| The glorious Corvette history started in | | | | version of the Stingray was another landmark |
| 1953, when Chevrolet first came out with the | | | | in Corvette history. A true blood racing car, |
| Corvettes. It has endured the tests and | | | | the L88 was in production for only three |
| ravages of time, and is now considered to be | | | | years, and was quickly gobbled up by a market |
| at par with some of the greatest cars in the | | | | that was thirsting for the trendy sports |
| world. The first all American sports car | | | | beast. "Not for the Faint of Heart", was the |
| built by an American company, today Corvettes | | | | song that Chevrolet came up with to advertise |
| are manufactured almost exclusively by | | | | their new L88. The L88 was never actually |
| General Motors in their plant in Kentucky.The | | | | intended for public use. The high performing |
| early Corvette produced in 1953, was a | | | | car had many capabilities that were |
| reflection of the styling flair of Harley | | | | relatively unknown to most users of the |
| Earl, who convinced GM that two-seater sports | | | | time.The C3 was patterned after Chevrolet's |
| cars were the ultimate American dream. The | | | | Mako Shark design. This series started |
| name Corvette comes from a small maneuverable | | | | rolling out in 1968 and lasted till 1982. |
| fighting frigate. The early Corvettes were | | | | Small changes in styling rendered the |
| almost hand built using fiberglass instead of | | | | Corvette even more stylish and lightweight. |
| steel for the lightweight effect. At that | | | | 1973 saw the last of the Corvettes with |
| time, Chevrolet was known for producing | | | | chrome bumpers. 1975 was the last year a |
| excellent performing cars in a no nonsense | | | | Corvette convertible was produced, and in |
| package. So, though the cars were good value, | | | | 1980, the Corvette got a new aerodynamic |
| sales continued to decline.The Corvette | | | | design overhaul that drastically reduced |
| history would have ended with this small | | | | drag.The glorious Corvette history moves on |
| chapter except for the arrival of Zora | | | | to the C4 or fourth generation Corvette, |
| Arkus-Duntov in the engineering department of | | | | which saw the first Corvette to have a glass |
| GM. Duntov single handedly transformed the | | | | hatchback. The C4 was a total redesign and |
| Corvette from a two-seat car to a genuine | | | | the emphasis on this model was handling. This |
| sports car by taking a 265 version of the | | | | model was acclaimed as being the best |
| engine and applying the three-speed manual | | | | handling car ever. The mid-eighties saw GM |
| transmission to it.Corvette history covers 6 | | | | collaborating with Lotus for developing the |
| generations of the famous Corvette cars | | | | pricey ZR-1. The Grand Sport version of the |
| beginning from C1 through to C6. The C1s are | | | | Corvette released in 1996 marks the end of |
| usually referred to as solid-axle, and were | | | | the C4 series. High performance and superb |
| in production till 1962. By 1963, turbulent | | | | looks were highlighted in this model. The C5 |
| times lay ahead for the Corvette, with | | | | rolled out in 1997 and was in action till |
| various other cars trying to outshine each | | | | 2004.The look of the car had improved |
| other. The Corvette rose to the competition | | | | considerably in this version. The performance |
| with the C2 that started rolling out in 1963. | | | | also proved that this model was much superior |
| This year saw the dramatic popularity of the | | | | to the previous versions. The C5-R and the |
| Corvette Sting Ray coupe with its split rear | | | | Z06 are other remarkable cars in this series. |
| end window, and non-functional ford-like | | | | The C6 is not very much different from its |
| vents. The split window was taken off the | | | | predecessor. The main thrust of the upgrade |
| very next year due to safety concerns, making | | | | seems to be aimed at perfecting the older |
| this model of the car one of the most sought | | | | model and removing some snags and hitches. |
| after by vintage collectors. Greater engine | | | | The new Z06 arrived in 2006. Corvette history |
| power, four-wheel disc brakes, and side | | | | is full of the various awards and prizes won |
| exhaust pipes appeared in the later versions | | | | by Corvette both for its looks as well as |
| and were available till 1969.The famous L88 | | | | performance. |