Chevrolet Corvette:

This double muscle car is one of the most famous cars in the world and one of the key models in the history of the automobile industry. "Corvette" successfully produced since 1953, and during that time experienced several generations.

Chevrolet Corvette (Chevrolet Corvette) - double rear-drive sports car, sold under the Chevrolet brand by General Motors (GM), the U.S. since 1953.

Nowadays cars Chevrolet Corvette factory assembled General Motors in Bowling Green, Kentucky (main plant), of Flint, Michigan and St. Louis, Missouri.

The car is the first American sports car, created by the American manufacturer. In the city of Bowling Green has a National Museum Corvette cars.

Since 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette has survived several generations.

Contents [hide]
1 C1 (1953-1962)
2 C2 Sting Ray (1963-1967)
3 C3 Stingray (1968-1982)
4 C4 (1983-1996)
5 C5 (1997-2004)
6 C6 (2005-2012)
6.1 Corvette ZR1 Hero Edition
7 The Next Generation
8 Interesting Facts
9 Corvette as an independent brand
10 Sales
11 Notes
12 Sources

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C1 (1953-1962)

1958 Chevrolet Corvette C1 convertible

The exhibition Motorama in 1953 presented a brand new car in America - a two-door coupe Chevrolet Corvette. He received a fiberglass body on a metal frame, mounted on a tubular frame, in-line six-cylinder engine capacity of 3.8 liters and 152 hp. with. and two-stage automatic transmission Powerglide. 300 copies were built, all cars were painted white. The photo Corvette 1958 model year - this option was popular last - from 1956 to 1962 produced 69,015 of these machines. It is believed that the main credit for the success of this model belongs to the famous race car driver, Zora Arkus-Dante. He has adapted to the newest Corvette engine family Small Block - 4.3-liter carbureted V8, and a 3-speed manual transmission. And since 1957, it began installing vpryskovym V8 in volume of 4,6 l and 4-step "mechanics". Both options are issued only in the back of a roadster.
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C2 Sting Ray (1963-1967)

1963 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Sting Ray coupe

Famous Corvette C2 Sting Ray («Stingray"). Of C2 worked Larry Shinoda (creator of Ford Mustang Boss 302) [1] and William Mitchell. Their efforts received a model independent double wishbone suspension on transverse springs and motors V8 family of Big Block - first 425-horsepower 6.5-liter, and then - 435-strong capacity of 7 liters equipped with carburetors STRUCTURE (Tri Power). C2 production from coupe and convertible. In all, 117,964 were produced cars. In 1963 he was released Grand Sport. Was built only five copies, V8 engine equipped with Weber carburetors chetrmya volume 377 cu. inches (6.2 liters), which develops 550 hp. with.
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C3 Stingray (1968-1982)

1982 Chevrolet Corvette C3 coupe

The third concept is based on the Corvette Mako Shark II in 1965, created by David Halls C3 Originally based on units of C2. In 1969 came the latest Small Block volume of 5.7 liters (300 hp.)., And later - Big Block (7 l, 390 hp...) In 1972, the standards were changed measuring engine power, according to which the most powerful 7.4-liter engine develops 270 liters. s, and the engine based on the "small block" a maximum 205 hp With the introduction of new taxes on fuel are gone huge mnogolitrovye Big Block. C3 production volume totaled 542,861 units. Also was released Corvette ZR1 (for racing). Engine gave out 430 liters capacity. with. Pictured in the photo belongs to a copy of a limited edition 25th anniversary, issued in silver metallic color for the 25th anniversary of the first Corvette.God Issued Notice
1968 28566 the first year of C3 Sting Ray, the first T-top
1969 38462 the first year of the engine 350 in ³ Small-Block; now called Stingray
1970 17316 the first year with the engine LT1 Small-Block and 454 in ³ Big-Block
1971 21801 a significant drop in HP
1972 27004 last year with a front chrome bumper, LT1, optional movable rear window
1973 30464 only one year with a chrome rear and a plastic front bumper
1974 37502 last year from 454 in ³ engine
1975 38645 last year convertible versions, up to 1986
1976 46558 small changes
1977 49213 new instrument panel, inscription disappeared Stingray
1978 46776 version of the 25th anniversary, Indy 500 Pace Car, a redesign of the central panel, curved rear glass fastback
1979 53807 new interior, the maximum number of sales for the year
1980 40614 redesigned front and rear bumpers, hood, speedometer up to 85 miles / hour
1981 40606 production moved to St. Louis to a new plant in Bowling Green
1982 25407 only automatic transmission, fuel injection cross-fire, engine L83, Collector's Edition

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C4 (1983-1996)

