General Motors' chief stylist Harley Earl takes a Le Sabre to the Watkins Glen sports car race. Earl is impressed with the Jaguars, Ferraris, and Alfas, and decides to begin designing a new American sports car.
1952
A full-size plaster model of the proposed sports car is completed, and shown to management. Approval is given to produce a show car for the 1953 General Motors Motorama show.
The sports car is named "Corvette", after a class of light, fast, World War II warship.
A prototype Chevrolet Corvette is completed, with fiberglass body, soft top, new chassis design, and beefed-up 6-cylinder engine.
1953
The Chevrolet Corvette show car is displayed at the GM Motorama in several cities in the USA and Canada throughout the year. Based on enthusiastic public support, General Motors' president Harlow Curtice announces that Chevrolet would begin production of the Chevrolet Corvette by mid-year.
The first production Chevrolet Corvette rolls off the assembly line in Flint, Michingan, on June 30. All cars are nearly identical, Polo White exterior with Sportsman Red interior, 3-speed automatic transmission, and 150-hp Blue Flame Six 6-cylinder engine. Price is about $3500.
Chevrolet implements a policy of requiring prospective buyers of 1953 Chevrolet Corvettes to have VIP-status, hoping to make the Chevrolet Corvette more desirable through greater media coverage.
By the end of the year, 300 1953 model Chevrolet Corvettes have been built.
Chevrolet Corvette production shifts from Flint to St. Louis, Missouri.
1954
At the GM Motorama, Chevrolet shows a Corvette with a removable hard-top, a Chevrolet Corvette Nomad small station wagon, and a Corvair. All share the same front end styling.
Chevrolet ends its restricted sales policy, offering Chevrolet Corvettes to the general public. However, public demand is low, and complaints about features are high.
Over 3000 1954 model Chevrolet Corvettes are built, but over 1000 remain unsold by year's end.
1955
Many complaints about the Chevrolet Corvette are addressed for the 1955 model, led by the addition of a manual 3-speed transmission and a new V-8 engine.
Production for the year is only 700 cars, primarily due to excess 1954 models, and Ford's introduction of the popular Thunderbird.
1956
The 1956 model features a new body, incorporating long side coves in the body behind the front wheels.
At Daytona Beach, Chevrolet Corvettes finally make their mark in the racing world, setting a Flying-Mile record of 150-MPH, and beating the Ford Thunderbird. Chevrolet promotes the racing image of Corvette at the Motorama introduction of the 1956 model.
At the 12 Hours of Sebring, four Chevrolet Corvettes are entered, with one finishing 9th overall and first in Modified class.
The Chevrolet Corvette SR-2 racer is built, and raced throughout the year by Richard Thompson, giving Corvette its first national SCCA racing championship title.
1957
A 4-speed manual transmission is added as a production option for the 1957 Chevrolet Corvette.
The 1957 model Chevrolet Corvette is the first production car with standard fuel-injection, producing 283-hp on a 283-ci engine.
The 1958 model is introduced, featuring a complete redesign of the interior and exterior. Most notable exterior change is the dual headlights.
1958
Production of the 1958 model is sufficient for the Chevrolet Corvette to turn a profit for GM for the first time.
1959
The Sting Ray styling/racing car debuts. It will become the basis of the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette style.
1960
Briggs Cunningham enters three 1960 Chevrolet Corvettes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France. One car reaches 151-MPH, and finishes 1st in GT class, 8th overall.
Production finally breaks over 10,000 units, for the 1960 model. This had been GM's initial target for the 1954 model.
The 1961 model features a redesigned back end, with four taillights.
The TV show Route 66 features a 1960 Chevrolet Corvette.
The CERV (Chevrolet Experimental Research Vehicle) is first shown to the public. It is a single-seat, open-wheel, mid-engined prototype racing car.
1961
The Sting Ray show car is displayed at the Chicago Auto Show.
The 1962 model introduces the 327-ci engine, with up to 360-hp.
1962
The 1963 model Chevrolet Corvette is introduced, carrying the name "Sting Ray". The body is completely redesigned, based on the Sting Ray. The new chassis features an independent rear suspension. Two models area available, a convertible and a coupe. The rear window of the coupe is "split" by a styling line.
The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford Cobra both make their racing debut together. The Cobra leads until its rear axle breaks; a Chevrolet Corvette wins first place.
The first Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport is built.
1963
Production of the 1963 model reaches over 20,000.
The 1964 model eliminates the split-window on the coupe.
Three Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport cars race in the Bahamas, beating Cobras but not winning the races.
1964
The CERV II test car is built, with mid-mounted 500-hp V-8 engine.
The 1965 model introduces standard four-wheel disc brakes.
1965
The Mark IV 396-ci 425-hp V8 engine debuts on the 1965 Chevrolet Corvette.
The Mako Shark II show car debuts at the New York International Auto Show. This is the basis of the style of the 1968 Chevrolet Corvette.
The 1966 model introduces the 427-ci engine, at up to 450-hp.
1967
The 427-ci L88 engine with about 560-hp debuts on the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette. Only 20 are sold this year; price for the engine alone is almost $1000.
