo Hydra-Matic available as a no-cost option with all engines except LT-1 350; posi-traction made standard equipment; introduced along with the second-generation Chevrolet Camaro on February 26, 1970, new egg-grate metal front grills and fender grills, lower molded fender flares, new hi-back seats and interior trim, the new custom interior option included: leather seat trim, cut-pile carpeting, lower-carpeted door panels, and wood-grain accents.
1971 21,801 Significant power drops due to reduced compression ratios to meet GM corporate edict requiring all engines to run low-octane unleaded gasoline; power ratings based on both "gross" and "net" figures with the former based on engine hooked to a dynamometer while "net" ratings based on power as installed in the vehicle with accessories and emission controls installed.
1972 27,004 Power ratings now advertised in SAE net figures, last year for LT-1 engine, front and rear chrome bumpers, removable rear window, and windshield wiper door.
1973 30,464 5 mph (8.0 km/h) front bumper system with a urethane cover, pot-metal front grills (black with silver edges), chrome rear bumpers unchanged, new design front fender ducts, the first year for radial tires (standard equipment), rubber body mounts, new hood with rear air induction and under-hood insulation, new front-end (round) emblem. cross-flag gas-lid emblem was deleted towards the end of the model year. LS4 454 ci had 275 hp and L82 350 ci had 250 hp SAE net.
1974 37,502 5 mph (8.0 km/h) rear bumper system with urethane cover to match previous year's front bumper, new recessed taillamps, and down-turned tail-pipes. 1974 is the only year with a two-piece rear bumper cover with a center split. No gas lid emblem was used. Aluminum front grills (all-black), dual exhaust resonators added, revised radiator cooling and interior a/c ducts, and integrated seat/shoulder belts in the coupe. Last year for a true dual exhaust system, last year for the 454 big-block engine in a Corvette, which was the 270 hp LS4.
1975 38,465 First year of Catalytic converter and single-exhaust, black (painted) bumper pads front and rear, redesigned inner-bumper systems, one-piece rear bumper cover, plastic front grills (all-black), amber parking lamp lenses (replaced the clear lenses on 1973–1974), and new emblems. This was the last year of C3 convertible. The biggest engine was the L82 350 with 205 hp, down from 250 hp in 1974 and 1973. (The Chevrolet Laguna S-3 began the year with a 215 hp 454 but that engine was replaced by a 215 hp 400.)
1976 46,558 First-year for steel floor panels, cold-air induction dropped, new aluminum alloy wheels option, new one-piece rear "Corvette" nameplate (replaces letters). The L82 350 had 210 hp.
1977 49,213 Last year of 1968 flat rear glass design, Black exterior available (last year-1969), new design ""Corvette flags" front end and fender emblems. New interior console and gauges, universal GM radios. The biggest engine was the L82 350 with 210 hp.
1978 46,776 25th Anniversary, New fastback rear window, Silver Anniversary and Indy 500 Pace Car special editions; Pace-car included sport seats and spoilers-front and rear, limited option-glass t-tops; redesigned interior, dash, instruments. The biggest engine was the L82 350 with 220 hp.
1979 53,807 Sport seats (from the previous year's pace-car); front and rear spoilers optional, glass t-tops optional; New interior comfort features; highest Corvette sales year to date. L82 had 225 hp.
1980 40,614 Lightened materials, new hood, front end with molded spoilers, rear bumper cover with molded spoiler and new tail lamps, Federal government required 85 mph (137 km/h) speedometer; California cars powered by 305 V8 and automatic transmission for this year only, last year for L-82 350 with 230 hp. (n/a with manual transmission)
1981 40,606 Production is switched from St. Louis to new Bowling Green plant; 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8 returns in California cars, last year for manual transmission. The only available engine was the L81 350 with 190 hp.
1982 25,407 New cross-fire fuel-injected L83 350 with 200 hp. New automatic overdrive transmission. Collectors Edition features an exclusive hatch rear window – is one-fourth of production.
1983 43 This model year was canceled, and all Corvettes produced this year were serialized as 1984 models. Featured L69 HO 305 with 200 hp.
C4
1984 51,547 Fourth generation (C4) begins: hatchback body; digital instrumentation; L83 350 continued from 1982 with 205 hp instead of a L69.
1985 39,729 More powerful and fuel efficient L98 350 introduced with 230 hp.
1986 35,109 First convertible since 1975. Third brake light, antilock brakes, and key-code anti-theft system are new. The L98 350 continued with 230 hp.
1987 30,632 Callaway twin-turbo offered through dealers with GM warranty. The L98 350 had 240 hp.
1988 22,789 New wheel design; all white 35th Anniversary special edition coupe. The L98 350 continued with 240 hp.
1989 26,412 ZF 6-speed manual replaces Doug Nash 4+3.
1990 23,646 ZR-1 is introduced with DOHC LT5 engine. The Interior was redesigned to incorporate a driver's-side airbag.
1991 20,639 Restyled exterior; last year for the Callaway B2K twin turbo.
1992 20,479 New LT1 engine replaces the L98; Traction control is standard.
1993 21,590 Passive keyless entry is standard; 40th Anniversary special edition in Ruby Red.
1994 23,330 New interior including passenger airbag. LT1 engine gains mass air flow metered SFI.
1995 20,742 Last year of the ZR-1; minor exterior restyling; Indy Pace Car special edition.
1996 21,536 Optional LT4 engine with 330 bhp (246 kW). Collectors Edition and Grand Sport special editions. First year with OBD II diagnostics.
1997 9,752 Fifth generation (C5) begins; LS1 engine is new; the hatchback coupé is the only body style offered.
C5
1998 31,084 Convertible C5 debuts with the first trunk in a Corvette convertible since 1962; Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replica offered; Active Handling System introduced as optional equipment.
1999 33,270 Less-expensive hardtop coupé is offered.
2000 33,682 Newly styled alloy wheels debut.
2001 35,627 Hardtop coupé body style becomes top-performance Z06, utilizing the new LS6 engine and suspension improvements; Second-Generation Active Handling System becomes standard equipment on all models; slight (5 bhp (3.7 kW)) increase in base model engine power.
2002 35,767 20 bhp (15 kW) increase for the Z06 to 405 bhp.
2003 35,469 50th Anniversary Edition package offered for Coupe and Convertible base models; F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control Suspension supersedes F45 Selective Ride Control Suspension as base-model option.
2004 34,064 24 Hours of Le Mans Commemorative Edition package offered for all models.
2005 37,372 Sixth generation (C6) begins; New body is first with fixed headlamps since 1962; no Z06 model and a late convertible introduction.
C6
2006 34,021 Z06 debuts; 6-speed automatic with paddle shift available on non-Z06 models.
2007 40,561 6-speed automatic paddle shift delays are reduced drastically compared to 2006.
2008 35,310 Mild freshening, LS3 introduced, All leather interior added (4LT, LZ3).
2009 16,956 ZR1 model added, new "Spyder" wheels for Z06.
2010 12,194 Grand Sport Coupe and Convertible added; replaces the Z51 performance package, launch control standard on MN6 models.
2011 13,596 Wheel choices are updated; Larger cross-drilled brake rotors (13.4" front and 12.8" rear) available on coupe and convertible, or included with (F55) Magnetic Selective Ride Control. Z07 Performance Package introduced for Z06.
2012 11,647 Upgraded interior and new tires on the base model. Z06 acquires a full-length rear spoiler and a carbon fiber hood as options. ZR1 gets adjusted gears for better fuel economy. ZR1 Performance Package introduced, Z07 Performance Package tweaked with new wheels.
2013 13,466 Introduction of "427 Convertible" model with a limited production run of 2,552 "427" units. 9-month production run.
2014 37,288 Seventh generation (C7) begins; All new styling, chassis and drivetrain. LT1 6162 cc 376 ci had 455 hp (460 hp with performance exhaust).
C7
2015 34,240 C7 Z06 debuts with LT4 6162 cc 376 ci that had 650 hp. 8L90 eight-speed automatic transmission now available for all models.
2016 40,689
2017 32,782 The C7 Grand sport was introduced with the LT1 in a Z06 body and chassis.
2018 9,686
2019 34,822 The C7 ZR1 was introduced with a LT5 6162 cc 376 ci that had 755 hp.
C8
2020 20,368 Eighth generation (C8) begins; New chassis and body is first mid-engine corvette. New LT2 motor with 495 hp (Z51 performance package). The C8 shares less than 5% of its parts with the previous C7 generation.
2021 26,139
2022 25,831
Total 1,767,241

Owner demographics

According to research by Specialty Equipment Market Association and Experian Automotive, as of 2009, there were approximately 750,000 Corvettes of all model years registered in the United States. Corvette owners were fairly equally distributed throughout the country, with the highest density in Michigan (3.47 per 1000 residents) and the lowest density in Utah, Mississippi, and Hawaii (1.66, 1.63, and 1.53 registrations per 1000 residents). 47% of them hold college degrees (significantly above the nationwide average of 27%), and 82% are between the ages of 40 and 69 (median age being 53).[127]

Racing

C5-R

Main article: Chevrolet Corvette C5-R
 
A Corvette C5-R leading a Maserati MC12 in Oschersleben, Germany

In 1960, three C-1 Corvettes were race modified and entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans by team owner Briggs Cunningham and were numbered #1, #2, and #3 cars in the race. The numbered #3 car was driven by John Fitch and Bob Grossman and it had finished the race in eighth place overall, but it had won the big-bore GT class.[128]

The Chevrolet Corvette C5-R is a grand touring racing car built by Pratt & Miller and General Motors for competition in endurance racing. The car is based on the C5 generation of the Chevrolet Corvette sports car, yet is designed purely for motorsports use.[129] It became one of the most dominant cars in GT categories, with wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, and 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as championships in the American Le Mans Series.[130] The Corvette C5-Rs debuted in 1999 and continues to be raced to this day, although the C5-R has effectively been replaced by the Corvette C6.R.[131]

C6.R

Main article: Chevrolet Corvette C6.R
 
A GT1 C6.R on the back straight of Long Beach, California

C6.R GT1 (Z06) In 2005, the factory Corvette Team began racing the C6.R to coincide with the new sixth-generation (C6) Corvette being released to the public. Private teams, primarily in Europe, continued to race the C5-R for a couple of years before switching to the C6.R. Corvette C6.R went on to win its class at every race it entered in the 2005 ALMS season.[132] By the end of 2009, Corvette had clinched four consecutive ALMS GT1 team and manufacturers titles (2005–2008) and three Le Mans 24 Hour class victories in the LMGT1 category (2005, 2006, 2009). 2007 and 2008 races were won by the factory Aston Martin squad's DBR9. The last official race for factory GT1 Corvettes was the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans.[133]

C6.R GT2 (ZR1) While some privateers continued to use the GT1 version of the C6.R in Europe, the official factory team Corvette Racing switched from the slowly dying GT1 category to the much more competitive and popular GT2 class in mid-2009. The new GT2 C6.R used a modified version of the ZR1 model body but does not have the ZR1 supercharged engine. GT2 rules are based more on production vehicles, therefore the GT2 C6.R naturally aspirated engine was considerably more restricted and less powerful than its predecessor. The car debuted at Mid-Ohio's ALMS round. They achieved one ALMS race victory in the remaining 2009 ALMS season, and one victory at the final round of the 2010 ALMS season, Petit Le Mans. Corvette Racing's two GT2 C6.Rs also led most of the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans, but both cars were forced to retire. Racing in the new GTE Pro class, the C6.R raced in the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans with the No. 73 car taking the class victory. The No. 74 car led the class for most of the race but crashed in the morning hours. The C6.R raced by Larbre Competition also took the GTE Am class victory.[134] In 2012, Corvette Racing returned to glory in the ALMS winning 4 of 10 races and claiming the Driver's, Team, and Manufacturer's Championships. Corvette Racing repeated the feat in 2013 by winning 5 of 10 races and claiming the Driver's, Team, and Manufacturer's Championships again.

