|
1953-1962:
Although initial response was skeptical, pure numbers show what the public wanted. Only 316 models were built in 1953, but production increased to 3,640 the next year. In 1955, a 195hp V-8 appeared as an option and in ‘56, the Blue Flame Six was replaced by a 210 & 225hp V-8. The base price at this time was $3,149.
In 1957, the biggest news involving Corvette was a 250hp fuel-injected engine option. By ‘58, dual headlights and a horsepower range of 230-290 were evident and production was up 45% to 9,168 units. In 1959, Sports Cars Illustrated clocked a 0 to 60 time of 6.6 seconds in a 290hp model with a 4-speed.
In 1960, production rose again to 10,261 units. The most powerful carbureted engine had 270hp while the fuel-injected engines had 275 and 315 horses. In 1962, the base engine had 250hp but was available up to 360hp. The price at this time was around $4000.
|
PRODUCTION
1953 |
300 |
| BASE PRICE |
$3,498 |
| BASE STYLE |
Roadster (convertible) |
| OPTIONAL STYLE |
none |
| BASE ENGINE |
235 cubic inches, 150 horsepower
“Blue Flame 6″ |
| ENGINE OPTIONS |
none, all were automatics |
| COLOR CHOICES |
Polo White |
| TOP COLORS |
Black |
| INTERIOR COLORS |
Red |
| POPULAR OPTIONS |
Heater, AM radio |
| SERIAL NUMBERS |
Body & Chassis
E53F001001–E53F001300 |
Corvette history was started June
30th, 1953 when production on the 1st fiberglass Corvette was
completed. For the most part, all 300 1953 Corvettes produced were
hand built and featured dual exhaust. The only engine choice was the
base one, a Chevrolet “Blue Flame” six-cylinder 235/150
engine. 1953 & 1954 Corvettes were very similar, but since 1953
only came in Polo White with a red interior, you know that any other
exterior color means it is not a genuine 1953 Chevrolet Corvette
Roadster. Over 70% of the original 1953s still exist. |
PRODUCTION
1954 |
3,640 |
| BASE PRICE |
$2,774 |
| BASE STYLE |
Roadster (convertible) |
| OPTIONAL STYLE |
none |
| BASE ENGINE |
235 cubic inches, 150 horsepower
“Blue Flame 6″ |
| ENGINE OPTIONS |
235/155 (not option, but later in
production year) |
| COLOR CHOICES |
Polo White, Pennant Blue, Sportsman
Red, Black |
| TOP COLORS |
Beige |
| INTERIOR COLORS |
Red, Beige |
| POPULAR OPTIONS |
Heater, Turn Blinkers, AM Radio,
Whitewalls |
| SERIAL NUMBERS |
Body & Chassis: E54S001001 –
E54S004640 |
Corvette history: In December, 1953
production of the 1954 Corvette was moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Part
way through the production year, a change in the camshaft increased
the parade horsepower a whole 5 miles per hour. More ways to tell 1954
Corvettes from the 1953 model: (1) All 1953’s had black canvas tops,
for 1954 they were beige, (2) All 1953s’ had red interiors, some of
the 1954’s were beige. |
|
PRODUCTION 1955
|
700
|
|
BASE PRICE
|
$2,774
|
|
BASE STYLE
|
Roadster (convertible)
|
|
OPTIONAL
STYLE
|
none
|
|
BASE ENGINE
|
235 cubic inches, 155 horsepower
“Blue Flame 6″
|
|
ENGINE
OPTIONS
|
235/195 eight cylinder
|
|
COLOR
CHOICES
|
Polo White, Harvest Gold, Gypsy Red,
Copper, Pennant Blue
|
|
TOP COLORS
|
White, Beige, Dark Green
|
|
INTERIOR
COLORS
|
Red, Yellow, Light Beige, Dark Beige
|
|
POPULAR
OPTIONS
|
Heater, Turn Blinkers, AM Radio,
Windshield Wipers
|
|
SERIAL
NUMBERS
|
Body & Chassis VE55S001001
– VE55S001700
|
|
Corvette history: The only year to
offer both 6 and 8 cylinder engines. Although only 700 were made,
options were plentiful. To tell from 1953, 1954 look at engine, look at
new colors of Gold & Copper, look for dark green or white vinyl (no
longer canvas) tops, or look for the yellow interior option. In
addition, you could now zoom along with the new 3 speed manual
transmission option. Only 15 Copper Color Corvettes were sold.
