Chevrolet Corvette C1
Encyclopedia
The Chevrolet Corvette (C1) is the first generation of the sports car
by the Chevrolet
division of General Motors
introduced late in the 1953 model year and produced through 1962. It is commonly referred to as the "solid-axle" generation, as the independent rear suspension didn't appear until the 1963 Sting Ray. The Corvette was rushed into production for its debut model year to capitalize on the enthusiastic public reaction to the concept vehicle
, but expectations for the new model were largely unfulfilled. Reviews were mixed and sales fell far short of expectations through the car's early years. The program was nearly canceled, but Chevrolet would ultimately stay the course and Harley Earl
and company would transform the Corvette into a true world-class sports car.
were bringing home MGs
, Jaguars, Alfa Romeo
s, and the like. In 1951, Nash Motors
began selling an expensive two-seat sports car, the Nash-Healey
, that was made in partnership with the Italian designer Pinin Farina and British auto engineer Donald Healey
, but there were few moderate-priced models. Earl convinced GM that they needed to build a two-seat sports car, and with his Special Projects crew began working on the new car, "Project Opel" in late 1951. The result was the hand-built, EX-122 pre-production Corvette prototype, which was first shown to the public at the 1953 GM Motorama
at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City
on January 17, 1953. Production began six months later. The car is now located at the Kerbeck Corvette museum in Atlantic City and is believed to be the oldest Corvette in existence.
while a factory was being prepped for a full-scale 1954 production run. The outer body was made out of then-revolutionary fiberglass
material, selected in part because of quotas, left over from the war, limited the availability of steel. Underneath the new body material were standard components from Chevrolet's regular car line, including the "Blue Flame" inline six-cylinder
engine, two-speed Powerglide
automatic transmission, and drum brake
s. The engine's output was increased however from a triple-carburetor system exclusive to the Corvette, but performance of the car was decidedly "lackluster". Compared to the British and Italian sports cars of the day, the Corvette lacked a manual transmission
and required more effort to bring to a stop, but like their British competition, such as Morgan
, was not fitted with roll-up windows; this would have to wait until sometime in the 1955 model year. A Paxton
centrifugal supercharger
became available in 1954 as a dealer-installed option, greatly improving the Corvette's straight-line performance, but sales continued to decline.
The Chevrolet division was GM's entry-level marque. Managers at GM were seriously considering shelving the project, leaving the Corvette to be little more than a footnote in automotive history, and would have done so if not for three important events. The first was the 1955 introduction of Chevrolet's first V8 engine
since 1919. Late in the model year, the new 195 hp 265 small-block became available with a three-speed manual transmission, coupled to a 3.55:1 axle ratio, the only one offered. The engine was fitted with a single 2366S WCFB four-barrel (four-choke) Carter carburetor
. The combination turned the "rather anemic Corvette into a credible if not outstanding performer". The second was the influence of a Russia
n émigré
in GM's engineering department, Zora Arkus-Duntov
. The third factor in the Corvette's survival was Ford's introduction of the 1955 two-seat Thunderbird
, which was billed as a "personal luxury car", not a sports car. Even so, the Ford-Chevrolet rivalry in those days demanded GM not appear to back down from the challenge. The original concept for the Corvette emblem incorporated an American flag into the design, but was changed well before production since associating the flag with a product was frowned upon
.
The 1953 model year was not only the Corvette's first production year, but at 300 produced it was also the lowest-volume Corvette. The cars were essentially hand-built and techniques evolved during the production cycle, so that each 1953 Corvette is slightly different. All 1953 models had Polo White exteriors, red interiors, and black canvas soft tops. Order guides showed heaters and AM radios as optional, but all 1953 models were equipped with both. Over two-hundred 1953 Corvettes are known to exist today.The Genuine Corvette Price Handbook-2002 edition They had independent front suspension.