C7.R

Main article: Chevrolet Corvette C7.R
 
A Corvette C7.R at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed

IN 2014, Corvette Racing introduced the new C7.R to coincide with the launch of the seventh-generation C7 Corvette. The car made its track debut at the 2013 Rolex Motorsports Reunion and later participated in the 2014 Roar Before the Rolex 24 to prepare for the 2014 United SportsCar Championship. The car's new livery debuted at the 2014 North American International Auto Show. In 2015, the Corvette Racing C7.R took class victories at both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

C8.R

Main article: Chevrolet Corvette C8.R

In October 2019, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the C8.R made its surprise debut during the world premiere of the C8 Convertible. Two cars took part in the 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. The cars placed 4th and 7th in the GTLM Class. For the 2022 model year, Chevrolet offered a C8.R inspired IMSA GTLM Special Edition package for the production Corvette Stingray.[135]

Indianapolis 500 pace cars

 
2007 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car

The Indianapolis 500 race has used a Corvette as its pace car 18 times.[136] The 2008 running of the Indy 500 represented a record fifth-consecutive year to lead the field until 2009 when the Chevrolet Camaro SS was selected. The Corvette's pace car years and details include:

  • 1978 – Driven by 1960 race winner Jim Rathmann; Chevrolet produced 6,502 production replicas.
  • 1986 – Driven by famed pilot Chuck Yeager; all 7,315 production convertibles were considered pace car convertibles and included official graphics (to be installed at the owner's discretion).
  • 1995 – Driven by then-Chevrolet General Manager Jim Perkins; 527 production replicas were produced.
  • 1998 – Driven by 1963 race winner Parnelli Jones after an injury prevented golfer Greg Norman from performing the duty; 1,158 replicas were produced.
  • 2002 – Driven by actor Jim Caviezel; no replicas were produced, but graphics were available by special order. About 300 sets sold.
  • 2004 – Driven by actor Morgan Freeman; no production replicas produced.
  • 2005 – Driven by General Colin Powell; no production replicas produced.
  • 2006 – Driven by cycling champion Lance Armstrong; first Corvette Z06 pace car; no production replicas produced.
  • 2007 – Driven by actor Patrick Dempsey; 500 production replicas – all convertibles.
  • 2008 – Driven by Emerson Fittipaldi; 500 production replicas – coupes and convertibles.
  • 2012 – Driven by Guy Fieri; first Corvette C6 ZR1 pace car; no production replicas produced.
  • 2013 – Driven by Jim Harbaugh; first year of production for the C7 generation.
  • 2015 – Driven by Jeff Gordon; first Chevrolet Corvette C7 Z06 pace car
  • 2017 – Driven by actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan; 2017 Grand Sport Convertible[137]
  • 2018 - Driven by professional basketball player Victor Oladipo. Chevrolet Corvette C7 ZR1; no production replicas produced.
  • 2019 - Driven by NBC Sports broadcaster Dale Earnhardt Jr. Last year of production for C7 generation; no production replicas produced.
  • 2020 - Driven by GM President Mark Reuss. 2020 Corvette Stingray Torch Red Coupe. No replicas were produced.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Flory, p.509: "Many potential buyers were waiting to see the next generation of Corvettes."

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Further media

Videos
  • "Why Chevy Is Radically Changing The Corvette". CNBC. September 11, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-10-30.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chevrolet Corvette.
  • Chevrolet Corvette at Curlie
  • Chevrolet Corvette (North American site)
  • Chevrolet Corvette (European site)

