A second carb is available and raises output to horses. New creature comforts include external door handles, windows that roll into the door panel to Corvettes had removable window curtains , and an available power-operated folding roof.

We still called Sports Cars Illustrated at the time take an early Corvette prototype for a spin and find the stick-shift hp convertible hits 60 mph in 7. Things get even better in , when Chevrolet enlarges the V-8's displacement to 4. In its most powerful state, the engine makes an eye-widening horsepower.

The Corvette goes under the knife again and emerges sporting a revised front end with a new dual-headlight design for Other changes include an updated interior that sees the tachometer move from the center of the dashboard to a location in the driver's line of sight, just below the speedometer.

Power continues to rise as well, and the most potent Corvette produces a cool horses from its fuel-injected V That figure rises to ponies for Chevrolet prepares to bid adieu to the first-generation Corvette. A redesigned rear end debuts for and introduces the sports car's now famous quad-taillight design. Chevrolet shovels its new 5. Chevrolet releases an all-new Corvette for the model year. Affectionately known as the Sting Ray , the second-generation Corvette introduces to the model an independent rear suspension and a coupe body style.

The form-fitting body is once again made of fiberglass. A split-window design is unique to the first-year coupes. Chevy's V-8 carries over and can be mated to either an automatic transmission or a three- or four-speed manual gearbox. In our test of the then-new Corvette, we chide Chevrolet for offering anything but the four-speed manual in the car.

The package adds a vacuum brake booster, a dual master cylinder, power drum brakes with sintered metallic brake linings, larger shock absorbers, and a bigger front anti-roll bar.

Limited to Corvettes equipped with the most powerful hp variant of the V-8 engine horses are standard and a four-speed manual transmission, RPO Z06 is applied to just Corvettes in Chevrolet responds to critics of the Corvette's drum brakes by equipping the car with standard four-wheel disc brakes for the model year. The brake improvements are a timely upgrade, as Chevrolet also sees fit to plug its big-block V-8 engine under the Corvette's hood.

The optional engine displaces 6. For , Chevrolet increases the engine's bore , subsequently upping displacement to 7. The bigger big-block belts out a reported horsepower, with power shooting up to horses for A second V-8 is added to the Corvette lineup for as well. Dubbed L88, the top-of-the-line bent-eight produces horses on paper. The real number, however, is closer to horsepower. Just 20 buyers check the box for the beefy L88 engine.

After five model years, the C2 Corvette is replaced for by the C3. The coupe no longer offers a formal rear storage area. However, the body style now includes removable roof panels. Despite the new shape, the third-generation Corvette's underpinnings are nearly identical to its predecessor's.

Powertrains are largely carryover, although a new three-speed automatic transmission replaces the prior two-speed unit. Chevrolet reinstates the Stingray name in now as one word and enlarges the stroke of the standard V-8, which brings displacement up to 5. A new V-8, also displacing 5. The engine produces horsepower—70 more than the base powerplant.

Chevrolet also strokes the heavier big-block V-8 to 7. That cubic-inch engine makes horses and is dubbed LS5. Power begins to fall in , as octane requirements are reduced in preparation for the upcoming move to unleaded fuel. A new hp big-block V-8 is introduced under the LS6 banner. We test four different powertrain variants of the sports car and find the entry-level hp model with a three-speed automatic scoots to 60 mph in a reasonable enough 7.

Meanwhile, the top-dog LS6 requires just 5. To meet federal safety standards, the Corvette sports a new mug with a body-color urethane bumper cover. The cover adds 35 pounds to the car's weight and is able to withstand impacts of up to 5 mph without causing damage to the lights or safety features. Power continues to fall, and the entry-level Corvette spits out just horsepower.

Opting for the most powerful big-block engine brings just horses to the stable. Chevy adds a body-color rear bumper to the Corvette in The big-block engine is pulled from the Corvette, as is the convertible body style.

Catalytic converters are added, and output of the entry-level 5. At this time, we put a Corvette up against a gullwinged Bricklin SV-1, finding that both front-engined vehicles lack the "essential ingredients of a modern high-performance car. Model year introduces a revised intake that raises power to and horses, respectively. The drive is grueling, and the car's chunky aftermarket tires proceed to spew mud across the Corvette's body, leaving behind " the scars of its confrontation with a world that nobody had ever designed a Stingray for.

Chevrolet celebrates the Corvette's 25th anniversary by equipping the model with a new fastback rear end. Although the large glass area placed on the rear of the Corvette does not open, it does make possible a formal rear luggage area behind the seats.

Chevy enlists the Corvette to pace the Indy , which results in the production of replica pace car Corvettes. The Corvette adds 5 ponies to its stables in , with the most powerful engine producing horsepower. In our testing, the pound sports car accelerates to 60 mph in 6.

Editor Rich Ceppos calls the car "the most refined [Corvette] ever" and advises Corvette fans to "buy now or forever hold your peace. By the end of , Corvette production is moved exclusively to the company's new Bowling Green, Kentucky, factory, as the old Saint Louis, Missouri, plant is formally brought offline. Chevy marks as the third-generation Corvette's final year. The model is a far cry from the car it was in , and the Corvette is sold strictly with a hp 5.