At the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, Dick Guldstrand races a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88, setting a record 171.5-mph on the Mulsanne straight, before the engine blows in the 13th hour.
The 1968 model Chevrolet Corvette debuts, with styling based on the Mako Shark II. The coupe has removable T-top roof sections, and a removable rear window.
1968
The 1969 model adds the name "Stingray" to the Chevrolet Corvette. Side-mounted exhausts are available for the first time. The 350-ci engine debuts. This displacement will remain standard for the Chevrolet Corvette well into the future. The ZL1 engine debuts, an all aluminum version of the L88. At a price of over $4,000, only two are built.
1969
The 250,000th Chevrolet Corvette is built, a Riverside Gold 1969 model convertible.
Production for the 1969 model reaches close to 39,000.
1970
Engine size reaches its peak of 454-ci for the 1970 model.
1971
A Chevrolet Corvette finishes fourth overall in the 24 Hours of Daytona race, the highest showing to date for a Chevrolet Corvette at this race.
A Car & Driver reader poll votes the Chevrolet Corvette the Best All-around Car.
1972
A Chevrolet Corvette finishes fourth overall in the 12 Hours of Sebring race, the highest showing to date for a Chevrolet Corvette at this race.
At the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in Paris, a Chevrolet Corvette reaches a record 211-MPH on the Mulsanne straight.
The 1973 model introduces a new front bumper, using a flexible body-colored material instead of chrome.
1973
The 1974 model completes the transition to soft bumpers at both ends.
The Chevrolet Corvette 2-Rotor and 4-Rotor show cars are publicly displayed. They incorporate Wankel rotary engines.
1974
The 1975 Chevrolet Corvette is introduced with no big-block 454-ci engine option, and all models include catalytic converters.
Zora Arkus-Duntov resigns from Chevrolet.
1975
David McLellan takes over as chief engineer of the Chevrolet Corvette.
A Car & Driver reader poll votes the Chevrolet Corvette the Best All-around Car.
The 1976 model is introduced as a T-Top only, due to decreased interest in the convertible model.
1976
Record model year production jumps again, to over 46,000 for 1976.
The 1977 model loses the "Stingray" emblem.
1977
The 500,000th Chevrolet Corvette is built, a Classic White 1977 model.
The 1978 model introduces a new rear design, featuring a large "fastback" window allowing greater storage space. The interior console area is extensively redesigned.
1978
A 1978 Chevrolet Corvette is the official pace car of the Indianapolis 500. Limited Edition Pace Car Replica Chevrolet Corvettes are made available to the public, for about $6,000 over the regular model.
The base price of the 1979 model hits $10,000 for the first time.
For the first time in the SCCA Trans-Am Series, a Chevrolet Corvette driver is Category II champion.
1979
Record model year production jumps again, to over 53,000 for 1979. This record still holds.
For the first time in the SCCA Trans Am Series, a Chevrolet Corvette driver wins first overall in Category I.
1980
For the first time since 1954, there are no engine options. All 1981 Chevrolet Corvettes come with a 190-hp 350-ci L81 engine.
1981
Production of Chevrolet Corvettes moves from St. Louis to a new facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Production of 1982 Chevrolet Corvettes begins. For the first time since 1954, all Chevrolet Corvettes are built with an automatic transmission. A special Chevrolet Corvette Collector Edition Hatchback is offered for $22,538, the most expensive Chevrolet car to date.
1982
Chevrolet builds 61 1983-dated Chevrolet Corvettes; 18 are prototypes, the other 43 are pilot-line cars built with production tooling. All but one are destroyed; none are sold to the public.
1983
Production of 1984 model Chevrolet Corvettes begins, the first all-new Chevrolet Corvette since 1963. The manual transmission is again available as an option. Base price is now over $20,000.
Motor Trend magazine names the 1984 Chevrolet Corvette "Domestic Car of the Year" for 1984.
1984
Car & Driver declares the Chevrolet Corvette America's fastest production car at 150-mph.
The 1985 Chevrolet Corvette introduces the 230-hp L98 engine (25-hp more than 1984 models), with fuel injection returning for the first time since 1965.
A Chevrolet Corvette driver is SCCA Showroom Stock/GT champion, the first national title for the new model.
1985
The 1986 model introduces standard anti-lock brakes, and re-introduces the convertible top.
1986
At the Detroit Automobile Show, Chevrolet displays the Chevrolet Corvette Indy show car. It features 4-wheel drive, 4-wheel steering, active suspension, CRT cockpit screens, and a transverse midship Chevrolet racing engine.
At the first annual vintage races at Riverside Raceway in California, Bob Paterson races his Grand Sport Chevrolet Corvette #003 to first place, among eight powerful Cobras.
A Chevrolet Corvette convertible is the official pace car of the Indianapolis 500. All 1986 Chevrolet Corvette convertibles are designated Pace Car Replicas. Base price of the convertible passes $30,000.
For the 1987 model, buyers can select "Callaway Twin Turbo" for an extra $20,000. Callaway Engineering installs 345-hp twin-turbo engines with a top speed of 178-mph. 184 buyers select this $48,000+ car.
