Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette is an American two-seat sports car produced by General Motors under the Chevrolet division. First introduced in 1953, it has served as GM’s flagship performance model and is one of the longest-running nameplates in the automotive industry. The Corvette takes its name from a small, agile warship and is widely regarded as a symbol of American automotive performance.

The first generation, known as the C1, ran from 1953 to 1962 and featured a fiberglass body with a front-engine, rear-drive layout. Early models used an inline-six engine, with V8 powertrains becoming available in the mid-1950s. Harley Earl and the design team established cues that would influence Corvette styling for years.

The second generation, C2 (1963–1967), introduced a redesigned fiberglass body and the “Sting Ray” designation, with notable styling cues such as distinctive fender flares. The third generation, C3 (1968–1982), maintained fiberglass construction and adopted a long, curvaceous silhouette that defined the era’s performance image. The fourth generation, C4 (1984–1996), emphasized aerodynamics and modern electronics. The fifth generation, C5 (1997–2004), introduced a new chassis and a refined V8. The C6 (2005–2013) further improved ride quality and performance, followed by the C7 (2014–2019) with sharper styling and an updated engine lineup. The current generation, C8 (2020–present), is a mid-engine design that represents a major shift in architecture and driving dynamics, powered by a high-performance V8 and modern drivetrain technology.

Corvette Racing has participated in endurance competition, including the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, achieving multiple championships. Production has been concentrated at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky since 1981, with earlier generations produced at other GM facilities.