Chevrolet Corvette
History
First Generation
1953-1962
Introduction: The Chevrolet Corvette first appeared in 1953 as a unique American entry
into the sports car market dominated by European makes. Although not a muscle car by
definition, the Corvette used muscle car powertrains and has represented American
performance for almost fifty years.
1953 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The first Corvette rolled off a makeshift assembly line in Flint Michigan on
June 30, 1953, a mere six months after the debut of the concept car at the GM Motorama.
From the beginning, the Corvette was unique. It was only available as a two passenger
convertible in Polo White with a red interior. All Corvettes were built by hand and
its attractive and original body was constructed out of fiberglass, not steel.
Its chassis, with a 102 inch wheelbase, was basically a shortened Chevy passenger
car unit. The only engine available was named the Blue Flame Special and was an
upgraded version of the 235 cid six found in other Chevy cars. It produced 150
bhp due to the use of a higher lift cam which provided a significant boost in
torque in the mid-range of engine speed. The valves were special alloy steel
and fitted with double springs. The engine also featured a 8.0:1 compression
ratio and triple Carter downdraft carburetors on a cast aluminum intake
manifold. A dual exhaust was installed. The only transmission was Chevrolet's
Powerglide two-speed automatic. Although the powertrain was a departure from typical
American straight-line performance, coupled with its light weight, the Corvette boasted
excellent handling and road feel. The Corvette's front suspension of coil springs
and wishbones, used slightly altered springs enclosing one inch diameter tubular
shock absorbers. The Corvette also had a large diameter anti-rool bar and at the
rear, had four-leaf semi-elliptical springs which were inclined front to rear to
approvide approximately 15 percent roll understeer. Only two Regular Production Options
(RPOs) were available, a heater and an AM radio. Exterior styling was done by
Harley Earl and featured a toothy grille, stone guards over the inseft headlamps,
"twin pod" rear fenders, and "rocket ship" taillights. The first Corvette was a sales
disaster as its high price (more than a Cadillac or Jaguar) and low performance made
it far from desireable. A mere 183 were sold in 1953 out of 300 built.
Production: 300
Convertible: 300
Engines:
235 (3x1 bbl) I6 150 bhp @ 4200 rpm, 223 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm.
Performance:
N/A
1954 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: Exterior color choices expanded for 1954 with the addition of black, blue and
red to the existing white. A new beige interior was also available. The Powerglide
two-speed automatic transmission was still the only transmission available, even though
it was technically listed as a $178 option. Sales climbed to 3,640 units in 1954.
Production: 3,640
Convertible: 3,640
Engines:
235 (3x1 bbl) I6 150 bhp @ 4200 rpm, 223 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm.
Performance:
235/150: 0-60 in 11.2 seconds.
1955 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: Sales fell to just 700 units in 1955, leading to a push within GM
to kill the Corvette. However, Zora Arkus-Duntov, an engineer on the Corvette
team since 1953 and a former European road racer, was determined to save the
Corvette and make it a contender. He started by giving the Corvette the two
things it needed the most, more power and better handling. By mid-1955, more
power was added with the addition of a 265 cid V8 rated at 195 bhp as well as
the option of a 3-speed manual transmission. Meanwhile, Duntov drove a
prototype V8 powered Corvette to a new record in the Daytona "Measured Mile" at
just over 150 mph which gained some much needed recognition for the Corvette.
The Corvette was officially saved and Duntov would be remember as the "grandfather
of the Corvette" for his efforts.
Production: 700
Convertible: 700
Engines:
235 (3x1 bbl) I6 150 bhp @ 4200 rpm, 223 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm.
265 (4 bbl) V8 195 bhp @ 5000 rpm.
Performance:
N/A
1956 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The Corvette received its first major styling change in 1956. Changes
included an all-new body with better integrated styling featuring "scooped out" sides,
outside door handles, roll-up windows and an optional removable hardtop. The 6 cylinder
engine was dropped and the 265 cid V8 was now standard, though it was still rated at
just 195 bhp.
Production: 3,467
Convertible: 3,467
Engines:
265 (4 bbl) V8 210 bhp.
265 (2x4 bbl) V8 225 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1957 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: Chevrolet finally got their sports car right for 1957, as the 1957 Corvette
finally gained power to go along with its outstanding styling and road feel. Many
Corvette enthusiasts consider the 1957 Corvette was the most aesthetically pleasing
body style of the pre-1963 Corvettes, while others believe that it was the best styling
of all time. And backing up that beautiful styling was the Corvette's first true
powerful engine, a 283 cid V8. A bored out version of the 1956 265 cid V8, the new
283 cid V8 came in four versions. The base form had a four-barrel carb and was rated
at 220 bhp. Next came an early fuel injected version rated at 250 bhp and then the
dual four-barrel carb 283 rated at 270 bhp. But late in the model year, in May 1957,
the true performance version of the 283 made its debut. Sporting an advanced fuel
injection system, the new "fuelie" 283 made 283 bhp. Its 1 horsepower per cubic inch
output was a record in 1957 and it was played up by the advertising and media. At the
same time, Chevrolet introduced its new four speed manual transmission, and the Corvette
was on its way to stardom. When equipped with the 283 fuelie engine, 4.11:1 rear axle,
and the new four-speed Borg-Warner T-10 transmission, the Corvette could accelerate from
0-60 in less than six seconds, and do the quarter mile in the low 14 second range at over
100 mph. For those that wanted even more performance, Chevrolet offered two option
packages. Checking RPO 579E got the buyer the fuel-injected 283 cid V8 with cold-air
induction and a big tachometer on the steering wheel. There also was special race only
package, coded RPO 684, which was strictly for off road (track only), and consisted of
heavy-duty springs and shocks and sway bar, a positraction rear axle, quicker ratio
steering and metallic brakes.