January 20, 2023
chevrolet, corvette, this, article, about, sports, other, uses, corvette, disambiguation, door, passenger, luxury, sports, manufactured, marketed, chevrolet, since, 1953, with, eight, design, generations, noted, sequentially, from, corvette, noted, performance. This article is about the sports car For other uses see Corvette disambiguation The Chevrolet Corvette is a two door two passenger luxury 1 sports car manufactured and marketed by Chevrolet since 1953 2 3 With eight design generations noted sequentially from C1 to C8 the Corvette is noted for its performance and distinctive fiberglass or composite panels It was front engined through 2019 and mid engined since 4 Chevrolet Corvette2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8OverviewManufacturerChevrolet General Motors Also calledChevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 1963 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 1969 1976 2014 present Production1953 presentModel years1953 19821984 present1953 1962 C1 1963 1967 C2 1968 1982 C3 1984 1996 C4 1997 2004 C5 2005 2013 C6 2014 2019 C7 2020 present C8 AssemblyUnited States Flint Michigan 1953St Louis Missouri 1954 1981Bowling Green Kentucky 1981 PresentBody and chassisClassSports car Grand tourer S Body style2 door coupe2 door convertible roadsterLayoutFR layout FMR Layout 1953 2019 RMR layout 2020 present PowertrainEngine235 cu in Blue Flame I6265 350 cu in small block V85 7 L Gen II small block V85 5 7 0 L LS and LT V86 2 L LS9 LT4 LT5 supercharged V8396 454 cu in big block V8The Corvette is currently the only two seat sports car produced by a major United States auto manufacturer and it serves as Chevrolet s halo vehicle 5 In 1953 GM executives accepted a suggestion by Myron Scott then the assistant director of the Public Relations department to name the company s new sports car after the corvette a small maneuverable warship 6 The first model a convertible was introduced at the 1953 GM Motorama as a concept car production models went on sale later that year In 1963 the second generation was introduced in coupe and convertible styles Originally manufactured in Flint Michigan and St Louis Missouri the Corvette has been produced in Bowling Green Kentucky since 1981 which is also the location of the National Corvette Museum The Corvette has become widely known as America s Sports Car 7 Automotive News wrote that after being featured in the early 1960s television show Route 66 the Corvette became synonymous with freedom and adventure ultimately becoming both the most successful concept car in history and the most popular sports car in history 8 Contents 1 History 1 1 First generation C1 1953 1962 1 2 Second generation C2 1963 1967 1 3 Third generation C3 1968 1982 1 4 Fourth generation C4 1984 1996 1 5 Fifth generation C5 1997 2004 1 6 Sixth generation C6 2005 2013 1 7 Seventh generation C7 2014 2019 1 8 Eighth generation C8 2020 present 2 Awards 3 NASA Corvettes 4 Concept cars 5 Production 6 Owner demographics 7 Racing 7 1 C5 R 7 2 C6 R 7 3 C7 R 7 4 C8 R 7 5 Indianapolis 500 pace cars 8 See also 9 Notes 10 References 11 Further media 12 External linksHistory EditFirst generation C1 1953 1962 Edit Main article Chevrolet Corvette C1 The first generation of Corvette was introduced late in the 1953 model year It first appeared as a show car for the 1953 General Motors Motorama held January 17 23 at New York s Waldorf Astoria Hotel 9 At the time Chevrolet general manager Thomas H Keating said it was six months to a year away from production readiness 10 The car generated enough interest to commence mass production on June 30 1953 11 12 13 14 15 1953 Chevrolet Corvette displayed at the 1953 GM Motorama car show Unique to Corvette was its hand laid up fiberglass body This generation was often referred to as the solid axle models with independent rear suspension appearing in the next 16 Three hundred hand built Corvette convertibles were produced all Polo White for the 1953 model year 17 The 1954 model year vehicles could be ordered in Pennant Blue Sportsman Red Black or Polo White 3 640 were built and sold slowly The 1953 1954 and 1955 model years were the only Corvettes equipped with a 235 cu in 3 9 L version of the second generation Blue Flame inline six rated at 150 hp 112 kW 152 PS The 1955 model offered a 265 cu in 4 34 L V8 engine as an option Despite the poor sales of the Corvette at the time the brand new V 8 was an overwhelmingly popular option Only 6 of the 1955 models were produced with the inline six With a large inventory of unsold 1954 models GM limited production to 700 for 1955 With the new V8 the 0 60 mph time improved by 1 5 seconds 13 and saw three new competitors called the Ford Thunderbird and the Studebaker Speedster introduced that same year and the larger Chrysler C 300 1956 Chevrolet Corvette transistorized hybrid vacuum tubes and transistors car radio option which was GM s first start in using the modern solid state electronics for a production car model A new body was introduced for the 1956 model featuring a new face and side coves the taillamp fins were also gone 18 An optional Ramjet fuel injection system was made available in the middle of the 1957 model year It was one of the first American mass produced engines in history to reach 1 hp 0 75 kW per cubic inch 16 4 cubic cm and Chevrolet s advertising agency used a one hp per cubic inch slogan for advertising the 283 hp 211 kW 283 cu in 4 64 L Small Block engine 19 Other options included power windows 1956 hydraulic ally assisted convertible top 1956 heavy duty brakes and suspension 1957 and four speed manual transmission late 1957 19 Delco Radio transistorized signal seeking hybrid car radio which used both vacuum tubes and transistors in its radio s circuitry 1956 option 20 21 The 1958 Corvette received a body and interior freshening which included a longer front end with quad headlamps bumper exiting exhaust tips a new steering wheel and a dashboard with all gauges mounted directly in front of the driver 22 For 1958 only were 1958 hood louvers and twin trunk spears 22 The 1959 60 model years had few changes except a decreased amount of body chrome and more powerful engine offerings 23 In 1961 the rear of the car was completely redesigned with the addition of a duck tail with four round lights The light treatment would continue for all following model year Corvettes until 2014 24 In 1962 the Chevrolet 283 cu in 4 64 L Small Block was enlarged to 327 cu in 5 36 L In standard form it was rated at 250 hp 190 kW For an extra 12 over list price the fuel injected version produced 360 hp 270 kW 25 making it the fastest of the C1 generation 1962 was also the last year for the wraparound windshield solid rear axle and convertible only body style 26 The trunk lid and exposed headlamps did not reappear for many decades 27 1953 Corvette exits assembly line 1954 Corvette convertible 1956 Corvette convertible 1959 Corvette convertible rear 1960 Corvette convertibleSecond generation C2 1963 1967 Edit Main article Chevrolet Corvette C2 1963 Corvette Sting Ray coupe The second generation C2 Corvette which introduced Sting Ray to the model continued with fiberglass body panels and overall was smaller than the first generation The C2 was later referred to as mid years 28 The car was designed by Larry Shinoda with major inspiration from a previous concept design called the Q Corvette which was created by Peter Brock and Chuck Pohlmann under the styling direction of Bill Mitchell 29 Earlier Mitchell had sponsored a car known as the Mitchell Sting Ray in 1959 because Chevrolet no longer participated in factory racing This vehicle had the largest effect on the styling of this generation although it had no top and did not give away what the final version of the C2 would look like 30 The third inspiration was a mako shark Mitchell had caught while deep sea fishing 31 Production started for the 1963 model year and ended in 1967 Introducing a new name Sting Ray the 1963 model was the first year for a Corvette coupe and it featured a distinctive tapering rear deck a feature that later reappeared on the 1971 Boattail Buick Riviera with for 1963 only a split rear window The Sting Ray featured hidden headlamps non functional hood vents and an independent rear suspension 32 Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus Duntov never liked the split rear window because it blocked rear vision but Mitchell thought it to be a key part of the entire design Maximum power for 1963 was 360 hp 270 kW and was raised to 375 hp 280 kW in 1964 Options included electronic ignition the breakerless magnetic pulse triggered Delcotronic first offered on some 1963 Pontiac models 33 failed verification On 1964 models the decorative hood vents were eliminated and Duntov the Corvette s chief engineer got his way with the split rear window changed to a full width window 1965 Corvette Sting Ray coupe Four wheel disc brakes were introduced in 1965 as was a big block engine option the 396 cu in 6 49 L V8 Side exhaust pipes were also optionally available in 1965 and continued to be offered through 1967 The introduction of the 425 hp 317 kW 396 cu in 6 49 L big block in 1965 spelled the beginning of the end for the Rochester fuel injection system 34 The 396 cu in 6 49 L option cost US 292 70 while the fuel injected 327 cu in 5 36 L engine cost US 538 00 Few could justify spending US 245 00 more for 50 hp 37 kW less even though FI could deliver over 20 mpg on the highway and would keep delivering fuel despite high G loading in corners taken at racing speeds Another 1963 and 1964 option was the Z06 competition package which offered stiffer suspension bigger multi segment lined brakes with finned drums and more Only a couple hundred coupes and a single convertible were factory equipped this way in 1963 With only 771 fuel injected cars built in 1965 Chevrolet discontinued the option at the end of the 1965 production having introduced a less expensive big block 396 engine rated at 425 hp in the middle of the production year and selling over 2 000 in just a few months For 1966 Chevrolet introduced an even larger 427 cu in 7 00 L Big Block version Other options available on the C2 included the Wonderbar auto tuning AM radio AM FM radio mid 1963 air conditioning late 1963 a telescopic steering wheel 1965 and headrests 1966 The Sting Ray s independent rear suspension was successfully adapted for the new for 1965 Chevrolet Corvair which solved the quirky handling problems of that unique rear engine compact 35 1967 Corvette Sting Ray convertible Corvette Sting Ray tail lights 1967 was the final model year for the second generation The 1967 model featured restyled fender vents less ornamentation and backup lamps which were on the inboard in 1966 were now rectangular and centrally located The first use of all four taillights in red started in 1961 and was continued thru the C2 line up except for 1966 This feature returned for the 1967 model year and then continued on all Corvettes since The 1967 model year had the first L88 engine option that was rated at 430 hp 320 kW but unofficial estimates place the output at 560 hp 420 kW or more 36 Only twenty such engines were installed at the factory From 1967 through 1969 the Holley triple two barrel carburetor or Tri Power was available on the 427 L89 a 368 option on top of the cost for the high performance 427 37 Despite these changes sales slipped more than 15 to 22 940 8 504 coupes off close to 15 and 14 436 convertibles down nearly 19 note 1 Duntov came up with a lightweight version of the C2 in 1962 Concerned about Ford and what they were doing with the Shelby Cobra GM planned to manufacture 100 Grand Sport Corvettes but only five were actually built 38 They were driven by historic drivers such as Roger Penske A J Foyt Jim Hall and Dick Guldstrand among others Today the five cars 001 005 are all held by private owners and are among the most coveted and valuable Corvettes ever built 39 002 is exhibited in the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum and is in running condition 40 Third generation C3 1968 1982 Edit Main article Chevrolet Corvette C3 1969 Corvette Stingray coupe with T top panels removed The third generation Corvette patterned after the Mako Shark II concept car was introduced for the 1968 model year and was in production until 1982 C3 coupes featured the first use of T top removable roof panels It introduced monikers that were later revived such as LT 1 ZR 1 Z07 and Collector Edition In 1978 Corvette s 25th anniversary was celebrated with a two tone Silver Anniversary Edition and an Indy Pace Car replica edition of the C3 This was also the first time that a Corvette was used as a Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500 41 Engines and chassis components were mostly carried over from the C2 but the body and interior were new The 350 cu in 5 7 L engine replaced the old 327 cu in 5 36 L as the base engine in 1969 but power remained at 300 hp 224 kW 1969 was the only year for a C3 to optionally offer either a factory installed side exhaust or a normal rear exit with chrome tips The all aluminum ZL1 engine was also new for 1969 the special big block engine was listed at 430 hp 321 kW but was reported to produce 560 hp 420 kW and propelled a ZL1 through the 1 4 mile in 10 89 seconds 42 There was an extended production run for the 1969 model year due to a lengthy labor strike which meant sales were down on the 1970 models to 17 316 43 1970 small block power peaked with the optional high compression high