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There is a saying: "With great power comes great responsibility". When it comes to Corvettes and Corvette race cars, this can be extended to "With great power comes poor fuel economy".

This became a problem for Corvettes in endurance racing, such as the 24 hour Le Mans race and the 12 hours of Sebring. The solution came in the form of increased fuel tank capacity.

Starting in 1959, there was option 1625, a 24 gallon tank for the Corvette. Little is known about the option other than that it was available. The Corvette Black Book does not list pricing or quantity built. It is also listed for the 1960 model year; the option is listed as 1625A and the price was $161.40. In 1961 the option code was 1625 and the price was also $161.40. The capacity for the stock 1959 - '60 Corvette fuel tank is 16.4 gallons.

Briggs Cunningham's Number 2 Corvette race car was raced on the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1960. It took third place in the Class R General Motors - Powered Sports Cars at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours. It is currently owned by Bruce Meyer, a prominent Beverly Hills car collector.

To the right is the fuel filler. Notice the wide opening, this facilitated the rapid transfer of large amounts of fuel to the tank.

A window sticker for a 1962 Corvette indicating that it was equipped with a 24 gallon fuel tank. According to the Corvette Black Book, 65 1962 Corvettes were so equipped. Corvette lore has it that 10 1960 Corvettes and 25 1961 Corvettes were big tank equipped, but this cannot be verified.

A 1962 Corvette Tanker. Note the funky fuel filler on the right. All C1 Tanker Corvettes were hardtop only, as the big tank did not make room for the folding convertible tops. This was not a problem as the hardtop is the preferred setup for competition due to its aerodynamic advantages.

Here's an interesting eBay auction. Up for offer is a NOS (New Old Stock or a brand new part that has never been installed anywhere) fuel tank for a C1 Tanker. This is an odd auction to say the least. The only people who may be interested in the purchase is somebody restoring a C1 Tanker Corvette in which the fuel tank is not in restorable condition. Talk about a limited market! Others, who for example are looking to build a C1 racer, could arrange for a steel or aluminum tank to be fabricated for much less than the $11,500 asking price in this auction.

C2 Tankers

The concept of a large fuel tank to aid endurance racing really took hold with the C2 Corvette generation. For all five C2 model years a RPO N03 36 gallon fuel tank was an available option costing $202.30 for the 1963 thru '66 model years and, for some reason, $198.05 for 1967.

Above: N03 36 Gallon Fuel Tank option as installed in a 1963 split window coupe. Only coupes were eligible for the option - convertibles need not apply. Limiting the N03 sales was the fact that it reduced the available luggage space. Some N03 owners carpeted the area to prevent scuffing.

Below is a big tank installed on a Z06 race car; notice the larger filler arrangement to allow faster fuel delivery enabling quicker pit stops.

N03 36 Gallon Fuel Tank option partly installed on the 1963 assembly line.

65 1963 coupes were N03 equipped. Most, but not all, were installed in Z06s.

N03 tanks are available as reproductions from the same eBay seller as the C1 tank mentioned earlier. The $8,500 price may be a bit sobering but where else could you find one? It might be useful if you think your C2 coupe needs more range. The original N03 tanks, all of which were fiberglass, sometimes began to seep fuel with age so replacement might be in order.

38 1964 coupes were shipped with the N03; 1965 had 41; 1966 saw 66. Above: despite the final notice document, two apparently well connected 1967 Corvettes were N03 equipped. The total N03s shipped from the St. Louis MO plant was 212.

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Here's a question worthy of debate: What is the most desirable and collectable Corvette?

There is of course no absolutely correct answer; there are many opinions on the subject and it all comes down to personal taste and preferences.

Your author has a definite opinion and that would be the 1957 Airbox Corvette. It was a cold air induction system which was (and still is) a popular and effective method of upping horsepower by arranging for the engine to be fed cold air.

The Corvette Black Book says that 43 were built but there are rumors of up to 50. Approximately 22 are known to exist. The airbox Corvette is a true race car that was often campaigned "back in the day". The life of a race car in the '50s and '60s was not an easy one; to make things worse they were not thought of as valuable then so their survival rate was low.

It was a one year only option for '57 with the Code moniker of 579D. Some documentation listed 579E as the Code. The intention was a racing only option as all were built without radios, EMI ignition shielding, heaters, power tops and windows, courtesy lights and windshield washers. There was a 579D Code for 1958, but it was only a fuel injected induction and did not include an airbox.

The airbox works by channeling cold air from ahead of the radiator directly to the intake on the fuel injection system. That air is colder and cold air is more dense which enhances horsepower. Most Corvette engines of the era took in air directly above the induction system - see the below photo. This was air heated by the engine - not good for performance.

All airbox Corvettes had code 684 (Heavy Duty Racing Suspension) which included ducting for brake cooling on the right side of the engine compartment. The cooling air was channeled through the right side rockers to the front and rear brakes. The airbox itself also channeled air to the front and left rear brakes. Drum brakes were what was available in Corvettes in 1957 and, for racing applications, keeping them cool was critical.

To further the case for racing applications, most (if not all) airbox Corvettes came with Code 684, the Heavy Duty Racing Suspension of which 51 were built at a cost of $781.10. The option, which was available on 1957 to 1959 Corvettes, consisted of Heavy Duty Springs and Shocks, Vented Brake Backing Plates, Finned Brake Drums, a Fast Steering Adapter, Heavy Duty Sway Bar and 5-1/2 inch Wide Wheels.

The generator, normally located on the left of the engine bay, was relocated to the right to clear up room for the airbox.

Airbox illustration from the 1956 - 1957 AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual). In addition to being installed on 43 1957 Corvettes, the parts were available from the parts department, enabling others to take advantage of the technology. All airboxes were constructed of fiberglass.

Above is the stock dash for the production 1957 Corvette. Note the tachometer in the center; the joke of the day was that the passenger had a better view of the tachometer.

Below: Corvette racers do not have a sense of humor when it comes to important details like instrumentation. All airbox Corvettes had tachometers mounted on the steering column. The previous dashboard location was filled with a trunk emblem.

SN 4007

The First Airbox Corvette

SN 4007 (the full VIN is VE57S104007) is the the earliest known airbox Corvette, completed May 15, 1957.

SN 4007 has an impressive list of awards, including being part of the Bloomington Gold Special Collection, Ault Park Concours d'Elegance Award of Distinction, multiple NCRS Top Flight Awards and being inducted into the Bloomington Gold Great Hall as one of the most significant cars in Corvette history.

SN 4007 airbox Corvette was on the auction block at Mecum on January 12, 2019 and was bid to $500,000 but the reserve was not met. More information available at the Vette-Vues Magazine web site. All photos of SN 4007 are courtesy of Mecum Auctions.

Above: The passenger side ducting located on the engine compartment that sent cool air to the right side brakes.

Two views of the SN 4007 fuel injection system. Note the absense of EMI shielding on the spark plug wires and distributors. All airbox Corvettes, being radio delete, did not require the shielding.

SN 4007 dashboard. Note the blank area where the stock Corvette would have a tachometer. Apparently, with it being a prototype of sorts, nobody thought to install the trunk emblem in its place as was done on later airbox Corvettes.

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The 2025 C8 ZR1 was introduced on July 25, 2024 and was an immediate sensation. The announcement was strategically limited to engine power ratings (1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm with 828 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm).

