One of the most wonderful car technologies discovered in history is the six generations of Xtreme Corvettes. The name corvette was inspired by the small but maneuverable warship. The first model of Chevrolet Corvette sports car was designed by Harley Earl, an automotive designer and Design Vice President of General Motors.
The Xtreme Corvettes of the General Motors Chevrolet division of sports cars were created with six generations of unique car features that lasted from year 1953 up to present. Each car was made with its own remarkable concept and technology.
The first set or generation of Xtreme Corvettes, the Chevrolet Corvette C1, was made from 1953 to 1962. This generation was also known as the “solid axle”. These cars do not have the independent rear suspension feature until 1963. The following shows the timeline and significant facts incorporated and made in the first generation of Chevrolet Corvette.
1953 – For this year, 300 hand-built convertible Xtreme Corvettes in polo white were made.
1955 – The Xtreme Chevrolet Corvettes were made with the “Blue Flame” Inline-6 feature and V8 engines.
1956 – The new features for Xtreme Corvettes were launched, such as the side covers, power windows, convertible top powered by hydraulics.
1957 – There was an incorporation of fuel injection system, suspension and heavy-duty breaks, with manual transmissions.
1958 – Chevrolet Corvettes have more stylish and functional features including longer front ends, headlamps, a complete gauge on the dashboard and newer stirring wheel. These Xtreme Corvettes also had an exclusive twin trunk spars and hood louvers.
1961 – The “duck tail” four round lights were integrated.
1962 – Model cars produced were the fastest for this generation of Xtreme Corvettes.
For the second generation of Chevrolet Corvettes, models were designed by Larry Shinoda. Much of the features and designs were inspired by “Q Corvette” concept. The Chevrolet Corvette C2 cars were made from 1963 to 1967.
1963 – These Xtreme Corvettes were also known as “Sting Ray”. A tapering rear deck with a split rear window was integrated in the models, as well as hidden headlamps and independent rear suspension.
1964 – The maximum power of the cars was increased. The split rear window feature was replaced with full width window.
1965 – Chevrolet Corvettes models in 1965 have four-wheel disk brakes.
1965 – 67 – Models have side exhaust pipes as options, headrests, radio, and air conditioning systems. L88 engine was also introduced in 1967.
The third generation of Chevrolet Corvette C3 was inspired by concept of Mako Shark II. The generation started in 1968 and ended in 1982.
1969 – Options were made for the cars to have side exhaust or chrome tipped rear exits. The engines were based on the ZL1 system.
1970 – 72 – the high compression small block power of the cars became optional, as well as the ZR-1 and KT-1 engine system with racing equipment. Some innovations were also made, like body design and interior upgrades.
1973 – The system used for the chrome bumper was made into 5 miles per hour system, which was also made with a urethane cover.
1975 – The last of convertible Corvettes were made, which were not produced again until 11 years.
1976 – Because the cars made within this period increases temperature when in use, the floor was changed into steel panels.
1977 – 79 – The seats were leather and rear windows were made with fastback glass. Rear spoilers also became optional.
1980 – The cars became lighter and aerodynamic redesign was done.
1981 – The manufacturing center was moved from Missouri to Kentucky.
1982 – Engines made with furl-injecting system were used again.
There was a lot of newer car features introduced in this generation of Xtreme Corvettes. The C4 models were produced from 1984 – 1996.
1984 – C4 Chevrolet Corvette still had the V8 engine from the previous generation. The cars were still made lighter as suspensions and brakes are made with an aluminum material. Most gauges in the dashboard are made with digital LCD’s. Automatic overdrive for the gears was also added.
1985 – Corvettes were made with 170 kW L98 engine system.
1986 – 87 – The first convertible Chevrolet Corvette, the Indy Pace Car, was made after the 1975 convertible model. The cars now have mounted signal lights in the center. B2K twin turbo was made an option in 1987.
1988 – 96 – There was upgrades and innovations to the overall structure of the Corvettes. Different versions like GS or Grand Sport version in 1996 were released as well.
The Chevrolet Corvette manufacturers were so eager to make another set of innovations for the fifth generation of Xtreme Corvettes. The car quality and designs were carefully planned and created because of the reviews made about the previous generation of these sports car models. The production of the Chevrolet Corvette C5 started in 1997 up to 2004. They used the standards of Nissan 300ZX as well as the Mazda RX-7. As a result, this generation of Corvette was an absolute improvement from the previous models, especially when it comes to engine systems, speed and style.
The sixth generation of Chevrolet Corvette, made from 2005 up to present, is mainly expansions of designs and systems. The Corvettes in this particular generation are made with absolute high quality functioning engine systems for fuel efficiency in relation to distance.
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