Chevrolet Corvette: Iconic Images of America's Sports Car

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Corvette Pictures

Few automobiles stir as much passion in their owners and fans as the Chevrolet Corvette. America’s pride for more than 50 years, the Corvette is as desirable today as ever and is packed with more heart-pounding performance than at any point in its storied past.

And what a past! The pictures on the following pages bring to life the Fifties dream machine that grew into a world leader in speed, style, and sophistication. These photos follow every generation of Corvette and celebrate top examples of important models for each.

When the first Corvette rolled out in 1953, the idea of the sports car
hadn't yet caught on with most Americans.

The first-generation Corvette stumbled coming out of the gate. Expectations were largely unfulfilled, reviews were mixed, and sales fell short of expectations in the car's early years. The project was nearly canceled, but the style and grace of the model, along with an innovative V-8 engine, helped Chevrolet ultimately stay the course and transform the Corvette into a true world-class sports car. The 1958 Corvette, in particular, ushered in a period of record sales that assured Corvette's place in the Chevy lineup.

The grace and style of the Sting Ray, introduced in 1963,
gave Corvette an instant classic.

The second-generation Corvette, known as the Sting Ray, was virtually new from road to roof and stunned the automotive world in 1963. The Sting Ray was more sophisticated than any previous Corvette, blending world-class handling with unmistakable all-American style and performance. It had a great five-year run that many still regard as the high point of Corvette history.

In 1968, the third-generation Corvette bowed. The so-called Shark carried on through war, civil unrest, burgeoning federal safety guidelines, fuel economy and pollution regulations, oil embargoes, rising fuel and insurance costs, runaway inflation, and a lingering recession. Despite these challenges, Corvette prospered through the period, even retaining its same basic form for an amazing 15 years.

The sleek fourth-generation Corvette wowed critics and buyers,
proving that Corvette was truly "America's sports car."

The Corvette was once again fully redesigned in 1984. The fourth-generation was more sophisticated and practical than the beloved C3 Shark, yet every inch a Corvette, with style and sizzle. Like previous generations, the C4 only got better with time. Enthusiasts cheered the return of the convertible, and the high-performance ZR-1, nicknamed the "King of the Hill," raised excitement to a new level. It was a true supercar that could run with most exotic sports cars in the world.

The thrilling C5 Corvette featured curvier styling, a roomy
cockpit, and improved handling.

In 1997, Corvette introduced its fifth generation, a completely new model that was hailed as the best Corvette to date. Though it had a big image to live up to, the C5 steadily improved with each year. Changes made the body sleeker, the interior more comfortable and user-friendly, and the overall package a thrill for drivers.

The sixth and latest generation of Corvettes, beginning in 2005, has taken giant steps forward in performance and refinement. Smaller, more nimble, and more precise than its predecessor, the C6 carries a design that, while not retro, tips its hat to the beloved 1963-67 Sting Rays of the second generation.

No car’s history is more stimulating than the Corvette, and the pictures say it all. Go to each page and watch six generations of America’s favorite sports car come boldly to life. Enjoy the ride!

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

• Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
• Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
• Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
• Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
• Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
  
• Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.

1953-1962 Pictures

The first-generation Corvette, surprisingly, nearly died of slow sales at the tender age of three. But a landmark V-8 engine and superb styling saved it, while racing success proved it the equal of any rival. By 1962, it had secured a place in Chevy’s lineup and in America’s heart. Take a look at some of the highlights of the C1 below.

The very first Corvette came off the assembly line in
Flint, Michigan, on June 30, 1953.

Only 700 Corvettes were built for 1955, but nearly all packed
Chevy's brilliant new small-block V-8 engine.

The 1958 Corvette featured a flashy look that helped
Corvette set sales records for the year.

The 1962 Corvette was the final model in its generation and featured
a cleaner look along with an enlarged V-8 engine.

Learn more about the Corvettes in this generation:

1953 Corvette
1954 Corvette
1955 Corvette
1956 Corvette
1957 Corvette
1958 Corvette
1959 Corvette
1960 Corvette
1961 Corvette
1962 Corvette

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

• Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
• Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
• Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
• Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
• Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
  
• Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.

1963-1967 Pictures

With a brilliant new chassis and futuristic styling, the second generation of Corvettes, starting with the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray, turned up the heat. Improved each year through 1967, the Sting Ray is considered by many the most desirable Corvette of all. Take a look at the highlights of the C2 below.

The Corvette Sting Ray bowed for 1963 with the previous year's engines
in a stunning all-new package with a trimmer 98-inch wheelbase
and first-time all-independent suspension.

Corvette Sting Rays became ferocious with the mid-1965 debut of a big-block
V-8 option, the 396 Turbo Jet. It delivered 425 bhp and a thumping
415 pound-feet of torque, and reduced 0-60 to well under six seconds.