1983 Chevrolet Corvette C4 coupe

Fourth Corvette was not as revolutionary in appearance as the previous generation, but had thought aerodynamics and technical part. This generation Corvette was completed with new 5.7-liter engine with 230 hp. with. In 1986, there was a roadster body with tent top. In all there were 358 180 copies. In 1990, based on the C4 was released Corvette ZR1, equipped with a 375-horsepower V8 model LT5 block with aluminum heads, developed in collaboration with the company Lotus. Camshafts (two per unit) were in the head and on each cylinder were 4 valve, which is unusual for an American engine. Also in 1996, was released on limited edition Chevrolet Corvette C4 Grand Sport, named after the model of the same name in 1963. Was limited to 1000 copies [2]: 810 c coupe and 190 roadsters.
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C5 (1997-2004)

1998 Chevrolet Corvette C5 coupe

C5 model, developed by engineer Dave Hill and designer John Kaffaro, has a new platform - the suspension by transverse leaf springs carbon, monocoque body type on a powerful spatial frame, fit the scheme referred to the transaxle to the rear axle 6-speed Tremec T56. An interesting feature of the new platform is the floor construction monocoque, which is a "sandwich" of two metal layers, between which is sandwiched balsa wood plate. Balsa was chosen because beautifully absorbs vibration. The standard version is equipped with engine LS1 (V8, 5.7 liter capacity, the power of 345 hp), and a version Z06 - engine LS6 (V8, 5.7 liter capacity, the power of 385 hp). Beginning in 2002 and until 2004, the version installed advanced Z06 LS6 engine output of 405 hp. Z06 also different schemes pendants - were used aluminum spring, and force the body shell. It was built 247 851 x C5 Corvette in coupe and convertible. For racing series FIA GT and ALMS based in version C5 Z06 built machine class GT1 - Chevrolet Corvette C5.R.
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C6 (2005-2012)

2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6 coupe

At the Detroit Motor Show in January 2004, presented to the Corvette C6 Coupe and Convertible. Built on the updated platform model C5, which has the same suspension and a diagram classified ago transmission, C6-th received new engine volume 6.2 liters, develops power and torque - 437 liters. with. and 585 Nm respectively. In 2008, the model has received an upgraded transmission, exhaust system, new versions of paint finishes, design alloy wheels and improved interior trim. At its base were created several versions - "charged» Corvette Z06. This version features the extensive use of aluminum in the power components of the cockpit, aluminum levers, classic spring suspension, and the 505-strong motor semilitrovy LS7; based on it was prepared racing Corvette C6.R, to participate in the ALMS series and racing FIA GT, which six again won the race at Le Mans in its class extreme Corvette ZR1, equipped with a 6.2-liter supercharged engine ls9, developmental 638 liters. with.

The main drawback of current models is increased noise Corvette rear differential (due to its construction.) Now Corvette Club in the United Arab Emirates together with XADO testing a Corvette Z06 in order to eliminate the noise.
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Corvette ZR1 Hero Edition

Chevrolet has prepared for the charity Kids Wish Network Network special modification supercar Corvette ZR1, which was named Hero Edition. The car is built in one piece and with a classic roadster Chevrolet Corvette 427 1967 model year will be a special prize in the lottery.

From the usual special modification ZR1 has a distinctive exterior design with red and orange stripes on the hood and trunk lid, made in the same style engine cover, additional carbon plates and nameplates on the back with the inscription «Hero Edition». In addition, the inside of the hood, engineers left their autographs Chevrolet, participated in the development of the supercar Corvette. Gadgetry has not changed.

In the U.S., the ticket price is $ 3. Winners will be announced on December 23, 2009. [3]
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The Next Generation

According to Motor Trend, Next Generation was originally planned for the 2011 model year (the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet), but his appearance was delayed and is now expected in the autumn of 2013. It is assumed that the C7 Corvette will perednemotornuyu layout, and will be made of carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium, and the design is partially inherit the concept car Stingray, which General Motors introduced at the beginning of 2009 at the Motor Show in Chicago. C7 will get a new engine working volume smaller than its predecessor. It is possible that the new engine for the C7 will be paired with a robotic gearbox.
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Interesting Facts
In May 2007, Bob Lutz said that he is opposed to the release of a Corvette sedan. It would be in the spirit of the Porsche 970 Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and Lamborghini Estoque. However, later, Lutz said that this statement was made simply as an example of the further development of that Chevrolet is considering all the evolution of design.
Corvette confessed magazine Motor Car of the Year in 1984 and 1998. Car and Driver magazine included the Corvette in its annual Ten Best list fifteen times: C4 from 1985 to 1989, C5 in 1998, 1999, and 2002-2004, and the C6 from 2005 to 2009. C6 was also named Car of the Year in North America in 2005. C6 Z06 was named "most coveted vehicle" at the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year competition.
Automobile Magazine put Stingray 1963 to first place in the list of the "100 coolest cars."
Sports Car International placed Corvette in fifth place in the list of the best sports cars of the 1960s.
1999 Corvette-convertible, along with Mersedes-Benz S500, recognized as "Best Car of the XX century, from an engineering point of view» (Best Engineered Car of the 20th century) in the publication of the International Society of Automotive Engineers.
Corvette was 10 times the safety car to race 500 miles of Indianapolis in 1978, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Overall, the car brand Chevrolet performed this role 22 times, more than anyone else.