This day in History - the first Corvette.

[SC Maintenance]

Very first Corvette. I did not know they started in Flint - very interesting. All white convertibles apparently.

I wonder how much one of the first 300 sells for now?

 

[Mechanician]

All it needs is Suzanne Summers behind the wheel.

 

[dnewton3]

All it needs is Suzanne Summers behind the wheel.

You are mistaken; that would be a white T-bird.

 

[fantastic]

All it needs is Suzanne Summers behind the wheel.

View attachment 345718

As these Corvettes aged...

 

[fantastic]

Very first Corvette. I did not know they started in Flint - very interesting. All white convertibles apparently.

I wonder how much one of the first 300 sells for now?



View attachment 345716

Really cool cars for sure & we understand their culture is full of history.

 

[k1xv]

The first prototype Corvette was revealed to the public at the January 1953 GM Motorama at the New York Waldorf Astoria hotel, My father, who loved cars, brought me to this event. I was 5 years old. I remember seeing the Corvette. The Motorama was a big deal, with an orchestra, singers and dancers, and a lot of prototype GM cars.

The 1953 Corvette has historical value, but was not a great car. When they finally put a V8 in it, and restyled it in 1957, it became a real "sports car".

 

[JeffKeryk]

The '53 Corvette used a 6 cylinder Blue Flame engine and a 2 speed AT. They made about 300, and not all were sold as I understand.
Beautiful at the time, but as others have said the introduction of the 265 cu in V8 in 1955 changed the game. No more 6 bangers.

 

[melk]

What oil would it have run?

 

[MCompact]

The Corvette is one of the few cars from the 50’s that I would like to own- but I’d prefer a ’57.

 

[k1xv]

What oil would it have run?

Havoline HD 20

 

[JeffKeryk]

The Corvette is one of the few cars from the 50’s that I would like to own- but I’d prefer a ’57.

They ride really hard. Here's my BIL's 62 Fuelie show winner. He spent 10 years searching for correct parts. And my 68 Ghetto Ride L36.

 

[ls1mike]

I've had two a 91 and my current 05. I keep looking for a C4 project. I think for what they do for the Corvette has always been a decent deal.

 

[MCompact]

They ride really hard. Here's my BIL's 62 Fuelie show winner. He spent 10 years searching for correct parts. And my 68 Ghetto Ride L36.
View attachment 345726

I'd like to restomod a 1973 with a crate motor and some suspension upgrades. I always loved the smooth nose with the split bumper tail.

 

[paulri]

Fantastic, I'm replying as a guy in his sixties. I'm looking at her and thinking she's probably looking pretty good for her age.

As these Corvettes aged...
View attachment 345719

 

[Snagglefoot]

Local legend says one of the mechanics attached a ground wire to the fibreglass body and wondered why it wouldn’t work.

 

[97prizm]

Very first Corvette. I did not know they started in Flint - very interesting. All white convertibles apparently.

I wonder how much one of the first 300 sells for now?



View attachment 345716

Yep white on red. They were made in St. Louis before production in Bowling Green KY.

 

[Patman]

Yep white on red. They were made in St. Louis before production in Bowling Green KY.

Production in Bowling Green began with the 1981 model year

I toured the plant in 1997 and again in 1998. A few years later I bought a used 1998 Corvette and I often wonder if my car was actually being built when I toured the factory

 

[Kira]

And what year did the Bowling Green sink hole open up?
A bunch of fine 'Vettes went down the hole.

We visited the museum after a wedding in Nashville.

 

[Snagglefoot]

As these Corvettes aged...
View attachment 345719

Good enough!

 

[Trav]

The baby birds were a much nicer car in that era, with the 292 Y block, 4bbl, floor shifted 3 speed overdrive and great looks it was also mechanically superior to the Corvette 6cyl. Ford lost its way with this model in 1958. JMO