The C1 - The First Vette
C2
Unveiled in January 1953 was the first Corvette it was a prototype and part of a 30-month long project. An enthusiastic public led to production. Production started in Flint, Michigan on June 30th, 1953. The first Vette was Gm's first attempt at building a two-seater sports car, nevertheless one made of fiberglass! The very first Corvette was built as a fully working dream car for the 1953 Motorama.
But the first Corvettes werent powerful at all, the 53's and 54's had wimpy little inline 6's and sold terribly. In 1955 the Corvette was to be saved because of competition from the Ford Thunderbird.
1953
All of these first Vettes had Polo White bodies and Sportsman Red interiors.
Base Price: About $3850
Production: 300
Transmission: 2-speed automatic Powerglide
Wheelbase: 102 inches
Speedometer/tachometer: 140mph/5000rpm
Engine
Base Engine: 115hp, 235.5cu, Inline 6 "The Blue Flame"
Blue Flame Special Engine: 150hp, 235.5cu, Inline 6 "The Blue Flame" with triple sidedraft carbs, hot cam, and solid lifters
1954
Corvette production moved to St. Louis.
Base Price: $3734, about as much as a Cadillac and twice as much of a Chevrolet sedan.
Production: 3640
Wheelbase: 102 inches
Engine
Base Engine: 180hp, 234.5cu, Inline 6 "The Blue Flame"
Blue Flame Special Engine: 150hp, 235.5cu, Inline 6 "The Blue Flame" with triple sidedraft carbs, hot cam, and solid lifters
1955
The Vette's first V8 was given and the Vette hasnt used anything but a V8 since. The 3-speed manual transmission became optional this year.
Wheelbase: 102 inches
Transmission Standard: 2-speed automatic Powerglide
Transmission Optional: 3-speed manual
Engine
Base Engine: 195hp, 265cu, V8
1956
The 3-speed manual transmission became standard this year, the tail fins were taken off the back and it was given outside door handles. An optional removable hardtop setup was introduced.
Base Price: $3120
Total Sales: 3467
Base Curb Weight: 2980lbs
Transmission Standard: 3-speed manual
Transmission Optional: 2-speed automatic Powerglide
Wheelbase: 102 inches
Engine
Base Engine: 210hp, 265cu
Dual 4-barrel Carbs: 225hp, 265cu
Duel 4-barrel Carbs+"Special High-Lif Cam": 240hp, 265cu
1957
The 1957 was the first year for the optional 4-speed manual gearbox costing $188.
Base Price: $3176
Total Production: 6339
Fuelie Production: 1040
Transmission Optional: 4-speed manual
Wheelbase: 102 inches
Options
Heavy Duty Racing Suspension: $780
Top Fuel Injection Engine: $726
4-speed manual Transmission: $188
Engine
Base Engine: 220hp 4 barrel, 283cu
Fuel Injected Engine: 250hp, 283cu
Top Fuel Injected Engine: 283hp, 283cu
1958
In 1958 the Covette got quad head lamps, gained 200 lbs, a locking glovebox, and gauges straight infront of the driver rather than spread across the panel. It also got 10 inches longer and 2 inches wider.
Base Price: $3631
Total Production: 9168
Fuelie Production: 1511
Wheelbase: 102 inches
Engine
Base Engine: 230hp, 283cu
Dual Quad Engine: 245hp, 283cu
Top Dual Quad Engine: 270hp, 283cu
Fuel Injected Engine: 250hp, 283cu
Top Fuel Injected Engine: 290hp, 283cu
1959
The fake hood vents and trunk strips were eliminated for '59.
Base Price: $3875
Total Production: 9670
Wheelbase: 102 inches
Engine
Base Engine: 230hp, 283cu
Dual Quad Engine: 245hp, 283cu
Top Dual Quad Engine: 270hp, 283cu
Fuel Injected Engine: 250hp, 283cu
Top Fuel Injected Engine: 290hp, 283cu
1960
Base Price: $3872
Total Production: 10,261
Wheelbase: 102 inches
Engine
Base Engine: 230hp, 283cu
Dual Quad Engine: 245hp, 283cu
Top Dual Quad Engine: 270hp, 283cu
Fuel Injected Engine: 290hp, 283cu
Aluminum Head Fuel Injected Engine (rare): 315hp, 283cu
1961
The 1961 and 1962 would recieve the ducktail rearend like the one on the C2. Its new tail had four rear lights and was basically the same
look as the C2 models.
Wheelbase: 102 inches
Engine
Base Engine: 230hp, 283cu
Dual Quad Engine: 245hp, 283cu
Top Dual Quad Engine: 270hp, 283cu
Fuel Injected Engine: 290hp, 283cu
Aluminum Head Fuel Injected Engine (rare): 315hp, 283cu
1962
The last year of the C1 model Corvette it would produce record sales for the Corvette. The classic small-block V8 was enlarged to 327 cu this year.
Base Price: $4000
Total Production: 14,500
Wheelbase: 102 inches
Engine
Base Engine: 250hp, 327cu
Top Fuel Injected Engine: 360hp, 327cu
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