The Chevrolet Corvette was born 67 years ago and debuted at the New York Autorama show. Since then, it has gradually developed into one of the most famous cars in American history.
It is also known as the "national treasure sports car". With the release of the eighth-generation model, it has now officially entered the super sports car field. Now it's time to look back and learn about classic Corvette models from across the decades.
After World War I, the 1950s were the most glorious years for General Motors. As the largest company in the world at the time, the company’s leaders suddenly discovered that there was no outstanding model under its brand. At that time, customers had nothing to say about buying sports cars produced in Italy or Germany. It was completely unacceptable for Americans to buy sports cars from British brands such as Jaguar or MG.
Corvette is a well-known name in the automotive industry. Its name is based on the name of a British gunboat in the 17th century. General Motors’ original intention was to challenge the British sports cars that were popular around the world at that time.
1955 Corvette V8
From the outside, the 1953 Corvette looks like a pure sports car, but due to the first-generation C1 The model lacked the pedigree of a true sports car, and its performance did not reach a high level. However, the improved power in later versions made the model a great success in the American market.
For power, Corvette used a 3.9-liter inline six-cylinder engine, equipped with a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission (because there was no manual transmission in the GM warehouse at the time that could handle more than 150 horsepower) , the Corvette is tame. However, sometimes there are some minor problems, such as sometimes the car door will open by itself while driving.
It wasn’t until 1955 that Corvette responded to customer demand for speed with the introduction of the 4.3-liter V8 engine. Most importantly, the 55? Corvette model was also equipped with a manual transmission for the first time. The combination of the V8 engine and the three-speed manual transmission makes driving more fun, and the 0-60 mph acceleration time drops from 11.5 seconds to 8.5 seconds. By 1957, the DualQuad'Vette accelerated 0-60 mph by nearly two seconds.
In 1963, Corvette GRAND SPORT
Belgian-American Zora Arkus Duntov was lovingly passed down to posterity Known as the "Father of Corvette," he was a professional race car driver. It can be said that if he were not obsessed with racing, the Corvette would be completely different today.
At that time, General Motors designer Harley Earl produced a streamlined concept car similar to the Jaguar D-Type. This car was the source of inspiration for the C2 design. One of the most effective strategies at the time to establish the Corvette's image and increase sales was the racing program.
This work was handed over to a team of engineers led by Zora Arkus Duntov. Featuring a lightweight magnesium alloy body, tubular frame, independent front suspension, four-link rear suspension and a four-speed transmission. The 1957 Corvette SS was equipped with a 283 cubic inch fuel-injected V8 that was rated at 307 horsepower. This car first participated in the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 23, 1957.
According to reports, the mass-produced version of Corvette SS was later renamed Sting Ray and developed into the second-generation C2 Corvette Sting Ray.
1963, STING?RAY “SPLIT-WINDOW”
Although the GrandSport developed based on the C2 cannot prevent Ford from funding the Shelb (Shelby) Cobra, what is certain is that There are two important turning points in Corvette's history. The second may be the lamentable change to a mid-engine layout for the new C8, but the first is just as important. It’s the transition from the first-generation Corvette to the second-generation Corvette. This generation of models has the iconic "split window" design. The 1963 STING?RAY "SPLIT-WINDOW" model can be said to be the most legendary model in the history of Corvette.
We say the launch of the C2 is a landmark moment because the C2 is a completely new car, top to bottom: it is built on an all-new chassis with fully independent suspension and transverse leaf springs, and parts such as a Muncie four-speed manual gearbox, stiffer springs, and larger brakes were available with a variety of fast cars.
The 1963 Corvette used a 5.35-liter L84 V-8 engine producing a strong 360 horsepower, while the carbureted version had been in Corvettes since 1957 provided on.
The most famous thing about the 1963 model is that the rear windshield of the body is decorated with two parts of glass, which is the famous "split window". However, this futuristic style disappeared by the model's second year of production, replaced by a regular rear windshield, which was easier to construct. Just over 21,000 were sold that year, and as time went on, these became more and more expensive, becoming hot items on the auction market.
1967-1969, Corvette L88
Many people believe that 1967-1969 was the best period for Corvette. It was during this time that Corvette won an impressive list of national championships and titles, as well as international victories.
When Chevrolet's sports cars returned to Le Mans after a five-year hiatus, Dana Chevrolet drove a C2 Coupe equipped with the latest L88 engine.
Two years after Ford launched the 1966 L36 V8, the Chevrolet Corvette began to become popular. Output was 390 hp in the L68 and L72, then increased to 425 hp. Then came the 435-hp L71 and L89 7.0-liters, but there was a third 7.0-liter engine, capable of 435 hp, which lasted until 1969, although only 216 people bought it. The L88 was built in very limited numbers (216 units) and was destined for the track. It had a 7.0-liter engine that was claimed to make 435 horsepower, but in reality it was more powerful, producing between 540-580 horsepower. ?It can run the quarter mile in 11 seconds, and it's now one of the most desirable Corvettes ever built.
1969, Corvette ZL1
In the second year after the launch of the Corvette C3, Chevrolet saw fit to allow customers to order the more powerful ZL1 V8, which even More than the mighty L88. In a nutshell, the ZL1 is an L88 engine with an aluminum block, telescopic connecting rods, and an open nose.
In terms of weight, it is equivalent to the L46 and is said to reach 435 horsepower. But that's not the case. Oh no, it absolutely isn't. While it's unclear how powerful it is, it's more powerful than the L88, with some saying the 585-horsepower figure is accurate.
