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The chevy corvette is the only true sports car made in america. From its humble start as a "dream car" in 1953 to the world class car it is today, it has captured the hearts of car lovers everywhere . Slow sales almost killed the vette off in the early years, but with the addition of a V-8 engine and a 4 speed manual transmission(an option) in 1955,sales started to take off.Winning races also helped sales as the corvette proved itself on the racetrack
As the years went on , horsepower increased resulting in quicker 0-60 times . One of the quickest was in a 1960 vette with a fuel-injected 283 motor. The vette could do 0-60 in 5.6 seconds.
1957 Corvette
The second generation corvette was introduced in 1963. Although this was a short run(63- 67), it would introduce features that would be seen on corvettes for years to come. For example, a big-block engine(the last one in 1974), a fastback design(dropped in 1968,but returned 10 years later), retractable headlamps(still used)and undercarrige improvements that would eventually be standard on all corvettes(such as power steering, 4 wheel disc brakes, and 4 wheel independent suspension). Fuel injection would dissapear in 1965(but would ret urn 17 years later) and a big block with 3-2barrel carbuerators would be the fastest vette around.
1965 Corvette
In 1968,the third generation corvette was introduced. While aerodynamics were improved, engine performance actually decreased due to more strigent emmission standards. 1974 saw the last big block,and it was a far cry from earlier big blocks.(270 HP in'74 vs 460 HP in '70, just 4 years earlier)1975 was the darkest hour for the corvette seeing the end of the convertible(it returned in 1986)and the weakest in horsepower since being built. Fortunately ,horsepower went up in the following years. One major highlight of this generation is the first corvette Indy pace car in 1978.Not only was the fastback design brought back,this was the 25th anniversary of the vette,which makes this particular year special.The third generation would conclude in 1982.Fuel injection would return for the first time since 1965 and this would be the last corvette not to have a standard or optional manual transmission since 1955.
1969 Corvette
Corvette anniversary emblem and pace car.
1984 would bring the fourth generation corvette.A new body and chassis design would make this corvette one of the best handling cars ever(.95g).The convertible returned in 1986 and a second time at Indy as a pace car. As time went by, 0-60 times met and eventually surpassed the older corvettes of the early 60's. The ZR-1 is a prime example going 0-60 in less than 5 seconds and achieving a top speed over 180 m.p.h.. This particular corvette option was available between 1990-1995. 1995 also was the corvette's third time as an Indy pace car.The fourth generation came to an end in the 96 model year,but not without becoming the most popular corvette in terms of sales and returning to its high performance roots of the late 50's and early 60's.
1986 Corvette
1990 Corvette
An all new design would be introduced in 1997 for the fifth generation corvette.The body
was much stiffer,the transaxle was mounted over the rear wheels for better weight balance and
an improved 350 motor capable of 0-60 in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 173 m.p.h.(Almost
as fast as the ZR-1,but with a similar 0-60 time.).1998 brought a redesigned convertible
and a fourth time as pace car at Indy. Only time will tell what the future holds for the
corvette. 1998 Corvette 2000 Corvette To learn more about corvettes, please visit:
