When the Chevrolet Corvette first entered the market back in 1953, it was only available in Polo White with a red interior and a black canvas top, offering just one powertrain combination: a 3.9-liter in-line six-cylinder engine with 150 horsepower, coupled to a two-speed automatic transmission. Not exactly an over-achiever.
Since then, the Corvette has gone on to become recognized as “America’s sports car”. Each generation pushed the envelope of performance, style, and technology. As it became more aggressive and potent, it became more expensive; just look at the 2018 Corvette ZR1. When the C1 Corvette was introduced, it had a price tag of $3,120, which is about $30,050 in today’s money. Compare that to the base price of a 2018 Corvette, which is $55,495.
Of course, it’s hard to talk about the evolution of the Corvette without mentioning what is arguably the peak of its design: the 1963 C2 Corvette Stingray. Aside from the sleek, radically-different design, the Corvette also got broader drum brakes, an independent rear suspension, pop-up headlights, a shorter wheelbase, and a 5.4-liter V8 producing 360 horsepower.
Curious to see how else the Corvette has evolved over time? Then go ahead and click play on the video above.
Comments
This is the Corvette’s 65th year on the market (overlooking the non-production year of 1983), not its 55th; please update your teaser graphic.
Whoops – this is why I’m a writer. I can’t count.
It has always been interesting to me how different C1 was from C2 and how much of a transformation C3 was from C2. The first three bodystyles were all completely different and I consider both C2 and C3 to be Bill Mitchell masterpieces. After Mitchell left, there’s been no imagination in Corvette design; they’ve merely evolved from the last design he did. Perhaps that’s a good thing as Corvette now has a signature look but I often wonder if Mitchell would’ve done that or if perhaps C4, and subsequent Covette’s would’ve gone in an entirely different and perhaps more striking direction.