The quality of the fiberglass body as well as its fit and finish was lacking. Other problems, such as water leaks and doors that could open while the car was driven, were reported with the most severe errors corrected in subsequent units produced, but some shortcomings continued beyond the Corvette's inaugural year. By December 1953, Chevrolet had a newly equipped factory in St. Louis ready to build 10,000 Corvettes annually. However, negative customer reaction in 1953 and early 1954 models caused sales to plummet.
In 1954, only 3,640 of this model were built and nearly a third were unsold at year's end. New colors were available, but the six-cylinder engine and Powerglide automatic, the only engine and transmission available, were not what sports car enthusiasts expected. It is known that 1954 models were painted Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red, and Black, in addition to Polo White. All had red interiors except for those finished in Pennant Blue that had a beige interior. Order guides listed several options, but all options were "mandatory" and all 1954 Corvettes were equipped the same.
Chevrolet debuted its small-block, 195 hp V8 in 1955 and the engine found its way into the Corvette. At first 1955 V8 Corvettes continued with the mandatory-option Powerglide automatic transmission (as did the few 6-cylinder models built), but a new three-speed manual transmission came along later in the year for V8 models only. Exterior color choices were expanded to at least five, combined with at least four interior colors. Even soft-tops came in three colors and different materials. Despite all this, only 700 Corvettes 1955 Corvettes were built, making it second only to 1953 in scarcity. Very few six-cylinder 1955 models were built, and all documented examples are equipped with automatic transmissions. The "V" in the Corvette emblem was enlarged and gold colored, signifying the V8 engine under the hood and 12 volt electrical systems, while 6-cylinder models retained the 6-volt systems used in 1953-54. Rare option estimate: Manual transmission (75).
449 special camshaft with the 240 hp engine (111), power windows (547).
Visually the 1957 model was a near-twin to 1956. Engine displacement increased to 283 CID, fuel injection became optional, and a 4-speed manual transmission was available after April 9, 1957. Fuel injection first saw regular use on a gasoline engine two years prior on the Mercedes-Benz 300SL
"gullwing" roadster. Although the Corvette's GM-Rochester
injection used a constant flow system, as opposed to the diesel
style nozzle metering system of the Mercedes'
, the Corvette's engine nevertheless produced about 290 hp (gross). This was underrated by Chevrolet's advertising agency for the 283 hp 283 small-block V8 one hp per in³ slogan, making it one of the first mass-produced engines in history to reach 1 hp/in³. Pushed toward high-performance and racing, principally by Zora Arkus-Duntov who had raced in Europe, 1957 Corvettes could be ordered ready-to-race with special options.
Fuel injection was in short supply and 1,040 Corvettes with this option were sold. Rare options: RPO 579E 283 hp engine (1 hp per cubic inch!) with fresh air/tach package (43), RPO 684 heavy-duty racing suspension (51), 15" x 5.5" wheels (51), power windows (379), 4-speed transmission (664).
directly in front of the driver. For the 1958 model only, an 8000 rpm tachometer was used rather than the 6000 and rpm units typical in 1955. Optional engine choices included two with twin carburetors (including a 270 hp model with Carter 2613 and 2614 WCFB four-barrels) and two with fuel injection. Power output for the highest rated fuel-injected engine was 290 hp. Displacement remained 283 cid. For the first time, seat belts were factory-installed rather than being dealer-installed as on previous models. Rare options were RPO 684 heavy-duty brakes and suspension (144), RPO 579 250 hp engine (554), 15 by wheels (404).
For the 1959 model, engines and horsepower ratings did not change. Interiors were revised slightly with different instrument graphics and the addition of a storage bin to the passenger side. A positive reverse lockout shifter with "T" handle was standard with 4-speed manual transmission. This was the only year a turquoise convertible top color could be ordered, and all 24-gallon fuel tank models through 1962 could not be ordered with convertible tops due to inadequate space for the folding top mechanism. Rare options: RPO 684 heavy-duty brakes and suspension (142), metallic brakes (333), 15 by wheels (214), power windows (547), power convertible top (661).
