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