The development history as told by dave mclellan, corvette s chief engineer 19751992 dave mclellan on. Following the success the company had marketing the indianapolis pace car and the silver anniversary car in 1978, the 1979 model surprisingly topped the outstanding results from that year, selling a whopping 53,804 cars, over 7,000 more than 1978, and to this day remains the zenith of corvette sales. For 2010, a grand sport version of the chevrolet corvette offered a series of performance enhancements for the base engine vehicle. The 1978 corvette model year marked the 25th anniversary of the car and a year it had the honer of being the pace car for the indy 500.
The industry standard corvette black book certainly shows no entry between the 1982 and 1984 corvettes. Last remaining 1983 corvette gets dedicated display. There was also a 1982 collector edition corvette built as needed to satisfy customer orders. Production commenced june 30th on a small line in flint, michigan in chevrolets customer delivery center. Chevrolet has called the corvette americas only true production sports car. The qualities that have endeared the corvette is that it has always been the best at whatever it does and accomplishes that task with confidence, flair and at least a medium dose of arrogance. It is white with a red interior, the same as the 1,000,000th and 1,500,000th corvettes. When a sinkhole opened up under the national corvette museum last february, damaging or destroying eight cars in the museums skydome, most people familiar with the museum showed primary concern not for any of the eight, but for the 1983 corvette in the museums collectionthe only one in existence from that model year. May 18, 2017 the 1967 corvette, a wellloved antique, still shows up at classic auto shows. Through that media we share photos of cars, pets, children, fancy meals, landmarks and more. Ecklers corvette loves corvettes as much as you do, so it. Known around the world as americas sports car, the corvette exemplifies the definition of innovation.
Get all the facts you need about your favorite year of the corvette on the history pages of the national corvette owners association. The corvette is truly an american automotive icon and easily qualifies as americas supercar, though it didnt always boast the performance numbers of today. Since the release of the first corvette in 1953, chevrolets flagship sports car has become a timeless part of american culture and a household name across the globe. Corvette general reading is a large and evergrowing field. Sep 04, 20 the 1979 corvette was the best selling model year in history.
And finally, we come to this the 2014 corvette z06. Corvette history national corvette owners association. From 1953 to 2019, it was frontengined, and since 2020, it is midengined. Nevertheless, the modifications helped lead the sports car into the black on the account books. Engines and chassis components were mostly carried over from the previous generation, but the body and interior were new. In each issue, we take a look at the evolutions of the corvette as well as the people that made the hobby what it is today. Corvette history the first generation chevrolet corvette. Thats amazing when you consider how fickle the buying public can be and how shortlived the popularity of so many successful models has been. The 500,000th corvette was built on march 15, 1977. Every model since 1953 complete book series hardcover june 1, 2014. Among his long list of titles are motorbooks chevy chevelle 50 years, the complete book of corvette, the complete book of classic dodge and plymouth muscle.
The national corvette museum promotes, harley earl is the father of the corvette. Corvette books, specs and informational guides for your corvette library. With over 60plus years in the making, the corvette has grown into a phenomenal brand and has a unique and amazing history all its own. If i wanted a history of corvette, why buy this book. Chevrolet corvette corvette history new corvettes and. Nov 16, 2009 i should preface this by saying i have read numerous corvette books, including more than one from mike mueller, and i am a corvette owner. Granted, this is open to dispute, but it is going to be hard, perhaps even impossible, to find another domestic sports car that has lasted as long, been desired by so many, or delivered as much performance per dollar.
Unlike other milestone corvettes, it is privately owned. Since its 1953 debut, the corvette has undergone six generations and various designs. It set new sales records with 53,807 produced for the 1979 model year. The chevrolet corvette s complete history, from c1 to c8. Those familiar with corvette history are well aware that there was no 1983 corvette. Read on for more information about its history and groundbreaking specs of that time. See how americas sports car went from a countryclub cruiser to a performance icon. Mar 03, 2017 the 20 corvette 427 with rpo z30, which included pearl silver blue racing stripes and a convertible top with top stripes stitched into it. Corvette owner research center corvette action center. Welcome to the corvette action centers owner research center. Corvette history old corvette ads vette vues magazine. The 1968 corvette was the first year for the mako shark body style. History of the corvette wasaga beach corvette club. Dec 12, 2016 the corvette is distinctive in the history of automotives.
They are uniquely american, with a flair, value and competitive spirit that is unequaled in the automotive world. This solid axle generation ended with the introduction of the sting ray in 1963 with independent rear suspension. The purpose of this section is to provide corvette owners with the resources necessary to. From one collection to another national corvette museum. It sweeps the reader away on a magical tour of the corvette world from its inception in 1953 to the present. Whether youre shopping for someone who loves studying history or are looking for a casual reader, our corvette history books are the perfect gift for the corvette lover on your list, and will round out a bookshelf or coffee table nicely. The chevrolet corvette c3 is a sports car that was produced from 1967 to 1982 by chevrolet for the 1968 through 1982 model years. Chevrolet introduced the 1953 corvette january 17, 1953, at the new yorks waldorf astoria hotel during the gm motorama.
