Corvette

1953 Corvette

In 1953, this was the only way you could get it - white with a red interior.  

C2
The Mid-Year Corvettes

'63 Corvette Stingray Roadster

'63 Corvette Stingray Split Window Coupe

'64 Corvette Stingray Roadster

'67 Corvette Stingray 427 Roadster

'67 Corvette Stingray 427 Coupe

C3
The Shark

'68 Corvette Stingray Roadster

I've always loved the "swoopy" lines of the "Sharks"!

'73 Corvette Stingray Roadster

In 1973, Chevrolet changed the front bumper to a body-color matching plastic (for lack of a better term) bumper that also met federal safety standards. The front bumper would remain like this through 1979.  Nineteen Seventy Three was the only year with this front end treatment but still retaining the chrome rear bumpers.

'73 Corvette Stingray Coupe

'74 Corvette Stingray Coupe

When it was introduced in 1974, many Corvette lovers were mortified.   The new rear bumper treatment really makes the car flow.   However, the horsepwer ratings really began to plummet about this time, making 1974 through 1977 some of the least sought years of Corvettes.  That is beginning to change.  

'75 Corvette Stingray Convertible

1977 Corvette Coupe
In 1977, The Stingray designation was dropped.  Note the crossed flags emblem where the Stingray used to be.


25th Anniversary Corvette
For the Corvettes's 25th Anniversary, Chevrelet added a "bubble" back window to the Corvette, similar to that of the mid-year Vettes.

'78 25th Anniversary Edition Corvette

1978 Corvette 25th Anniversary Edition

1978 Corvette Indianapolis 500 Pace Car
 
In 1980, Chevy had to do something to retain interest in the 12-year-old body-style, so they molded in the spoilers as part of the body.  Nineteen eight through 1982 were what I consider "the epitome of swoopy".

1982 Corvette

1982 Corvette with Crossfire Injection and special two-tone paint

1982 Corvette Roadster

This was not a production model, but was so cool I had to include it.  To go to this car's website, click on the picture

C4

There was no 1983 Corvette due to a delay in production of the next generation C4 Corvette.  Much more angular than previous Corvettes, this bodystyle continued until 1996.  These are my least favorite years, although the new front and rear bumper treatment in 1991 made it much more attractive.  The big news was more power and better handling.  

1984 (C4) Corvettes

ZR1

The highlight of the C4 Corvette's run was the 1990 introduction of the ZR1.  Horsepower increased to 375.  The only visible distinction was that the ZR1 had square taillights, rather than the traditional round ones and a small emblem on the lower right side of the rear bumper.  

C5
Although not expected until 1998, the C5 Corvette was introduced in 1997.

The C5 coupe was a big improvement over its predecessor, with the convertible following in 1998.  The C5 returned the Corvette to its swoopy lines.

C5 coupe

C5 convertible

In 1999, a hardtop coupe was introduced, offering better handling.

1999 Corvette hardtop

2000 Corvette hardtop

'01 Corvette Z06

In 2001, the mother of all Vettes was built.  The Z06 took the place of the hardtop and added a 345hp 5.7L LS1 V8.  Note the functional air scoops in the front fascia and in front of the rear wheels to help cool the brakes.  The HP later was boosted to 375. 

'01 Corvette Z06

It looks good standing still, too!


A special edition was also introduced.

C6
Swoopier Still

In 2005, Chevy introduced  the C6.  It came standard with 400HP - more than the 04 Z06.  It is reportedly a better car than its predecessor in all respects.


 
Of course, a C6 Z06 had to follow.  Now, with 500HP, the Corvette Z06 can run with Ferrari' s and Lamborghini's but for a fraction of the price. 
And, it gets up to 28MPG on the highway. 

What's next? 

There are rumors of a new model with even better performance and handling.  Potential names include Blue Devil, Stingray, or Z07.    Could this be it? 
We'll see!!

02/02/08

Well, now we know what is next - It is called the ZR1 and here it is:


2009 Corvette ZR1

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