Шевроле Корветт C1: Бірінші буынның тарихы

the first generation Chevrolet Corvette (C1)

The Chevrolet Corvette (C1) is the first generation of the Corvette sports car produced by Chevrolet. It was introduced late in the 1953 model year and produced through 1962. This generation is commonly referred to as the "solid axle" generation, as the independent rear suspension did not appear until the 1963 Sting Ray. The Corvette was rushed into production for its debut model year to capitalize on the enthusiastic public reaction to the concept vehicle, but expectations for the new model were largely unfulfilled.

Harley Earl, as head of GM's Styling Section, was an avid fan of sports cars. He recognized that GIs returning after serving overseas in the years following World War II were bringing home MGs, Jaguars, and Alfa Romeos. In 1951, Nash Motors began selling an expensive two seat sports car, the Nash Healey, that was made in partnership with the Italian designer Pininfarina and British auto engineer Donald Healey, but there were few moderate priced models. Earl convinced GM that they needed to build an all American two seat sports car, and with his Special Projects crew began working on the new car in late 1951. The last time Chevrolet offered a 2 door, 2 passenger convertible/roadster body style was in 1938 with the Chevrolet Master.

The secretive effort was code named "Project Opel" (after GM's German division Opel). The result was the hand built, EX 122 pre production Corvette prototype, which was first shown to the public at the 1953 General Motors Motorama at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on January 17, 1953. When production began six months later, at an MSRP of US$3,513 ($ in dollars ), it had evolved into a considerably costlier car than the basic $2,000 roadster Harley Earl originally had in mind. The EX 122 car is now located at the Kerbeck Corvette museum in Atlantic City and is believed to be the oldest Corvette in existence.

The 1953 model year was not only the Corvette's first production year, but at 300 produced it was also the lowest volume Corvette. The cars were essentially hand built and techniques evolved during the production cycle so that each 1953 Corvette is slightly different. All 1953 models had red interiors, Polo white exteriors, and painted blue engines (a reference to the three colors represented on the Flag of the United States, where the Corvette was assembled) They had independent front suspension,

The quality of the fiberglass body as well as its fit and finish were lacking. Other problems, such as water leaks and doors that could open while the car was driven, were reported with the most severe errors corrected in subsequent units produced, but some shortcomings continued beyond the Corvette's inaugural year. In the October 1954 issue of Popular Mechanics, there was an extensive survey of Corvette owners in America. The surprising finding was their opinions in comparison to foreign sports cars. It was found that 36% of those taking the survey had owned a foreign sports car, and of that, half of them rated the Corvette as better than their previous foreign sports car. Nineteen percent rated the Corvette as equal to their foreign sports car and 22% rated the Corvette as inferior. While many were well pleased with the Corvette, they did not consider it a true sports car. The principal complaint of the surveyed owners was the tendency of the body to leak extensively during rainstorms.

Chevrolet debuted its small block, V8 in 1955 and the engine was available for the Corvette. Early production 1955 V8 Corvettes continued with the mandatory option Powerglide automatic transmission (as did the few 6 cylinder models built). A new three speed manual transmission became available later in the year for V8 models, but was not popular with about 75 equipped with it. The standard transmission remained the 3 speed manual with an optional 2 speed Powerglide automatic. Other options included power assisted convertible top, a removable hardtop, power windows, A high performance camshaft was also available (as RPO 449) with the engine. Sales volume was 3,467, a low number by any contemporary standard and less than 1954's 3,640, making it the third lowest in Corvette history.

Production notesYearProductionBase PriceNotes1953300$3,498 First year production starts on June 30; polo white with red interior and black top is only color combination; Options standard until 1955 for the car were interior door handles; "clip in" side curtains in place of roll up windows19543,640$2,774Production moves to St. Louis; blue, red, and black are added; beige top, longer exhaust pipes1955700$2,774Both straight 6 and 265 cu in V8 engines produced; 3 speed manual transmission added late in the model year19563,467$3,120New body with roll up windows; V8 only; 3 speed manual transmission becomes standard equipment and Powerglide moved to option list19576,339$3,176283 cu in V8; Optional 4 speed manual and fuel injection added19589,168$3,591Quad headlight body and new interior. Fake louvers on the hood and chrome strips on the trunk lid. The number of teeth in the grille was reduced from thirteen to nine.19599,670$3,875First black interior and dash storage bin; only year with a turquoise top. Louvers and chrome strips from the 1958 model year were removed.196010,261$3,872Very minor changes to the interior: red and blue bars on the dash logo, vertical stitching on seats196110,939$3,934New rear styling, bumpers, and round taillights. New fine mesh grill.196214,531$4,038327 cu in V8 engine; last year with a trunk until 1998 and last year with exposed headlights until 2005. New black grill with chrome surround, and chrome rocker panel moldings. Total69,015