Last features to appear in 1960 models included tailamps molded into the rear fenders and heavy grill
teeth. New features include aluminum radiators, but only with 270 hp and 290 hp engines. Also for the first time, all fuel-injection engines required manual transmissions. The 1960s Cascade Green was metallic, unique to the year and the rarest color at 140 made. Rare options: RPO 579 250 hp engine (100), RPO 687 heavy-duty brakes and suspension (119), 15 by wheels (246), power convertible top (512), power windows (544).
The 1962 model year was the last Corvette with a solid-rear-axle suspension that was used from the beginning. With two new engines it was also the quickest. Engine displacement increased to 327 cubic inches, but dual 4-barrel carburetor engines were no longer available.
Hydraulic valve lifters were used in the base 250 hp and optional 300 hp engines, solid lifters in the optional carbureted 340 hp and fuel-injected 360 hp versions. Rocker panel trim was seen for the first time, exposed headlights for the last, until 2005. This was the last Corvette model to offer an optional power convertible top mechanism. Rare options: 24-gallon fuel tank (65), RPO 687 heavy-duty brakes and steering (246), power convertible top (350), 15x5.5 wheels (561).
made available late in the 1955 model year the 265 CID engine with a three-speed manual transmission
. Duntov improved the car's positioning
and image and helped the car compete with the new V8--engined Ford Thunderbird
, and turned the Corvette from decidedly "lackluster" into a "credible performer". In 1956 he became the director of high-performance vehicle design and development for Chevrolet helping him earn the nickname "Father of the Corvette." I
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
by the Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
division of General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
introduced late in the 1953 model year and produced through 1962. It is commonly referred to as the "solid-axle" generation, as the independent rear suspension didn't appear until the 1963 Sting Ray. The Corvette was rushed into production for its debut model year to capitalize on the enthusiastic public reaction to the concept vehicle
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
, but expectations for the new model were largely unfulfilled. Reviews were mixed and sales fell far short of expectations through the car's early years. The program was nearly canceled, but Chevrolet would ultimately stay the course and Harley Earl
Harley Earl
Harley J. Earl was first Vice President of Design at General Motors. He was an industrial designer and a pioneer of modern transportation design. A coachbuilder by trade, Earl pioneered the use of freeform sketching and hand sculpted clay models as design techniques...
and company would transform the Corvette into a true world-class sports car.
Origin 1951
In 1927 General Motors hired designer Harley Earl who loved sports cars. GIs returning after serving overseas in the years following World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
were bringing home MGs
MG (car)
The MG Car Company is a former British sports car manufacturer founded in the 1920s by Cecil Kimber. Best known for its two-seat open sports cars, MG also produced saloons and coupés....
, Jaguars, Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
s, and the like. In 1951, Nash Motors
Nash Motors
Also see: Kelvinator and American Motors CorporationNash Motors was an automobile manufacturer based in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in the United States from 1916 to 1938. From 1938 to 1954, Nash was the automotive division of the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation...
began selling an expensive two-seat sports car, the Nash-Healey
Nash-Healey
The Nash-Healey is a two-seat sports car that was produced for the American market between 1951 and 1954. Marketed by Nash-Kelvinator Corporation with a Nash Ambassador drivetrain and a European chassis and body, it served as a halo vehicle for the automaker to promote the sales of the other Nash...
, that was made in partnership with the Italian designer Pinin Farina and British auto engineer Donald Healey
Donald Healey
Donald Mitchell Healey CBE was a noted English rally driver, automobile engineer, and speed record holder.- Early life :...
, but there were few moderate-priced models. Earl convinced GM that they needed to build a two-seat sports car, and with his Special Projects crew began working on the new car, "Project Opel" in late 1951. The result was the hand-built, EX-122 pre-production Corvette prototype, which was first shown to the public at the 1953 GM Motorama
Motorama
The General Motors Motorama was an auto show staged by GM from 1949 to 1961. These automobile extravaganzas were designed to whet public appetite and boost automobile sales with displays of fancy prototypes, concept vehicles and other special or halo models. Motorama grew out of Alfred P. Sloan's...
at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on January 17, 1953. Production began six months later. The car is now located at the Kerbeck Corvette museum in Atlantic City and is believed to be the oldest Corvette in existence.