GM then doled out performance statistics strategically to keep interest piqued. Top speed numbers were followed by 0 - 60 mph and 1/4 mile acceleration data. Then the MSRP was unveiled on January 9, 2025 - $174,995 - a complete bargain by any standard. And on January 27, 2025 the first ZR1 was auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson charity auction in Scottsdale AZ for $3,700,000.

There's a saying in investment circles: "A rising tide lifts all boats", meaning that when a particular stock, for example, goes up in value then other similar stocks also go up.

C3 ZR1s

Although many Corvette fans are not aware, there was a ZR1 for the 1970 thru 1972 model years. The above convertible 1970 ZR1 was auctioned off at Mecum Auctions on May 18, 2024. Hammer price was $155,000.

Above: This 1971 ZR1 coupe sold for $220,000 eight months later on January 17, 2025 at the Mecum Kissimmee auction.

On January 17, 2025 this 1970 ZR1 hammered at a phenomenal $451,000. Contributing to the result: It was the first ZR1 built and came with a long list of awards.

C4 ZR1s

The C4 ZR-1 has always had a soft spot in your authors heart. The four camshaft 32 valve LT-1 engine was a bold move on the part of GM. It was available for the 1990 thru 1995 model years.

Unfortunately the market has not been kind to them with prices hovering around the $20k level - and this is for cars in excellent condition with low miles.

That changed with the 2025 ZR1 introduction. At the Mecum Kissimmee auction, the above 1990 ZR-1, with 1,010 miles on the clock, achieved a $52,800 hammer price. This is about twice what it would have been less than one year earlier.

The above 1993 ZR-1 Anniversary Edition in Ruby Red also had a hammer price of $52,800. It had 12,319 miles on it.

This is a rare beast: a 1989 ZR-1. Sharp eyed Corvette folks will point out that ZR-1s were produced for the 1990 thru 1995 modle years. This car is one of the pilot cars used for development and testing. Interestingly, the engine was labeled as a LT-1.

Car companies normally do not like to see their pilot cars in public hands but GM sold four 1989 ZR1s according to one source. It was during their bankruptcy days so cash was at a premium.

It sold for $66,000 at the Mecum Kissimmee auction on January 16, 2025. It's hard to say how much of a bargain it was with only four in existence. Cosmetically it is in poor shape but that's common with engineering mules.

Although there are no recent Mecum sales for C6 ZR1s, the data from Bring a Trailer shows an uptick in prices.

C7 ZR1s

Similar to the Ford GT, the C7 ZR1 has been a marketplace phenom; few were sold for MSRP and all that were purchased only went up in value. Up until the July 2024 ZR1 announcement from GM, they had been trading for around $200,000. At the Kissimmee auction, four of the seven offered went for well over $200,000.

The above sebring orange seven speed coupe ZR1 with 18 miles on the odometer went for $275,000 at the January 16th 2025 auction.

This 2019 Corvette ZR1 Converitble in Long Beach Red with 866 miles hit $258,500 at Mecum Kissimmee. For yur author, it checked all the boxes: ZR1, Long Beach Red, Seven Speed manual, Convertible, do I have to say more?

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The 2025 Corvette ZR1 has significant history behind it; previous renditions are a tough act to follow.

All Corvette generations have a ZR1 in the mix except for the C1, C2 and C5. Conversely, the Z06 - the other high performance designation for the Corvette - has participated in the C2, C5, C6, C7 and C8 generations. Both Corvette classifications are tied with five each.

C3 ZR1

It all started in 1970, with RPO ZR1, listed as a "Special Purpose Engine Package". The main feature was the legendary LT-1 engine and a nice list of suspension upgrades and other goodies intended for road racing. Comfort options such as A/C, automatic transmission, power windows and radio was not available. 25 were built with the option itself costing $968.95. The option was also available in 1971 (quantity 8) and 1972 (quantity 20), the other years the LT-1 engine was available. Corvette lore has it that ZR1 stood for "Zoras' Racers", Zora being Zora Arkus-Duntov, the original chief Corvette engineer and the father of the Corvette.

1970 Corvette ZR1 convertible auctioned off at Mecum Auctions on May 18, 2024. Hammer price was $155,000. It was the recipient of multiple awards, including Bloomington Gold Certified on June 18, 2006 and NCRS Top Flight and NCRS Duntov Mark of Excellence.

Right: LT1 engine was widely respected by the road racing community. Note the lack of EMI shielding; with no radio installed, it was not necessary.

C4 ZR1

The ZR-1 (note the hyphen, the only time it would be part of the nomenclature) came into prominence in 1990 as a C4 with a unique four overhead camshaft, four valve per cylinder engine with the LT5 designation. The excitement in the Corvette world was similar to what happened with the 2019 Corvette ZR1 introduction. For more information, see the ZR-1 page.

The C4 ZR-1 was informally known as "King of the Hill", a moniker supposedly seen on some low level GM documentation. GM carried the torch in 2017 with a press release titled "2019 Corvette ZR1: Return of the King", which concluded "It's good to be the King".

C6 ZR1

The tradition continued in 2009 with the introduction of the C6 ZR1. New Corvette ground was broken with the debut of forced induction in the form of a supercharger. The engine designation was LS9. The C6 ZR1 model years extended to the end of the C6 reign in 2013.

C7 ZR1

Tadge Juechter discusses the engineering behind the 2019 Corvette ZR1

The C7 Corvette ZR1 had a one year run in 2019. The engine designation was LT5 and was rated at 755 hp @ 6,300 RPM. While the C8 ZR1 is offering turbochargers, the 2019 rendition was also boosted but by a supercharger.

C8 ZR1

The 2025 C8 ZR1 was introduced on July 25, 2024. It immediately became the sensation of the automotive high performance world with it's 5.5 Liter, twin-turbocharged DOHC flat-plane crank V8 engine dubbed the LT7, and rated at 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm with 828 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm.

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Juechter will retire this summer after 47 distinguished and dedicated years with General Motors with 31 of those years devoted to Corvette.

Who has the best job in the world? Many people will claim that distinction but in the hearts and minds of Corvette folks, a likely candidate for the honor would be Tadge Juechter.

Tadges GM career started in 1977 at the Lordstown OH GM plant and in 1993 he joined the Corvette program. In 1999 he became Corvette's Assistant Chief Engineer and in 2006 he became the Corvette Executive Chief Engineer.

Left: Tadge at the introduction of the convertible C7 ZR1 in Los Angeles on November 28, 2017. Click here for a YouTube video of Tadge's talk. I had the chance to chat with Tadge at the event. I told him I am active with the local Vintage Corvette club and showed him a picture of my '68 convertible. I asked him what he thought of older Corvettes. He looked up for a bit and then said "I think the best Corvette is the next Corvette".

I think I kind of put him on the spot as a GM executive since they are supposed to be in favor of the new models but do not want to alienate anybody in the Corvette world. Tadge is clearly a first class act.

GM CEO Mary Barra accompanies Tadge Juechter in a teaser photo in a "camouflaged" Corvette C8.

Tadge worked on five generations of the Corvette starting with later versions of the C4. He was instrumental in the development of the C7 with a priority regarding the interior for which we are all grateful. He was also the lead on the 2019 C7 ZR1 - named Road and Track Performance Car of the Year - and was triumphant by all accounts.

Success with the C7 led to similar work on the C8 which we all know to be totally new and different and that much more of a challenge. Above: Tadge helps to reveal the C8 to the world on July 18, 2019.

