autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

...A man named Earl and a man named Duntov created a dream, and the dream became known as Corvette.

fredtoo Loc: Houston

It was the TV show "Route 66" that featured a way more sleek '60 model that the masses really became aware of the vet. First time I saw a '53 I didn't even know what it was.

Nice work,
fwt

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

And Kaiser introduce the Darin at about the same time.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

thanks Fred, the first year production was only 300 units, so the chance of running into and seeing one was probably slim.

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

thanks nimbus!

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

yep, true that, and maybe a little earlier, and neither with their inline sixes out of their family sedans were hardly true performance sports cars! But, all that changed for the Corvette in'55 with the midyear addition of the new small 265ci block V8. Thanks Frank!

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

thanks for the thumbs Jack!

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Chevy actually had problems selling all 300 copies. Some were sent to selected celebrities to drive and promote. GM has never announced the actual sales figures for the '53 model year. In 1979 Corvette set a sales record that remains today of almost 54,000 units. Big blocks and big sales have been trimmed down some but the car remains a staunch seller today. The latest model, the C-8 is selling in large quantities as many new-comers are attracted to the rear-engine edition. Each series has produced large fan bases but I still ride the C-7, V-8 power and the long, sleek hood are vintage Corvette but the suspension is superb. Straight-line or around the bend it will grip as none other.

Little known Corvette fact: When the economy melted in the mid 2000's GM was forced into bankruptcy. Most folks thought the Corvette was gone at that point. However, government regulators stepped in and demanded the Corvette be continued as it was one of a very few highlights in the business portions of auto manufacturing. Washington was responsible for Corvette's salvation! Talk about an oxymoron!!

Hereford Loc: Palm Coast, FL

Yup, GM built this sport car but did not really have an engine for it. The old "blue Flame" in-line six was never going to bring any excitement to the car.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

I forgot that it came out that early.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Nice shot, Vince!

Too bad Harley wasn’t around during the post 1970 years. Most of the GM cars since 1970 looked like they were designed by the accounting staff.

Stan

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

great background information David, thanks! And how the government can help save any industry truly is an oxymoron! Between government regulations and taxes they are usually the Grim Reaper to many industries!

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

yep, they slapped on triple carbs, maybe added headers, and a high lift cam, and got a miniscule boost, maybe, of 25-30hp over the standard stovebolt found in your average Belair. And then add Powerglide which back then was a real slug. Ironically, when you have a motor putting out a few thousand hp like many of our drag cars have, an obviously modified Powerglide tranny with it's long low gear is often the option of choice.