Design and engineering
During the last half of 1953, 300 Corvettes were to large degree hand-built on a makeshift assembly line that was installed in an old truck plant in Flint, MichiganFlint, Michigan
Flint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the 2010 population to be placed at 102,434, making Flint the seventh largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the...
while a factory was being prepped for a full-scale 1954 production run. The outer body was made out of then-revolutionary fiberglass
Fiberglass
Glass fiber is a material consisting of numerous extremely fine fibers of glass.Glassmakers throughout history have experimented with glass fibers, but mass manufacture of glass fiber was only made possible with the invention of finer machine tooling...
material, selected in part because of quotas, left over from the war, limited the availability of steel. Underneath the new body material were standard components from Chevrolet's regular car line, including the "Blue Flame" inline six-cylinder
Straight-6
The straight-six engine or inline-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine with all six cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase...
engine, two-speed Powerglide
Powerglide
The Powerglide is a two-speed automatic transmission designed by General Motors. It was available primarily on Chevrolet from January, 1950 through 1973, although some Pontiac models also used this automatic transmission, extensively on models produced for the Canadian market with Chevrolet...
automatic transmission, and drum brake
Drum brake
A drum brake is a brake in which the friction is caused by a set of shoes or pads that press against a rotating drum-shaped part called a brake drum....
s. The engine's output was increased however from a triple-carburetor system exclusive to the Corvette, but performance of the car was decidedly "lackluster". Compared to the British and Italian sports cars of the day, the Corvette lacked a manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
and required more effort to bring to a stop, but like their British competition, such as Morgan
Morgan Motor Company
The Morgan Motor Company is a British motor car manufacturer. The company was founded in 1910 by Harry Frederick Stanley Morgan, generally known as "HFS" and was run by him until he died, aged 77, in 1959. Peter Morgan, son of H.F.S., ran the company until a few years before his death in 2003...
, was not fitted with roll-up windows; this would have to wait until sometime in the 1955 model year. A Paxton
Paxton Automotive
Paxton Automotive is a United States-based manufacturer of superchargers for automotive use. The company is the major proponent of the centrifugal type supercharger. Early products were offered under the McCulloch name. Some Paxton superchargers have been factory fitted, but most units sold have...
centrifugal supercharger
Supercharger
A supercharger is an air compressor used for forced induction of an internal combustion engine.The greater mass flow-rate provides more oxygen to support combustion than would be available in a naturally aspirated engine, which allows more fuel to be burned and more work to be done per cycle,...
became available in 1954 as a dealer-installed option, greatly improving the Corvette's straight-line performance, but sales continued to decline.
The Chevrolet division was GM's entry-level marque. Managers at GM were seriously considering shelving the project, leaving the Corvette to be little more than a footnote in automotive history, and would have done so if not for three important events. The first was the 1955 introduction of Chevrolet's first V8 engine
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
since 1919. Late in the model year, the new 195 hp 265 small-block became available with a three-speed manual transmission, coupled to a 3.55:1 axle ratio, the only one offered. The engine was fitted with a single 2366S WCFB four-barrel (four-choke) Carter carburetor
Carburetor
A carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
. The combination turned the "rather anemic Corvette into a credible if not outstanding performer". The second was the influence of a Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n émigré
Émigré
Émigré is a French term that literally refers to a person who has "migrated out", but often carries a connotation of politico-social self-exile....
in GM's engineering department, Zora Arkus-Duntov
Zora Arkus-Duntov
Zora Arkus-Duntov was a Belgian-born American engineer. His work on the Chevrolet Corvette earned him the nickname "Father of the Corvette."- Early life :Zora was born Zachary Arkus in Belgium on Christmas Day, 1909...
. The third factor in the Corvette's survival was Ford's introduction of the 1955 two-seat Thunderbird
Ford Thunderbird
The Thunderbird , is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States over eleven model generations from 1955 through 2005...
