Corvette History

Ask anyone from San Antonio to Boerne if they know the name Corvette, and their eyes will often spark with visions of bold colored, fast, aggressively engineered American muscle. It’s a long-standing name, nearing 70 years of an evolving body style and purpose. In this article, we’ll travel through time and discover the different generations of the Chevrolet Corvette, from country club cruiser to high-performance monster.

A Humble Start | Corvette History

In 1953 Chevy released its first attempt at a sports car. The two-seat roadster, powered by Chevy’s Blue Flame inline-six and encased in fiberglass body panels, produced 150 horsepower for cruising in a distinct style. Chevrolet produced 300 of these vehicles, and unfortunately only sold just under 200 of them. Any of these vehicles are highly sought after collector’s items these days, of course, but back then the vehicle fell short of buyer’s sportscar expectations. This would change, of course.

Catching Momentum | Corvette History

• 1955- Chevrolet debuted the new powertrain, fronted by a 4.3 liter V-8. The additional 94 horsepower this provided, paired with the available three-speed automatic transmission, finally gave consumers the sports car experience they were looking for.
• 1956- Chevrolet produced a fully redesigned Corvette. Internally, a redesigned camshaft and available four-barrel carburetor allowed for an impressive (for the time) 225 horsepower. Its facade was redesigned and side panels changed to a unique, sporty design. By 1960, the Corvette could power down the highway with 315 horsepower. 
• 1963- Chevy released a completely reimagined Corvette, whose unique, pointed-ends design earned it the apt nickname: the Sting Ray. Available in a 3 or 4-speed manual gearbox, and carrying over the Chevy 327 V-8, the iconic StingRay was received well by consumers.
• 1984- Another total redesign of the Corvette is done. An entirely new body was produced that proved to be 24 percent more aerodynamic. In the spirit of the ’80s, the first convertible Corvette since 1975 was produced in 1986. 
• 1997- A new Corvette was released that featured a long, sleek, rounded-panel design that looked as futuristic as it was fun to drive. So futuristic, in fact, that at the turn of the century, an optional holographic heads-up display was even made available. 
• 2005- Corvette saw yet another redesign and mechanical overhaul. Now offered with a 6.0L V-8, the Corvette boasted 400 horsepower – which would increase to 430 after the introduction of yet another engine in 2008. This generation would see its end in 2013.
• 2013- The seventh generation of the Corvette was introduced. This generation of Corvette continued until 2019. Of this generation, the optional ZR1 package remains the highest-performing Corvette to date, with a horsepower rating of 755, and a zero-to-sixty time of just 3 seconds.

Corvette Logo History

The Corvette itself isn’t the only thing that evolved over the years. The Corvette brand had to evolve as well, including its badges and logo. In the early years, a circular design was adopted that contained two flags and the vehicle’s name itself. Over the years, the design changed drastically but still managed to contain the same elements, for the most part. Take for example the inclusion of the fleur-de-lis, an artistic rendition of a lily, once the royal arms of France. This is in place in nearly all of the Corvette logo versions throughout history as a nod to the ancestry of Louis Chevrolet, the company’s founder.

Also seen throughout the Corvette logo versions is the checkered racing or ‘finish’ flag. This is, of course, a statement of the Corvette name in racing and sports cars. However, that wasn’t always supposed to be the case – the original design included an American flag instead, which was ultimately turned down due to an overall rejection of commercializing the stars and stripes.

Test Drive a Corvette at Northside Chevrolet

Looking to experience this storied sports car for yourself? Our dedicated team of knowledgeable sales professionals is at your service to guide you to the perfect Corvette model for you. Contact us today to learn more! Looking to save time in the store? You can apply for financing online from the comfort of your New Braunfels home!