Production: 6,339
Convertible: 6,339
Engines:
283 (4 bbl) V8 220 bhp @ 4600 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm.
283 (2x4 bbl) V8 245 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm.
283 (2x4 bbl) V8 270 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 285 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm.
283 ("Fuelie" w/ auto) V8 250 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 305 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm.
283 ("Fuelie" w/ manual) V8 283 bhp @ 6200 rpm, 290 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm.
Performance:
283/283: 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.3 seconds @ 100 mph.
1958 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The Corvette continued to improve for 1958 as the fuel injected 283
V8 now produced up to 290 bhp and the Corvette received a new body design
which featured four headlights. Also new was the washboard hood which featured
simulated louvers and twin decklid chrome strips.
Production: 9,168
Convertible: 9,168
Engines:
283 (4 bbl) V8 230 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm.
283 (2x4 bbl) V8 245 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm.
283 (2x4 bbl) V8 270 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 285 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm.
283 ("Fuelie") V8 250 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 305 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm.
283 ("Fuelie") V8 290 bhp. @ 6200 rpm, 290 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm.
Performance:
N/A
1959 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The 1959 Corvette lost its simulated louvers and twin decklid chrome
strips on the hood.
Production: 9,670
Convertible: 9,670
Engines:
283 (4 bbl) V8 230 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm.
283 (2x4 bbl) V8 245 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm.
283 (2x4 bbl) V8 270 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 285 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm.
283 ("Fuelie") V8 250 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 305 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm.
283 ("Fuelie") V8 290 bhp. @ 6200 rpm, 290 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm.
Performance:
N/A
1960 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The 1960 Corvette saw an increased use of aluminum and a new rear anti-sway
bar to improve handling. Corvette production topped 10,000 units for the first time.
Production: 10,261
Convertible: 10,261
Engines:
283 (4 bbl) V8 230 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm.
283 (2x4 bbl) V8 245 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm.
283 (2x4 bbl) V8 270 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 285 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm.
283 ("Fuelie") V8 250 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 305 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm.
283 ("Fuelie") V8 290 bhp. @ 6200 rpm, 290 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm.
Performance:
N/A
1961 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: 1961 saw the first use of Corvette's now trademark quad tailights and
was the last year to feature wide whitewall tires. The exterior styling was
midly facelifted with Bill Mitchell's duck-tail rear end and a simplified mesh
grille without the previous versions' "teeth."
Production: 10,939
Convertible: 10,939
Engines:
283 (4 bbl) V8 230 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm.
283 (2x4 bbl) V8 245 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm.
283 (2x4 bbl) V8 270 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 285 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm.
283 ("Fuelie") V8 275 bhp.
283 ("Fuelie") V8 315 bhp.
Performance:
N/A
1962 Chevrolet Corvette
Comments: The last of the straight axle Corvettes was the first to offer a Chevy
327 cid small block V8. It was offered in three forms, with the top reserved for
a special race package, called "Sebring." Due to the racing ban of 1957, Chevrolet
was not allowed to support factory racing. Because of this, the "grandfather" of the
Corvette, Zora Arkus-Duntoz slipped in several serious racing parts on to the Corvette
options list. The Corvette was a true sports car, as power steering, power brakes,
and air condition were not available. Performance buyers, however, could order hot
"Duntov" camshafts, thermo-activated cooling fans, and aluminum-cased transmissions.
Also available was a special racing package, called "Sebring." Available options
on the Sebring included 15x5.5 inch wheels (no charge), a direct-flow exhaust system
(no charge), a 24-gallon fuel tank ($118.40), four-speed gearbox ($188.30),
Posi-Traction rear axle ($43.05), sintered metallic brake linings ($37.70), and a
heavy-duty suspension ($333.60). The most desired option was the 327 V8 "fuelie"
rated at a whooping 370 bhp which cost $484.20. With a low 3,080 pound curb weight,
a 327/380 equipped Corvette had a power-weight of just 8.6 lbs per horsepower, the
lowest ratio ever, up to that point. This combination was good for 0-60 in just
5.9 seconds and run the quarter mile in 14.9 seconds. Exterior styling changes
included de-emphasized bodyside cove sculpture and a blacked-out grille.
Production: 14,531
Convertible: 14,531
Engines:
327 V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm.
327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
327 V8 340 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 344 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
327 ("fuelie") V8 360 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 352 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
Performance:
327/370: 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.9 seconds.