revving LT 1 that produced 370 hp 276 kW The 427 big block was enlarged to 454 cu in 7 44 L with a 390 hp 291 kW rating The ZR 1 special package was an option available on the 1970 through 1972 model years and included the LT 1 engine combined with special racing equipment Only 53 ZR 1 s were built 44 In 1971 to accommodate regular low lead fuel with lower anti knock properties the engine compression ratios were lowered which resulted in reduced power ratings The power rating for the 350 cu in 5 7 L L48 base engine decreased from 300 to 270 horsepower and the optional special high performance LT1 engine decreased from 370 to 330 horsepower The LS5 454 cu in 7 4 L motor was carried over and produced 365 hp 272 kW Offered in 71 only was the LS6 454 cu in 7 4 L big block featuring aluminum heads and delivering 425 hp 317 kW the highest of the 1970 1972 series and could be ordered with an automatic transmission For the 1972 model year GM moved to the SAE Net measurement which resulted in further reduced but more realistic power ratings than the previous SAE Gross standard 45 Although the 1972 model s 350 cu in 5 7 L horsepower was actually the same as that for the 1971 model year the lower net horsepower numbers were used instead of gross horsepower The L48 base engine was now rated at 200 hp 150 kW and the optional LT1 engine was now rated at 270 hp 200 kW 27 1974 models had the last true dual exhaust system that was dropped on the 1975 models with the introduction of catalytic converters requiring the use of no lead fuel Engine power decreased with the base ZQ3 engine producing 165 hp 123 kW the optional L82 s output 205 hp 153 kW while the 454 big block engine was discontinued Gradual power increases after 1975 peaked in 1980 with the model s optional L82 producing 230 hp 172 kW in its final year 23 1981 saw a single engine the L81 which had 190 hp 142 kW while the fuel injected 1982 L83 had 200 hp 149 kW 46 47 Styling changed subtly throughout the generation until 1978 for the car s 25th anniversary The Sting Ray nameplate was not used on the 1968 model but Chevrolet still referred to the Corvette as a Sting Ray however 1969 through 1976 models used the Stingray name as one word without the space 48 In 1970 the body design was updated including fender flares and interiors were refined including redesigned seats and indication lights near the gear shift that were an early use of fiber optics Because of government regulation the 1973 Corvette s chrome front bumper was changed to a 5 mile per hour 8 km h system with a urethane bumper cover 49 1973 Corvettes are unique in that sense as they are the only year when the front bumper was polyurethane and the rear retained the chrome two piece bumper set 1973 was also the last year chrome bumpers were used The optional wire spoked wheel covers left were offered for the last time in 1973 Only 45 Z07 were built in 1973 From 1974 onwards both the front and rear bumpers were polyurethane 12 In 1974 a 5 mile per hour 8 km h rear bumper system with a two piece tapering urethane bumper cover replaced the Kamm tail and chrome bumper blades and matched the new front design from the previous year The 1975 model year ended the convertible body style until it returned 11 years later and Dave McLellan succeeded Zora Arkus Duntov as the Corvette s Chief Engineer 50 For the 1976 models the fiberglass floor was replaced with steel panels to provide protection from the catalytic converter s high operating temperature For 15 model years the names Corvette Sting Ray and Stingray were synonymous 1977 was the last year the tunneled roof treatment with a vertical back window was used in addition leather seats were available at no additional cost for the first time The black exterior color returned after a six year absence 51 The 1978 25th Anniversary model introduced the fastback glass rear window and featured a new interior and dashboard Corvette s 25th anniversary was celebrated with the Indy 500 Pace Car limited edition and a Silver Anniversary model featuring silver over gray lower body paint All 1979 models featured the previous year s pace car seats and offered the front and rear spoilers as optional equipment 28 53 807 were produced for the model year making 1979 the peak production year for all versions of the Corvette Sales have trended downward since then 52 In 1980 the Corvette received an integrated aerodynamic redesign that resulted in a significant reduction in drag After several years of weight increases 1980 Corvettes were lighter as engineers trimmed both body and chassis weight 22 In mid 1981 production relocated from St Louis to Bowling Green Kentucky where all subsequent Corvette generations have since been manufactured citation needed and several two tone paint options were offered The 1981 models were the last available with a manual transmission until well into the 1984 production run In 1982 a fuel injected engine returned and a final C3 tribute Collectors Edition featured an exclusive opening rear window hatch 22 1971 Corvette Stingray coupe Corvette Sting Ray detail 1974 Corvette Stingray coupe 1978 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car Edition rear Fourth generation C4 1984 1996 Edit Main article Chevrolet Corvette C4 1984 Corvette with targa top open 1990 Red C4 Corvette The fourth generation Corvette was the first complete redesign of the Corvette since 1963 Production was to begin for the 1983 model year but quality issues and part delays resulted in only 43 prototypes for the 1983 model year produced that were never sold All of the 1983 prototypes were destroyed or serialized as 1984 model year except one with a white exterior medium blue interior L83 350 ci 205 hp V8 and 4 speed automatic transmission 11 After extensive testing and modifications were completed it was initially retired as a display sitting in an external wall over the Bowling Green Assembly Plant s employee entrance Later this only surviving 1983 prototype was removed restored and is now on display at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green Kentucky It is still owned by GM 53 54 On February 12 2014 it was nearly lost to a sinkhole which opened up under the museum Eight other Corvettes were severely damaged 55 Regular fourth generation production began on January 3 1983 the 1984 model year and delivery to customers began in March 1983 The 1984 model carried over the 350 cu in 5 7 L L83 slightly more powerful 5 hp Crossfire V8 engine from the final 1982 third generation model 28 New chassis features were aluminum brake calipers and an all aluminum suspension for weight savings and rigidity The new one piece Targa top had no center reinforcement Retractable headlights continued to be used but they were now single units which were last used in 1957 A new electronic dashboard with digital liquid crystal displays for the speedometer and tachometer was standard Beginning in 1985 the 230 hp 170 kW L98 engine with tuned port fuel injection became the standard engine 11 September 1984 through 1988 Corvettes were available with a 4 3 transmission designed by Doug Nash a 4 speed manual coupled to an automatic overdrive on the top three gears It was devised to help the Corvette meet U S fuel economy standards 56 Since 1981 when it was last offered a manual transmission returned to the Corvette starting with production in late 1984 The transmission proved to be problematic and was replaced by a modern ZF 6 speed manual transmission in 1989 57 In 1986 the second Corvette Indy Pace Car was released It was the first convertible Corvette since 1975 A Center High Mounted Signal Light CHMSL a third center brake light was added in 1986 to comply with safety regulations While the color of the pace car used in the race was yellow all 1986 convertibles also had an Indy 500 emblem mounted on the console making any color a pace car edition In 1987 the B2K twin turbo option became available from the factory The Callaway Corvette was a Regular Production Option RPO B2K The B2K option coexisted in 1990 and 1991 with the ZR 1 option which then replaced it Early B2Ks produced 345 hp 257 kW and 450 lb ft 610 N m 58 later versions boasted 450 hp 336 kW and 613 lb ft 831 N m 59 1988 saw the 35th Anniversary Edition of the Corvette Each of these featured a special badge with an identification number mounted next to the gear selector and was finished with a white exterior wheels and interior 22 In 1990 the ZR1 option Corvette was introduced with the LT5 engine designed by Lotus and built in the Mercury Marine plant in Stillwater Oklahoma The LT5 engine was a 4 cam DOHC design producing 375 hp 280 kW when at open throttle The C4 ZR1 ran from 1990 thru 1995 model years In 1991 all Corvettes received updates to the body interior and wheels The convex rear fascia that set the 1990 ZR 1 apart from the base model was now included on L98 Corvettes making the styling of the expensive ZR 1 even closer to that of the base cars The most obvious difference remaining between the base and ZR 1 models besides the wider rear wheels was the location of the CHMSL which was integrated into the new rear fascia used on the base model but remained at the top of the rear hatch on the ZR 1 s 27 For the 1992 model year the 300 hp 220 kW LT1 engine was introduced an increase of 50 hp 37 kW over 1991 s L98 engine This engine featured reverse flow cooling the heads were cooled before the block which allowed for a higher compression ratio of 10 5 1 A new distributor was also debuted Called Optispark the distributor was driven directly off the front of the camshaft and mounted in front of the timing cover just above the crankshaft and harmonic balancer 27 Also new for 1992 was Acceleration Slip Regulation ASR a form of traction control that utilized the Corvette s brakes spark retard and throttle close down to prevent excessive rear wheel spin and possible loss of control The traction control device could be switched off if desired 22 A special 40th Anniversary Edition was released in 1993 which featured a commemorative Ruby Red color 40th anniversary badges and embroidered seat backs The 1993 Corvette also marked the introduction of the Passive Keyless Entry System making it the first GM car to feature it Production of the ZR 1 ended in 1995 after 6 939 cars had been built 56 1996 was the final year of C4 production and featured special models and options including the Grand Sport and Collector Edition OBD II On Board Diagnostics run flat tires and the LT4 engine The 330 hp 246 kW LT4 V8 was available only with a manual transmission while all 300 hp 224 kW LT1 Corvettes used automatic transmissions 34 Chevrolet released the Grand Sport GS version in 1996 to mark the end of production of the C4 Corvette The Grand Sport moniker was a nod to the original Grand Sport model produced in 1963 A total of 1 000 GS Corvettes were produced 810 as coupes and 190 as convertibles 34 The 1996 GS came with the high performance LT4 V8 producing 330 hp 246 kW and 340 lb ft 460 N m The Grand Sport came only in Admiral Blue with a white stripe down the middle black wheels and two red stripes on the front left wheel arch 60 1986 Corvette convertible Indy 500 Pace Car Edition 1990 C4 Corvette Rear Drivers side 1988 Corvette coupe 1990 C4 Corvette Front top off 1992 Corvette ZR 1 1996 Corvette Grand SportFifth generation C5 1997 2004 Edit Main article Chevrolet Corvette C5 Corvette C5 coupe The C5 Corvette was redesigned from the ground up after sales from the previous generation began to decline Production of the C5 Corvette began in 1996 but quality manufacturing issues saw its release to the public in mass delayed until 1997 and continuing through the 2004 model year The C5 was a completely new design that featured many new concepts and manufacturing breakthroughs that would be carried forward to the C6 amp C7 It had a top speed of 176 mph 283 km h and was judged by the automotive press as a breakthrough with vastly improved dynamics in nearly every area over the previous C4 design Innovations included a 0 29 drag coefficient near 50 50 weight distribution and active handling the first stability control for a Corvette It also weighed less than the C4 It was the first time the platform was badge engineered as the Cadillac XLR with limited sales Corvette C5 convertible An all new LS1 aluminum engine Gen III small block featured individual ignition coils for each cylinder and aluminum block and pistons It was initially rated at 345 hp 257 kW and 350 lb ft 470 N m but was increased to 350 hp 260 kW in the 2001 edition The new engine combined with the new body was able to achieve up to 28 mpg on the highway 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 Corvette Z06 For its first year the C5 was available only as a coupe although the new platform was designed from the ground up to be a convertible which returned in 1998 followed by the fixed roof coupe FRC in 1999 One concept for the FRC was for it to be a stripped down model with a possible V6 engine nicknamed in house as the Billy Bob 71 By 2000 FRC plans laid the groundwork for the return in 2001 of the Z06 an RPO option not seen since Zora s 1963 race ready Corvette 72 The Z06 model replaced the FRC model as the highest performance C5 Corvette Instead of a heavier double overhead cam engine like the ZR 1 of the C4 generation the Z06 used an LS6 a 385 hp 287 kW derivative of the standard LS1 engine Using the much more rigid fixed roof design allowed the Z06 unprecedented handling thanks to upgraded brakes and less body flex 73 