Chevrolet Corvette first appeared 60 years ago
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1953 Chevrolet Corvette "Motorama" show car
1953 Chevrolet Corvette production
1953 Chevrolet Corvette production
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7th July, 2013
- First Corvettes rolled off the assembly line on 30th June, 1953
- Since then, more than 1.5 million Corvettes have been manufactured
Chevrolet has marked the 60th anniversary of the Corvette. The first Corvette went into production in Flint, Michigan
on 30th June, 1953. Since then, Corvette has become an American icon that continues to offer style and performance.
Here are some key facts highlighting 60 years of Corvette history:
- Corvette is the world’s longest-running, continuously produced passenger car.
- Corvette made its debut as a concept vehicle at the General Motors Autorama in New York City on 17th January, 1953.
It was such a success that a limited run of 300 production Corvettes began on 30th June of that year.
- All 1953 models were Polo White with a red interior and they were priced at $3,498. In 2006, the third 1953 Corvette
made was sold for $1.06 million at auction.
- Corvette was exclusively available with an in-line six-cylinder engine until 1955. That year, the optional V8 engine
was ordered by 90 per cent of buyers. The six-cylinder was dropped in 1956. Corvette has been available exclusively with
V8 power since.
- Corvette was produced only as a convertible for its first 10 years. The fixed-roof 1963 “split-window” Corvette Sting
Ray coupe launched the second-generation Corvette. Sales doubled and it became a year-round car for drivers in colder
climates.
- Approximately 1.56 million Corvettes have been produced since June, 1953. The 500,000th Corvette was built in 1977;
the 1 millionth was built in 1992, and the 1.5 millionth Corvette rolled off the line in 2009.
- Corvettes have been produced at three facilities: Flint, Michigan (1953); St. Louis, Missouri, (1954-1981); and
Bowling Green, Kentucky (1981-2014). The change from St. Louis to Bowling Green happened during the production year. The
first 1981 Corvette was built in St. Louis, and the last 1981 Corvette was built in Bowling Green.
- No 1983 Corvettes were sold to the public. The model year was skipped in preparation for the all-new 1984 Corvette,
which launched the C4 generation. Forty-four Corvette prototypes were built as 1983 models. Only one remains, and it is
on display at the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
E&OE.
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