Chevrolet Corvette (C1) | |
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1954 Corvette Convertible
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | The Chevrolet Division of General Motors |
Production | 1953–1962 |
Model years | 1953–1962 |
Assembly |
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Body and chassis | |
Class | Sports car |
Body style | 2-door convertible |
Layout | FR layout |
Powertrain | |
Engine |
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Transmission |
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Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 102 in (2,600 mm) (1953–1962) |
Length |
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Width |
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Height |
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Curb weight |
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Chronology | |
Successor | Chevrolet Corvette (C2) |
The Chevrolet Corvette (C1) is the first generation of the Corvette sports car produced by Chevrolet. It was 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 did not 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.
In 1927 General Motors hired designer Harley Earl who loved sports cars. GIs returning after serving overseas in the years following World War II were bringing home MGs, Jaguars, Alfa Romeos, 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 General Motors 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.