2025 Corvette ZR1 Swan Song

Tadge ended an illustrious career with the ZR1, as fitting as could be imagined for an amazing career that included induction into the Corvette Hall of Fame on August 12, 2024.

The ZR1 set new performance standards for the Corvette with a twin turbocharged engine rated at 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb-ft of torque. It is clearly a performance monster with a future as a track day star.

An appropriate and well deserved honor

The front windshield glass and front tunnel reinforcement panel beneath every Corvette Stingray, Z06, E-Ray, and ZR1 will feature the above graphic image of Tadge. According to a GM press release it will be featured on all Corvettes in the "2025 model year Corvettes and beyond." Wow.

"Tadge made our vehicles and our company better every day that he came to work, for nearly five decades, with his career culminating in the fastest, most powerful Corvette of them all," said GM President Mark Reuss. "ZR1, and all Corvettes that follow, will wear this symbol commemorating his immense contributions and celebrating his legacy forever."

As of July 1, 2024, Tadge has been replaced by Tony Roma. He is the sixth person to be known as the Corvette chief engineer.

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Definition of Seminal: Highly original and influencing the development of future events.

1) Small Block Chevy - Engine

Left: Cutaway drawings by David Kimble of the new small block engine.

It was a partnership made in high performance heaven - the Chevrolet Small Block engine made the Corvette famous and the Corvette made the Chevrolet Small Block engine famous.

It was introduced in 1955 and was also a major milestone in automotive engines. The engineering was advanced and featured a compact design, overhead valves and low production costs. Whenever a list of the world's most significant automobile engines is compiled, the Chevrolet small block is always included.

Although it has undergone many changes and updates, the engine we get with the 2024 C8 Stingray is a direct descendant to the V8 first available in 1955. Both feature in the block camshafts in an OHV design with the cylinders placed at 4.40 inch bore centers.

56 years after the debut of the first production small-block, on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at the GM Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan, GM held a party to celebrate. Participants got to build the milestone 100,000,000th engine which is a 638-horsepower supercharged LS9 small block. It represents the fourth generation of the small block and as of 2011 it was the most powerful engine ever built by GM for a regular-production car. GM will preserve the engine as part of its historical collection.

2) 1957: Fuel Injection

Why fuel injection? The problem was that during long sustained high speed cornering, a situation often encountered in road racing, fuel in the carburetor bowls would slosh around and cause fuel starvation to the engine. Clearly a bad thing.

Chevrolet pulled something amazing out of the hat for 1957: Fuel Injection. First run in 1956 at the Sebring race, the Rochester Ramjet injection was an answer to Mercedes-Benz which featured fuel injection in the 1954 300SL. The innovation solved a fuel starvation problem caused by fuel sloshing while cornering with carbureted engines under race conditions. The fuel injection system is displayed in a cutaway drawing to the left.

To keep this development in perspective, consider this: Almost all of the high priced supposedly advanced competition -- including Jaguar, Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini -- did not go with fuel injection until the 1970s or later. Mercedes-Benz, in 1955, did offer fuel injection in the 300SL - a more expensive car than the Corvette.

Left: Ad touting the advantages of fuel injection. Middle: GM Fuel Injection photo. Right: This one is a hoot. The marketing folks must have had a lot of fun poking fun at the Italians and the fact that they were not competitive regarding engine technology. Note the Ferrari like competition peering out jealously from under a car cover.

The fuel injection in 1957 was the start of Corvette's role as a halo car for GM; the Corvette would continue to serve as a showcase for the best of GM. With its introduction, the horsepower (283 hp) was equal to its cubic inch displacement of 283 cubic inches, the one horsepower per cubic inch milestone was achieved.

3) 1957: Four Speed Transmission

The Corvette started life with a significant disadvantage in the transmission department. For the first two years and well into the third year, the only choice was a two speed Powerglide transmission. At the time, four speed manuals were standard with even low cost sports cars such as MG, Triumph - even the lowly VW Beetle was so equipped.

The Corvette was available with a manual trans in 1955 but it was only a three speed. It was also a truck sourced part with not so great shifting characteristics and a non synchromesh first gear. So when a proper four speed became available in the Corvette in 1957, it was a big deal. The street cred for the Corvette amongst sports car enthusiasts had been established.

Left: GM was justifiably proud of the four speed transmission as seen in the 1967 ad.

4) 1963: Independent Rear Suspension

Since its inception, the Corvette has been GM's halo car - it usually featured new technology. The first clue was in the body material from the beginning: Fiberglass.

Another technological advance came in the form of an independent rear suspension (IRS) in 1963. This was a bold move on the part of GM. To put it into perspective, consider this. It wasn't until 1992 - 29 years - after the introduction of the 1963 'vette that a car with an IRS designed by Chrysler (the 1992 Viper) was available to the public.

The IRS was a radical move and positioned the Corvette as a serious road car. The improvement was dramatic and car enthusiasts from all backgrounds took notice. Overall, the handling was much better and so was the feel. The new Corvette was not only faster on the race track, it also felt better. By comparison, the earlier Corvettes felt more cumbersome. The steering feel, agility, responsiveness and "fun to drive" factor was such that even foreign car aficionados took notice.

5) 1965: Big Block Engine

We are all aware of the Corvette's bad boy reputation. Its source can be debated but one candidate is the Big Block motor that was featured in the late C2 and early C3 Corvettes. While not true, there were rumors that the big blocks would register on the Richter scale whenever driven nearby.

They started in late 1965 as a 396 cubic incher and then went to 427 cubic inches in 1966 via a bore and stroke increase. It stayed as a 427 mill and then went to 454 cubic inches in 1970; that would be the largest displacement engine that GM would offer in a Corvette. The last year for the big block, at least in its C2 / C3 format, was 1974. Horsepower rating was down to 270 hp.

6) 1968: Coke Bottle Shape

How the C3 Corvette got it's "Coke Bottle Shape" moniker. Notice the pinched in area just above the bottom of the coke bottle and a similar pinched in area on the doors of the Corvette.

The side view of the Corvette has a similar theme with the front and rear fenders. Notice also that both are a relatively narrow design.

The drawings are from actual patent filings; see https://patents.google.com/patent/USD212152S/en. The inventor is Henry G. Haga and it is assigned to General Motors. Henry is in the Corvette Hall of Fame.

It's important to note that much of the design philosophy of the 1968 C3 continued through the C7 generation which ended in 2019.

7) C5: Advanced Technology

If you were to look for when the most significant changes in Corvette technology took place, your search would end with the introduction of the C5 Corvette in 1997.

The automotive world changed significantly during the reign of the C4 Corvette. Computers had not only become part of the cars but perhaps more importantly were being used extensively in the design and engineering process.

Performance car standards, along with customer's expectations, had changed. Previously high performance meant comfort sacrifices. Bone rattling, noisy and uncomfortable rides was the price of speed and there was no getting around it. But technology had changed and when the latter part of the 1990s arrived, going fast did not require self imposed torture.

The C5 was introduced in 1997. It was an entirely new car; more so than any other Corvette generation in that all major elements - the drivetrain, the chassis and the body - had not appeared before.

Something else was new: When describing the C5, road testers used the word "refined", which was not how previous Corvettes were labeled. It's not that the Corvette was going soft in its later years; the difference was in the state of the automotive art.