1987
The 1988 Callaway Twin Turbo option creates a 382-hp Chevrolet Corvette for $55,000+, for 124 buyers.
1988
The SCCA Chevrolet Corvette Challenge race series begins. Chevrolet built 50 identical street-legal Chevrolet Corvettes, with engines certified to have matching power. The cars also have roll cages and other racing options added.
The 1989 model features a new, optional, six-speed manual transmission.
1989
Chevrolet builds 30 special Chevrolet Corvettes for the SCCA Corvette Challenge races. Higher horsepower engines are switched in for the duration of the race season.
Chevrolet builds 84 1989-dated ZR-1 Chevrolet Corvettes for testing and press reviews, but none are sold to the public.
Chevrolet introduces 1990 model Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1. It features a new 350-ci 375-hp LT5 engine, with four overhead camshafts and 32 valves. Over 3,000 ZR-1 Chevrolet Corvettes are sold, at a minimum price of $59,000.
1990
In Texas, near-stock ZR-1 and L-98 Chevrolet Corvettes set a dozen land speed records. Average speed for all runs is 170- to 175-MPH.
1991
The 1992 Chevrolet Corvette features a new standard engine, the LT1, rated at 300-hp (compared to 1991's 245-hp L98). A traction control is standard for all Chevrolet Corvettes. The base convertible now reaches over $40,000. Adding the ZR-1 option produces a $72,000+ Chevrolet Corvette.
A Chevrolet Corvette driver finishes first in the SCCA World Challenge Series.
1992
Chevrolet debuts the Sting Ray III show car.
The 1-millionth Chevrolet Corvette is built, an Arctic White LT-1 1992 convertible with red leather interior.
The 1993 model includes an optional 40th Anniversary Package, specifying Ruby Red metallic exterior, Ruby Red leather seats, and other refinements. Horsepower of the ZR-1 increases to 405.
Chevrolet Corvette drivers win 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the SCCA World Challenge Series.
1993
Car & Driver magazine declares the 1993 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 the fastest production car at 179-mph.
1994
The National Chevrolet Corvette Museum opens in Bowling Green. 118,000 people and 4,000 Chevrolet Corvettes visit over the opening weekend.
1995
The last ZR-1 optioned Chevrolet Corvette is built. Total production since 1990 is 6,939.
A 1995 Chevrolet Corvette is the official pace car of the Indianapolis 500. Limited edition special pace car replicas are offered for sale to the public.
A new engine is available as an option on the 1996 Chevrolet Corvette, the 330-hp LT4. A Grand Sport Package is available, limited to 1,000 Chevrolet Corvettes, with distinctive Admiral Blue exterior with white center stripe. With a new Chevrolet Corvette coming for 1997, a Collector Edition is available for the 1996 model, with Sebring Silver exterior and many refinements.
1996
The last of about 300,000 fourth-generation Chevrolet Corvettes is built.
1997
Chevrolet unveils the 1997 Chevrolet Corvette, the first complete redesign since the 1984 model. The new LS1 5.7-litre V-8 delivers 345-hp to the rear transaxle.
Chevrolet unveils the 1998 Convertible Corvette. For the first time since 1962, this Chevrolet Corvette has an externally-accessed trunk, larger than most soft-top two-seater cars.
Motor Trend magazine selects the 1998 Chevrolet Corvette as its Car of the Year.
1998
At the North American International Auto Show, the automotive media vote the Chevrolet Corvette the North American Car of the Year.
A 1998 Chevrolet Corvette is the official pace car of the Indianapolis 500. An Indy Pace Car Replica option is available for over $5,000.
Chevrolet unveils the 1999 Hardtop Chevrolet Corvette. An optional Head Up Instrument Display projects various instrument readings onto the windshield.
1999
The Chevrolet Corvette C5-R race car debuts at the 24 Hours of Daytona. It finishes 3rd in GT2 class.
2000
At the 24 Hours of Daytona, a Chevrolet Corvette C5-R finishes 2nd overall, 31 seconds behind the leading Viper, the closest finish in Daytona history.
Chevrolet introduces the 2001 Z06 Chevrolet Corvette, with 385-hp LS6 engine, and titanium exhaust systems. Base price of any Chevrolet Corvette now exceeds $40,000.
Two Chevrolet Corvette C5-R race cars enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans. They place 3rd and 4th in GTS class, 10th and 11th overall.
2001
At the 24 Hours of Daytona, a Chevrolet Corvette C5-R finishes first overall.
Road and Track magazine rates the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 higher than the Porsche Boxter S and BMW M3.
Car and Driver magazine rates the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible higher than the BMW M Roadster, Mercedes-Benz SLK32 AMG, and Porsche Boxter S.
At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, two Chevrolet Corvette C5-R cars finish 1st and 2nd in GTS class, 8th and 14th overall.
The 2002 Z06 receives a power boost, to 405-hp.
2002
Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 race is a 50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette.
Corvette C5-R race cars continue their strong performance, winning their class in most races, including the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
2003
General Motors celebrates the 50th Aniversary of Chevrolet Corvette.
A world record price for a production Chevrolet Corvette is paid for a red 1967 L88 coupe: US$640,000.
