C-1 Corvette
1953 to 1962
1953
The first generation Corvette appeared as a show car. It was introduced at the General Motors Motorama car show that was held at the New York Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York city on January 17–23 1953. At the time, Chevrolet general manager Thomas H. Keating said it was six months to a year away from production readiness. The car generated enough interest though to induce GM to make a production version to sell to the public. Production began on June 30, 1953. The first Corvettes were built in Flint Michigan in a make-shift storage area.
The C-1 generation was often referred to as the "solid-axle" models. Three hundred hand-built Corvette convertibles were produced. All of the 53 Corvettes came painted Polo White with a sportsman red interior and a black, collapsable top. The car had single recessed headlights with grill covers and single taillights (mounted at the end of a “jet-pod” fin) plus a wrapped around windshield, a first in the automotive industry. It also sported 6.70 x 15” four ply whitewall tires, a Delco signal-seeking radio, and a standard array of analog instruments which included a 5000-rpm tachometer.
The powertrain for this new car was a 235 cu in version of the second- generation Blue Flame inline-six rated at 150 hp. It had a solid rear axle and two-speed automatic transmission.
Base price was $3,498.00 including 2-speed “powerglide” automatic transmission.
Options for 1953:
Heater: $91.40; AM radio: $145.1
1954
The 1954 Corvette could now be ordered in four colors: Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red, Black, or Polo White. The Corvette was still equipped with the 235 cu in version of the “Blue Flame” inline-six. The use of a new camshaft increased the total horsepower to 155. Production was moved to a newly renovated assembly plant in St Louis, Missouri. A total of 3,640 Corvette were built in 1954 and sold slowly.
Base price was $2,774.00
Options for 1954:
2-speed “powerglide” automatic transmission $178.35
Heater: $91.40; AM radio: $145.15
Number produced: 3,640
1955
In 1955 the Vette was again equipped with the 155hp 235 cu in version of the Blue Flame inline-six mated to a 3-speed manual transmission. For an additional $135.00 you could buy the new optional 265 cu in V8 engine rated at 195 bhp at 5000 rpm with a 3-speed manual transmission attached. As a note, all of the corvettes that year required the 2-speed power-glide automatic transmission. Only 75 cars were built at the end of the year with Corvette’s first close-ratio three-speed manual transmission. A modern 12 volt electrical system was introduced although the older 6-volt system was retained for the few six-cylinder Corvettes that were built that year.
Despite the poor sales of the Corvette at the time, the brand new V-8 was an overwhelmingly popular option. Only 7 of the 1955 models were produced with the inline-six. With a large inventory of 1,100 unsold 1954 models, GM limited production to 700 for 1955. As an identifier that these new Corvettes contained the larger engine, an exaggerated gold “V” was overlaid on the existing “CheVrolet” logo on the lower front fenders. With the new V8, the 0–60 mph time improved by 1.5 seconds and saw three new competitors called the Ford Thunderbird, the Studebaker Speedster, and the larger Chrysler C-300 introduced that same year.
Base price for the 6 cylinder $ 2,774; V-8 $2,909.00
2-speed “powerglide” automatic transmission $178.35; Directional signals $16.75
Number produced: 700
1956
A new body was introduced for the 1956 model featuring a new front end with the headlights moved forward and now exposed. The taillamp fins also disappeared, giving way to flush mounted taillights. The body now had side coves offering the owner the optional two-tone paint combination for $19.40. Power windows, a $64.60 option appeared along with the first hydraulically power convertible top for only $107.60 more. The first time an auxiliary hardtop was offered at a cost of $ 215.20.
A dual, 4-barrel carburetor could be had for the first time as an option for $172.20 attached to a 3-speed manual transmission. It was rated at 225 hp. The standard 265 cu in engine was rated at 210 hp. An AM Delco Radio transistorized signal-seeking "hybrid" car radio, which used both vacuum tubes and transistors in its radio's circuitry. This was GM's first start in using the modern solid-state electronics for a production car model.
Base price for the 265, V-8 $3,120.00; Dual 4-barrel V-8 $3,292.20.
Number produced: 3,467
1957
New for 57 was a larger 283-CID engine. Mechanically, it was really still the existing 265-CID engine, though it had been bored out 1/8-inch (to 3.875 inches). This modified engine delivered an impressive 220 horsepower when coupled with a four-barrel carburetor. Dual four-barrels took it to 245 horsepower.
Optional for 1957 was the first "Ramjet" fuel injection system. It was available in the middle of the model year. It was one of the first American mass-produced engines in history to reach 1 hp per cubic inch. Chevrolet's advertising agency used a "one hp per cubic inch" slogan for advertising the 283 cu in/283 hp. One could add it to the car for a measly $726.30 dollars.
Other options available were, for the first time, a 4-speed transmission for $188.30; Heavy duty racing suspension and brakes ($780.10). Positraction was new and could be had for $48.45.
Base price for the 283 V-8 with the 3-speed manual transmission: $3,176.32. adding the 2-speed Powerglide option was $188.30 more.
Number produced: 6,339
1958
In 58, the corvette received a body and interior freshening. It was longer, wider and heavier than before. The front end was longer and sported quad headlights. The hood now had fake louvers. In the rear, the trunk had twin spears running from the top of the trunk to the bottom. Exhaust tip now protruded from the rear bumpers.
Inside there was a new steering wheel and dashboard. All of the gauges were placed in front of the driver now. New upholstery was added. Both the hood louvers and the twin trunk spears were exclusive to the 1958 model. The 283 now produced 230hp. Optional engines were the 283cu in/245hp (2x4 carbs; 283cu in/270hp (2x4 carbs); 283 cu in/250hp (fuel injection) and the 283 cu in/290hp (fuel injection).
Base price $3,591.00 for the 283 V-8 with the 3-speed manual transmission
Number produced: 9,168
1959
The hood lovers and trunk spears were removed. A one year only option was the turquoise soft top. This marked the first year where consumers could purchase an all-black interior. The ”T” handle shifter, with positive reverse lockout, was also a first for the corvette. Optional engines available were the same as the 1958 model year.
Base price $3,875.00 for the 283 V-8 with the 3-speed manual transmission
Number produced: 9,670
1960
The top two engines options, both fuel injected or “fuelie” received an increase in their overall horsepower. 275hp @ 5,200 rpm with hydraulic lifters & 315hp @ 6,200 rpm with solid lifters. All fuel injection cars required a manual transmission.
Base price $3,872.00 for the 283 V-8 with the 3-speed manual transmission.
Number produced: 10,261.
1961
In 1961, the rear of the car was completely redesigned with the addition of a "duck tail" with four round lights. (Note-This light treatment would continue for all following model year Corvettes until 2014).
Base price $3,934.00 for the 283 V-8 with the 3-speed manual transmission.
Number produced: 10,939.
1962
This was the last year for the C-1 generation Corvette. The Chevrolet 283 cu in "Small-Block" was enlarged to 327 cu in. In standard form it produced 250 hp. For an extra 12% over list price, the fuel-injected version produced 360 hp, making it the fastest of the C1 generation.
1962 was also the last year for the wrap around windshield, solid rear axle, and convertible-only body style. The trunk lid and exposed headlamps will not reappear for many decades. One more omission which added to the more cohesive look of the car was the deletion of the option to have the coves painted in a different color than the rest of the car.
Base price $4,038.00 for the 327 V-8 with the 3-speed manual transmission.
Number produced: 14531.