The reason behind the significant improvements can be found in the utilization of CAD (Computer Aided Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) as part of the development process.

Of the many innovations of the C5, the rear transaxle was at the top of the list. With a transaxle design, the transmission and the differential are located in a combined case at the rear axle. This was the same layout used in the Porsche 944 and Ferrari Daytona. The goal was improved balance; with the weight shifted more to the rear a better front / rear weight distribution was possible. In the case of the C5, weight distribution was 51% front / 49% rear which is close to ideal and an excellent statistic for a front engine car. Another advantage of the rear transaxle was more space in the cockpit area, which resolved a complaint from C4 owners who felt that the footwell areas was too small. Note the torque tube in front of the transaxle and to the right in the above photo. It mechanically coupled the engine to the transaxle which improved handling response, delivering that wonderful and often elusive "sports car feel".

8) C8: Mid-Engine Layout

By the time the C7 generation was coming to an end, an obvious truth appeared. The Corvette, if it were to remain competitive as a performance car, needed to go mid engine.

And so Zora Arkov-Duntov's dream of a mid engine production Corvette became a reality.

The extraordinary change was the beginning of a new Corvette era. It immediately became recognized not only as one of the great sports cars, it also became one of the great performance cars.

GM did not stop there. Some truly significant performance improvements followed, including the 2023 Z06, the 2024 E-Ray and the (recently announced) 2025 ZR1.

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Corvettes Can be Funny Too

A husband went to the police station to report his missing wife:

Husband : I've lost my wife, she went shopping yesterday and has still not come home.

Sergeant : What is her height ?

Husband : Oh, 5 something . . .

Sergeant : Build?

Husband : Not slim, not really fat.

Sergeant : Color of eyes?

Husband : Never noticed.

Sergeant : Color of hair?

Husband : Changes according to season.

Sergeant : What was she wearing?

Husband : Dress/suit/blue jeans -- I don't remember exactly.

Sergeant : Did she go in a car?

Husband : yes.

Sergeant : What kind of car was it?

Husband : 2015 Corvette Stingray 3LT with the Z51 Performance Package, shark gray metallic paint, with the 6.2 litre V8 engine with Direct Injection generating 460 HP. 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission, and GT bucket seats, and has a very thin scratch on the front left door....... at this point the husband started crying...

Sergeant : Don't worry sir ....... We'll find your car.

OK, these two are not Corvette specific but I had to include them anyway!

This is the ZR1 that got swallowed up in the Corvette Museum sinkhole incident on Feb. 12, 2014. This meme is actually based on fact as the ZR1 started up no problem - See the YouTube video. Notice the prodigious oil leak as it is being driven off.

What's in a (Corvette) Name?

Sometimes it's a Racetrack!

For whatever reason, the C1 generation did not include any colors named after racetracks; that changed with the C2 generation.

Riverside Red - 1963, 1964; Riverside Gold - 1969

Riverside Red was a nod to the Riverside International Raceway, often known as RIR. It was located in Riverside County, CA and was built in 1957; it has legendary status amongst southern California racing fans. It hosted many racing formats, including IndyCar, Sports Cars, NASCAR and drag racing. The final major race, the Budweiser 400, was in 1988. See the Wikipedia entry.

Sebring Silver - 1963, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000 - Sebring Orange - 2021

Sebring International Raceway is a road course located near Sebring, FL. It is famous for hosting IMSA races, FIA WEC, Trans Am and even a Formula One race in 1959. It opened in December 1950 and currently hosts the 12 hours of Sebring which can be thought of as the American Le Mans. Wikipedia entry.

Daytona Blue - 1963, 1964, 1999; Daytona Yellow - 1969, 1970; Daytona Sunset Orange - 2005, 2015, 2016

Daytona Blue is a nod to the Daytona International Speedway located in Daytona Beach, FL which opened in 1959. There is a road course and a tri-oval which is famous for its NASCAR Cup Series races. Its most notable race is the Daytona 500, the NASCAR season opener. Wikipedia entry.

Nassau Blue - 1965, 1966, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2004 thru 2007, 2009

Nassau Blue referenced the Nassau Trophy Road Races held at Nassau in the Bahamas from 1954 to 1957. Photos from the era show at least two Corvette Grand Sports participating. Recent events, starting in 2011, are known as the Bahamas Speed Week Revival. Also worth noting: Nassau Blue was available for 10 Corvette model years, more than any other racetrack tribute Corvette colors.

Glen Green - 1965, Watkins Glen Gray 2017

Watkins Glen International - nicknamed "The Glen" - is a racetrack in upper New York state. It hosted Formula One races for twenty consecutive years from 1961-1980. It still is a functioning racetrack with IMSA, Ferrari Challenge, Trans-Am, NASCAR and NASA events. Wikipedia link.

Goodwood Green - 1967

Goodwood Circuit is a historically significant racetrack located near Chichester, England. It came to life after World War II as a former RAF airfield and last hosted a race in 1966. Current events include the Goodwood Festival of Speed (a classic hill climb event) and the Goodwood Revival, a three-day festival that celebrates cars and motorcycles that competed from 1948 to 1966. (Wikipedia link)

Mosport Green - 1966

Mosport Park / Mosport International Raceway is located in Bowmanville, Ontario and was built in the late 1950s and is currently known as the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. It has hosted Formula One races and currently hosts IMSA, NASCAR, Trans-AM and motorcycle events. (Wikipedia link).

Lynndale Blue - 1967

Lynndale Farms Raceway was a short lived 2.5 mile racetrack located in Pewaukee, WI that closed in 1967. It held a number of sports car and SCCA races. Operating a racetrack is a tough business and local opposition regarding noise levels and bad weather had taken its toll.

Elkhart [Lake] Blue - 1967, 2019 thru 2023 and Elkhart Green - 1972, 1973

Road America is a road course located near Elkhart Lake, WI. It first offered road races in September 1955 and is still active with over 400 events a year, including Indy Car, NASCAR, IMSA, Trans-Am and SCCA racing.

Marlboro Maroon - 1967, 1970

Marlboro Motor Raceway, located in Upper Marlboro, MD, was originally built in 1952 as an all-dirt oval track. In 1954, it was paved and converted to a road course. A number of SCCA races were held including the 12 Hours of Marlboro and various SCCA events. It closed after the 1969 season. Wikipedia link.

Le Mans Blue - 1968, 1969, 2004 thru 2007, 2009

Le Mans is the one race track that needs no introduction if you've seen the great racing movie Ford v. Ferrari. The 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race is one of the premier racing events in the world, rivaled only by the Indianapolis 500. It was first run in 1923. Wikipedia link. Not to be confused with the 24 Hours of LeMons.

Mulsanne Blue - 1970, 1971

Mulsanne Straight is not a racetrack but a portion of the Le Mans racetrack. The 3.7 mile straight which, since 1990, is interrupted by two chicanes for safety reasons. At one time, before the chicanes were installed, cars reached 250 mph on the straight. The current record is 226.9 mph. Wikipedia link.

Silverstone Silver - 1968

Silverstone Circuit is a British racetrack in England near the villages of Towcester, Silverstone, and Whittlebury. It has held Formula One races, including the first ever World Championship Grand Prix in 1950 and it continues those duties to this day. It is also famous for hosting motorcycle races. Wikipedia link.

