Chevrolet Corvette

Chevrolet Corvette

Overview
Manufacturer	Chevrolet (General Motors)
Also called	Sting Ray (1963–1967) Stingray (1969–1976, 2014–present)
Production	1953–present
Model years	1953–1982, 1984–present C1: 1953–1962 C2: 1963–1967 C3: 1968–1982 C4: 1984–1996 C5: 1997–2004 C6: 2005–2013 C7: 2014–present
Assembly	United States: Flint, Michigan St. Louis, Missouri Bowling Green, Kentucky
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car
Body style	2-door coupé 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout (1953–1982) FMR layout (1984–present)
Powertrain
Engine	235 cu in Blue Flame I6 265 cu in, 283 cu in, 327 cu in, 350 cu in small-block V8 305 cu in small-block V8 (1980; California only) 396 cu in, 427 cu in, 454 cu in big-block V8 5.7 L LT1, LT4, LT5 V8 5.7 L LS1, LS6 V8 6.0 L LS2 V8 6.2 L LS3 V8 7.0 L LS7 V8 6.2 L LS9 supercharged V8 6.2 L LT1 V8 6.2 L LT4 supercharged V8

The Chevrolet Corvette, known colloquially as the Vette, or Chevy Corvette, is a sports car manufactured by Chevrolet. The car has been produced through seven generations. The first model, a convertible, was introduced at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept show car. Myron Scott is credited for naming the car after the type of small, maneuverable warship called a corvette. Originally built in Flint, Michigan and St. Louis, Missouri, the Corvette is currently manufactured in Bowling Green, Kentucky and is the official sports car of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The first generation of Corvette was introduced late in the 1953 model year. Originally designed as a show car for the 1953 Motorama display at the New York Auto Show, it generated enough interest to induce GM to make a production version to sell to the public. First production was on June 30, 1953.

This generation was often referred to as the "solid-axle" models (the independent rear suspension was not introduced until the second generation). 300 hand-built polo white Corvette convertibles were produced for the 1953 model year.

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 1955 model offered a 265 cu in (4.34 L) V8 engine as an option. 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.

A new body was introduced for the 1956 model featuring a new "face" and side coves; the taillamp fins were also gone. An optional fuel injection system was made available in the middle of the 1957 model year. It was one of the first mass-produced engines in history to reach 1 bhp (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 bhp (211 kW) 283 cu in (4.64 L) Small-Block engine. Other options included power windows (1956), hydraulically operated power convertible top (1956), heavy duty brakes and suspension (1957), and four speed manual transmission (late 1957). Delco Radio transistorized signal-seeking "hybrid" car radio, which used both vacuum tubes and transistors in its radio's circuitry (1956 option).

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