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Bowling Green Kentucky, was not always the home of the fame Chevrolet Corvette. In fact, the first 300 corvettes were built in Flint, Michigan. The Corvette introduced by General Motors as a “dream car” in 1953 at GM’S Motorama show at New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel. The following year, production for the corvette moved to St. Louis MO. Chevy produced the Corvette there until June of 1981. At that time Corvette, production transferred from St. Louis to Bowling Green, Kentucky.

I fell in love with the corvette in 1983 when my 11th-grade chemistry teacher ( Roger Liddell ), drove his black on black 1982 corvette to school. The C3 version of the corvette is the best-looking body style in my opinion. From that moment I knew that I had to have a corvette at some point in my life. That dream became a reality in May of 2007 when I took delivery of my Atomic Orange C6 Corvette.

A LITTLE CORVETTE HISTORY

Corvette C1 1953 – 1962

• The First Chevrolet Corvette concept was displayed as a “dream car” at GM’s Motorama in New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel in January of 1953.
• In June fo 1953 very first Chevrolet Corvette rolled off of the production line in Flint, Michigan.
• the 1954 Chevrolet Corvette began production in St. Louis, MO in December of 1953.
• in 1955 Chevy introduced the small-block V8 with a displacement of 265 cubic inches that was offered with a 3-speed manual transmission.
• In 1956 Chevrolet Corvette with it, new styling introduced exposed headlights with redesigned sculptured side panels and rolled-up windows. the 1956 year model also came with Factory-installed removable hardtops which were a first.
• The 1957 year model offered fuel injection and the optional 4-speed manual transmissions.
• The 1958 year model gave the Corvette its First-ever dual headlights.
• 1960 was the last year that Corvette features taillights that formed into rounded rear fenders and the last with the heavy grill “teeth.”

Corvette C2 1963 – 1967

• The 1963 Corvette was totally redesign based on Bill Mitchell’s 1959 Sting Ray Corvette race car.
• 1963 Corvette was also the first year for the coupe and the only year for the split-window coupe. There were 199 Z06 Corvettes built and offered as an option on the 1963 Stingray.
• In 1964 the split-window is eliminated due to it blocking the driver’s rear vision.
• Big Block V8 engines were introduced to the Corvette in 1965 with a 396 CID L78 option. This engine was rated at 425 HP.
• Driver and passenger headrests were added to the 1966 year models but only as optional equipment. 1966 was also the first year for the 427 CID engine with up to 425 HP. Holley Carburetors were also standard with these engines.
• In 1967 Chevy introduced the L88 engine as optional equipment but Chevy only produced only 20.
• 1967 also saw the standard features of the Corvette Sting Ray include the energy-absorbing steering column. Four-way hazard lights were added along with a dual master cylinder to enhance the braking system. The 1967 corvette saw the exterior trim restyled or reshaped along with the hood and fender vents.

Corvette C3 1968 – 1982

• 1968 was the first year of the C3 Corvette. The C3 was also the longest-running body style which ran from 1968 to 1982 for a total of 15 years.
• So, the added “T-top” with removable roof panels would be the industry first. The Headlights “pop-up” design.
• November 19, 1969, at the St. Louis production the 250,000eth thousand Corvette rolled of the line. A gold convertible with “Stingray” badges on the fender vents.
• In 1969 corvette buyers had the optional factory-installed ZR-1 racing package for the first.
• 1970 Chevy offered the LT1 Small Block V8 engine in the Corvette line up that would bost solid lifters and rated at 370 HP.
• The 1971 corvette was basically the same as the 1970 model year with very little change to its appearance.
• The 1972 corvette year model was the last to have the front and rear crime bumpers. The last to feature both front and rear chrome, bright egg-crate grill, and side-fender grills.
• In 1973 there were 4,000 serial numbers that never come off the assembly line. The serial numbers show 34,464 but production totaled were only 30,464.
• On March 15th, 1977 Chevy marked another milestone for the corvette when the 500,000th Corvette rolled off the assembly line at the St. Louis plant. It was a beautiful white coupe with red interior.
• 1978 marked the 25th year for the Corvette and the introduction of the fastback body style. The cross flag was replaced with a special anniversary edition emblem. This special edition of the Corvette would be the replica of the Indy 500 silver and black.
• In 1981 production of the corvette moved from St. Louis, MO to Bowling Green, KY where it is still being in production today.
• The 1982 Corvette was the first model year for the hatchback. But, the 1982 model year did not offer a manual transmission until late into 1984. The only transmission option is the 4-speed automatic with an overdrive standard.

Corvette C4 1984 – 1996

• The all-new 1984 Corvette was more aerodynamic than previous year models with a top speed of 150 mph.
• Big news for the 1985 Corvette is the tuned-port injection with 230 HP 5.7 liter V8.
• 1986 marked the first convertible since 1975.
• In 1987 Corvette Teamed up with Callaway and introduced the Twin-Turbo engine package with (RPO B2K).
• Then comes the 1988 35th Anniversary Edition.
• The Corvette ZR-1 makes its entrance in 1990 with driver’s side airbags become a standard feature.
• The performance of the Corvette’s new 300 HP 5.7-liter V8 engine is so impressive in the 1982 year model that it’s given the LT1 designation.
• The 40th Anniversary model in 1983 offered an optional package with all models. A Ruby Red metallic exterior and Ruby Red interior.
• 1994. National Corvette Museum opens Labor Day Weekend.
• The 1995 Corvette was the pace car in the Indy 500. This would make the third time, 1978,1986.
• Two very unique Corvette models offered in 1996. A collection edition and the Grand Sport.
• Chevy only produced 1,000 Grand Sports in the 1996 model making it the second out of three times in Corvette history a Grand Sport edition made.