With so much power, it would be natural to assume that the car had no road-legal rights, and in fact, only two Corvette ZL1s were sold through General Motors' dealer network.
At over $10,000 in 1969 (over $72,000 today), it was more than double the price of a standard Corvette Coupe, and even considering the rarity of production, it probably wasn't the best. Corvette models. Wealthy racers were willing to pay $?5,267.15 for the ZL1 kit, so 94 ZL1 engines were built, but we don't know exactly how many took them to the track.
1988 CORVETTE CALLAWAY SLEDGEHAMMER
Did you know that for more than two decades, Corvette has won the world’s fastest Kudos to a road-legal car? Keep in mind, this is not a standard Corvette, but, like any other modified 'Vette built by the Reeves Callaway Company, it will be available through Chevrolet dealers with aftermarket service Serve. The car, aptly named "CALLAWAY SLEDGEHAMMER," crushed Ferrari's F40, the former king of speed.
Officially speaking, the F40 is equipped with a 473-hp twin-turbocharged V8 and is effortlessly capable of reaching 201mph, making it the first production car to break the 200mph barrier.
In the same year, Porsche tuner Ruf launched the CTR, a modified Porsche 911 that was said to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 3.65 seconds, much faster than the F40 . With the German Autobahn empty in front of it, the CTR's speed is said to be faster than the Porsche 918 Spyder.
The Ruf was road legal, with Road & Track? testing in 1987 proving it could reach speeds in excess of 210?mph. But SLEDGEHAMMER can also crush Ruf. In October 1988, SLEDGEHAMMER's speed was 254.7mph.
With a custom Callaway? Aerobody package that adds increased downforce, revised suspension, larger rims and extra-hard Goodyear rubber, the SLEDGEHAMMER is equipped with twin turbochargers to produce 898 horsepower and 772 Nm of torque.
1990-1995, Corvette ZR-1
In 1970, Chevrolet debuted the Corvette LT-1, the most powerful of all C3 models. With around 400 horsepower on tap, it can cover the quarter mile in just 14.2 seconds, which is impressive considering the stricter emissions laws. After 20 years of development, the Corvette C4 has finally done it.
The aluminum 32-valve quad overhead cam engine initially put out 375 horsepower, but by '93, that number increased by 30 hp and 385 lb-ft of torque. The ZR1 accelerates from zero to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180 mph, just 5 mph behind the Ferrari Testarossa and as fast as the 911 Turbo.
A series of long-distance speed records also prove that its speed can last a long time too - averaging 175.8mph on a closed road for multiple hours over 24 hours.
If you're looking for a used Corvette? C4, it should be your go-to version, even though it's not the best Corvette around and currently costs around $30,000 in the US. It's possible to buy a pretty nice Corvette ZR-1.
2000-2004 Corvette Z06
The fifth-generation Corvette has undergone relatively large upgrades while maintaining the Corvette style since the mid-1960s. (Corvette) recipe.
It was the first Corvette to feature an aluminum chassis and transaxle to save weight, and it was also the first to be powered by the now-ubiquitous LS engine, the 345-horsepower aluminum LS1 V8. This is GM's first new engine in more than 40 years.
In 2000, a faster version of the Z06 was introduced, incorporating some of Chevrolet's experience from driving the C5 race car at Le Mans and the American Le Mans Series. With 385 horsepower, the LS6 was a fast car, a statement that wasn't even more apparent until 2002, when 20 more horsepower were extracted from the LS6 engine. Torque is 400 pound-feet.
While many find flaws in its cabin and seating position, and the fact that it's only a hardtop coupe, the Z06 is easily the best Corvette for the money. If you find one that hasn't been damaged on the track, you're guaranteed to get the best Corvette Z06 at the best price. The price is around $25,000, but if you're prepared to take the time and effort to repair it yourself, you'll only need to spend $11,000.
2009-2013 Corvette ZR1
In 2009, four years after the launch of the Corvette C6, the Corvette ZR1 has been on hiatus for 14 years. Corvette fans, nostalgic for the speed of the '90s C4?
The C6 is the first Corvette to eliminate pop-up headlights. The ZR1 has 638 horsepower, 133 horsepower more powerful than the Z06. Its data is enough to "shock and awe" its opponents. It also has excellent details, such as the small window on the hood that allows you to peek into the 6.2-liter LS9 V8 supercharged engine.
With a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph, it was the fastest Corvette ever built and it was in the Green Hell It rides better than anything else in its class, including the similar GT-R R35. Considering the Corvette C8 has an MSRP of $60,000, it may not be the best Corvette, but it's still impressive. Uplifting.
2019 Corvette ZR1
The Corvette C7 marks the end of an era, the end of front-engine Corvettes, so it’s fair to say that the 2019 Corvette The Corvette C7? ZR1 is the best Corvette, at least the best model that has been honed and worn on the track continues to improve.
Its aerodynamic package is the most aggressive yet, with a huge rear wing and an ultra-low splitter for better airflow and more downforce.
In this iteration, the supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 makes up to 755 horsepower and 715 pound-feet of torque. For perspective, the 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S only makes 641 horsepower, while Ferrari's 488 Pista only makes 710 horsepower.
With these powerful features, the C7?ZR1 can easily blast through the quarter mile in 10.5 seconds, and with some modifications may be under 10 seconds. 0-60 mph (3.1 seconds) is also slower than the Porsche's. ?
This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.