, which was billed as a "personal luxury car", not a sports car. Even so, the Ford-Chevrolet rivalry in those days demanded GM not appear to back down from the challenge. The original concept for the Corvette emblem incorporated an American flag into the design, but was changed well before production since associating the flag with a product was frowned upon
United States Flag Code
The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the flag of the United States. It is Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code . This is a U.S. federal law, but there is no penalty for failure to comply with it and it is not widely enforced—indeed, the U.S...
.
1953–1955
The quality of the fiberglass body as well as its fit and finish was lacking. Other problems, such as water leaks and doors that could open while the car was driven, were reported with the most severe errors corrected in subsequent units produced, but some shortcomings continued beyond the Corvette's inaugural year. By December 1953, Chevrolet had a newly equipped factory in St. Louis ready to build 10,000 Corvettes annually. However, negative customer reaction in 1953 and early 1954 models caused sales to plummet.
In 1954, only 3,640 of this model were built and nearly a third were unsold at year's end. New colors were available, but the six-cylinder engine and Powerglide automatic, the only engine and transmission available, were not what sports car enthusiasts expected. It is known that 1954 models were painted Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red, and Black, in addition to Polo White. All had red interiors except for those finished in Pennant Blue that had a beige interior. Order guides listed several options, but all options were "mandatory" and all 1954 Corvettes were equipped the same.
Chevrolet debuted its small-block, 195 hp V8 in 1955 and the engine found its way into the Corvette. At first 1955 V8 Corvettes continued with the mandatory-option Powerglide automatic transmission (as did the few 6-cylinder models built), but a new three-speed manual transmission came along later in the year for V8 models only. Exterior color choices were expanded to at least five, combined with at least four interior colors. Even soft-tops came in three colors and different materials. Despite all this, only 700 Corvettes 1955 Corvettes were built, making it second only to 1953 in scarcity. Very few six-cylinder 1955 models were built, and all documented examples are equipped with automatic transmissions. The "V" in the Corvette emblem was enlarged and gold colored, signifying the V8 engine under the hood and 12 volt electrical systems, while 6-cylinder models retained the 6-volt systems used in 1953-54. Rare option estimate: Manual transmission (75).
1956–1957
There was no doubt Chevrolet was in the sports car business with the release of the 1956 model. It featured a new body, a much better convertible top with power assist optional, real glass roll up windows (also with optional power assist), and an optional hardtop. The 3-speed manual transmission was standard. The Powerglide automatic was optional. The six-cylinder engine was gone. The V8 remained at 265 cubic inches but power ranged from 210 hp to 240 hp. The volume was 3,167, a low number by any contemporary standard and still less than 1954's 3,640, meaning this was the third lowest-volume model in Corvette history. Rare options: RPORegular Production Option
A Regular Production Option is a General Motors standard coding for vehicle configuration options. These codes are a combination of 3 alphanumeric characters and refer to a specific option or modification to the vehicle...
449 special camshaft with the 240 hp engine (111), power windows (547).
Visually the 1957 model was a near-twin to 1956. Engine displacement increased to 283 CID, fuel injection became optional, and a 4-speed manual transmission was available after April 9, 1957. Fuel injection first saw regular use on a gasoline engine two years prior on the Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Mercedes-Benz 300SL
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL was introduced in 1954 as a two-seat, closed sports car with distinctive gull-wing doors. Later it was offered as an open roadster...
"gullwing" roadster. Although the Corvette's GM-Rochester
Rochester Products Division
Rochester Products Division was a division of General Motors that manufactured carburetors, and related components including emissions control devices and cruise control systems in Rochester, New York...
injection used a constant flow system, as opposed to the diesel
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
style nozzle metering system of the Mercedes'
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
, the Corvette's engine nevertheless produced about 290 hp (gross). This was underrated by Chevrolet's advertising agency for the 283 hp 283 small-block V8 one hp per in³ slogan, making it one of the first mass-produced engines in history to reach 1 hp/in³. Pushed toward high-performance and racing, principally by Zora Arkus-Duntov who had raced in Europe, 1957 Corvettes could be ordered ready-to-race with special options.