Corvette C5 1997 – 2004

• Corvette in 1997 introduced the hydroformed side frame rails, each made from a single piece of tubular steel with a rear-mounted Transmission.
• For the first time since 1962, the 1998 Corvette model had a separate trunk with outside access on the Convertible model.
• The LS1 V8 engine introduced in the 1999 year model with 348 HP.
• The 2000 year model offered the first heads-up display option.
• In 2001 the Corvette Z06 would come on the scene with a 385 HP LS6 V8. The Z06 would boast a top speed of over 170 MPH.
• Corvette in 2002 would add another 20 HP to the Z06 pushing the power output to 405 with 400 foot-pounds of torque.
• The 50th Anniversary edition in 2003 would offer a 50th Anniversary package of the Corvette along with Magnetic Selective Ride Control.
• So the 2004 Corvette offered a special commemorative package honoring Corvette’s success at LeMans.

Corvette C6 2005 – 2013

• The 2005 Chevy Corvette hit the scene with an all-new body style and engineering. With a 6.0L 400 HP small block, V8 and exposed headlights.
• Chevy 2005 Corvette came with the option of a power top convertible for the first time since 1962. With available navigation from OnStar a first for the Corvette.
• In 2006 the Corvette Z06 was back on the scene after a no show in 2005. It would hit the scene with a new 7.0L (427 CID) small-block V8 that packed 505 HP with 470 lb. ft. of torque.
• Chevy 2008 Corvette year would introduce an all-new LS3 6.2L V8. The new engine would pack 430 HP. In 2008 Chevy Corvette Introduced the leather-wrapped interior option.
• Corvette ZR1 hit the scene in 2009 powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 that pushed out 638 HP and bost a top speed of 205 MPH.
• Chevy would introduce the Grand Sport model in 2010 that would include an LS3 engine with the Z06 chassis.
• 2011 Chevy Corvette Z06 Limited Edition would mark Corvette’s 50 years of production.
• Chevrolet Corvette 2012 Centennial Edition with Carbon Flash Metallic paint, satin-black graphics, satin-black cup wheels with red stripe, unique badges. It would also come with a special-trimmed interior which included red stitching and Magnetic Selective Ride Control.
• 2013 60th Anniversary with a special 427 Convertible Collector Edition would be the last production year for the C6 generation corvette.

Corvette C7 2014 – 2020

• Corvette C7 made its entrance into the Corvette family in 2013. Also known as the return of the Stingray.
• Jim Harbaugh ( coach of the San Francisco 49er ) drove the corvette C7 2014 Corvette Z51 pace car in the Indy 500.
• 2013 would also mark the year the aluminum frames become the standard for models.
• This would be the year 2013, that Michelin becomes the tire supplier for the Chevrolet Corvette.
• In 2013 the Corvette Stingray LT1 V8 engine with 460 HP made it the most powerful standard Corvette.
• Chevrolet 2014 Corvette marked the return of the Z06. This Corvette would pack an LT4 supercharged 6.2L aluminum V8 engine. This would give the Z06 a whopping 650 HP. Chevrolet would make the Z06 available with an automatic transmission and a convertible top.
• A new C7R edition of the Z06 would be offered in the 2016 model year, with a limited of 500.

Corvette C8 2020

I’m betting that this will be the best Corvette to date. I can’t wait to add information on this generation of the corvette. So check back here for more info as it becomes available. We will be talking about the new updates and all the firsts for Corvette on the C8 generation.

Why Change?
The newest edition of the iconic Corvette was built on the mid-engine concepts of Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle from 1960 to the 1990 CERV III. GM named the 2020 Corvette Stingray “ZERV” a tribute to the father of Corvette. Zora dreamed of a mid-engine Corvette.

What does the change mean?
The past generation, of engineers and designers, pushed the past generation of Corvettes to their limits. Therefore requiring a clean slate to take the corvette to the next level of performance. The new Stingray will offer improvements in all areas. Performance, visibility, structure, and aerodynamics.

This Next Level of Corvette
The C8 Corvette brings together years of concepts and designs that have come together in a car that’s the envy of all Corvettes from all previous generations.

Some of the new features allow the front of the car to be raised nearly two inches to clear speed bumps and curves. The new GPS system will allow up to 1,000 locations to be stored, creating a seamless drive, and allowing for automatic operation. All-new LED headlamps to give a new distinguished light that is powerful and bright.

Engine And Trunk

The mid-engine will have space in the front trunk for a standard carry-on bag. The new Mid-engine design puts the driver 16 inches forward for more visibility. When you see more of the road you are more in control and feel connected to the car. The mid-engine design also improved the seating and provides for better seating position, driving dynamics, and visibility. The new improvements of mid-engine rear design gave way to a larger trunk that can accommodate two golf bags. It also holds the removable top. With larger wheels and standard Brembo brakes for improved cornering and braking.

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