|
|
PRODUCTION 1956
|
3,467
|
|
BASE PRICE
|
$2,900
|
|
BASE STYLE
|
Roadster (convertible)
|
|
OPTIONAL
STYLE
|
none
|
|
BASE ENGINE
|
265 cubic inches, 210 horsepower
|
|
ENGINE
OPTIONS
|
265/240 @ $172
|
|
COLOR
CHOICES
|
Polo White, Aztec Copper, Venetian
Red, Cascade Green, Artic Blue
|
|
INTERIOR
COLORS
|
Red, Beige
|
|
POPULAR
OPTIONS
|
Power Operated Folding Top,
Windshield Wipers, AM Radio, Auxiliary Hardtop, Parking Brake Alarm
|
|
SERIAL
NUMBERS
|
Body & Chassis
E56S001001–E56S004467
|
|
Corvette history: All new body
design for 1956, and glass roll up windows. Combine that with the
hardtop option, windshield wiper option, and you could actually go for a
long distance cruise. Many also had contrasting color coves, dual four
barrel carbs, seat belts, and radios. As you can see from the big
production boost, Corvette was here to stay. Venetian Red and Onyx Black
were the 2 most popular colors.
|
|
PRODUCTION 1957
|
6,339
|
|
BASE PRICE
|
$3,176
|
|
BASE STYLE
|
Roadster (convertible)
|
|
OPTIONAL
STYLE
|
none
|
|
BASE ENGINE
|
283 cubic inches, 220 horsepower
|
|
ENGINE
OPTIONS
|
283/245, 283/270, 283/250 (fuelie),
283/283 (fuel injection)
|
|
COLOR
CHOICES
|
Polo White, Aztec Copper, Venetian
Red, Cascade Green, Artic Blue, Inca Silver, Onyx Black
|
|
INTERIOR
COLORS
|
Red, Beige
|
|
WHEEL
COLORS
|
Black, Copper, Green, Blue, Red,
Silver
|
|
POPULAR
OPTIONS
|
heater, white walls, auxiliary hardtops, AM radio, two-tone paint
|
|
SERIAL
NUMBERS
|
Body & Chassis
E57S100001–E57S106339
|
|
Corvette history: Corvette becomes a
racy sports car winning the 12 hour Sebring Race. The 1957 Corvette with
283/283 fuel injection with a 4 speed manual transmission is one of the
most sought after collector Corvettes. Remember 1957 was the last year
for single headlights, also the 1st year for the 283 engine, and that
the popular black exterior color was not offered in 1956. Also a very
high number of 1957 Vettes opted for whitewalls and a heater. Onyx black
color lead by a high margin, followed by Venetian Red & Polo White.
|
|
PRODUCTION
1958
|
9,168
|
|
BASE PRICE
|
$3,591
|
|
BASE STYLE
|
Roadster (convertible)
|
|
OPTIONAL STYLE
|
none
|
|
BASE ENGINE
|
283 cubic inches, 230 horsepower 3 speed manual
|
|
ENGINE OPTIONS
|
283/245, 283/270, 283/250 (fuelie–504 sold),
283/290 (fuel injection–1,007 sold as $484 option)
|
|
COLOR CHOICES
|
Snow crest White, Silver Blue, Signet Red, Panama
Yellow, Charcoal, Regal Turquoise, Black
|
|
INTERIOR COLORS
|
black, charcoal, red
|
|
POPULAR OPTIONS
|
Heater, White Walls, AM radio, Auxiliary Hardtop,
Wipers
|
|
SERIAL NUMBERS
|
Body & Chassis J58S100001–J58S109168
|
|
Corvette history: First year for
dual headlights, and only year for chrome rear windstrips on the trunk
lid. Whole new body panel design, new interior, and for the first time
seat belts were no longer an option, now being factory installed. The
speedometer now gave a reading up to 160 miles per hour. The louvers on
the hood were non-functional, adding to the looks. Of the 8 color
choices, 2/3 were either White, Blue, or Charcoal.
|
|
PRODUCTION 1959
|
9,670
|
|
BASE PRICE
|
$3,875
|
|
BASE STYLE
|
Roadster (convertible)
|
|
OPTIONAL STYLE
|
none
|
|
BASE ENGINE
|
283 cubic inches, 230 horsepower 3 speed Manual
|
|
ENGINE OPTIONS
|
283/245, 283/270, 283/250 (fuelie), 283/290 (fuel
injection–745 sold @ $484 extra)
|
|
COLOR CHOICES
|
Snow crest White, Roman Red, Tuxedo Black, Frost
Blue, Crown Sapphire, Classic Cream, Inca Silver
|
|
TOP COLORS
|
Black, Blue, White, Red, Turquoise
|
|
INTERIOR COLORS
|
Black, Blue, Red, Turquoise
|
|
POPULAR OPTIONS
|
Heater, White Walls, Washers, Auxiliary Hardtop,
Positraction, Four Speed Manual Transmission, Sunshades
|
|
SERIAL NUMBERS
|
Body & Chassis J59S100001–J59S109670
|
|
Corvette history: First year for
black interiors, and a dash storage bin. Gone from 1958 were the chrome
rear windstrips on the trunk lid, and the hood louvers. The base engine
and options were exactly the same, the armrest were in a new position,
providing just a little more interior room. 1959 was the only year to
order a Turquoise convertible top.
