Chevrolet Corvette

6.2 Liter LS9 V8

The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car by the division of General Motors that has been produced in generations. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] The first model, a was designed by Harley Earl and at the GM Motorama in 1953 as a concept car. Myron Scott is for naming the car after the type of maneuverable warship called a [ 3 ] Originally built in Flint, and St. Louis, Missouri. the Corvette is manufactured in Bowling Green, and is the official sports car of the Commonwealth of .

First generation-C1 (1953–1962) [ ]

1954 Corvette Convertible

The generation Corvette was introduced in the 1953 model year. designed as a show car for the 1953 display at the New York Auto it generated enough interest to GM to make a production version to to the public. To keep costs GM executive Robert F. McLean off-the-shelf mechanical components, and the chassis and suspension from the Chevy sedan.

The drivetrain and passenger compartment moved rearward to achieve a front-to-rear weight distribution. It had a wheelbase. The engine was the same six that powered all other models, but with a higher-compression three Carter side-draft and a more aggressive cam. was 150 horsepower.

Because there was no manual transmission available to rated to handle 150 HP, a two-speed automatic was used. 0-60#160;mph was 11.5 seconds. To keep costs in line, the body was out of fiberglass instead of steel. production was on June 30, 1953. [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ]

This generation was often to as the solid-axle models (the rear suspension was not introduced the second generation). [ 7 ] 300 hand-built white Corvette convertibles produced for the 1953 model [ 8 ]

The 1954 model year quickly. It could now be ordered in Blue, Sportsman Red and Black, or White. 3,640 were and sold slowly.

The 1955 model offered a (4.34#160;L) V8 engine as an option. a large inventory of unsold models, GM limited production to 700 for With the V8, 0-60#160;mph time to 8.5 seconds. [ 6 ]

A new body was introduced for the model featuring a new face and coves; the taillamp fins also gone. [ 9 ] An optional injection system was made in the middle of the 1957 model It was one of the first mass-produced engines in to reach 1#160;bhp (0.75#160;kW) per inch (16.4 cubic cm) and advertising agency used a one hp per inch slogan for advertising the (211#160;kW) 283#160;cu#160;in (4.64#160;L) engine. [ 10 ] Other options power windows (1956), operated power convertible top heavy duty brakes and (1957), and four speed transmission (late 1957). [ 10 ] Radio transistorized signal-seeking car radio, which used vacuum tubes and transistors in its circuitry (1956). [ 11 ] [ 12 ]

1960 Corvette Convertible

The Corvette received a body and freshening which included a front end with quad bumper exiting exhaust a new steering wheel, and a dashboard all gauges mounted directly in of the driver. [ 13 ] Exclusive to the 1958 were hood louvers and trunk spears. [ 13 ] The 1959–60 years had few changes except a amount of body chrome and powerful engine offerings. [ 14 ]