?The History Of The Chevy Corvette

The Chevy Corvette is one of the classic American cars. It is known worldwide as one of the first high powered sports cars and retains a rabid following of Corvette enthusiasts. From its inceptions in the early 1950′s through the new millenium, few sports cars have been able to keep a consistent level of popularity that can compare with the Corvette.

The Chevy Corvette burst onto the scene in 1953. The first year’s production models are highly sought after by collectors, mainly due to their limited production run. Because of the fact that the entire car was hand built and assembled in that first year, only 300 models were produced.
The 1953 and 1954 models both came equipped with 6-cylinder engines, this was dropped in 1954 with the introduction of the V-8 Corvette.
Fuel-injection was introduced as an option in the late 1950′s after it became popular in European sports car models. The first power windows were made available in Corvettes in 1956. Minor body changes were made throughout the late 1950′s, highlighted by more and more use of exterior chrome. The last of the first generation Corvettes was produced in 1962.

The second generation of Corvettes was first produced in 1963. This second generation saw Chevrolet say goodbye to a number of standard features that would no longer be included in the Corvette design, notably the curved windshield, solid rear axles, and open headlights. 1963 saw production of the first Corvette Sting Ray, noted for its split rear window and non-functional hood vents. Both the split rear window and hood vents were edited out for the 1964 model. In 1965, side mounted exhaust pipes and a new “big block” engine became options available for these new Corvettes.
Many of these mid-1960′s models of Corvettes have turned into the most collectible, both because of their unique styling and some rare high horsepower engines that were included in literally handfuls of cars. Some of the new additions that became first available in Corvettes during this second generation production were AM-FM radios, air conditioning, and headrests.

The third generation of Chevy Corvettes came onto the market in 1968. The design was top secret and protected greatly by General Motors, but was inadvertently released to the public when the die cast Hot Wheels car was unveiled before the actual Corvette was by Chevy. This third generation of Corvette continued the Stingray name up through the 1976 model year. The 1970 and 1971 models saw the peak of power output for the Chevy Corvette when the 427 big block engine was enlarged to a 454. Due to engine redesign, the conversion to unleaded fuel, and various emission controls, power output lowered in the following few years and 1975 saw the Corvette have the least amount of power output of any of its models. The front and rear chrome bumpers were dropped from production during the early 1970′s and 1974 saw the first production of a chrome-less Corvette. The 1976 year of production saw no convertibles being made, convertibles would not return to the Corvette until 1986. The popular Corvette Indy Pace Car was unveiled in the Corvette’s 25th anniversary year of 1978. The early 1980′s saw a number of changes to the Corvette including a new aerodynamic design, an opening rear hatch, and a fuel injection carburator hybrid.

The fourth generation of Corvettes began production in 1983. This new Corvette had the first major body, chassis, and suspension change that the model had seen since 1963. Some of the new features introduced in the early 1980s were the rear glass hatch, an all aluminum frame, liquid crystal display dashboard readouts, and an all new braking system. An unusual 4+3 transmission was added in 1984 and remained part of the Corvette’s desin until 1988. This transmission was highly problematic and would be replaced by a more modern six speed manual gearbox in 1989. 1986 also saw Corvette’s second Indy Pace Car. The Indy Pace Car this time around was a convertible and made news being the first Corvette convertible on the market in ten years. Chevy would also produce Corvette ZR-1′s in the early 1990′s which came as a result of input from one of GM’s other properties, Lotus. The final year of production of the fourth generation Corvettes, 1996, saw a Corvette Grand Sport as well as a Collector Edition produced.

The fifth generation Corvette was produced from 1997 through 2004. Among the popular changes made in these new models was the moving of the transmission to the rear of the car in the form of an integrated transaxle assembly and a distributor-less ignition system. In 1998, Corvette brought back the convertible and it again was a success. 2003 saw the 50th anniversary of Corvette come and worldwide celebrations ensued.

The sixth generation of Corvette started production in 2005 and is set to remain in production until the year 2010. For the first time since 1962, the car featured exposed headlamps. The body was redesigned and is shorter and narrower than the fifth generation models. The Corvette is synonymous with America and has earned the respect of the enthusiasts that adore it around the world. The Corvette will continue to be one of the most prized of all sports cars for quite some time.