Chevrolet skips model year and releases the fourth-generation Corvette as a model. The sports car is redesigned from the ground up and welcomes additional ground clearance but a lower center of gravity. A hp cubic-inch V-8 is the only engine offered and mates to either a four-speed automatic transmission or Chevrolet's four-plus-three manual gearbox, which offers an available overdrive for gears two, three, and four. We find the automatic car is capable of scooting the low-slung coupe to 60 mph in 6.

In spite of our love for manual transmissions, we call the self-shifting gearbox "quite a capable tool for generating performance statistics. Chevrolet makes a handful of tweaks to the Corvette for , and we subsequently name the model to our third annual 10BestCars list, calling it an "American car that will run with the best in the world—at a fraction of their price.

The convertible returns to the Corvette lineup for In celebration, Chevrolet drafts the droptop Corvette to pace the Indianapolis Every Year. Every Corvette Model by Year. All C1 Corvette models and variants. C1 Corvette Model List - Earl to an, as yet unrealized , production car that was already commanding great deals of attention Historically, it is well known that General Motors and Ford Motor Company have always shared more than a friendly rivalry.

The Corvette.. After all, they had addressed the issue of performance by introducing the small block V-8 engine and a 3-speed manual transmission as options Even after the immense structural, physical and mechanical facelift it received in A few small, relatively unknown companies from For Chevrolet, this sentiment resonated amongst the senior designers of the Corvette. Despite the conceptual changes that Bill Mitchell had been toying with since , the reality was that All C2 Corvette models and variants.

C2 Corvette Model List - The second-generation Corvette literally evolved from a racecar — namely the Stingray racer that Mitchell created. Apple Computers introduced the Macintosh computer. The first laptop computer is marketed by the Tandy Corporation.

In short, Americans were moving into a world that was growing increasingly interlaced with technology At the same time, would Perhaps fortunately Some speculated that the launch of the C3 was intentionally delayed because Chevrolet had introduced the Camaro to its lineup in Although many critics and enthusiasts proclaimed that the Corvette Sting Ray would in fact be the first of an entirely new generation of Corvettes, it turned out that it would All C3 Corvette models and variants.

C3 Corvette Model List - The arrival of the Corvette occurred at a time when the world, much like the Corvette itself, was struggling to find an identity of its own amidst political and financial issues. Although the overall tone of the critics was marginally more positive by the end of the model year, GM recognized that there was still a way to go to fully win over the same people who were so quick to tear the Corvette apart.

Still critics had appreciated some of the design changes that had been The United Auto Workers UAW labor dispute that occurred in May, , which had caused the model year to run over by two months, had also shorted production of the Corvette by over four months. Because of this, it was decided by Chevrolet management To start, consumers could no longer order the optional ZR-2 package, due to General Motors Technological feats, including the launch of Skylab and the Mariner Programs, the opening of the Sydney Opera House, and the start of the Alaska Pipeline all announced to the world that we were capable of reaching farther — of doing more.

At the same time, it saw the start of the Watergate scandal, gaining international Because of serious health issues and environmental contamination associated with the use of lead fuel, it was determined that the automotive industry would — and should — phase it out.

The recession, which had been caused in part by the oil crisis, had caused gas prices to soar which, in turn, had made automotive manufacturers begin re-evaluating the types of vehicles they were manufacturing. It had led to the end of the big-block engine era for Chevrolet, and had further influenced the decision being made by Foyt would become the first driver to win the Indianapolis four times.

The Apple Computer would officially Louis Plant is operating two nine-hour shifts daily and working overtime two Saturdays a month just to meet sales demand. Current demand is running more than 29 percent ahead of last year. Much like the fuel crisis of the early seventies, when the Arab Oil Embargo had cutoff petroleum exports to many parts of the world, a second energy crisis had emerged after the Shah of Iran was overthrown during a revolution that had occurred While the car itself would primarily be a carryover from the previous model year, it was announced that Corvette production would move from the old St.

Louis plant to a brand-new, high-tech facility located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Although originally developed as an air-conditioning plant, the new manufacturing plant was refurbished Their suspicions were correct.

While most of the design specifics surrounding the new C4 Corvette model were still a secret from the general public, it was known amongst fans that a new model All C4 Corvette models and variants. C4 Corvette Model List - Chevrolet listened to the criticisms and quickly began to revamp the Corvette platform to become a more competitive contender.

After all, the U. It was the year that the Human Genome Project began, a study which would help science understand and map the genetic structure of the human body. Already known around the world for having an enviable reputation in Formula One Grand Prix racing and building some truly amazing automobiles, General Motors saw in their acquisition the opportunity to explore advancements in their own engine development programs After all, the Corvette had turned thirty years With each passing model year, on-going modifications to the engine, drive train, suspension and steering had transformed the C4 Corvette from a car that was recognized more for its handling than its performance into a machine In its entire history, there have been few model years that were so widely anticipated as the Corvette ZR Although the ZR-1 had originally been slated for a midyear release, it had been delayed until the model