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Corvette C5 Roadster from Park Place Rentals in Seattle, WA

Corvette

Corvette Dealers  Corvette Clubs

 1969 Corvette Stingray from exotic car share in Palatine, IL

History

During World War II servicemen stationed in Europe were attracted to the sporty British MG. Ownership of this 2 seater sports car was limited to a small, elite group. After the war General Motors reasoned that a sports car tailored to American driving conditions and comforts that an affluent population wanted in their cars would sell well. It would also boost the stodgy image of Chevrolet.

Immediately upon becoming chief engineer at Chevrolet, Ed Cole tripled the engineering staff. Harley J. Earl was hired in 1953 to design their cars. Earl was bitten by the innovative and sports car design that he had witnessed after World War II. Earl was determined to bring the sports car to America. The Chevrolet Corvette, the first American sports car, was introduced in 1953 by General Motors. The first cars were only available in white with red interior. The suggested retail price was $3,490.

Zora Arkus-Duntov was also hired in 1953 as assistant staff engineer. He later became Corvette's chief engineer. Without his help, Corvette production would have been halted in 1955. Changes were made to the Corvette in 1956 and 1957 to develop the Vette into a genuine sports car.

Harley Earl retired in the early 1960s. With the new leadership and fresh ideas of the General Motor's new chief of design, Bill Mitchell, the incredibly successful Stingray was born. Tradition was broken as the totally redesigned Corvette was offered as a coupe or a convertible with 4 engine choices. Both featured a streamlined appearance and improved passenger accommodations. Americans loved the 1963-1967 Stingrays because they were fast machines that looked supersonic even when parked. They remain the most collectible Corvettes today.

In July of 1992 the one millionth Corvette, a white convertible with red interior to mimic the first Corvette, was produced.
 
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