Those characteristics along with the use of materials such as a titanium exhaust system and a carbon fiber hood in the 2004 model year led to further weight savings and performance gains for the C5 Z06 The LS6 was later upgraded to 405 hp 302 kW for 2002 2004 Although the Z06 s rated power output is equal to that of the C4 ZR 1 the improved rigidity suspension brakes and reduced weight of the C5 produced a car quicker than C4 ZR 1 74 Sixth generation C6 2005 2013 Edit Main article Chevrolet Corvette C6 Corvette C6 coupe C6 Corvette ZR1 2010 Corvette Grand Sport For the C6 Corvette GM wanted to focus more on refining the C5 than trying to redesign it 75 Car amp Driver and Motor Trend described the C6 as an evolution of the C5 instead of a complete redo The C6 wheelbase was increased while body overhangs were decreased when compared to the C5 Retractable headlights were replaced with fixed units making this the first model since 1962 to be so equipped The C6 brought a new and improved interior compared to the C5 As a result of the upgraded interior the C6 had a slight increase in passenger hip room It also sported an updated LS1 LS6 engine now called the LS2 This engine was primarily an LS1 LS6 with a bump in displacement from 5 7L to 6 0 liters The increased displacement of the 6 0 bumped the LS2 s horsepower up by 50 HP over its LS1 progenitor although still 5 HP less than the upgraded LS6 engine found in the previous C5 Z06 Thus the LS2 was now at 364 cu in and it produced 400 hp 300 kW at 6000 rpm and 400 lb ft 540 N m at 4400 rpm giving the vehicle a 0 60 mph 97 km h time of under 4 2 seconds 76 Its top speed was 190 mph 310 km h The C6 generation did not match the previous generation s relatively good fuel economy despite its relatively low 0 28 drag coefficient and low curb weight achieving 16 26 mpg city highway equipped with automatic or manual transmissions like all manual transmission Corvettes since 1989 it is fitted with Computer Aided Gear Selection CAGS to improve fuel economy by requiring drivers to shift from 1st gear directly to 4th in low speed low throttle conditions This feature helps the C6 avoid the Gas Guzzler Tax by achieving better fuel economy 77 The new Z06 arrived as a 2006 model in the third quarter of 2005 It has a 7 0 L version of the small block engine codenamed LS7 At 427 6 cubic inches the Z06 was the largest small block ever offered by General Motors Because of the Corvette s former use of 427 cubic inch big blocks in the late 1960s and early 1970s the LS7 s size was rounded down to 427 cubic inches Official output was 505 hp 377 kW and has a 0 60 mph 97 km h time of 3 7 seconds Top speed is 198 mph 319 km h 78 Another first for a Corvette the Z06 featured a full aluminum chassis The frame mirrored the C5 6 architecture but substituted aluminum hydroformed rails and aluminum extrusions and castings fore and aft This dropped weight from 419 to 287 pounds while improving chassis stiffness 79 For 2008 the Corvette received a mild freshening a new LS3 engine with displacement increased to 6 2 L 380 cu in resulting in 430 hp 321 kW and 424 lb ft 575 N m 436 hp 325 kW and 428 lb ft 580 N m if ordered with the optional performance exhaust The 6 speed manual transmission also has improved shift linkage and a 0 60 mph 97 km h time of 4 0 seconds while the automatic is set up for quicker shifts giving the C6 automatic a 0 60 mph 97 km h time of 4 0 seconds quicker than any other production automatic Corvette The interior was slightly updated and a new 4LT leather wrap interior package was added The wheels were also updated to a new five spoke design 80 The ZR1 was formally announced in a December 2007 press statement by General Motors where it was revealed that their target of 100 hp 75 kW per 1 L 61 cu in had been reached by a new LS9 engine with an Eaton supercharged 6 2 liter engine producing 638 hp 476 kW and 604 lb ft 819 N m The LS9 engine was the most powerful to be put into a GM production sports car 81 Its top speed was 205 mph 330 km h 82 The historical name Grand Sport returned to the Corvette lineup in 2010 as an entirely new model series that replaced the Z51 option The new model was an LS3 equipped Z06 with a steel frame instead of aluminum It retained many of the features of the Z06 including a wide body with 18x9 5 and 19x12 inch wheels dry sump oiling manual transmission coupes only 6 piston 14 inch front brakes and 4 piston rear and improved suspension 53 Manual transmission equipped G S coupe models received a tweaked LS3 with a forged crank are built in Z06 fashion by hand and utilize a dry sump oil system The first three gears were also made shorter for better throttle response and faster acceleration 83 A new launch control system was introduced for all models that allow for sub 4 second 0 60 EPA is estimated at 26 MPG highway 1 0 G on skid pad 24 Beginning with the 2011 model year buyers of the Corvette Z06 and ZR1 were offered the opportunity to assist in the build of their engines Titled the Corvette Engine Build Experience buyers paid extra to be flown to the Wixom Michigan Performance Build Center 84 Participants helped the assembly line workers build the V8 engine then took delivery of the car at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green KY near the Corvette final assembly point 85 The last C6 Corvette was manufactured in February 2013 86 87 In May 2013 a federal investigation of problems with more than 100 000 C6 lighting systems was announced 88 Seventh generation C7 2014 2019 Edit Main article Chevrolet Corvette C7 2014 Corvette Stingray coupe 2014 Corvette Stingray convertible 2019 Corvette ZR1 Development for the seventh generation Corvette started in 2007 Originally set to be introduced for the 2011 model year its introduction was delayed for three years It was finally released for the 2014 model year 89 Mid engine and rear engine layouts had been considered but the front engine rear wheel drive RWD platform was chosen to keep production costs lower 90 To GM s product planners and marketers the fact that the Corvette had become known as an old man s toy became a prime factor in developing the next generation Studies showed that about 46 percent of Corvette buyers in 2012 through October were 55 or older compared with 22 percent of Audi R8 and 30 percent of Porsche 911 customers The head of Chevy marketing Chris Perry acknowledges that too many people saw it as the car of the successful plumber John Fitzpatrick Corvette s marketing manager said It s the old saying Nobody wants to be seen driving an old man s car but everybody wants to be seen driving a young man s car 52 To counter that perception GM planned to make the new generation C7 more aspirational to younger people Towards that end a camouflaged version of the car was made available in the popular video game Gran Turismo 5 in November 2012 91 As part of the marketing effort associated with the introduction of the new generation the 2013 Indianapolis 500 utilized a Corvette for the 12th time as its pace car The Motley Fool reports that Chevrolet could be earning 10 000 or more in gross profit for every Corvette it sells 92 unreliable source GM s profit on sales is separate from the profits made by the individual dealerships selling the cars to the public The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette includes an LT1 6 2 L V8 376 cu in making 455 hp 339 kW or 460 hp 340 kW with the optional performance exhaust The LT1 engine the LT1 designation was first used by GM in 1970 and then later in 1992 is in the Gen V family of small block engines which will be used in GM vehicles as the new small V8 option It features three advanced technologies to the new LT1 V8 engine direct injection variable valve timing and an active fuel management system 93 Fuel injectors are located under the intake manifold The Corvette remains rear wheel drive with the transaxle located in the rear Transmission choices include a 7 speed manual or a 6 speed 2014 8 speed 2015 automatic with paddle shifters The new interior includes wide bottom seats as standard with sportier versions with high side bolsters optional The Corvette s flag logo has been revised for the new car and a small casting of a stingray has been added to the car s ornamentation Features of the new generation s structure include a carbon fiber hood and removable roof panel The fenders doors and rear quarter panels remain composite At the rear of the car the trademark round taillights have changed to a more squarish form The underbody panels are made of carbon nano composite and it makes use of a new aluminum frame that locates the four wheels an inch farther apart front to rear and side to side Luggage space decreased by 33 from the previous generation s 94 The overall weight of the car was not announced by General Motors for many months after its first showing in January 2013 Despite the increased use of aluminum and other light weight materials numerous publications reported that the weight would remain essentially unchanged from that of the previous generation s 95 96 97 In August 2013 the weight of the new Corvette was reported to be 3 444 lb 1 562 kg 98 meaning it would weigh more than the previous generation s C6 ZR1 model 3 324 lb 1 508 kg The ZR1 C6 weight included a supercharger and intercooler on its 6 2L engine 99 Chevrolet announced the C7 Z06 at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show The 2015 Z06 Corvette has 650 hp from the supercharged LT4 aluminum 6 2 L V8 engine 100 101 The new generation Corvette resurrected the Stingray name Originally spelled Sting Ray on 1963 through 1967 models and Stingray from 1969 until 1976 102 For the 2015 model Chevrolet began offering a transaxle version of the 8L90 8 speed automatic to replace the previous 6 speed 6L80 103 104 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Collector Edition 43 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Collector Edition Dash Plaque For the 2017 model year Chevrolet once again introduced the Grand Sport GS model 105 This model includes Z06 wide body styling features and suspension tuning along with the Z51 dry sump LT1 engine configuration Grand Sport models were available in 10 exterior colors and could have the optional Heritage Package which included hash mark fender graphics available in six colors As part of the introduction of the Grand Sport in Geneva Switzerland Chevrolet also announced a 2017 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Collector Edition that was to be limited to 1 000 vehicles in total with 850 for the US Market Final production numbers show 784 Coupes and 151 Convertibles were built 935 total 106 The 4 995 Z25 Option Package was a cosmetic upgrade that contained the following blue fender hash marks two tone blue leather seating surfaces with a logo on the seat headrest blue leather stitching serialized edition numbered dash plaque and carpeted floor mats with logo For the 2019 model year the ZR1 variant returned This model features a new LT5 engine The long block of the LT5 is the same as the LT4 but the supercharger displacement was increased from 1 7 liters to 2 65 liters The C7 ZR1 power output is 755 horsepower The last C7 Corvette also making it the last front engined Corvette a black Z06 was auctioned off on June 28 2019 for 2 7 million 107 at the Barrett Jackson Northeast auction The auction benefited the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation which helps pay off mortgages for the families of first responders that were killed in the line of duty and builds mortgage free accessible smart homes for injured service members 108 Eighth generation C8 2020 present Edit Main article Chevrolet Corvette C8 2020 Chevrolet Corvette The 2020 Corvette model both coupe and convertible configurations of the base model Stingray made their debut within a 3 month gap The coupe made its debut on July 18 2019 with three launch colors red with the Z51 Package white and blue while the convertible made its debut on October 2 at the Kennedy Space Center along with the C8 R race car which took part at the 2020 Daytona 24 Hours The Corvette C8 is the first production Corvette to have a rear mid engine configuration 109 It is also GM s first rear mid engine production car since the 1984 Pontiac Fiero The base engine is a 6 2 liter naturally aspirated V8 called the LT2 which generates 495 horsepower and 470 lb ft of torque when equipped with either the performance exhaust package or Z51 performance package The C8 is the first Corvette to be offered without a traditional manual transmission while the convertible is the first Corvette with a retractable hardtop 110 In January 2020 the car became the most expensive charity vehicle sold that week at the Barrett Jackson auction selling for 3 million The proceeds of the sale went to the Detroit Children s Fund 111 The LT2 saw fuel management system upgrades for the 2022 model year which featured a new fuel pump and injectors The base price was also increased by 1200 A new IMSA GTLM Championship Edition package limited to 1000 units was introduced for 2022 112 The Corvette C8 Z06 is expected to debut in the 2023 model year It will feature a 670 horsepower 5 5 liter naturally aspirated DOHC flat plane crank V8 This engine the LT6 is the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8 engine The Z06 is redlined at 8600 RPM and feature the same dual clutch transmission as the Stingray albeit with gearing changes specific to the performance of this model 113 Awards EditOver the years the