Chevrolet Corvette - C1

The success of English automakers, like Jaguar, MG and Austin-Healey, the U.S. market, domestic producers have left long in peace. Sports cars, although representing only a small percentage of vehicles sold, yet General Motors announced in 1953 his own sports car - the Chevrolet Corvette. Then was born the legend and icon of American "car shell".

Chevrolet Corvette

C1 first generation (1953-1962)

Type:	Chevrolet Corvette, 1962
Rating:	4496 mm
Width:	1778 mm
Height:	1270 mm
Wheelbase:	2591 mm
Curb weight:	1315 kg
Concept:	rear-wheel drive
Engine:	V-eight engine, 5358 cc, OHV
Performance:	186 kW (101 hp) / 4400 rpm / min
Torque:	Nm/2800 475 rev / min
Transmission:	three-stage gearbox with direct
Front axle:	trapezoidal with coil springs
Rear axle:	půleliptickými pens with solid
Top speed:	241 km / h
Acceleration 0-100 km / h:	5.9 s
Produced:	68 817

New Chevrolet Sports Roadster was introduced in 1953, was named after a fast gun Luna - Corvette. Introducing the new car took place in New York's Waldorf Astoria. Designers and engineers was Harley Earl. Original production plan included only a small series of cars produced. Therefore, given a new sports car still relatively untested material of the body - fiberglass. The chassis was comprised of universally applicable parts of other Chevrolet models. Under the hood beat tuned six-cylinder OHV gasoline volume of 3.8 liters and 150 horses. For the sports car was a bit unusual chosen Powerglide gearbox. All cars were roadster body and had a black roof.

Chevrolet Corvette roadster

This first version of the Corvette is now very rare, made from the original 300 pieces have been preserved only 255th In his time the car had a very good reputation. Controlling the car had obvious weaknesses, let in the water body, the cabin is getting dust and maximum speed 160 km / h longer generated with 4 liter engine great admiration. In 1954, then moved to a new production line in Michigan City. Production is increased to 3640 cars, but by the standards of General Motors, it was a mere drop in the ocean. At this stage of the project before the end of a sports car. Eventually, they decided to preserve it.

Chevrolet Corvette roadster

In 1955 the Corvette received a new 4.3-liter OHV engine, which improved the performance characteristics of the car. Now the car approached the limit of 200 km / h and acceleration from 0 to 96 km / h fell below 9 seconds. At the end of the year was available and a new three-stage gearbox. Another 4.6-liter engine (283 hp) came on the market in 1957. This engine got fuel injection Rochester, but which proved to be unreliable, it is therefore produced only 240 pieces.

overview of body variants of the car Chevrolet Corvette

In 1958 he was introduced to fashion body with two pairs of headlights. At the same time left his place of chief designer Harley Earl. He was succeeded by William Mitchell, who was much more influenced by the shape of European cars. The first of his "child" appeared in 1961. In 1962 followed by another increase in the volume of cylinders to 5.3 liters and a maximum speed of 240 km / h In the same year, the Corvette has had its most radical design changes, the birth of the type of Sting Ray.