Front-fender "gills," single backup lamp above the license plate, and central
handbrake identified the last-of-the-line 1967 Corvette Sting Rays.

Learn more about the Corvettes in this generation:

1963 Corvette
1964 Corvette
1965 Corvette
1966 Corvette
1967 Corvette

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

• Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
• Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
• Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
• Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
• Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
  
• Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.

1968-1982 Pictures

Born of the Sting Ray in 1968 and plagued by teething troubles, the shark-inspired third-generation Corvette faced hazards unknown to its predecessors. But it soldiered on through a remarkable 15 years of tightening federal regulations and frustrating gas shortages. Along the way, Corvette matured into a well-balanced speed machine. Here are some of the highlights of the C3.

Delayed a year by development problems, the new 1968 Corvette topped its
predecessor's chassis with a swoopy new body that stretched seven inches longer.

An anti-theft system became standard on the 1972 Corvette
due to the car's high "collectibility" among thieves.

Sales set another new record for the 1977 model-year Corvette at
49,213 -- amazing for a decade-old design.

Exterior appearance was little-changed for the 1981 Corvette, but mechanical
improvements included a new fuel-saving lockup for the automatic transmission.

Learn more about the Corvettes in this generation:

1968 Corvette
1969 Corvette
1970 Corvette
1971 Corvette
1972 Corvette
1973 Corvette
1974 Corvette
1975 Corvette
1976 Corvette
1977 Corvette
1978 Corvette
1979 Corvette
1980 Corvette
1981 Corvette
1982 Corvette

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

• Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
• Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
• Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
• Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
• Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
  
• Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.

1984-1996 Pictures

Unveiled as a 1984 model, the sleek fourth-generation Corvette proved to be another survivor, enduring 13 years of unprecedented competition. It hosted the return of the Corvette convertible and the birth of a new legend -- the mighty “King of the Hill” ZR-1. Take a look at the highlights of the C4 below.

The first Corvette convertibles in 11 years left the Bowling Green assembly
line starting in early 1986, an exciting, nostalgia-filled occasion
for workers and Corvette fans alike.

In 1990, Corvette introduced the high-performance ZR-1 version. The ZR-1 looked
much like any other 1990 Corvette coupe, something that disappointed many fans.

All 1993 Corvettes were "40th Anniversary" models. This convertible features
special Ruby Red paint and matching leather-lined cockpit.

Like past Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Chevys, the 1995 Corvette was available
as a replica. Buyers got the same special paint and graphics, but not the actual
pacer's roof "hoop," light bar, and other track-required features.

Learn more about the Corvettes in this generation:

1984 Corvette
1985 Corvette 1986 Corvette 1987 Corvette 1988 Corvette 1989 Corvette
1990 Corvette
1991 Corvette
1992 Corvette
1993 Corvette
1994 Corvette
1995 Corvette
1996 Corvette

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

• Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
• Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
• Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
• Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
• Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
  
• Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.

1997-2004 Pictures

A small-block Chevrolet V-8, two-seat cabin, and luscious fiberglass body secured the fifth-generation Corvette’s role in the tradition of America’s sports car. But the Corvette introduced in 1997 was in reality so fresh it contained more new components than the original 1953 model. Its advanced chassis design and world-class powertrain rocketed the legend into the twenty-first century. Its ultimate expression was the fire-breathing, 405-horsepower Z06. Here are the highlights of the C5.

Only a hatchback coupe was offered for the 1997 Corvette,
here posed with four of its grandfathers.

For the first time, Corvette offered three separate models
with the 1999 debut of a notchback hardtop coupe.

The hardtop Corvette (foreground) realized its performance potential
in 2001 as Chevrolet transformed it into the Z06 with a new LS6 V-8.

The 50th Anniversary Edition was an option for the 2003 Corvette hatchback
and convertible. Included were Anniversary Red paint, shale leather interior,
"50" logos inside and out, and new Magnetic Selective Ride Control

 

Learn more about the Corvettes in this generation:

1997 Corvette1998 Corvette
1999 Corvette
2000 Corvette
2001 Corvette
2002 Corvette2003 Corvette2004 Corvette

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

• Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
• Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
• Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
• Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
• Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
  
• Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.

2005-2007 Pictures

Introduced as a 2005 model, the sixth-generation Corvette was more an evolution of the C5 than an all-new car. Still, it upped the Corvette’s already high performance bar and maintained the Corvette’s rightful place among the world’s best sports car values. The 2006 Z06 followed and took Corvette performance to stratospheric heights. Take a look at some C6 models below.

A developmental C6 Corvette is tested at the
GM Desert Proving Ground in Mesa, Arizona.

 

The C6 Z06 Corvette was unveiled in
January 2005 at Detroit's
North American International Auto Show,
but it didn't hit the streets until that
fall as an '06 model.

Learn more about the Corvettes in this generation:

2006 Corvette
2007 Corvette

Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:

• Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
• Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
• Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
• Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
• Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
  
• Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.