Corvette has won awards from automobile publications as well as organizations such as the Society of Automotive Engineers Automobile Magazine ranked the 1963 1967 Sting Ray first on their 100 Coolest Cars list above the Dodge Viper GTS the Porsche 911 and others 114 In 2013 Automobile Magazine selected the Corvette C7 as its Automobile of the Year 115 Sports Car International placed the Corvette at number 5 on their list of the Top Sports Cars of the 1960s Hot Rod magazine in its March 1986 issue selected the 1973 74 Corvette LS6 454 as one of the 10 most collectable muscle cars in the company of 1968 70 Chevelle 1970 Cuda 1970 Challenger 1966 67 Fairlane 1968 70 AMX 1970 Camaro Z28 1968 70 GTO 1968 69 Charger and 1967 68 Mustang 116 Car and Driver readers selected the Corvette Best all around car nine out of eleven years in Car and Driver s Reader s Choice Polls including 1971 1972 1973 1974 and 1975 Car and Driver magazine selected the Corvette for its annual Ten Best list sixteen times the C4 from 1985 through 1989 the C5 in 1998 1999 and 2002 through 2004 the C6 from 2005 through 2009 and the C7 in 2014 Motor Trend magazine named the Corvette Car of the Year in 1984 1998 and 2020 Society of Automotive Engineers publication Automotive Engineering International selected the 1999 Corvette Convertible along with the Mercedes Benz S500 Best Engineered Car of the 20th century 117 The 2005 Corvette was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award and was named Most Coveted Vehicle in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year contest U S News amp World Report 118 selected the 2010 Corvette the Best Luxury Sports Car for the Money Edmunds com in its 100 Best Cars Of All Time list ranked the 1963 Corvette Stingray as the 16th best car ever produced worldwide The 1990 ZR1 took 50 the 1955 Corvette V8 took 72 and the 2009 ZR1 took 78 overall The 2014 Corvette was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award NASA Corvettes Edit Astronaut Alan Shepard s Corvette on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Astronaut Alan Shepard a long time Corvette owner was invited by then GM Chief Engineer Zora Arkus Duntov to drive pre production Corvette models General Motors executives later gave Shepard a 1972 model with a Bill Mitchell interior Jim Rathmann a Melbourne Florida Chevrolet dealer and winner of the 1960 Indy 500 befriended astronauts Shepard Gus Grissom and Gordon Cooper Rathmann convinced GM President Ed Cole to set up a program that supplied each astronaut with a pair of new cars each year Most chose a family car for their wives and a Corvette for themselves 119 In his memoir Last Man On The Moon Gene Cernan describes how this worked The astronauts received brand new Corvettes which they were given the option to purchase at a used price after they d been driven 3000 miles Alan Bean recalls Corvettes lined up in the parking lot outside the astronaut offices at the Johnson Space Center in Houston and friendly races between Shepard and Grissom along the Florida beach roads and on beaches as local police turned a blind eye 120 Shepard Grissom and Cooper even pulled each other on skis in the shallow water The Mercury and later astronauts were unofficially tied to the Corvette and appeared in official photographs with their cars and with mock ups of space vehicles such as the Apollo Lunar Module or Lunar Roving Vehicle Cooper talked of the races along Cocoa Beach in his eulogy of Shepard at the Johnson Space Center in 1998 121 Concept cars EditCorvette concept cars have inspired the designs of several generations of Corvettes 122 The first Corvette Harley Earl s 1953 EX 122 Corvette prototype was itself a concept show car first shown to the public at the 1953 GM Motorama at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City on January 17 1953 It was brought to production in six months with only minor changes Mako Shark II advertisement 1966 Harley Earl s successor Bill Mitchell was the man behind most of the Corvette concepts of the 1960s and 1970s The second generation C2 of 1963 was his and its design first appeared on the Stingray Racer of 1959 It made its public debut at Maryland s Marlborough Raceway on April 18 1959 powered by a 283 cu in 4 64 L V8 with experimental 11 1 compression aluminum cylinder heads and took fourth place The concept car was raced through 1960 having only Sting Ray badges before it was put on the auto show circuit in 1961 123 In 1961 the XP 755 Mako Shark show car was designed by Larry Shinoda as a concept for future Corvettes In keeping with the name the streamlining pointed snout and other detailing was partly inspired by the look of that very fast fish The 1961 Corvette tail was given two additional tail lights six total for the concept car The body inspired the 1963 production Sting Ray citation needed In 1965 Mitchell removed the original concept body and redesigned it as the Mako Shark II Chevrolet actually created two of them only one of which was fully functional The original Mako Shark was then retroactively called the Mako Shark I The Mako Shark II debuted in 1965 as a show car and this concept influenced Mitchell s redesigned Corvette of 1968 citation needed The Aerovette has a mid engine configuration using a transverse mounting of its V8 engine Zora Arkus Duntov s engineers originally built two XP 882s during 1969 John DeLorean Chevy general manager ordered one for display at the 1970 New York Auto Show In 1972 DeLorean authorized further work on the XP 882 A near identical body in aluminum alloy was constructed and became the XP 895 Reynolds Aluminum Car Duntov and Mitchell responded with two Chevrolet Vega stillborn Wankel 2 rotor engines joined together as a 4 rotor 420 hp 310 kW engine which was used to power the XP 895 It was first shown in late 1973 The 4 rotor show car was outfitted with a 400 cu in 6 6 L small block V8 in 1977 and rechristened Aerovette GM chairman Thomas Murphy approved the Aerovette for 1980 production but Mitchell s retirement that year combined with then Corvette chief engineer Dave McLellan s lack of enthusiasm for the mid engine design and slow selling data on mid engined cars killed the last hope for a mid engine Corvette citation needed A Corvette Stingray Anniversary concept car was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show fifty years after the Sting Ray racer concept of 1959 124 The vehicle was based on a combination of the 1963 Sting Ray and the 1968 Stingray The new Stingray concept appears in the 2009 movie Transformers Revenge of the Fallen as the vehicle mode of the character Sideswipe 125 A convertible speedster version was used for the same character in the 2011 sequel Transformers Dark of the Moon 126 1959 Corvette XP 87 Stingray Racer concept A 1959 Scaglietti Corvette The XP 87 with a 1963 model and designer Bill Mitchell 1961 Mako Shark concept 1965 Mako Shark II concept 1977 Aerovette concept 2009 Corvette Stingray conceptProduction EditProduction statistics from when the first generation of Corvettes was released in 1953 until the present 26 Year Production NotesC1 1953 300 First generation C1 begins production starts on June 30 Polo White with red interior and black top is only color combination Options were interior door handles clip in side curtains were a substitute for roll up windows 1954 3 640 Production moves to St Louis exterior colors blue red and black are added top color beige is added and longer tailpipes 1955 700 Both inline 6 and 265 cu in 4 34 L V8 engines produced 3 speed manual transmission added late in the model year 1956 3 467 New body with roll up windows V8 only 3 speed manual transmission becomes standard equipment and Powerglide automatic is optional 1957 6 339 283 cu in 4 64 L V8 Optional 4 speed manual and fuel injected engine option added 1958 9 168 Quad headlights and longer face lifted body new interior and dash fake louvers on hood and chrome strips on trunk lid the number of teeth in grille reduced from 13 to 9 1959 9 670 First black interior and dash storage bin only year with a turquoise top louvers and chrome strips from 1958 removed 1960 10 261 Minor changes to the interior red and blue bars on the dash logo vertical stitching on seats 1961 10 939 New rear styling bumpers and round taillights New fine mesh grill 1962 14 531 327 cu in 5 36 L V8 engine last year with a trunk until 1998 New black grill with chrome surround and chrome rocker panel moldings 1963 21 513 Second generation C2 begins new coupe body style introduced only year for split rear window coupe more expensive than the convertible C21964 22 229 rear backlite windows of coupe changed to single pane window hood louvers deleted 1965 23 564 396 cu in 6 49 L Big Block V8 added last year of fuel injected engine option until 1982 std side discharge exhaust introduced Manufacturer colors change color code names 4 wheel disc brakes were introduced 1966 27 720 427 cu in 7 00 L Big Block V8 with unique bulging hood 327 cu in 5 36 L 300 horsepower 220 kW small block V8 standard Headrests 4 way hazard lights and a day night rearview mirror were not standard but available as factory options 1967 22 940 five louver fenders are unique Big Block hood bulge redesigned as a scoop parking brake changed from pull out under dash handle to lever mounted in the center console Tri power 427 would become a sought after Corvette 1968 28 566 Third generation C3 begins New body and T top removable roof panels new interior engines carried over three speed Turbo Hydra Matic replaces two speed Powerglide as automatic transmission option C31969 38 762 First year of the 350 cu in 5 7 L Small Block longer model year extended to December 1969 due to delay in the introduction of 1970 model Stingray front fender nameplates added new interior door panels and inserts 17 inch black vinyl steering wheel replaced 18 inch wood rim wheel 1970 17 316 First year for the LT 1 Small Block and 454 cu in 7 44 L Big Block three speed manual transmission dropped and four speed manual became standard with Turbo Hydra Matic available as a no cost option with all engines except LT 1 350 posi traction made standard equipment introduced along with the second generation Chevrolet Camaro on February 26 1970 new egg grate metal front grills and fender grills lower molded fender flares new hi back seats and interior trim the new custom interior option included leather seat trim cut pile carpeting lower carpeted door panels and wood grain accents 1971 21 801 Significant power drops due to reduced compression ratios to meet GM corporate edict requiring all engines to run low octane unleaded gasoline power ratings based on both gross and net figures with the former based on engine hooked to a dynamometer while net ratings based on power as installed in the vehicle with accessories and emission controls installed 1972 27 004 Power ratings now advertised in SAE net figures last year for LT 1 engine front and rear chrome bumpers removable rear window and windshield wiper door 1973 30 464 5 mph 8 0 km h front bumper system with a urethane cover pot metal front grills black with silver edges chrome rear bumpers unchanged new design front fender ducts the first year for radial tires standard equipment rubber body mounts new hood with rear air induction and under hood insulation new front end round emblem cross flag gas lid emblem was deleted towards the end of the model year LS4 454 ci had 275 hp and L82 350 ci had 250 hp SAE net 1974 37 502 5 mph 8 0 km h rear bumper system with urethane cover to match previous year s front bumper new recessed taillamps and down turned tail pipes 1974 is the only year with a two piece rear bumper cover with a center split No gas lid emblem was used Aluminum front grills all black dual exhaust resonators added revised radiator cooling and interior a c ducts and integrated seat shoulder belts in the coupe Last year for a true dual exhaust system last year for the 454 big block engine in a Corvette which was the 270 hp LS4 1975 38 465 First year of Catalytic converter and single exhaust black painted bumper pads front and rear redesigned inner bumper systems one piece rear bumper cover plastic front grills all black amber parking lamp lenses replaced the clear lenses on 1973 1974 and new emblems This was the last year of C3 convertible The biggest engine was the L82 350 with 205 hp down from 250 hp in 1974 and 1973 The Chevrolet Laguna S 3 began the year with a 215 hp 454 but that engine was replaced by a 215 hp 400 1976 46 558 First year for steel floor panels cold air induction dropped new aluminum alloy wheels option new one piece rear Corvette nameplate replaces letters The L82 350 had 210 hp 1977 49 213 Last year of 1968 flat rear glass design Black exterior available last year 1969 new design Corvette flags front end and fender emblems New interior console and gauges universal GM radios The biggest engine was the L82 350 with 210 hp 1978 46 776 25th Anniversary New fastback rear window Silver Anniversary and Indy 500 Pace Car special editions Pace car included sport seats and spoilers front and rear limited option glass t tops redesigned interior dash instruments The biggest engine was the L82 350 with 220 hp 1979 53 807 Sport seats from the previous year s pace car front and rear spoilers optional glass t tops optional New interior comfort features highest Corvette sales year to date L82 had 225 hp 1980 40 614 Lightened materials new hood front end with molded spoilers rear bumper cover with molded spoiler and new tail lamps Federal