Monza Red - 1969, 1970

The Monza Circuit is a 3.60 mile racetrack near the city of Monza, Italy. It was built in 1922 and has hosted Formula One races from 1950 to 1979 and 1981 to present. It is famous for its high-speed oval portion, which was controversial due to safety issues, and last used in 1969. Wikipedia link.

Monaco Orange - 1969

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most storied automobile races in history. First held in 1929, it became a regular part of the Formula One calendar in 1950. It is a 2.074 mile circuit and is a tight narrow course where passing is difficult. The driver with the most wins - 6 - is Ayrton Senna and the constructor with the most wins is McLaren, with 15 victories.

Bridgehampton Blue - 1970, 1971

Bridgehampton Race Circuit located near Sag Harbor, NY opened in 1957. In the early years, it hosted major races, including the World Sportscar Championship, Can-Am, and NASCAR Grand National. As the 1970s came about, it mostly hosted amateur events. Its demise came about in a similar manner as other racetracks: Local noise complaints, increased real estate values, and a lack of funding. It last hosted an event in 1998. Wikipedia link.

Donnybrooke Green - 1970

Opened in July 1968 as Donnybrooke Speedway in Brainerd, MN, it lacked safety barriers, runoff areas, and restrooms. SCCA and NHRA events were held at first; then CanAm races in 1970 thru 1972. Currently there is a 13 turn, 2.5 mile Competition Road Course and a 10 turn, 3.1 mile Donnybrooke Road Course. Wikipedia link.

Ontario Orange - 1970 thru 1972

Ontario Motor Speedway was a motorsport venue located in Ontario, CA and was an attempt at a west coast Indianapolis 500 race which never achieved that lofty goal. It was a 9° banked 2.5 mile oval track with a 3.194 mile infield road course. It hosted Indy cars, NASCAR and NHRA events. It did not work out as a business venture, and became a commercial real estate project. It closed in December 1980. Wikipedia link.

Mille Miglia Red - 1971 thru 1974

Mille Miglia (thousand miles in Italian) was an endurance road race first held in 1927. It was a one lap race held on public roads throughout Italy. It is known for its danger; over its 30-year history, a total of 56 people died - 24 drivers/co-drivers and 32 spectators. It was last held in 1947. It continues to be run as a rally-like 1000 Miglia event limited to legal speeds. Wikipedia link.

Brands Hatch Green - 1971

Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit in Kent, England. Originally used as a grasstrack motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986. It currently hosts many British and International racing events. It has both a 1.18 mile Indy Circuit and a 2.433 mile Grand Prix layout. 14 Formula One races were hosted at Brands Hatch; the last being in 1986. Wikipedia link.

War Bonnet Yellow - 1971, 1972

War Bonnet Raceway Park was a purpose-built 2.3-mile road course located in Mannford, OK and opened in 1967. Races include a Trans-Am Series event in 1968, two open-wheel SCCA F5000 events in 1967 and 1968, as well as various sports car races organized by the SCCA between 1967 and 1970. it closed in 1970. Wikipedia link.

Bryar Blue - 1972

Bryar Motorsports Park, located in North Loudon, NH originally opened as a 1.600 mile road coarse in 1964. It was completely transformed in 1990 into the New Hampshire International Speedway 1.058 mile oval with a seating capacity of 76,000. It currently hosts NASCAR races. Wikipedia link.

Long Beach Red - 2016 thru 2020

Long Beach Red is a tribute to the Grand Prix of Long Beach held in Long Beach, CA. It started as a Formula 5000 race in 1975 and then became a Formula One race from 1976 thru 1983. It became a CART/Champ Car and Indy Car street race starting in 1984, taking a year off due to Covid-19 in 2020. The event was the brainchild of promoter Chris Pook, a former travel agent from England and was inspired by the Monaco Grand Prix. It is currently a popular and well established event. Wikipedia link.

Lime Rock Green - 2014

Lime Rock Park is a road racing venue located in Lakeville, CT in the state's northwest corner. Built in 1956, it is the nation's third oldest continuously operating road racing venue. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. It is 1.530 miles long and previously hosted IMSA, Pirelli World Chalenge, and the Rolex Sports Car Series; it currently offers Trans-Am races. Wikipedia link.

1954 Corvette Prototype

Prototype Corvettes offer a fascinating glimpse into the minds of the stylists who creted them. What other ideas did they consider?

As the 1954 Corvette model year was coming to a close, the design department experimented with ideas for the 1955 and subsequent Corvettes.

Putting the ideas into flesh and blood reality was the job of SO 2151, shown here. "SO" was short for "Shop Order"

You may have heard the expression "a camel is a horse designed by a committee" and it applies here to the 1954 SO 2152 Corvette. The car looks like everybody got their say in how it would look and the results are not pleasing.

In most cases with SO 2151, the ideas used did not make it into production. Above is the SO 2151 grill and below is the much loved 13 tooth chrome grill on a stock 1955 Corvette. The clear winner is the stock grill. It had been used on the 1953 thru 1957 Corvettes; 1958 thru 1960 featured a nine tooth version.

One item that did find its way to the production Corvette is the side script with the gold "V" emphasized. The SO 2151 was thicker with a different script and spelled out "Corvette" instead of "Chevrolet" as on the 1955 production Corvette. Also the emblem is located on the doors of SO 2151; the production Corvette had it on the front fenders. The gold "V" mission was to call attention to the V8 engine which made it's first appearance in a Corvette in 1955.

This is odd. The SO 2151 trunk had a hump of sorts, emphasized by chrome trim. It did not appear on the 1955 or subsequent Corvettes, which your author would characterize as being a "good thing". Right: Notice the classic Chevy bow tie in the license plate surround. A 1954 version of the modern "easter egg"?

Above: SO 2151 featured four slightly tilted vertical vents on the front fender. This had been a common styling feature, especially on Italian cars, in the 1960s. The SO 2151 version were oversized and glitzed to the max with chrome and trailing edge speed accents.

Below, left: 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB featured a more subtle form. Middle: The 1967 Corvette interpretation was similarly understated and was only seen on that model year. Right: The 1968 and '69 Corvette had comparable, although non-functional vents.

Here is some interesting insight on how designers work. Notice on the left side (above) the Corvette script is lower on the door, close to the chrome trim line. On the right side (below) it is nearer to the middle of the door. It is also a lighter script and closer to what was eventually used on the production 1955 car except that the script was "Chevrolet", not "Corvette".

Also the chrome level on the right side vertical vents on the front fender (bottom) was more low-key than the left side.

The method behind the madness was to give the designers samples to help them come to the right styling decisions.

The identification plate for the Corvette prototype. It was initially "SO 2000" but was updated to 2151 by the design department in 1954. It also received an updated chassis.

SO 2151 featured the Blue Flame Six engine; it was painted red however, indicating that it was a test engine. An updated cam was added which was good for 5 or 10 extra horsepower. A standard 1954 Blue Flame engine is at the right.

2023 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction

SO 2151 Being auctioned at the 2023 Pebble Beach Gooding & Company auction. The pre-auction estimate was $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 but with a top bid of $1,050,000, it was a no-sale.

The car had a lot going for it. Its provenance could not be denied: GM styling chief Bill Mitchell was involved in the project. It has consequential role in the history of the early Corvette and is one of the few cars in private hands that can make that claim.

