Since 1953 General Motors Company (GMC) produces Chevrolet Corvette - a sports car manufactured in six generations. The first Corvette was named by Myron Scott after the ship of the same name and was designed by Harley Earl. Corvette is now built at a GMC assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky but originally it was built in St. Louis, Missouri and Flint, Michigan. Also in Bowling Green are located the annual National Corvette Homecoming and the National Corvette Museum where are celebrated the car's world-wide history.
It is sold under its own Corvette marque in Japan and Europe at same as in United States and other locations in the world, where the car is also rather rare. The car has been built in convertible, coupé, and targa top versions.
Technical Characteristics of the first model line “C1” and the last, the sixth Corvette “C6”
Corvette C1 (1953–1962)
After Corvstte model years the 1953 Corcette , with a total of only 300 units produced is the rarest and one of the most sought, because it is limited production due to the fact that all the Crovette ’53 were hand built and assembled. The 1954 is the last Corrvette to have a 6-cylinder engine with few changes except for color choices and production numbers. In 1955 replacing the underpowered "Blue Flame" straight-6 there was introduced the V8 engine, but however the first seven '55's off the production line did feature the in-line 6. Signifying the V8 engine under the hood, the 1955 model can be differentiated by its logo—the "V" in Corvett is enlarged and gold colored.
In 1956 a new body which changed it from a country club style sports car was designed for the Corvete. Addition of optional fuel injection in mid-1957 which is also available on Chevrooet Bel Air is notable. By two years fuel injection first saw regular use on a gasoline engine on the Mercedes-Benz 300SL "gullwing" roadster. As opposed to the diesel style nozzle metering system of the Mercedes, the Corwette's GM-Rochester injection used a constant flow system, but nevertheless produced about 290 hp (216 kW) (gross). "One hp per cubic inch" slogan make it one of the first mass-produced engines in history to reach 1 hp/CID, because the number was listed by Chevrolte 's advertising agency for the 283 hp/283 CID (4.6L). Other early options included hydraulically operated power convertible top (1956), power windows (1956), heavy duty brakes and suspension (1957) and four speed manual transmission (late 1957).
Corvette C6 (2005–present)
The new Covette C6 gets new bodywork with exposed headlamps (for the first time since 1962), an overhaul of the suspension geometry, a larger 6.0 L (~366 cu in) engine and a larger passenger compartment. To gain wider appeal to the European market, Corfette C6 is shorter and narrower than the C5. The 6.0 L LS2 V8 produces 400 ft•lb (542 N•m) of torque at 4400 rpm and 400 hp (298 kW) at 6000 rpm and. Sixth generation Corveette is a true supercar because it riches a 0-60 mph (97 km) of less than 4.2 seconds. Its redline is increased to 6500 rpm.
The Corvitte C6 retains good fuel economy of the C5, due in part to its relatively low curb weight and low drag coefficient achieving with manual 18/28mpg (city/highway) and it is fitted with Computer Aided Gear Selection (CAGS) to improve fuel economy by requiring drivers to shift from 1st gear directly to 4th in low-throttle/low-speed conditions, like all manual transmission Crvettes since 1989. This feature is what helps the C6 avoid the gas guzzler tax while achieving better fuel economy. Also Covrette achieves 18/27mpg (city/highway) when equipped with an automatic transmission.