government required 85 mph 137 km h speedometer California cars powered by 305 V8 and automatic transmission for this year only last year for L 82 350 with 230 hp n a with manual transmission 1981 40 606 Production is switched from St Louis to new Bowling Green plant 350 cu in 5 7 L V8 returns in California cars last year for manual transmission The only available engine was the L81 350 with 190 hp 1982 25 407 New cross fire fuel injected L83 350 with 200 hp New automatic overdrive transmission Collectors Edition features an exclusive hatch rear window is one fourth of production 1983 43 This model year was canceled and all Corvettes produced this year were serialized as 1984 models Featured L69 HO 305 with 200 hp C41984 51 547 Fourth generation C4 begins hatchback body digital instrumentation L83 350 continued from 1982 with 205 hp instead of a L69 1985 39 729 More powerful and fuel efficient L98 350 introduced with 230 hp 1986 35 109 First convertible since 1975 Third brake light antilock brakes and key code anti theft system are new The L98 350 continued with 230 hp 1987 30 632 Callaway twin turbo offered through dealers with GM warranty The L98 350 had 240 hp 1988 22 789 New wheel design all white 35th Anniversary special edition coupe The L98 350 continued with 240 hp 1989 26 412 ZF 6 speed manual replaces Doug Nash 4 3 1990 23 646 ZR 1 is introduced with DOHC LT5 engine The Interior was redesigned to incorporate a driver s side airbag 1991 20 639 Restyled exterior last year for the Callaway B2K twin turbo 1992 20 479 New LT1 engine replaces the L98 Traction control is standard 1993 21 590 Passive keyless entry is standard 40th Anniversary special edition in Ruby Red 1994 23 330 New interior including passenger airbag LT1 engine gains mass air flow metered SFI 1995 20 742 Last year of the ZR 1 minor exterior restyling Indy Pace Car special edition 1996 21 536 Optional LT4 engine with 330 bhp 246 kW Collectors Edition and Grand Sport special editions First year with OBD II diagnostics 1997 9 752 Fifth generation C5 begins LS1 engine is new the hatchback coupe is the only body style offered C51998 31 084 Convertible C5 debuts with the first trunk in a Corvette convertible since 1962 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replica offered Active Handling System introduced as optional equipment 1999 33 270 Less expensive hardtop coupe is offered 2000 33 682 Newly styled alloy wheels debut 2001 35 627 Hardtop coupe body style becomes top performance Z06 utilizing the new LS6 engine and suspension improvements Second Generation Active Handling System becomes standard equipment on all models slight 5 bhp 3 7 kW increase in base model engine power 2002 35 767 20 bhp 15 kW increase for the Z06 to 405 bhp 2003 35 469 50th Anniversary Edition package offered for Coupe and Convertible base models F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control Suspension supersedes F45 Selective Ride Control Suspension as base model option 2004 34 064 24 Hours of Le Mans Commemorative Edition package offered for all models 2005 37 372 Sixth generation C6 begins New body is first with fixed headlamps since 1962 no Z06 model and a late convertible introduction C62006 34 021 Z06 debuts 6 speed automatic with paddle shift available on non Z06 models 2007 40 561 6 speed automatic paddle shift delays are reduced drastically compared to 2006 2008 35 310 Mild freshening LS3 introduced All leather interior added 4LT LZ3 2009 16 956 ZR1 model added new Spyder wheels for Z06 2010 12 194 Grand Sport Coupe and Convertible added replaces the Z51 performance package launch control standard on MN6 models 2011 13 596 Wheel choices are updated Larger cross drilled brake rotors 13 4 front and 12 8 rear available on coupe and convertible or included with F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control Z07 Performance Package introduced for Z06 2012 11 647 Upgraded interior and new tires on the base model Z06 acquires a full length rear spoiler and a carbon fiber hood as options ZR1 gets adjusted gears for better fuel economy ZR1 Performance Package introduced Z07 Performance Package tweaked with new wheels 2013 13 466 Introduction of 427 Convertible model with a limited production run of 2 552 427 units 9 month production run 2014 37 288 Seventh generation C7 begins All new styling chassis and drivetrain LT1 6162 cc 376 ci had 455 hp 460 hp with performance exhaust C72015 34 240 C7 Z06 debuts with LT4 6162 cc 376 ci that had 650 hp 8L90 eight speed automatic transmission now available for all models 2016 40 6892017 32 782 The C7 Grand sport was introduced with the LT1 in a Z06 body and chassis 2018 9 6862019 34 822 The C7 ZR1 was introduced with a LT5 6162 cc 376 ci that had 755 hp C82020 20 368 Eighth generation C8 begins New chassis and body is first mid engine corvette New LT2 motor with 495 hp Z51 performance package The C8 shares less than 5 of its parts with the previous C7 generation 2021 26 1392022 25 831Total 1 767 241Owner demographics EditAccording to research by Specialty Equipment Market Association and Experian Automotive as of 2009 there were approximately 750 000 Corvettes of all model years registered in the United States Corvette owners were fairly equally distributed throughout the country with the highest density in Michigan 3 47 per 1000 residents and the lowest density in Utah Mississippi and Hawaii 1 66 1 63 and 1 53 registrations per 1000 residents 47 of them hold college degrees significantly above the nationwide average of 27 and 82 are between the ages of 40 and 69 median age being 53 127 Racing EditC5 R Edit Main article Chevrolet Corvette C5 R A Corvette C5 R leading a Maserati MC12 in Oschersleben Germany In 1960 three C 1 Corvettes were race modified and entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans by team owner Briggs Cunningham and were numbered 1 2 and 3 cars in the race The numbered 3 car was driven by John Fitch and Bob Grossman and it had finished the race in eighth place overall but it had won the big bore GT class 128 The Chevrolet Corvette C5 R is a grand touring racing car built by Pratt amp Miller and General Motors for competition in endurance racing The car is based on the C5 generation of the Chevrolet Corvette sports car yet is designed purely for motorsports use 129 It became one of the most dominant cars in GT categories with wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona 12 Hours of Sebring and 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as championships in the American Le Mans Series 130 The Corvette C5 Rs debuted in 1999 and continues to be raced to this day although the C5 R has effectively been replaced by the Corvette C6 R 131 C6 R Edit Main article Chevrolet Corvette C6 R A GT1 C6 R on the back straight of Long Beach California C6 R GT1 Z06 In 2005 the factory Corvette Team began racing the C6 R to coincide with the new sixth generation C6 Corvette being released to the public Private teams primarily in Europe continued to race the C5 R for a couple of years before switching to the C6 R Corvette C6 R went on to win its class at every race it entered in the 2005 ALMS season 132 By the end of 2009 Corvette had clinched four consecutive ALMS GT1 team and manufacturers titles 2005 2008 and three Le Mans 24 Hour class victories in the LMGT1 category 2005 2006 2009 2007 and 2008 races were won by the factory Aston Martin squad s DBR9 The last official race for factory GT1 Corvettes was the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans 133 C6 R GT2 ZR1 While some privateers continued to use the GT1 version of the C6 R in Europe the official factory team Corvette Racing switched from the slowly dying GT1 category to the much more competitive and popular GT2 class in mid 2009 The new GT2 C6 R used a modified version of the ZR1 model body but does not have the ZR1 supercharged engine GT2 rules are based more on production vehicles therefore the GT2 C6 R naturally aspirated engine was considerably more restricted and less powerful than its predecessor The car debuted at Mid Ohio s ALMS round They achieved one ALMS race victory in the remaining 2009 ALMS season and one victory at the final round of the 2010 ALMS season Petit Le Mans Corvette Racing s two GT2 C6 Rs also led most of the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans but both cars were forced to retire Racing in the new GTE Pro class the C6 R raced in the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans with the No 73 car taking the class victory The No 74 car led the class for most of the race but crashed in the morning hours The C6 R raced by Larbre Competition also took the GTE Am class victory 134 In 2012 Corvette Racing returned to glory in the ALMS winning 4 of 10 races and claiming the Driver s Team and Manufacturer s Championships Corvette Racing repeated the feat in 2013 by winning 5 of 10 races and claiming the Driver s Team and Manufacturer s Championships again C7 R Edit Main article Chevrolet Corvette C7 R A Corvette C7 R at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed IN 2014 Corvette Racing introduced the new C7 R to coincide with the launch of the seventh generation C7 Corvette The car made its track debut at the 2013 Rolex Motorsports Reunion and later participated in the 2014 Roar Before the Rolex 24 to prepare for the 2014 United SportsCar Championship The car s new livery debuted at the 2014 North American International Auto Show In 2015 the Corvette Racing C7 R took class victories at both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans C8 R Edit Main article Chevrolet Corvette C8 R In October 2019 at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex the C8 R made its surprise debut during the world premiere of the C8 Convertible Two cars took part in the 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway The cars placed 4th and 7th in the GTLM Class For the 2022 model year Chevrolet offered a C8 R inspired IMSA GTLM Special Edition package for the production Corvette Stingray 135 Indianapolis 500 pace cars Edit 2007 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car The Indianapolis 500 race has used a Corvette as its pace car 18 times 136 The 2008 running of the Indy 500 represented a record fifth consecutive year to lead the field until 2009 when the Chevrolet Camaro SS was selected The Corvette s pace car years and details include 1978 Driven by 1960 race winner Jim Rathmann Chevrolet produced 6 502 production replicas 1986 Driven by famed pilot Chuck Yeager all 7 315 production convertibles were considered pace car convertibles and included official graphics to be installed at the owner s discretion 1995 Driven by then Chevrolet General Manager Jim Perkins 527 production replicas were produced 1998 Driven by 1963 race winner Parnelli Jones after an injury prevented golfer Greg Norman from performing the duty 1 158 replicas were produced 2002 Driven by actor Jim Caviezel no replicas were produced but graphics were available by special order About 300 sets sold 2004 Driven by actor Morgan Freeman no production replicas produced 2005 Driven by General Colin Powell no production replicas produced 2006 Driven by cycling champion Lance Armstrong first Corvette Z06 pace car no production replicas produced 2007 Driven by actor Patrick Dempsey 500 production replicas all convertibles 2008 Driven by Emerson Fittipaldi 500 production replicas coupes and convertibles 2012 Driven by Guy Fieri first Corvette C6 ZR1 pace car no production replicas produced 2013 Driven by Jim Harbaugh first year of production for the C7 generation 2015 Driven by Jeff Gordon first Chevrolet Corvette C7 Z06 pace car 2017 Driven by actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan 2017 Grand Sport Convertible 137 2018 Driven by professional basketball player Victor Oladipo Chevrolet Corvette C7 ZR1 no production replicas produced 2019 Driven by NBC Sports broadcaster Dale Earnhardt Jr Last year of production for C7 generation no production replicas produced 2020 Driven by GM President Mark Reuss 2020 Corvette Stingray Torch Red Coupe No replicas were produced See also EditChevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle Kaiser Darrin prototype in 1952 435 built for the 1954 model year Nash Healey 1951 1954 National Corvette Museum VH1 Corvette Give away Sweepstakes also known as the VH1 Collection 36 Corvettes one for each model year 1953 1989 CorvetteForum the largest Corvette enthusiasts club in the worldNotes Edit Flory p 509 Many potential buyers were waiting to see the next generation of Corvettes References Edit Chevrolet Ranks as Top Performance Brand in U S media gm com Press release 27 February 2012 Retrieved May 24 2022 2017 Corvette Stingray Sports Cars Chevrolet Miller Ray Embree Glenn 1975 The Real Corvette An Illustrated History of Chevrolet s Sports Car ISBN 978 0913056066 Capparella Joey April 11 2019 The Mid Engined 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Is Real GM Confesses and It Will Debut July 18 Car and Driver Retrieved April 11 2019 Oldham Scott July 24 2018 25 Corvette facts that every enthusiast should know Hagerty Retrieved June 14 2022 Falconer Tom 2003 The Complete Corvette Crestline p 9 ISBN 978 0 7603 1474 6 Retrieved September 30 2012 Bryant Thos L November 6 2012 America s Sports Car Road amp Track Burton Jerry October 31 2011 Corvette A pop culture classic Automotive News Retrieved May 31 2022 Pierce Burt Automobiles G M Show New York Times December 21 1952 More Small Autos to be Introduced New York Times