After the fabulous C2, the best of the rest convene from seven decades of America’s original sports car dynasty
WORDS CHARLIE CALDERWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY MAX EDLESTON
While the C2 has become arguably the most coveted of all Chevrolet Corvettes, the modelʼs seven other generations all provide the big-hearted driving experience for which the ʼVette has become famed. Many of the technical details have changed – at times drastically – over the years, but the basic recipe has remained the same since the beginning: a lightweight glassfibre body, a robust chassis, a large, powerful engine and stylish two-seater coachwork. And all for a price significantly cheaper than its key rivals.
There have been ups and downs over the seven decades since the birth of ʻAmericaʼs sports carʼ, but while certain model years are held in higher regard than others, continual development has meant that every generation has delivered real brilliance on a budget. Here we gather our favourites from each.
Thanks to Sywell Aerodrome (sywellaerodrome.co.uk); Sywell Aviation Museum (sywellaviationmuseum.org.uk); Classic Corvette Club UK (corvetteclub.org.uk)
C1
Few cars have gained quite so much performance in such a small space of time as the first-generation Corvette. Itʼs a reflection of the tumultuous and, letʼs be frank, ultimately unsuccessful beginnings of the all-American favourite.
Two-seaters had largely disappeared from US roads in the late 1930s, but the experience of GIs posted overseas in Europe, both during the Second World War and in the years that followed, rekindled demand for sporting, open two-seaters. There were small-scale local efforts, such as the Nash-Healey and Kaiser Darrin, but who better to make Americaʼs first proper post-war attempt at a sports car than General Motors and the leading US designer of the 20th century, Harley Earl?
In a rush to get the new car on display at the 1953 Motorama show, stylist Robert McLean and head engineer Ed Cole had to cut corners. McLeanʼs bodywork, overseen by Earl and featuring his famous wraparound windscreen, was fashioned in glassfibre for expediency. Cole, meanwhile, had to grab the drivetrain from the parts bin: GMʼs 150bhp, 3.9-litre ʻBlue Flameʼ straight-six and two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. These were mated to a simple box-section chassis with a central ʻXʼ-shaped crossme
