Feature Image: 1962 Corvette. Advertising in 1962 included the tag line: New power. New profile for America’s sports car! May 2023. 4.20mb DSC_2074 (1). Author’s photograph.
While in 1962 Chevrolet was focused on its competition with Ford Motor Company in compact cars (Chevy Corvair; Chevy II), there was a big change in 1962 under the hood for the sporty Corvette. A 250 h.p,, 327-cid V8 engine came standard and was an option on full-sized Chevys as well. The engine was more powerful and weighed no more than its 283 predecessor on which it was built. The 327-cid V8 engine was so efficiently made that with fuel injection it increased to 375 horses under the hood.
The Corvette originated in 1953 and in its first generation introduced a new body for the 1956 model year that featured a revised front end and side coves that continued through the 1962 model year. The first generation Corvette was equipped with deep contoured bucket seats, deep pile carpeting, and complete instrumentation. In 1962 the two -door convertible Corvette listed for $4,038 ($43,129.18 in 2025 dollars).
Since the 2020 model year the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is in its eighth generation. The sports car is assembled in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The 8th generation Corvette introduced GM’s first rear mid-engine since the Pontiac Fiero was discontinued in 1988. The engine has two radiators, one on each side in the front and offers an 8-speed dual-clutch automated transmission which is the first time Corvette offered a no manual transmission option since model year 1982 (third generation). The C8 features a new design from previous Corvettes with aluminum architecture, coil-over springs and more aggressive aerodynamics such as bigger air intakes and prominent side scoops. The base price for the 2023 1LT coupe was $65,595 and $70,795 to $73,095 for the 1LT convertible. – https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1136183_2023-chevy-corvette-price-increases-again-this-time-by-2-300– retrieved April 9, 2025.
In 1970 the advertising pitch line for the Corvette was People have the idea you can tell what cars of the future will be like looking at Chevrolet’s Corvette. They’re right. Well, the future is here and unfortunately cars on the road in 2025 don’t look much like this gem of classic sports car. Major standard equipment in the 1970 Corvette included all-vinyl bucket seats with full-length center floor console, complete instrumentation, Astro ventilation, removable roof panels on the coupe and manually operating folding top on the convertible, 4-wheel disc brakes and F70x 15 WSW tires and wheels with trim ring and ribbed center hub. In 1970 a Corvette 2-Door-Coupe set the customer back $5,192 ($43,228.48 in 2025 dollars).
From rubber to roof, still America’s true sports car. In a league all its own, the Corvette was in the midst of its second generation in 1965. It was the same year that saw the introduction of the popular Ford Mustang. There were only minor trim changes from the year before including tweaking the hood design, sill moldings and a new grille. For the $4,022 Base MRSP ($41,247.59 in 2025 dollars) major standard equipment included bucket seats, cockpit cluster console, walnut-like steering wheel, full carpeting, complete instrumentation, manually operating folding top and 6.70 x 15 BSW tires.
The 2016 Corvette is 7th generation. By the 2000’s the 50 year old Corvette was increasingly viewed as a car purchased by the older buyer (55 years and up). Though in development since 2007, the Corvette 7th generation was delayed until the 2014 model to make the classic sports car more appealing to younger buyers including a design that kept production costs lower. The new generation Corvette in 2014 started using the “Stingray” name again which started in 1963 and was discontinued in 1976. Whereas the 1965 Corvette Stingray weighed less than 3,000 pounds (2,980) the C7 was almost 15% heavier at 3,444 pounds. For 2017 model year Chevrolet also re-introduced the Grand Sport (GS) model that cost $66,446 (87,570.36 in 2025 dollars). “2017 Corvette Grand Sport Priced at $66,445”. media.gm.com (Press release).
The two cars above and the one below are all C5 (5th Gen) Chevrolet Corvettes produced between 1997 and 2004. The base-model Chevrolet Corvette C5 includes a 5.7-liter V8 LS1 engine that from 1997 to 2000 produced 345 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. For 2001, Chevrolet revised the LS1, raising output to 350 horsepower and up to 365 lb-ft of torque, a specification that carried through the end of C5 production in 2004. The C5 is equipped with a 4-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission and includes rear wheel drive.
A green premium edition 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (C7 generation) with chrome wheels and a carbon fiber hood. The model is powered by an all-new 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine with 455 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Active Fuel Management is a feature that allows cylinder deactivation so that the engine can run as a 3.1-liter V4 under light loads to improve fuel efficiency.
Available in 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT trim levels, it offers a 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 490-495 horsepower.
Torch Red Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 2001-2004, C5 generation. Powered by a 5.7-liter LS6 V8 engine that produces 405 horsepower paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. Distinguishing features include a fixed-roof coupe design, functional rear brake cooling scoops, and lightweight alloy wheels.
SOURCES:
J. “Kelly” Flory, Jr., American Cars, 1960 to 1965, McFarland & Company, Inc. pps. 155-156; 352, 357-358; J. “Kelly” Flory, Jr., American Cars, 1966 to 1972, McFarland & Company, Inc. page 338.
This explanatory article may be periodically updated.