February 1 1953 a b c Emanuel Dave 2002 Corvette Tech Q amp A Penguin ISBN 978 1557883766 a b Porter Lindsay 1997 Chevrolet Corvette Restoration Guide MotorBooks International p 256 ISBN 978 0760303252 a b Chevrolet Corvette History Edmunds Retrieved March 29 2013 Flammang James M Kowalke Ron 1999 Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976 1999 3rd ed Krause Publications pp 300 317 ISBN 0 87341 755 0 Gunnell John ed 1987 The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946 1975 Krause Publications pp 192 203 ISBN 0 87341 096 3 Mueller Mike 2003 Classic Corvette 30 Years Crestline Imprints p 384 ISBN 978 0760318065 Prince Richard August 8 2002 Corvette Buyers Guide 1953 1967 MotorBooks International p 192 ISBN 978 0760310090 W Passon Jerry 2011 The Corvette in Literature and Culture Symbolic Dimensions of America s Sports Car McFarland p 246 ISBN 978 0786462841 a b Gunnell John 2004 Standard Guide To 1950s American Cars Krause Publications p 256 ISBN 978 0873498685 one hp per cubic inch corvette Chevrolet Restyles Sleek 1956 Corvette Christian Science Monitor February 20 1956 p 22 1956 GM Year End Annual Report pg 15 a b c d e f Gunnell John 2004 Standard catalog of Corvette 1953 2005 Second ed Krause Publications ISBN 978 0873499071 a b Staff of Old Cars Weekly 2010 Corvette The Great American Sports Car Krause Publications p 208 ISBN 978 1440215513 a b Gunnell John 2011 Standard Catalog of Chevrolet 1912 2003 90 Years of History Photos Technical Data and Pricing F W Media ISBN 978 1440230554 Antonick Mike 2006 Corvette Black Book 1953 2007 MotorBooks International pp 44 45 ISBN 978 0760328941 a b Gunnell John 2011 Standard Catalog of Chevrolet Third ed Krause Publications ISBN 978 1440227936 a b c d Antonick Mike 2006 Corvette Black Books 1953 2007 MotorBooks International ISBN 978 0760328941 a b c Mueller Mike 2009 The Corvette Factories Building America s Sports Car MotorBooks International ISBN 978 0 7603 3551 2 50 Corvette Popular Mechanics 61 March 2003 ISSN 0032 4558 Newton Richard 1999 Corvette Restoration Guide 1963 1967 MotorBooks International p 18 ISBN 978 0 7603 0179 1 DieCastX Magazine Air Age 2007 Street Machines and Bracket Racing Hot Rod 5 77 1981 Super Street Cars Super Street Cars p 35 a b c Staff of Old Cars Weekly 2010 Nothin but Muscle Krause Publications p 34 ISBN 978 1 4402 1549 0 Driving the New Corvette Popular Mechanics September 1988 ISSN 0032 4558 Sting Ray s independent rear suspension was Leffingwell Randy 2002 Corvette Fifty Years MBI Publishing p 203 ISBN 978 0 7603 1180 6 Flory Jr J Kelly 2004 American Cars 1960 1972 Every Model Year by Year McFarland p 505 ISBN 978 0 7864 1273 0 Scorr Martyn L March 2003 Show of Force Popular Mechanics Magazine via Google Books Friedman Dave 2004 Corvette Grand Sport MotorBooks International ISBN 978 0 7603 1926 0 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport simeonemuseum org 10 August 2008 Popular Mechanics Popular Mechanics Magazine Hearst Magazines 1977 ISSN 0032 4558 Corvette 50th Anniversary specifications and performance by the Editors of Consumer Guide Flory p 734 1971 Corvette auto howstuffworks com June 7 2007 Archived from the original on September 8 2011 Retrieved September 30 2012 Antonick Mike 2006 Corvette Black Books 1953 2007 MotorBooks International ISBN 978 0 7603 2894 1 1981 Corvette Sales Brochure Website gmheritagecenter com PDF 1982 C3 Chevrolet Corvette corvsport com 21 February 2017 Mann James Falconer Tom 2010 Corvette 1968 1982 Motorbooks ISBN 978 0 7603 3747 9 McNicholl George A 2007 How to rebuild Corvette rolling chassis 1963 1982 Motorbooks p 14 ISBN 978 0 7603 3014 2 GM Chevrolet Category 1999 Induction Dave McLellan National Corvette Museum Retrieved June 15 2022 Library and Archives National Corvette Museum Archived from the original on February 5 2005 Retrieved December 8 2012 a b Redesign intended to re establish Corvette s cool factor Chicago Tribune Archived from the original on January 13 2013 Retrieved January 13 2013 a b Mueller Mike January 23 2012 The complete book of Corvette every model since 1953 Motorbooks ISBN 978 0760341407 Connell Bill The Missing 1983 Corvette Corvette Blog Retrieved November 29 2012 See the surveillance video No repair timetable for National Corvette Museum sink hole The Courier Journal Archived from the original on December 16 2014 a b Newton Richard 2003 101 projects for your Corvette 1984 1996 Motorbooks International ISBN 978 0760314616 Cangialosi Paul 2010 How to rebuild and modify high performance manual transmissions CarTech ISBN 978 1934709290 1987 Twin Turbo Callaway Corvette Corvette Action Center Retrieved September 30 2012 1990 Twin Turbo Callaway Corvette Corvette Action Center Retrieved September 30 2012 Mueller Mike 1996 Corvette milestones Motorbooks International ISBN 978 0760300954 Thurn Walt 2007 High performance C5 Corvette builder s guide CarTech ISBN 978 1932494334 Corvette C5 Mike Mueller 1998 All Corvettes Are Red James Schefter 1996 Corvette C5 Patrick Paternie 2004 Road amp Track Corvette Portfolio 1997 2002 Road amp Track Series Clarke R M 2003 Corvette Iconic Cars Car amp Driver 2001 Corvette Racing David Kimble 2012 Corvette Sports Car Superstar Editors of Consumer Guide 2005 Corvette Fifty Years Randy Leffingwell 2002 2004 Pace Harold The Immortal Corvette 1997 2003 autoMedia com Retrieved September 30 2012 Newton Richard 2006 Corvette C5 performance projects MBI Pub p 8 ISBN 978 0760320815 Schefter pp 96 105 108 Mueller Mike 2004 Essential musclecars St Paul MN Motorbooks International ISBN 978 0760319666 Endres Christopher P 1996 Chevy LS1 LS6 performance high performance modifications for street and racing covers Chevy LS1 and LS6 engines 1997 and up 1st ed New York HP Books ISBN 978 1557884077 Editors of Consumer Guide 2005 Corvette Sports Car Superstar a href Template Cite magazine html title Template Cite magazine cite magazine a Cite magazine requires magazine help Berg Phil 2004 Corvette C6 St Paul MN Motorbooks International ISBN 978 0760318652 The Corvette Story Archived from the original on September 18 2012 Retrieved September 30 2012 First Drive 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Insideline com August 31 2005 Retrieved September 30 2012 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 First Drive Review Car and Driver Retrieved July 8 2017 First Drive 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Edmunds com April 27 2007 Archived from the original on August 18 2012 Retrieved November 22 2008 Jerome Marty April 25 2008 The Numbers Are In Corvette ZR1 Cranks Out 638 HP Wired Retrieved September 30 2012 2009 Corvette ZR1 Power Numbers Finalized LS9 V8 Hits 638 HP 25 April 2008 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport First Drive Earnest Brian 2010 Corvette the great American sports car Krause Publications ISBN 978 1440217531 2011 Chevy Corvette Engines Can be Built by Owner Automoblog net July 13 2010 Retrieved September 30 2012 End of the C6 1Q 2013 Corvette Forum Forums corvetteforum com Retrieved January 25 2013 Last 2013 c6 Vette 2 2013 and 1st C7 August September 2012 Autoweek Archived from the original on October 29 2013 Retrieved December 11 2012 Florea Ciprian May 10 2013 C6 Corvette Under Investigation over Faulty Headlamps Autoevolution Retrieved February 18 2015 Spied 2014 Chevrolet C7 Corvette Automobile Magazine January 2012 Archived from the original on February 22 2012 Connor Mike December 2008 No Mid Engine For Chevrolet Corvette C7 Motor Trend Retrieved September 30 2012 Higgins Tim January 11 2013 Corvette Not Just for Successful Plumbers With New Design Bloomberg Retrieved January 25 2013 Levine Weinberg Adam November 9 2013 The 2014 Corvette Stingray Steps on the Gas Motley Fool Retrieved November 18 2013 All New 2014 Corvette LT1 V 8 a Technological Powerhouse October 24 2012 Phelan Mark 2014 Chevrolet StingRay Review Chicago Tribune Archived from the original on November 10 2013 Retrieved November 10 2013 Ulrich Lawrence February March 2013 Corvette C7 Road amp Track Magazine p 47 Paukert Chris January 13 2013 2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray everything there is to know Autoblog Retrieved March 29 2013 Krisher Tom January 13 2013 C7 Corvette 2014 Model Bursts Onto The Road After 9 Years Huffington Post Archived from the original on January 17 2013 Retrieved March 29 2013 Webster Larry September 2013 2014 Corvette Road amp Track Magazine p 44 2012 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Chevrolet Retrieved December 1 2011 Undercoffler David January 13 2014 Detroit Auto Show Corvette Z06 debuts with 600 plus horsepower Los Angeles Times 2015 Corvette Z06 Supercar chevrolet com Archived from the original on February 20 2014 Retrieved February 2 2014 Next generation Corvette to Debut 1 13 13 in Detroit media gm com Press release October 18 2012 Colwell K C August 21 2014 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Eight Speed Automatic Car and Driver Retrieved June 18 2015 New 8 Speed Enables Quicker More Efficient Corvette gm com August 20 2014 Archived from the original on December 22 2014 Retrieved August 21 2014 2017 Corvette Grand Sport Priced at 66 445 media gm com Press release Retrieved June 6 2017 2017 Final Corvette Stats National Corvette Museum Retrieved June 10 2017 Golson Daniel June 28 2019 The Last Front Engined Chevrolet Corvette a 2019 C7 Z06 Will Be Auctioned Off in June Car and Driver Retrieved July 8 2019 Northeast Auction Charity Car Lot 3001 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Last Built June 29 2019 Retrieved July 6 2019 via YouTube a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint url status link American Icon goes Mid engine and 0 60 in under three seconds media chevrolet com Press release Capparella Joey April 11 2019 The Mid Engined 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Is Real GM Confesses and It Will Debut July 18 Car and Driver Retrieved April 11 2019 Barrett Jackson Corvette charity car goes for 3 million at auction azcentral com Retrieved January 19 2020 Hoffman Connor 2021 06 11 2022 Chevy Corvette Gets Engine Improvements Costs 1200 More Car and Driver Retrieved 2021 06 26 Colwell K C Quiroga Tony VanderWerp Dave October 26 2021 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06 Brings 670 HP of Naturally Aspirated Fury Car and Driver Retrieved May 24 2022 Features 100 Coolest Cars Automobile Magazine October 7 2004 p 3 Archived from the original on February 5 2012 Retrieved September 30 2012 Valdes Depna Peter November 16 2013 Corvette named Automobile of the Year CNN Money Hot Rod Hot Rod 1986 Best Engineered Car of the 20th century Sae org Archived from the original on April 8 2000 Retrieved September 30 2012 Deaton Jamie Page December 11 2009 Best Cars for the Money 2010 U S News amp World Report Archived from the original on March 12 2009 Retrieved September 30 2012 Bean Alan Training Nelson John June 2009 The AstroVette an astronaut s Corvette from the beginning of the Space Age Vette French Francis Burgess Colin Haney Paul 2009 Into That Silent Sea Trailblazers of the Space Era 1961 1965 Bison Books p 261 ISBN 978 0 8032 2639 5 Auto editors of Consumer Guide 2003 Corvette 50th anniversary Publications International ISBN 978 0785379874 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint uses authors parameter link Leffingwell Randy 2002 Corvette fifty years MBI ISBN 9780760311806 Friends magazine published by Chevrolet for Corvette owners Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept Sideswipe In Disguise Jalopnik February 11 2009 Retrieved September 30 2012 Transformers Dark of the Moon Sideswipe Bumblebee First Look Jalopnik May 16 2011 Retrieved November 14 2012 Vette Owners Quick to Customize SEMA January 15 2009 Archived from the original on May 11 2013 Retrieved September 30 2012 GM Racing Corvette history at Le Mans Popular Mechanics Popular Mechanics Magazine Hearst Magazines 156 1991 ISSN 0032 4558 Chevrolet Corvette C5 R Popular Mechanics Popular Mechanics Magazine Hearst Magazines 156 1999 ISSN 0032 4558 DeLorenzo Matt 2007 The Corvette Dynasty Chronicle Books p 160 ISBN 978 1 932855 82 1 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon vs 2010 Corvette Grand Sport vs 2002 Corvette Z06 Comparison Test and Video Retrieved October 10 2012 Pratt amp Miller Engineering Introduces Corvette C6RS Supercar for the Street Corvette C6RS Archived from the original on March 23 2013 Retrieved October 10 2012 Schilke Nancy Shanghai victory sees Larbre Competition crowned GTE Am world champions Race reports Retrieved December 8 2012 Here s Who The 2022 Corvette Stingray IMSA GTLM Special Edition Is For GM Authority 20 June 2021 Retrieved 2021 06 26 Bruce Chris August 14 2020 It s back for 2020 Motorsport Network Retrieved August 15 2020 Lindquist David May 25 2017 Indy 500 casts Walking Dead villain for pace car Indianapolis Star Retrieved February 3 2018 Nichols Richard Corvette 1953 to the Present London Bison Books 1985 ISBN 0 86124 218 1 Further media EditVideos Why Chevy Is Radically Changing The Corvette CNBC September 11 2019 Archived from the original on 2021 10 30 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chevrolet Corvette Chevrolet Corvette at Curlie Chevrolet Corvette North American site Chevrolet Corvette European site Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chevrolet Corvette amp oldid 1132643250, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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