But it also carries a lot of negative baggage. For starters, many of the ideas expressed are just bad with the hump in the trunk leading the list. Also the build quality was horrible which is a common situation regarding concept cars. If you ask me (but nobody does, of course) the consigner could have accepted the $1,050,000 bid without regret.

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Corvette C1, C2 Concept Cars

The creative process can be a fascinating and difficult course. Often there are no right or wrong answers and opinions can vary widely.

It can be interesting to look back at how it all involved and see what alternative ideas were considered. This applies to many areas, including music, art and car design.

The 1954 Corvette shown above was a design study project owned by Roger Crispell, a studio Chief at GM styling. It was assigned Shop Order #2536 in April 1955. The gold / silver hue was named Sahara Silver. The car is now part of the Lingenfelter collection.

Left: The headlight cover for the 1953 thru '55 Corvette, a "stoneguard" treatment popular with racers at the time as it protected against rocks thrown up and breaking headlights. Right: The alternative "shark fin" treatment applied to shop order #2536. It's hard to say if it was seriously considered for production. There may have been problems with its real world use; reflections could be an issue; also the myriad of lighting regulations of the day.

Interior updates featured a new instrument bezel. It never appeared on a production Corvette; perhaps it was a cost consideration?

Corvette C2 Ideas

Left: As found on the 1964 World's Fair Styling Corvette, a hood cutout to make the raised fuel injection (affectionately known as the doghouse) visible. While the idea never was implemented in production in 1964, the same concept found it's way to the C6 ZR1 starting in 2009 where the supercharger could be admired by all.

Also on the 1964 Concept car was this thinner "Corvette" script which noticeably is lacking the "Sting Ray" verbiage on the production car (below). Below right: The 1964 World's Fair Styling Corvette featured what looks to be a rear brake cooling duct. It probably was not functional which was common practice at the time.

Some of the concept cars were built for top GM executives; on the left is an interior upgrade in a 1963 convertible built for Bunkie Knudsen, on the right is the interior for styling Chief Harley Earl. Either would've looked good in a dealership showroom.

Going from two to three tail lights in a mid year Corvette was a popular update for the GM stylists of the day.

Corvette C2 Side Exhausts

C2 side exhausts saw a lot of experimentation.

Some might question the "bling" content, but this is often the case with concept cars. Practical and cost considerations prevented them from inclusion on production cars.

This 1964 featured a rather subdued version, at least compared to the others.

1965 side exhaust system (RPO N14) quantity: 759 (3.22%), $134.50. First available in 1964 and designated as a "Off Road Exhaust System", probably due to the fact that they were very loud. The price was reasonable, only $37.70.

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Corvette Indy

When the C8 Z06 was unveiled at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles on October 26, 2021, the news was shouted from the rooftops. A big step in Corvette performance was achieved via a four cam, 16 valve aluminum engine in a mid engine package.

While nobody can debate the significance of the event, the exotic engine and the mid engine configuration was not the first to appear in a Corvette, although it was the first to see production.

In the early 1980's GM created the Corvette Indy. It is a mid-engine concept vehicle intended as a running vision into the future of world class sports cars. Unlike many concept cars, the Corvette Indy is a fully functional car.

Two views of the Corvette Indy: Above is the composite structure and below you'll see it's layout.

The Corvette Indy is built on a rectangular carbon fiber backbone as seen above in red. This is the same method utilized by automotive designer Colin Chapman of Lotus cars fame. The filament-wound beam connects the front suspension to the rear drivetrain and suspension package, making it a stressed member of the chassis which was formula one technology at the time. The beam weighs under 45 pounds; the same steel equivalent would weigh almost 111 pounds. Additionally it is stronger than steel as it can sustain nearly 166,000 pounds per square inch of stress; the steel equivalent would break at the 35,800 pounds per square inch point.

The Indy Corvette transverse mounted engine and transmission. Going with transverse mounting has packaging advantages but the C8 Corvette went with a longitudinal configuration. Note that the drivetrain also functioned as a stressed member of the chassis; this was also standard practice in formula one cars at the time.

The marketing brochure for the Corvette Indy promised active suspension but the technical drawing above clearly shows conventional inboard springs and shock absorbers.

The engine was an experimental 350 cubic inch aluminum mill and was code named 350/32 with the "32" describing the total number of valves. The alloy cylinder heads sported a dual overhead camshaft design (a total of four cams) and a displacement of 5,727 cc. This, including the bore / stroke of 3.90 inches x 3.66 inches is exactly the same as the LT5 in the ZR-1 introduced in 1990. Wether this is a coincidence or if the two engines are direct cousins of each other is not known. 16 Rochester Multec fuel injectors are positioned in the manifold near the intake valves and are triggered sequentially. It is rated at 380 horsepower @ 6,000 RPM with torque of 370 lb-ft @ 3,800 RPM.

The Corvette Indy also featured All Wheel Drive. Power is delivered to the front through an intermediate differential and then to a third differential located between the front wheels. Speed differences between the front and rear wheels are minimized through a viscous coupling in the transmission splitter. It is set up so that 35% of the engine torque goes to the front wheels and 65% to the rear wheels.

How to describe the Corvette Indy's door? For starters, it has to be singular as in "door", not "doors". Maybe "Singular Scissor Door with Integral Roof?". Whatever it's known as, the concept would not work on rainy days. That's one of the many reasons concept cars look amazing but are never found in your local Chevrolet showroom.

Note the visible engine under the rear window, a good idea that found it's way into the C8 Corvette coupe.

Corvette Indy interior was a typical '80s affair with plentiful leather and a clean simple layout.

Note that it uses a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) positioned in front of a mirror, the display technology of the 80s. While I have not seen the Corvette Indy system in action, I cannot imagine it is of much use. Although it was also a packaging nightmare and prohibitively expensive, the concept was solid and is commonly found in current cars. The difference is the available display technology.

Corvette Royalty poses with the Corvette Indy: Dave Hill, Zora Arkus-Duntov and Dave McClellan

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As the publisher of the Corvette Story, I'll sometimes get questions which go along the lines of "I have a 19XX Corvette, XX color, XX engine and XX options. How many of this sort of Corvette were made?"

Along those lines, I recently got the following inquiry:

Message: I have a 1966 Convertible, it's a 427/425 hp, 4 spd. Triple black, how many was produced like this? It was born on Feb 2nd, 1966. I'm doing a frame off restoration. The car was bought brand new in Atlanta, and lived it's whole life there unit I bought it a few yrs ago and brought it to AL. Thanks in advance for your input!!!

Randy:

The answer is: We don’t know, at least not with any certainty.

Allow me to explain. We know that 17,762 Corvette convertibles were produced in 1966. We also know that 24,755 four speed transmissions were sold in 1966, including close ratio and heavy duty units. 5,258 Corvettes came with the 427 cu in / 425 hp L72 engine. Topping off the quantity list is 1,190 1966 Corvettes were Tuxedo Black.

So let’s so some extrapolation here, a common technique when it comes to these situations.

Looking at the total number of 1966 Corvettes sold (27,720) and number of four speed transmissions in 1966 (24,755) we can calculate that 89.30% of 1966 Corvettes were three pedal equipped. So far, we are good.

People will then proceed to figure that therefore 4,681 L72 engined 1966 Corvettes with four speed transmissions were produced - 5,258 x 89.03% = 4,681.

The problem here is that we are assuming that L72 engined Corvettes came with four speeds at the same rate as all other Corvettes (89.03%), both big and small block. And we simply do not know that.