Chevrolet reveals the corvette dream car on january 17, 1953, at new yorks waldorf astoria hotel, as part of the kickoff to that years gm motorama. The upcoming midengined c8 corvette represents the next chapter in the corvette story, one that begins in 1953. Your loyalties may lie with other sports car brands, but the corvette garners respect from all automotive circles for its remarkable capabilities, especially in light of its price. The car was given a weight reduction, detuned performance, and better aerodynamics. The corvette as it enters its second 25 years is an american institution. As well as the last of the c3 model, it was the first corvette fitted with a new, revised engine and transmission. The corvette could well be the most successful car in american history.
The chevrolet corvette, colloquially known as the vette, is a twodoor, twopassenger sports car manufactured and marketed by chevrolet across more than 60 years of production and eight design generations. Mar 08, 2018 a piece of corvette racing history joins museum collection. Although classic models for instance the stingray is no longer existent in. No matter what part of the corvette scene fascinates you history, racing, restoration, high performance driving, engineering, technological innovations, or whatever youll not be disappointed in the complete book of corvette. Add some excitement to someones book collection with a book about americas favorite sports car.
Includes history, photographs, facts, performance statistics and information. View cart 0 items vette vues magazine, corvette magazine subscriptions corvette chevy expo vette vues magazine. These are the 8 best books about the chevy corvette. Today, you can see the 1983 corvette in a special display at ncmtrue to form, the display was funded privatelyand learn a little bit about its history. Displayed as a concept car at a 1953 general motors auto show, the c1 corvette was sped into production in june 1953. The car has attained over 60 years of production and no other vehicle can match the cars reputable and powerful twoseater. Gm began production of the esteemed corvette in bowling green in 1981, and the facility has remained the exclusive home of the corvette for over 30 years. It was a 30month design and development effort by harvey earl. The history of the c3 corvette the chevrolet corvette c3 is a sports car that was produced by chevrolet for the 1968 through 1982 model years. The complete book of corvette covers every production model and every year of chevrolets legendary performance car. This design was inspired by an actual mako shark on a fishing trip. The 68 through 72 vettes are the first five of the third generation corvettes.
The demand for it continues unabated year after year. The 1967 corvette, a wellloved antique, still shows up at classic auto shows. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Ecklers corvette loves corvettes as much as you do, so its our pleasure to bring as many corvette history books and corvette spec books to. As with other anniversary years before it, the sixtiethanniversary corvettes marked another milestone year for the car, and chevrolet certainly took a moment to recognize the corvette with a special edition package available on all variants of the 20. Nicknamed the mako shark, the new vette sported refinements like hidden wipers, no vent windows, and ttops and removable rear windows on the coupes. Imagine my amazement this past saturday at the national corvette museum standing in front of a white 1983 corvette.
Ecklers corvette has a huge selection of corvette general reading, including corvette books, corvette calendars, and even corvette spec books. The 1980 corvette was born in the midst of a new energy crisis which likely contributed to a decrease in sales. Every z06 and zr1, racers, prototypes, indy pace carstheyre all here, including the stunning midengine 2020 corvette stingray. Jun 18, 2015 whether youre shopping for someone who loves studying history or are looking for a casual reader, our corvette history books are the perfect gift for the corvette lover on your list, and will round out a bookshelf or coffee table nicely. At vette vues magazine we enjoy corvette history and have put up some of our archives for you to enjoy. You can signup for our emails which come out once a month with our latest posts. Jan 16, 2014 and finally, we come to this the 2014 corvette z06. Every model since 1953 by mike mueller the ultimate book for corvette lovers and fans of americas premier highperformance vehicle. I should preface this by saying i have read numerous corvette books, including more than one from mike mueller, and i am a corvette owner.
Social media connects us to loved ones far away, childhood friends, neighbors, acquaintances and sometimes even people who simply share a common interest. Created in cooperation with general motors and illustrated with 500 color and blackandwhite photos from gms exclusive design and media. Whether youre looking for corvette wheels, tuners, exhaust, headlights, tail lights, or any other corvette performance parts, you know that you can find it here at corvette guys. In the complete book of corvette, american automotive expert mike mueller details all of the generations, offering the definitive, allencompassing volume showcasing over 60 years of corvette history. The 68 vette is exciting because it was the first of a new generation, and underwent a serious makeover. For now, the corvette would have to get by with an evolutionary facelift a revamp that some branded heavyhanded, and a step backward from the classic look of 195557. Its a rich and fascinating history populated by largerthanlife personalities, incredible events, and, of course, amazing cars. So after 33 historical pages of corvette, the author got into some history of the first plant, in flint, mi.
The 1979 corvette was the best selling model year in history. The corvette is distinctive in the history of automotives. A piece of corvette racing history joins museum collection. The 1982 corvette was the last of the c3 corvettes that was widely produced. The 20 corvette 427 with rpo z30, which included pearl silver blue racing stripes and a convertible top with top stripes stitched into it. This was also the 62nd running of the indianapolis 500. The complete guide to the chevrolet corvette from 1953 to 2015. Named after small, highly maneuverable naval escort ship, the show car is also known as the ex122. A lifetime car enthusiast, mueller has written and photographed more than 25 automotive and truck history books and contributed photography to at least that many more. Corvette americas sports car made its debut in jan 53 as a motorama show car. The development history as told by dave mclellan, corvette s chief engineer 19751992. The first corvettes were virtually handbuilt at the plant.