The
first generation Corvette was introduced late in the 1953 model year and
ended in 1962. Often referred to as the "solid-axle"
models because the independent rear suspension did not debut until the
1963 Sting Ray. 300 hand-built polo white
Corvette convertibles were produced
for the 1953 model year, making it the rarest and most sought after of all
Corvettes. The 1955 model
offered the 265 cu in (4.34 L) V8 engine as an option, however the first
seven off the production line featured the standard "Blue Flame" Inline-6.
The origin of the Chevrolet Nomad was a two-door wagon concept car built
off a 1954 Corvette.
A new body was introduced for
the 1956 model featuring a new "face" and side coves; the taillight fins
were gone. An optional fuel injection system was made available in the
middle of the 1957 model
year. It was one of the first mass-produced engines in history to reach 1 bhp
(0.75 kW) per cubic inch (16.4 Cubic cm) and Chevrolet's advertising
agency used a "one hp per
cubic inch" slogan for advertising the 283 bhp (211 kW) 283 cu in (4.64 L)
Small-Block engine. Other options included power windows (1956),
hydraulically operated power convertible top (1956), four speed manual
transmission (late 1957), and heavy duty brakes and suspension (1957).
The 1958 Corvette received a
body and interior freshening including a longer front end with quad
headlights, bumper exiting exhaust tips, a and new steering wheel and
dashboard with all gauges mounted directly in front of the driver.
Exclusive to the 1958 model were hood louvers and twin trunk spars. The
1959-60 model years had few changes except a decreased amount of body
chrome and more powerful engine offerings.
For
1961, a complete redesign was made to the rear of the car; a "duck tail"
with four round lights. The light treatment would continue for all
following model year Corvettes. In 1962, the Chevrolet 283 cu in (4.64 L)
Small-Block was enlarged to
327 cu in (5.36 L) and produced a maximum of 340 bhp (250 kW) making it
the fastest of the C1 generation. 1962 was the last year for the wrap
around windshield, solid rear axle, and convertible-only body style. The
trunk lid and exposed headlights did not reappear for many decades.
The original front emblem and horn button
on the "Autorama" Corvette featured crossed American and
Checkered flags. It was discovered that using an American flag on a
product trade mark was against the law and the emblem was changed before
the New York Motorama.
The hash faces up on front fender molding
of the "Autorama", 1953 Corvette and on the actual production
car it faces down.
On Tuesday, June 30, 1953 Corvette #1
Serial Number E53F001001 rolled of the assembly line, and Corvette
production began.
Want the rarest Corvette ?- In 1953 the
first two Corvettes, VIN Numbers 1 and 2 were said to have been destroyed,
but no records prove that fact, and there are no witnesses to the
destruction.
The first Corvettes were actually
"rolled" off the assembly line. Chevrolet was not prepared for
grounding to a fiberglass body; the cars would not start.
The first five Corvettes to come off the
assembly line did not have an outside rear view mirror.
The only thing really new on the 1953
Corvette was the fiberglass body. Everything else was directly off the
Chevrolet parts shelf. Because of this, the first Corvette was essentially
a regular 1952 Chevrolet that looked like a million dollars!
Of the 314 Corvettes hand built in 1953
only 183 were sold because of "average" performance at such a
high price, $3513 the Jaguar Xk120 sold for $3345, $168 less than the
Corvette.
There are 13 vertical bars or
"teeth" are in the grill of 1956 Corvettes.
One of the few ways to differentiate
between a 1956 and 1957 Corvette without opening the hood is to look at
the inside rear view mirror. On the 1956 model, it adjusts with a
thumbscrew, on the 1957 adjustment requires a wrench to loosen the
locknut.
The "Polo White" color was last
used in 1957.
1957 was the first year a limited slip
differential was offered as an option.
1958 was the LAST year of the tach with the
"cumulative engine revolution counter" which first appeared in
the 1953 Corvette. In 1958 the tach was used on 230, 245, and 250 hp cars
and NOT on the 270 and 290 hp cars. The Part number is #1548631 for 1958.
Optional engines in 1956 had nine fin alloy
valve covers, 1957 had seven or nine fin alloy valve covers, and the 1958
had seven fin alloy covers on optional engines.
Before 1958, the only Acrylic lacquer paint
used was on the "Inca Silver" Vettes.
Sun visors became a Corvette option in
1959.
Nylon belted tires first became available
on the 1960 Corvette, prior to 1960 only cotton was offered.
The 1961 Corvette was the last year to
feature "Wide Whitewall" tires.
The 1961 Corvette was the first to not have
the "round" nose emblem.
In 1961, the big grill teeth disappeared
forever, replaced by a fine mesh.
1962 Was the last of the solid rear axle
Corvettes and the last year for the power top on the roadster.