There are some out there who will say that no big block C2 Corvette came with the two speed powerglide automatic transmission, but I can tell you that isn’t true because I’ve seen them. However my own observations are that the vast majority - I believe well over the 89.03% figure, of the L72s were four speeds. Exactly how many, it is impossible to know.

To carry the extrapolation process further, we can take the production quantity percentage of Tuxedo Black Corvettes (4.29%, quantity 1,190) and multiply that times 4,681 - the number of L72 four speed convertible Corvettes we figured earlier and come up with the figure of 201as the number of 1966 four speed L72 Tuxedo Black convertible Corvettes produced.

Here is where we run into the problem. It could be that all L72 four speed 1966 Corvette convertibs are Tuxedo Black, but that is obviously not true. We also could say that just one black L72 four speed 1966 Corvette exists (yours?) but I seriously doubt that. The exact figure is impossible to determine with the available data.

This doesn’t stop people from claiming that, in the case of your example, their Corvette is one of 201.

If this were my Corvette, I would be comfortable saying that an extrapolation estimate puts it as one of 201. And if space allowed, I would include the numbers.

A big problem is that we do not have reliable production figures for 1954 through mid 1981 Corvettes, which were produced at the St. Louis MO facility. According to the Corvette Museum web site, all those records were destroyed in a fire. It is worth noting that some out there have questioned this position.

The numbers we do have, found in my Corvette Story web site and the Corvette Black Book, are there because editors at the Corvette fan magazines back in the day would call the plant manager at the end of a production run and he would pass along what he knew based on his notes. This is why, for example, we do not have any color production quantities for the 1969 Corvette. There are other gaps.

Considering the dizzying array of options available throughout the years, almost every Corvette can be said to be rare - depending also on your defintion of "rare". Along that same point, just because a Corvette is rare does not make it valuable. If the options or exterior / interior color combination is rare because it is unpopular for example, its value in the marketplace would be diminished.

Regards,

Paul Pollock
WebCars! / Corvette Story Webmaster
http://web-cars.com
http://corvettestory.com

I also had the following exchange with a C7 owner:

First Name: Tony
Message: How many white 2016 z51 convertibles with blue twilight package were built?

Thanks!

Tony:

The absolute correct answer, unfortunately, is we don’t know.

Let me explain.

See the attached pdf. We know that 5,027 Corvette convertibles were built for 2016. We also know that 152 of those convertibles came with the Twilight Blue Design Package. And we know that 1,134 Stingray convertibles were Arctic White. We also know that 2,322 of the 2016 convertibles were Z51 equipped.

Lets focus on the 152 convertibles with the Twilight Blue Design Package. Since the package was available in Shark Gray, Blade Silver, Arctic White or Night Race Blue it is doubtful that all 152 were Arctic White. It is also doubtful that no Twilight Blue Design Package 2016 convertible Corvettes came in Arctic White as I’ve seen at least one. The problem is we do not know how many are Arctic White. The same is true regarding the Z51 performance option.

Simply put, GM does not break down those kind of statistics. While it might be possible if GM were to release the database files for the 2016 Corvette production, they have not done this. Possible reasons include legal issues as privacy laws come into play and that there is no business oriented reason for them to do so.

What you’ll see done sometimes is a process called “extrapolation”. In this case, the statistics of 5,027 2016 convertibles and 2,322 Z51 convertibles tells us that 46% of convertibles are Z51 equipped. If we extrapolate, we can multiply 46% x 152 = 70 (approximately) and get a figure for the number of convertible Z51 Twilight Blue Design Packages for 2016. That doesn’t include the Arctic White number, and, as pointed out above, it cannot be relied on as absolutely accurate.

Regards,

Paul Pollock
WebCars! / Corvette Story Webmaster
http://web-cars.com
http://corvettestory.com

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Corvette Goes Electric.
Sort of.

GM decided to break new ground with the 2024 Corvette E-Ray, the first Corvette with electric propulsion.

Electric and hybrid cars had become popular in recent years, but the new Corvette E-Ray is not electrified with the goal of better fuel efficiency or to seek the advantages of an alternate propulsion system.

Although the new Corvette can technically be called a hybrid, the goal was electrification as a way to gain a performance advantage.

The electric propulsion is provided by an electric motor driving the front wheels only. There is no provision for externally charging the 1.9 kWh battery pack which is located between the seats. Charging is via regenerative energy harvested during coasting and braking, as well as during normal driving.

The main powerplant is the same as found in the Stingray model: The 6.2L LT2 Small Block V-8, putting 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque to the rear axle. With the additional 160 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque found in the front wheel electric motor, the E-Ray Corvette is rated at 655 hp / 481 kW.

Above: The E-Ray emblem located just below and behind the wishbone. Blue, which is seen as implying electrical functionality, is seen throughout the 2024 Corvette E-Ray.

Below: The E-Ray / Stingray emblem on the rear of the engine compartment access. Note that it is similar but still differentiated from the standard Stingray emblem on the right.

Corvette E-Ray center speaker features an E-Ray logo.

A close look at the above table reveals an interesting Z06 and E-Ray comparison. The E-Ray is actually faster than the Z06! This is despite the fact that the Z06 has a higher horsepower rating and it weighs less.

The performance advantage for the E-Ray can be attributed to the AWD feature since it is distributing the power over four wheels instead of two.

Note the pricing which is similar between the two models. One might think that GM is shooting themselves in the foot by forcing the two models to compete with each other. That's probably not the case since the Z06 has been a complete sales success with final prices often in excess of MSRP. We anticipate the same thing happening to the E-Ray.

The two models also give Corvette buyers an interesting alternative. While the E-Ray might be marginally faster - keep in mind that the quoted figures are listed as approximate by GM - the Z06 features an 8,600 RPM redline and an amazing exhaust note from the flat plane crankshaft engine.

Decisions, Decisions!

GM, having fun with the All Wheel Drive capabilities on the 2024 Corvette E-Ray at The Rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

The Acura NSX, available from 2017 to 2022, also used AWD with electric motors up front and a standard internal combustion engine driving the rear wheels. Both vehicles featured a Stealth Mode, where the ICE engine was off and the car proceeded on battery power driving the front wheel motors. With no exhaust noise, you wouldn't be bothering your neighbors. In the case of the Corvette E-Ray, speed is limited to 45 MPH. The engine automatically engages if the vehicle’s speed exceeds the limit, additional torque is requested by the driver, or the E-Ray’s battery pack is depleted.

The Corvette E-Ray and the Z06 share the same body, including (right) the famous wishbone behind the passenger doors. An exception can be found at the rear, where the E-Ray has exhaust tips exiting at the far corners (above) but the Z06 has a center exhaust.

New colors for 2024 include Riptide Blue, Seawolf Gray and Cacti.

Speed Phenom gives a nice You Tube overview of the Corvette E-Ray.

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All Corvettes Are Red by James Schefter is an in depth look at how the C5 Corvette was developed.

The very start of the book begins: The one-millionth Corvette would be built in the next year or so and be painted in the old shop. At an earlier meeting, a discussion of paint quality and paint colors for future years of Corvettes had dragged on so long that John Heinricy, then leading Corvette's development group of test drivers, couldn't take it any longer. "Why are we even having this discussion?" He asked. "All Corvettes are red. The rest are mistakes"

The idea that Corvettes not painted red are mistakes is not going to get a lot of sympathy from me and many other Corvette owners. However, it got me thinking. Just how many Corvettes, in terms of percentages, are red?