Fuel injection was in short supply and 1,040 Corvettes with this option were sold. Rare options: RPO 579E 283 hp engine (1 hp per cubic inch!) with fresh air/tach package (43), RPO 684 heavy-duty racing suspension (51), 15" x 5.5" wheels (51), power windows (379), 4-speed transmission (664).
1958–1960
In an era of chrome and four headlamps, the Corvette succumbed to the look of the day. The 1958 model year and the four that followed all had the exposed four-headlamp treatment and prominent grills, but a faux-louvered hood and chrome trunk spears were unique to 1958. The interior and instruments were updated, including placing a tachometerTachometer
A tachometer is an instrument measuring the rotation speed of a shaft or disk, as in a motor or other machine. The device usually displays the revolutions per minute on a calibrated analogue dial, but digital displays are increasingly common...
directly in front of the driver. For the 1958 model only, an 8000 rpm tachometer was used rather than the 6000 and rpm units typical in 1955. Optional engine choices included two with twin carburetors (including a 270 hp model with Carter 2613 and 2614 WCFB four-barrels) and two with fuel injection. Power output for the highest rated fuel-injected engine was 290 hp. Displacement remained 283 cid. For the first time, seat belts were factory-installed rather than being dealer-installed as on previous models. Rare options were RPO 684 heavy-duty brakes and suspension (144), RPO 579 250 hp engine (554), 15 by wheels (404).
For the 1959 model, engines and horsepower ratings did not change. Interiors were revised slightly with different instrument graphics and the addition of a storage bin to the passenger side. A positive reverse lockout shifter with "T" handle was standard with 4-speed manual transmission. This was the only year a turquoise convertible top color could be ordered, and all 24-gallon fuel tank models through 1962 could not be ordered with convertible tops due to inadequate space for the folding top mechanism. Rare options: RPO 684 heavy-duty brakes and suspension (142), metallic brakes (333), 15 by wheels (214), power windows (547), power convertible top (661).
Last features to appear in 1960 models included tailamps molded into the rear fenders and heavy grill
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
teeth. New features include aluminum radiators, but only with 270 hp and 290 hp engines. Also for the first time, all fuel-injection engines required manual transmissions. The 1960s Cascade Green was metallic, unique to the year and the rarest color at 140 made. Rare options: RPO 579 250 hp engine (100), RPO 687 heavy-duty brakes and suspension (119), 15 by wheels (246), power convertible top (512), power windows (544).
1961–1962
Four taillights appeared on the 1961, a treatment that continues to this day. Engine displacement remained at 283 cubic inches, but power output increased for the two fuel-injected engines to 275 hp and 315 hp. Power ratings for the dual-four barrel engines did not change (245 hp and 270 hp) but this was the last year of their availability. This was the last year for contrasting paint colors in cove areas, and the last two-tone Corvette of any type until 1978. Rare options: RPO 353 275 hp engine (118), RPO 687 heavy-duty brakes and steering (233), 15x5.5 wheels (357), power convertible top (442).The 1962 model year was the last Corvette with a solid-rear-axle suspension that was used from the beginning. With two new engines it was also the quickest. Engine displacement increased to 327 cubic inches, but dual 4-barrel carburetor engines were no longer available.
Hydraulic valve lifters were used in the base 250 hp and optional 300 hp engines, solid lifters in the optional carbureted 340 hp and fuel-injected 360 hp versions. Rocker panel trim was seen for the first time, exposed headlights for the last, until 2005. This was the last Corvette model to offer an optional power convertible top mechanism. Rare options: 24-gallon fuel tank (65), RPO 687 heavy-duty brakes and steering (246), power convertible top (350), 15x5.5 wheels (561).