|
|
PRODUCTION 1960
|
10,261
|
|
BASE PRICE
|
$3,872
|
|
BASE STYLE
|
Roadster (convertible)
|
|
OPTIONAL STYLE
|
none
|
|
BASE ENGINE
|
283 cubic inches, 230 horsepower
|
|
ENGINE OPTIONS
|
283/245, 283/270, 283/275 (fuelie), 283/315 (fuel
injection)
|
|
COLOR CHOICES
|
Roman Red, Tuxedo Black, Horizon Blue, Ermine
White, Cascade Green, Sateen Silver, Tasco Turquoise
|
|
INTERIOR COLORS
|
Black, Blue, Red, Turquoise
|
|
WHEEL COLORS
|
Black, Blue, Red, Turquoise, Maroon, White, Silver,
Green
|
|
TOP COLORS
|
Black, Blue, White
|
|
POPULAR OPTIONS
|
heater, AM radio, windshield wipers, Auxiliary hardtop, whitewall
tires,positraction rear axle
|
|
SERIAL NUMBERS
|
Body & Chassis 00867S100001–00867S110261
|
|
Corvette history: Very little
change from 1959, different seat pattern, and the largest engine option
was now rated at 315 horsepower. An all new, all aluminum
cross flow radiator was included with 270- or 315 hp engines . New
radius rods form an extra link between the frame & rear axle. Cascade Green was a very unpopular
color, with only 140 made, if you see one today it is no longer called
unpopular, instead it is rare. As power windows were a rather expensive
option, only about 1 in 5 1960 Corvettes had it.
|
|
PRODUCTION 1961
|
10,939
|
|
BASE PRICE
|
$3,934
|
|
BASE STYLE
|
Roadster (convertible)
|
|
BASE ENGINE
|
283 cubic inches, 230 horsepower
|
|
ENGINE OPTIONS
|
283/245, 283/270, 283/275 (fuelie), 283/315 (fuel
injection)
|
|
COLOR CHOICES
|
Roman Red, Tuxedo Black, Jewel Blue, Ermine White,
Fawn Beige, Honduras Maroon, Sateen Silver
|
|
INTERIOR COLORS
|
Black, Blue, Red, Fawn
|
|
WHEEL COLORS
|
Black, Blue, Red, Beige, Maroon, White, Silver,
Green
|
|
POPULAR OPTIONS
|
heater, AM radio, 4 speed manual trans, auxiliary
hardtop, Positraction,whitewalls
|
|
SERIAL NUMBERS
|
Body & Chasis 10867S100001–10867S110939
|
|
Corvette history: Major styling
change with a whole new rear design, new bumpers, and the 1st year for
the 4 round taillights. Gone was the chrome vertical bar grille, now an
aluminum one… no more shark teeth! 1961 was also the last Vette year
for optional wide whitewall tires, and also the last chance option to
have the cove a contrasting paint color. For the first time exhaust
pipes exited under the rear body panel & bumper.
|
|
PRODUCTION 1962
|
14,531
|
|
BASE PRICE
|
$4,038
|
|
BASE STYLE
|
Roadster (convertible)
|
|
OPTIONAL STYLE
|
none
|
|
BASE ENGINE
|
327 cubic inches, 250 horsepower
|
|
ENGINE OPTIONS
|
327/300, 327/340, 327/360 (fuel injection)
|
|
COLOR CHOICES
|
Roman Red, Tuxedo Black, Ermine White, Fawn Beige,
Honduras Maroon, Sateen Silver, Almond Beige
|
|
INTERIOR COLORS
|
Black, Fawn, Red
|
|
WHEEL COLORS
|
Black, Fawn/Beige, Red, White Silver, Maroon
|
|
POPULAR OPTIONS
|
Positraction, 4 speed stick, auxiliary hardtop, Positraction
|
|
SERIAL NUMBERS
|
Body & Chassis 20867S100001–20867S114531
|
|
Corvette history: A whole new
engine, the 327 was introduced, including the powerful 327/360 fuelie.
The coves no longer had trim, and therefore were always the same color
as the exterior. The trunk made its final appearance until the C5
era. 1962 is a very popular year for collectors, with the “Shark
Gills” near the coves.
|
|