Corvette C1
In 1953, the Corvette was displayed in New York City’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel as a dream concept car. That dream soon became a reality when the first Corvette rolled off Chevy Assembly lines on June 30th, 1953.
The C1 Series of Corvettes lasted from 1953 to 1962 and included features such as:
- Small block V8
- Exposed headlamps
- Sculpted side coves
- Removable hard tops
- Optional fuel-injection
- Dual headlights
Corvette C2
1963-1967 marked the timeline of the Corvette C2. During the first year of the C2’s release, the Corvette experienced a total do-over in design that was based on Bill Mitchell’s 1959 StingRay race car. In addition to a redesign, the coupled model was first introduced.
Other C2 developments:
- Split-window design eliminated because it blocked the driver’s rearward vision
- Big block V8 engines were introduced in 1965 with 425 horsepower
- Optional factory-installed headrests made their debut
- Only 20 L88 engines were produced
Corvette C3
Chevy’s longest-lasting Corvette series to date since the car’s inception, the Corvette C3 series, was a game-changer.
The following C3 additions gave other cars such as the Ford Mustang a run for their money:
- Removable T-top roof panels
- New LT1 small-block V8 engine option with solid lifters registers 370 HP
- 1977 marked the production of Chevy’s 500,000th Corvette
- 1982 featured the first convenient hatchback model design
Corvette C4
With the first C4 model arriving in 1984 with a top speed of over 150 mph, it’s fair to say the C4 came in style. In 1986, the first Corvette convertible since 1975 was built.
The 1990 release of the ZR-1 Corvette led to increased safety features with driver’s side airbags, while the 1992 C4 was given the legendary LT1 designation for its engine. It was the same year that Chevy produced its one-millionth Corvette.
Corvette C5
Lasting from 1997-2004, Corvette C5’s featured:
- Rear-mounted transmission
- Hardtop model with permanently fixed roof panel external trunk lid makes the first appearance
- 2002 Z06 reaching 400 horsepower
- Hydroformed side rails
- Optional heads-up display
Corvette C6 and C7
Recent Corvette history has proved to be exceptional. C6’s featured brand new design and engineering while power top options, paddle-shift transmission, and limited edition body colorings hit the market.
C7’s feature aluminum frames for all convertibles and coupes, while models such as the 2013 Stingray register with 460 horsepower as one of the fastest Corvettes ever.