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Chevrolet Corvette

It was model year 1953, and little did the world know, but the automotive industry and the history of the automobile would be forever changed with the birth of "America's Sports Car". The fiberglass bodied Chevrolet Corvette started off slow and quiet. In 1953, you could buy any color Corvette you wanted as long as it was Polo White and all Corvettes came with a six cylinder motor.....the famed Blue Flame Six. 1954 introduced Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red, and Black to the Corvette color pallet but alas the 235 cubic inch six cylinder was still the only engine option. In 1955, the 265 cubic inch V8 was offered. The additional power breathed new life into the curious new "Sports Car" and it served as a worthy stepping stone to the the 1956 255 horsepower 265 ci V8. The most notable visual distinction after the first major design change was the "blood groove" in the side body panels trailing back from the front wheel wells. For those of you that are hunters or know anything about good hunting knives, you'll know what I'm talking about. This bold design feature was often (but not always) painted a different color than the rest of the body. The 2nd design generation Corvettes ran from 1956 up to but not including 1963 and were the last Corvettes with a solid rear axle. The highest output engine offered in the 2nd generation Corvettes was the 360 hp fuel injected 327 ci V8. 1963 - Enter the Sting Rays. In 1963 the fiberglass body received a full makeover with a bulged point that started in the center of the nose and flowed over the top of the coupe all the way to the back where it finished in yet another point in the middle of the "boat-tail" rear deck. The 1963 coupes had two side by side panes for the rear window hence the term "split window". This rear window design only lasted one year. For 1963 and 1964, the 327 fuel injected V8 was still the most powerful engine option and it reached a hearty 375 hp. In 1965 the 396 Turbo-Jet big block was made available....horsepower was now up to 425. The 396 Turbo-Jet grew to 427 ci in 1966 and buyers now had the option of 390 or 425 horses. Chevrolet didn't stop there. 1967 brought on the 435 hp 427 with three carburetors. That was the "highest rated" or advertised engine option in 1967 but note, the rare L88 427 which was only advertised at 430 hp had aluminum heads and is commonly believed to have kicked out well over 500 hp. The L88 remained the big mama through 1968 and the end of the "Sting Ray" body styles. 1969 was the dawn of the "Sharks". The C3 Corvette design was as dramatically different from the "Sting Rays" as they were from the C1's. Long sloping noses, short back ends, bold shoulders and hips, and thin waistlines sum up the look that would carry through to 1984 when the C4 was born. And how about starting out of the gates with a bang. The rarest of the '69 model year and the most potent, the mythical 427 ZL1....yes for you Camaro fans, the Corvette had one too. Reports say that only two were made and just as with the Camaro, it was an aluminum block with iron cylinder sleeves. Bigger valve openings and cam profiles were thrown in so it could really breathe. The ZL1 and the other 427's were the most powerful but certainly not the only engines worthy of the Corvette. The LT1 350 ci V8 was born in 1970 and carried through 1972. In 1970 the horsepower was advertised at 370....plenty of muscle to move these fiberglass beauties. Unfortunately as with all of the "Musclecars" of the 1960's and early 1970's, the Corvette did not escape fuel economy and emissions controls. The OPEC oil embargo was lurking in the shadows and by 1992 consumers would have to settle for 255 hp from their LT1 America's Sports Cars.....

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HERE'S SOME GOOD CORVETTE INFORMATION TO MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AT YOUR NEXT CORVETTE SHOW....

Can You Tell One Model Year C2 Corvette Coupe From Another At A Glance?

1963 Through 1967 (The "StingRay")

1963:  Split Rear Window

1964:  No Reverse Lights - Gas Cap Logo Surrounded by Concentric Chrome Circles

1965:  No Reverse Lights - Gas Cap Logo Surrounded by Outward Shooting Chrome Lines

1966:  First Year Of Reverse Lights - Two Inner White Tail-Lamps

1967:  Reverse Lights - Two White Block Lights Connected At The Center Of The Rear End

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One last note. If anyone that is reading this works for GM or especially Chevrolet, thank you for the 1990 to 1995 ZR1, the C5 Z06, and all of the C6's. The Corvette is dangerously powerful again and helping to usher in a new "Musclecar Era".


Until we write more in depth about each model year from 1964 through 1973, here are some pictures (more will be added when the weather breaks here in Michigan):

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