Production notes
| Year | Production | Base Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | 300 | $3,498 | First year production starts on June 30; polo white with red interior and black top is only color combination; Options standard until 1955 for the car were interior door handles; "clip in" side curtains were a substitute for roll-up windows |
| 1954 | 3,640 | $2,774 | Production moves to St. Louis St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St... ; blue, red, and black are added; beige top, longer exhaust pipes |
| 1955 | 700 | $2,774 | Both straight-6 and 265 CID V8 engines produced; 3-speed manual transmission added late in the model year |
| 1956 | 3,467 | $2,900 | New body with roll-up windows; V8-only; 3-speed manual transmission becomes standard equipment and Powerglide moved to option list |
| 1957 | 6,339 | $3,176 | 283 CID V8; Optional 4-speed manual and fuel injection Fuel injection Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s.... added |
| 1958 | 9,168 | $3,591 | Quad-headlight body and new interior. Fake-louvers on hood and chrome strips on trunk lid. Number of teeth in grille reduced from thirteen to nine. |
| 1959 | 9,670 | $3,875 | First black interior and dash storage bin; only year with a turquoise top. Louvres and chrome strips from '58 removed. |
| 1960 | 10,261 | $3,872 | Very minor changes to the interior: red and blue bars on the dash logo, vertical stitching on seats |
| 1961 | 10,939 | $3,934 | New rear styling, bumpers, and round taillights. New fine-mesh grill. |
| 1962 | 14,531 | $4,038 | 327 CID V8 engine; last year with a trunk until 1998 and last year with exposed head lights until 2004. New black grill with chrome surround, chrome rocker panel moldings. |
| Total | 69,015 |
Engines
| Engine | Year | Power |
|---|---|---|
| 235 CID Blue Flame I6 | 1953–1954 | 150 hp |
| 1955 | 155 hp | |
| 265 CID Small-block V8 | 1955 | 195 hp |
| 1956 | 210 hp | |
| 1956 | 240 hp | |
| 283 CID Small-block V8 | 1957 | 220 hp |
| 1958–1961 | 230 hp | |
| 1957–1961 | 245 hp | |
| 1957–1961 | 270 hp | |
| 283 CID Small-block FI Fuel injection Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s.... V8 |
1957–1959 | 250 hp |
| 1960–1961 | 275 hp | |
| 1957 | 283 hp | |
| 1958–1959 | 290 hp | |
| 1960–1961 | 315 hp | |
| 327 CID Small-block V8 | 1962 | 250 hp |
| 1962 | 300 hp | |
| 1962 | 340 hp | |
| 327 CID Small-block FI Fuel injection Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s.... V8 |
1962 | 360 hp |
Zora Arkus-Duntov
Although not a part of the original Corvette project, Zora Arkus-DuntovZora Arkus-Duntov
Zora Arkus-Duntov was a Belgian-born American engineer. His work on the Chevrolet Corvette earned him the nickname "Father of the Corvette."- Early life :Zora was born Zachary Arkus in Belgium on Christmas Day, 1909...
made available late in the 1955 model year the 265 CID engine with a three-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
. Duntov improved the car's positioning
Positioning (marketing)
In marketing, positioning has come to mean the process by which marketers try to create an image or identity in the minds of their target market for its product, brand, or organization....
and image and helped the car compete with the new V8--engined Ford Thunderbird
Ford Thunderbird
The Thunderbird , is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States over eleven model generations from 1955 through 2005...
, and turned the Corvette from decidedly "lackluster" into a "credible performer". In 1956 he became the director of high-performance vehicle design and development for Chevrolet helping him earn the nickname "Father of the Corvette." I
See also
- Corvette Mako Shark (concept car)
- Chevrolet Corvette CERVChevrolet Corvette CERVThe Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle is a series of Chevrolet experimental cars. Chevrolet Staff engineer, designer, and race car driver Zora Arkus-Duntov started development of the CERV I in 1959, and began work on the CERV II in 1963...
- Zora Arkus-DuntovZora Arkus-DuntovZora Arkus-Duntov was a Belgian-born American engineer. His work on the Chevrolet Corvette earned him the nickname "Father of the Corvette."- Early life :Zora was born Zachary Arkus in Belgium on Christmas Day, 1909...