Problem Number One

Early in the research, a problem came up. We do not have color quantities for all Corvette years, such as 1969, 1970, 1973 and 1974. And we only have partial color quantity statistics for the 1962 and 1963 Corvette model years. For this reason I had no choice but to exclude these model years.

According to GM, all records for Corvettes built at the St. Louis MO plant, which includes the 1954 to the 1981 Corvette years, were lost in a fire. The only reason we have the figures that we do have (contained in the Corvette Black Book and my own Corvette Story web site) is because "back in the day" the editors of the Corvette fan magazines called the St. Louis plant manager and he passed along what he knew based on notes he kept.

Problem Number Two

For Corvettes, there are many different "flavors" of red, beyond the hardcore red. They are mostly darker shades of red - kind of a maroon. Should they be counted as reds? You decide, meanwhile I'll offer statistics for both categories.

Between the 1953 and 2022 model years, 1,789,002 Corvettes were built. If the years for which we don't have color quantities are excluded, 1,628,913 Corvettes were built.

Including only the years for which we have color quantities, 278,080 of the "Pure Red" (such as the recent Torch Red) or 17.07% Corvettes were sold. For all reds, 409,689 or 25.15% of the total Corvette production were built.

Above: Torch Red 2015 Corvette Stingray convertible. The Torch Red color has been part of 24 Corvette model years - 1993 thru 2004 and 2010 to current year 2023 - more than any other Corvette color.

Above: 1954 Sportsman Red and (Below) a 1955 Gypsy Red Corvette. The first year for Corvettes, 1953, was exclusively Polo White so no reds for that year. Both Sportsman and Gypsy Reds were single year Corvette colors.

1956 and 1957 Corvette years offered Venetian Red. Most people, upon seeing it in person, would call it more of an orange, but we've included it as a red here.

One of the more handsome "other reds" was Marlboro Maroon, featured only in 1966 and 1967.

1986 and 1987 along with 1990 thru 1995 featured a Dark Red Metallic.

A 50th Anniversary Edition Corvette (RPO 1SC; $5,000) was available for 2003. It included an Anniversary Red exterior paint along with a Shale interior and convertible top.

Long Beach Red, which has a sumptuous suggestion to it, found its way to the exteriors of the 2016 thru 2020 Corvettes. The color was a nod to the Grand Prix of Long Beach.

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I came across an interesting article recently, having to do with both Psychology and our favorite hobby, Corvettes. It was in a recent issue of Psychology Today, a well regarded (although not peer reviewed) publication.

It was written by Hans-Ulrich Wittchen, one of Germany's top psychologists and an often cited researcher. Hans and his father are also dedicated car enthusiasts and co-own a very rare 1963 Porsche 901. Those who are familiar with the model know that the first 82 911s were actually badged as "901", but it turned out that Peugeot actually owned the legal rights to the 901 moniker and so Porsche was forced to retreat to the 911 designation.

Mr. Wittchen recently authored a study about car enthusiasts in the Psychology Today publication which outlined some interesting characteristics of the demographic. It seems as though, when compared to the normal population, (whatever that may be) car enthusiasts exhibit greater levels of patience. The report cited restoration efforts as examples and pointed out situations where far more money was spent to restore a given vehicle than what it could reasonably expect to recover should it be sold on the open marketplace. Other cases included minutia regarding detail facts about a given model such as the "correctness" regarding engines, wheels, paint colors and so on.

Corvette owners, Mr. Wittchen wrote, go even further when it comes to dedication regarding the details of their favorite mode of transportation. One case in point cited a restoration where the original workers at the St. Louis MO assembly plant, who had retired, were enlisted to replicate the various installation or inspection results using original style multi-colored grease pencils on the chassis of mid year Corvettes. Apparently anything less just would not do.

Mr. Wittchen observed that Corvette owners "have amazing endurance" and far exceed the normal population or even the typical automotive enthusiast regarding "tenacity, perseverance, and old fashioned stick-to-it-iveness, when it comes to their favorite marque". He also wrote "it really is phenomenal. It seems as though no matter how mundane, inconsequential or unimportant for example" a given Corvette article is, "they will read it to the bitter end" - which is exactly what you are doing now - April fool.

One of the more interesting surprises at the C8 introduction on July 18, 2019 was that there would be a right hand drive Corvette available direct from the factory.

While a few Corvettes have been modified for right hand drive by individuals (at considerable expense), no Corvettes have left their factory so equipped. That changed with the C8 and now customers in Japan, Australia, New Zealand will be able to purchase a Corvette in a (for them) much more desirable right hook version.

There will be a premium however; prices will be higher - in the case of Japan, the tab is ¥14.000.000 or around $122,533 for a 3LT model, depending on the exchange rate.

Part of the reason behind a RHD Corvette was the Ford Mustang, which made a right hand drive version starting in 2015 which was wildly successful. As with the 1955 Ford Thunderbird, corporate egos (and profits) are powerful things and GM did not want to be shut out of the party.

United Kingdom View of the C8 Corvette

It's always interesting to see how other car cultures view the C8 and the Pistonheads.com reviewer Jay Emm asks the question: "Is The Right Hand Drive C8 Chevrolet Corvette's UK Release Already Doomed?"

Speaking of Right Hand Drive, I've always liked seeing Corvettes in other countries, it sorta adds a new dimension to the Corvette story.

While not right hand drive, the photos below are from the French introduction of the 1990 ZR-1. More photos can be seen here.

Sprichst du Deutsch?

Photos are from a GM Germany photo shoot. Notice the Driver Information Center content in German! You can see the photos (all 216 of them!) here.

This was a Japan photo shoot, snagged from media.gm.com. The complete set of photos can be seen here.

Above is a classic fish (Corvette?) out of water story: A 1957 283/283 fuel injected Corvette currently located in Tokyo, Japan!

The photo and story was passed on to us by it's owner Matt Sweeny.

Some notes from Matt on owning '57 Corvette in Japan:

First of all, US imports pretty rare in general since there is a very strong Japanese auto market and most everyone drives domestic cars…big exception is German luxury cars Secondly, it is a pretty rare car in general and I am almost certain that it is the only 57 fuelie in Japan…and might be one of 2-3 total ‘57s

Regularly take car to my local coffee shop and every once in a while drive it to the office (in the middle of downtown Tokyo); have also taken it to unofficial car show (you may have heard of these “parking lot” car shows)

Most common question I get is “what kind of car is that”; car people also very interested in the process for importing car from US to Japan; finally people really fascinated with the old license plates (technically a bit gray area but I leave the original ’57 Michigan plate on the front and the Japan plate on the back)

While at the Z06 introduction at the Petersen Museum on October 26, 2021, Dustin Gardner (Assistant Chief Engineer, LT6 Engine) was on hand to discuss the finer points of the LT6 engine and it's development. At about the 3:40 point, your author asks Dustin about the top speed of the Z06. He replies "There has not been a top speed yet" I push the subject a bit with "If you were a betting man?" He replies "I'm not a betting man. This is what I do for a living. I want to keep doing this." For Dustin to address the subject could get him in trouble with his bosses, but I had to ask!

According to one source, the LT6 engines installed in the Corvette Z06 will be individually dyno tested (including a 20 minute run-in) before installation. It is doubtful however that the data will be available to owners.