Corvette

Penned by GM stylist Larry Shinoda under Bill Mitchell, the all-new 1963 Corvette Sting Ray introduced the aerodynamic styling and superb engineering that created an instant classic. Underneath that gorgeous new bodywork was a serious sports car, riding on a 4-inch shorter wheelbase than before and equipped with a simple yet effective independent rear suspension…

The LS6 engine RPO has been offered only once in Corvette history, and for only one model year—1971. With 454 cubic inches, a cast-iron block and aluminum heads, the first LS6 was second only to the full-blown L88 racing engine (offered from 1967 through 1969) in terms of both power and legend. The original LS6…

Following an absence of more than a decade, Chevrolet reintroduced the convertible roof option for the 1986 Corvette. This may require some explanation for younger readers, as in the mid-1970s the American car industry thought all convertible cars had one foot in the grave. With the introduction of the 5 mph bumper—and other innovations—federal crash…

Only three years after its introduction, for 1956 Chevrolet introduced a restyled Corvette that was a significant departure from earlier models. Fast, sleek and extremely clean in appearance, the new body style was more than just a work of art – the now-iconic design lent America’s sports car a much more sporting identity. As a…

A mainstay of the Bloomington Gold Special Collection, this Harley J. Earl Corvette is a one-of-a-kind factory special with a singularly historic pedigree. General Motors commissioned the custom-built 1963 Sting Ray under Shop Order 10323 as a gift for the legendary GM designer, who subsequently used it as his personal car. It features the base…

(Three L88s crossed the block recently, and we asked CM analyst Mark Rudnick to compare and contrast them. – CM.)

Introduced to the press at Riverside International Raceway in late 1982, the long-awaited fourth-generation Corvette was stylish, sophisticated, worldly – and unlike any Corvette ever before. But the excitement didn’t last. Though the 1984 model racked up the second highest build in Corvette history (thanks to a 1.5-year long run), its 51,547 production soon dropped…

Though almost identical to its immediate predecessors in outward appearance, the 1955 Corvette was a significant milestone in the evolution of America’s sports car. This was the first year that Chevrolet’s vaunted 265-ci V8 engine was available. This year also marked the transition to a 12-volt electrical system, firmly transitioning the model into the modern…